PDF Summary:Twelve Hours' Sleep by Twelve Weeks Old, by Suzy Giordano

Most babies struggle to sleep through the night, leaving parents exhausted and frustrated. In Twelve Hours' Sleep by Twelve Weeks Old, Suzy Giordano lays out her tried-and-true approach to help parents get their babies on a consistent sleep schedule.

Giordano's system is centered around establishing structured feeding times and teaching babies to self-soothe to sleep independently. She provides all the details needed to succeed at this method, showing real-life examples of how she helped even children with conditions like reflux and genetic disorders achieve peaceful sleep. With commitment and consistency, parents can use Giordano's approach to get their babies sleeping through the night by 12 weeks.

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Ensure that infants receive their nourishment every four hours, distributing their meals across four distinct occasions each day.

Infants who meet the essential requirements, such as a minimum weight of 9 pounds, a daily intake of at least 24 ounces of food, and having achieved the age threshold of 4 weeks for a single birth, 8 weeks for twins, and 12 weeks for triplets, can begin a structured sleep training regimen. The first step involves creating a regular feeding routine that occurs every four hours. Giordano recommends dividing the day into two segments, with each spanning twelve hours and incorporating four planned feeding times. Ensuring a regular routine is essential, and it's possible to modify the timing by a quarter of an hour, using the previous meal as a benchmark for the next. For example, if the first meal is at 7:00 AM, the following meals would then be arranged for four-hour intervals afterward, at 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and finally at 7:00 PM. This framework helps to synchronize the infant's appetite signals and digestive process, establishing a consistent routine for the child and their caregivers.

Incrementally extend the intervals between meals while also enhancing the quantity of nourishment provided.

Giordano emphasizes the importance of slowly moving to a routine where infants are fed at four-hour intervals. Employ strategies during the day like calming your infant using a comforter, placing them in a rocker, or engaging them with playthings and melodies to slowly increase the interval between their meals by a quarter to half an hour.

Giordano acknowledges that infants may eat smaller amounts during each feeding as the frequency of their feedings decreases. As infants become accustomed to their feeding schedule, they naturally start consuming more milk at every feeding, which may result in longer breastfeeding sessions or increased amounts from the bottle. This self-regulation is essential because it ensures that the required daily nutrition is consumed, particularly a total of 24 ounces, thereby encouraging the intake of larger meals and, as a result, lengthening the duration of sleep periods.

Gradually reduce the frequency of feedings during the night.

After establishing a routine where feedings occur every four hours during the day, the focus shifts to eliminating nighttime feedings. This approach entails attentively observing the baby's natural cues to gently steer them towards longer stretches of sleep.

Gradually teach infants to lengthen the intervals between their meals.

Giordano's method emphasizes gradually increasing the intervals between nighttime feedings for infants. Observe their sleep patterns and let them wake up on their own rather than sticking to a strict schedule for rising. If a baby delays their regular feeding time from 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM, that later time should then be set as their new feeding schedule. By noticing and nurturing their infants' inclination to lengthen sleep durations, parents can promote its progression.

Gradually decrease the quantity of nourishment provided during each nocturnal feeding.

Reducing the amount of food provided during the night is crucial for encouraging longer stretches of sleep. The essential strategy is to address each feeding individually, usually starting with the nighttime feeding that comes second, since it's generally when babies drink the smallest amount. Giordano advises to slowly decrease the quantity in small steps of half an ounce. If the baby usually drinks 3 ounces during their second nighttime feeding, you ought to reduce it to 2.5 ounces and keep it consistent for three consecutive nights. If the baby drinks just 1.5 ounces rather than the anticipated 2.5 ounces over the next three nights, it's recommended to continue with the 1.5 ounces on the fourth night and keep up with this quantity for another three nights, unless the baby voluntarily reduces their intake. As the frequency of nighttime feedings diminishes, the infant progressively becomes accustomed to extended periods of sleep, which aids in preserving regular sleeping patterns.

When reducing feedings during the night, one must consider whether the infant is breastfed or formula-fed.

Suzy Giordano recommends using expressed breast milk during the training phase to ensure accurate measurements and to minimize the chances of the breast becoming a source of comfort at night. However, she acknowledges that numerous mothers opt for direct nursing.

To gradually eliminate nighttime feedings for infants who are bottle-fed, systematically reduce the volume of milk provided at the targeted feeding session. Breastfed infants should adhere to the same fundamental principle; however, parents are encouraged to focus on shortening the duration of each breastfeeding session instead of concentrating on the volume of milk consumed. In the event that the infant usually nurses for a period of 12 minutes, reduce this time to 9 minutes. Decrease the length of each feeding period by three minutes in intervals of four days, considering the baby's inclination towards briefer meals. This method gradually reduces nighttime feedings, yet maintains the daytime production of breast milk, aligning with the infant's diminishing need for night-time nourishment.

Instruct young ones to develop a routine of uninterrupted sleep for the whole night.

The program's essential element is undoubtedly to steer the baby toward achieving continuous sleep at night over a period of three months. This approach sets up a regular bedtime routine and uses what's termed a "Controlled Comforting Technique" to foster the ability to calm oneself and independent sleep patterns.

Establish a consistent bedtime routine.

Giordano emphasizes the importance of a consistent sleep routine, likening it to how an adult's initial sip of morning coffee cues the body and mind to prepare for the day ahead. Begin this routine with a sequence of five or six soothing tasks performed in the same order every night, starting thirty minutes before the final feeding of the day. Examples include:

Create a calming environment by reducing the brightness of overhead lighting or by utilizing lamps and nightlights with softer illumination.

