“Sleep begets sleep”

“𝐒𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩.”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Ever heard this saying? It’s super popular among sleep trainers, who are constantly pushing the notion that all sleep troubles can be solved by getting your child to sleep more, because surely – they are overtired.

And for many kids, this 𝘪𝘴 true. Some kids are definitely higher sleep needs children, not just as babies, but well into their toddler years as well. For these children, sleep does often beget sleep, because if they begin to have a sleep debt, they will wake more frequently. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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However, sleep begets sleep is not true for 𝘢𝘭𝘭 children. Some children are lower sleep total kids, and this is particularly true for highly sensitive children or those with exceptionalities. Aside from the developmental and attachment ramifications of following sleep training programs, forcing a low sleep needs child into naps and bedtime when their bodies just aren’t ready will not only result in a fight, but it can throw the entire balance of their 24 hour sleep totals off. For example, if a lower sleep total child gets too much daytime sleep, they will wake more frequently at night and will become prone to early rises.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This is another perfect example of the benefits of tuning into your child’s needs, and ditching the sleep charts and wake window charts. If your child is a lower sleep needs kid, these charts will just not suit your child’s needs.