“It doesn’t work!” Sleep expert reveals parents’ common mistake

As a parent of a newborn, sleep can seem like a mystery you’re constantly trying to solve. A sleep expert recently took to TikTok to share one sleep technique that many parents are tempted to try – but one we should definitely avoid.

Alice, a certified sleep consultant from Cozy Baby Sleep, posted a video about what not to do when it comes to your baby’s sleep: “I should keep my baby up longer so they sleep longer”.

I’m sure many parents have tried this at some point; I certainly have. However according to Alice, it doesn’t work and she doesn’t hold back in letting parents know.

“No don’t do that!” says the caption on the clip. “Stop it! It doesn’t work! lol”.

“Sleep begets sleep”

Alice then goes on to explain, “Babies that don’t nap well in the day or have late bed times will fight sleep.” So by depriving your baby of sleep in the hope of them sleeping longer later is counterproductive. According to Alice, the more sleep they have, the more they will want to sleep. “Sleep begets sleep,” she explains. “The more they sleep, the more they will sleep!”

Nice and calm

Alice continues to explain that sleep keeps babies relaxed and calm, which helps them to fall asleep at night time. “If you keep them awake they’re probably going to be over-stimulated and they’re going to cry,” she says. This makes sense as sleep experts often suggest keeping babies calm and quiet as part of bed time routine. It’s hard for anyone to sleep when they’re feeling energetic and over excited.

@cozybabysleep

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♬ original sound – Alice – Certified Sleep Coach

Do all babies love sleep?

The video attracted over 24,000 likes ad was shared nearly 2,500 times. Alice’s advice does make sense and many viewers agreed. “My sons are in bed for 6.30/7pm and wake around 7am,” wrote one parent. “Even if I was to put them to bed at 10pm they are still gonna wake at 7am.” Alice relied to this comment enthusiastically. “Yes this!!!!!” she says. “They will wake earlier and earlier the later you put them down.”

Another parent said, “I tried and it did not work he was just over tired, I’ve just come to terms with the fact that he don’t like sleep.” However Alice’s response to this is, “That’s not true! No baby hates sleep! They just don’t know how.”

Babies do need to learn how to sleep, but they’re all so different – as you can see from the 700 comments on the post.

Some certainly seem to sleep more easily than others. My first baby didn’t sleep much at all. She didn’t like her day sleeps and she was awake at 5am without fail (except for the one occasion, when I needed her to wake up early – of course!). But it’s a learning process for both mum and bub, and often something you can’t do alone.

Unless you’re the parent who left the comment, “My baby goes to sleep at 10pm and wakes up at 9.30/10am and doesn’t wake in the night.” I was a little envious of this, however Alice’s simple response says it all: “Yay”.