5 Valuable Lessons I Learned from Sleep School
I cringe every time my baby cries. The sound of my little girl crying and the sight of her teary eyes give me heartache.
So why am I writing an article promoting sleep school?
To begin, I wish someone else has told me how sleep school was more than a sleep training institution. Also, I want to share my experience as well as the life lessons I learned at the Queen Elizabeth Centre.
Without further ado, here are they are:
#Lesson 1 — Give it a go (no matter how much you don’t feel like doing it)
When I first arrived at the school, the nurse told me to go about my day as per usual which I happily complied. I then started breastfeeding my baby to sleep.
Amanda, the nurse assigned to me, came marching in at the sight of me holding my sleeping baby. Amanda asserted ‘if you choose to be here, then you need to give [sleep training] a go.’
‘if you choose to be here, then you need to give [sleep training] a go.’
I sighed.
She was right. It was only a day stay program which means my baby and I will be here for only 7 hours. Even though I don’t feel like it, I should give it a go because I already made a decision to be at the school by being there.
#Lesson 2 — Keep calm and keep doing what you are doing.
Following Amanda’s instruction, I put my baby in the cot. But as soon as her little body hits the cold surface of the mattress, her glossy eyes open in shock.
She was wide awake.
I could hear my heart pounding as she demands that I pick her up. My breathing quickens as my mind is telling me how stupid I was to follow the nurse’s advice. But, my rational-self tells me to take my chill pill.
my rational-self tells me to take my chill pill.
‘It’s not the end of the world, Sok! Relax. You are doing your best for your baby and you so keep calm and continue what you are doing.’
For once, I listen to rational Sok.
#Lesson 3 — the outcome of an unusual action can be surprising and unexpected.
‘Don’t pick her up. Keep patting and shushing her until she calms down,’ the nurse says.
I did as per Amanda’s instruction. My baby eventually calms down so I waded my way outside.
My body feels so light and free as I watch my baby moves around the cot without throwing her body onto the mattress.
‘Looks like your baby is happy to play by herself,’ the nurse says. ‘You deserve a cup of tea so go make one for yourself at the tea room’.
#Lesson 4 Building trust by honing your listening skills
I was enjoying my tea when my baby declares that the cot is boring.
‘Sok, don’t go in just yet,’ Amanda told me as my right hand touches the door.
‘So when can I go in? She is crying!’
‘Just wait and listen to her crying because right now she’s only protesting. You need to give her a chance to give it a go.’
She was right. I had never given my baby a chance to learn self-settle at home.
‘How do I know when to go in? Is there a recommended timing that I need to follow?’
‘You need to listen. By listening, you can respond to her better which helps build trust. If she’s in distress, then you need to give her assurance. So we don’t recommend going by the clock.’
By listening, you can respond to her better which helps build trust.
Apparently, a baby is in distress when there are no pulses in her cries.
#Lesson 5 — Action really speaks louder than words
I went in and out f the room several times with Amanda being by my side.
‘Sok, perhaps take your time in getting out rather than rushing out of the room. When you rush out, your baby will feel stress about you leaving.’ Amanda gently whispered into my ears before leaving to check on the baby next door.
Amanda’s comment made me re-evaluate what I am communicating non-verbally to my baby.
Conclusion
In overall, I found the experience to be worthy and educating. I like how the nurse is not being pushy (though assertive!!) nor strict as I thought they would be. In fact, The nurse was empathic and understanding so I feel very supported!
I really am not sure whether sleep training is for me and baby, but I’m glad I went along as I learned so much!
Like this article?
Hit the recommend so everyone else can see it as well. Thanks for your support.
