Grooming Baby is a book written by Heidi Schnall. It provides some useful suggestions and guidelines on how to train your baby to sleep through the night. It also includes practical advice for parents who are struggling with the issue of not being able to reach their babies on time or reaching them when they’re already awake.
According to the author, many of us struggle with a set of beliefs that is in conflict with our infant/parent system. The first two chapters provide an overview of what we are all expecting from our babies. Chapters 3 and 4 provide a step-by-step guide for integrating baby’s sleeping patterns with your own sleep patterns.
Avoid The Sleep Training Method
Schnall believes that one of the first things we must do is to avoid the sleep training method. She points out that the “sleep training method” can often be a source of confusion for parents who aren’t yet experienced at parenting. The method believes that your baby should wake up just before you get to him/her. The best way to train your baby to sleep through the night is to encourage your baby to use cues to help determine when to wake up, rather than simply allowing them to depend on your body.
In chapter 5, Schnall shares some of her own experiences with the issue of how to train your baby to sleep through the night. She outlines her own strategy for communicating with your baby throughout the night.
Identify Your Baby’s Needs
After discussing her methods, Schnall discusses how to identify your baby’s needs. You want to provide your baby with everything they need, including nourishment, comfort, and quiet. Once you have established what your baby needs, you can then focus on building a routine for yourself and your baby.
In addition to the examples, ‘Let’s Play Time’, this chapter outlines the basics of the idea of feeding your baby when they’re hungry. In Schnall’s experience, it was important to feed your baby when they were hungry. This technique helps build a system that allows them to know when to eat and will keep them focused on getting more nutrition while staying peaceful.
Help Baby Establish New Rules
In chapter 6, Schnall shares seven ways to help your baby establish new rules. In the chapter, she mentions that it is very important to take baby’s needs into consideration as you decide what new rules you would like to establish for yourself and your baby. Allowing your baby to establish their own rules is often the best way to avoid arguments and drama.
In chapter 7, Schnall provides tips for making sure that your baby is safe and secure. Many parents wonder how to establish a basic sense of security for your baby.
In chapter 8, Schnall offers some good advice on establishing safety. In the example, ‘Imagine You’re Walking’. You can tell your baby that he/ she will sleep in your arms, but then you will go off and play. Remember to use a soothing voice in the process so that your baby doesn’t feel scared or unsettled.
Chapter 9 focuses on establishing rules to keep your baby calm. One way to keep your baby calm is to shower them with affection when they are sleepy and try to encourage them to smile.
Final Verdict
In chapter 10, Schnall talks about helping your baby learn to understand and trust that you love them. You want to let your baby know that you are a good parent who loves them.
Schnall believes that babies sleep through the night once they understand that you love them and that you will be there for them, no matter what happens. Using the techniques and ideas discussed in Grooming Baby, she has found that it has helped parents and babies enjoy their sleep.