• Blocking out light: To promote uninterrupted sleep, make certain that the room remains enveloped in darkness, using blackout shades if necessary, to preserve a uniform sleep setting regardless of the season.
• Soothing sounds: Play calming music, lullabies, or white noise to create a peaceful auditory environment. Incorporating the routine of bathing and gentle touch into the everyday timetable. A relaxing bath succeeded by a tender massage may soothe your baby and get them ready for slumber.
• Clothing and diapers tailored for nighttime use: Outfitting the infant in sleep-specific attire signifies the onset of bedtime.
• Storytelling: Engage in a tranquil storytelling session by vocalizing the contents of a book in a calming manner.
• Shutting the door: Make certain that the room where the baby sleeps is set apart to minimize interruptions and to clearly delineate the spaces meant for active play from those reserved for sleep.

Place the baby awake in their crib once the routine is finished, ensuring that this is done in alignment with the established feeding schedule. It is crucial for their development that they acquire the skill of initiating sleep on their own. Play a soothing tune from a child's device and provide them with a warm blanket or a favorite soothing object that carries your scent for comfort. After saying goodnight and leaving their room, make certain that the door is closed. This steadfast and affectionate regularity offers comfort and conveys the message that sleep should commence.

Instruct infants in the art of self-soothing by utilizing the "Limited Crying Solution" method.

The "Limited Crying Solution" method involves pausing momentarily, usually for a duration of three to five minutes, prior to responding to a baby's nighttime fussiness or crying spells that happen before the expected wake-up time. If the baby starts self-soothing during this period, reset the timer and begin counting the duration again. Should the infant's crying persist or escalate to a worrisome level, utilize soothing techniques from your collection of nighttime strategies without picking the infant up from their crib.

Remain near their sleeping area, softly stroking their stomachs and murmuring calming noises or words. Refrain from initiating dialogue or establishing visual connection, which may further excite them. Once the baby is soothed, leave the room and make certain that the door is closed in your wake.

In the early stages of the sleep training process, you might need to apply this method multiple times throughout the night. As babies develop better ways to soothe themselves, they usually cry less frequently and the duration of their crying decreases. By consistently applying this method, you are teaching your infant to independently find comfort and return to sleep without help.

Addressing any deviations or unexpected changes from the established schedule.

Accommodate schedule disruptions for sickness, special events, and vacations

While consistency is paramount, Giordano acknowledges that real life often involves unexpected circumstances. She offers guidance on navigating disruptions to the established routine while minimizing their long-term impact.

Ensure a steady schedule for the baby during the first six months.

Giordano compares setting a sleep routine to the process of Jell-O solidifying; it needs time to become stable before any changes can be implemented without leading to disturbances. Maintain a regular routine during the first six months. When disruptions occur to the regular routine, strive to align activities with the pre-existing cycles of feeding and slumber, making minor adjustments to the schedule as needed. In certain situations, such as a medical appointment, you may need to alter the schedule by feeding the baby earlier, delaying their meal, or permitting a short nap during the journey in the vehicle.

Once the child reaches beyond six months, start introducing greater flexibility into their routine.

Upon reaching the half-year mark in your child's life, you can start to introduce more flexibility. Adjustments to their schedule, like lingering in bed on a weekend morning or attending an afternoon event that lasts into the evening, won't substantially interfere with their firmly set sleep routines. To reduce interruptions, it's recommended to keep these variations to no more than a single day.

Suzy Giordano asserts that the greatest challenge arises in sustaining a regular schedule during vacations and travel periods. By anticipating future events and maintaining a focus on your established routines, you can manage temporary changes in schedule effectively. In unfamiliar settings, even with consistent bedtime rituals and the inclusion of soothing objects like a portable crib and a favorite toy, the baby may initially experience disrupted slumber. Upon returning to their familiar surroundings, it is expected that they will adapt again and any minor disruptions will be rectified within a few days.

Adapt the sleep training method to suit unique circumstances, including issues like reflux, oral clefts related to birth, or cognitive disabilities in infants.

The book by Giordano consistently emphasizes that her approach is effective for a diverse group of infants, even those with distinct needs.

Giordano's proven success in these challenging circumstances

She recounts numerous instances of infants who have conquered intense colic and difficulties linked to cleft palates, as well as those with cognitive impairments, showcasing the broad effectiveness of her method for establishing consistent sleep patterns. Infants who underwent cleft palate surgery might need additional guidance to stabilize their sleep routines. She underscores that while personalizing the approach to meet unique requirements, the fundamental tenets of the strategy remain intact. Giordano underscores the importance of parents taking charge and providing steady guidance, which are crucial for effectively teaching infants to sleep soundly.

Instances where the strategy proved effective even under challenging conditions.

Giordano provides many convincing examples that show her method has successfully steered babies towards consistent sleeping routines, highlighting that a strong commitment to her strategies can yield positive outcomes, despite challenges.

Suzy Giordano's expertise in alleviating severe colic symptoms in infants.

Giordano shares her story of twin boys whose persistent and severe bouts of crying prompted their parents to resort to using car seats to help them sleep. Giordano noted that car seats often became a desperate measure for managing colic rather than promoting peaceful sleep. She expertly guided the infants to achieve continuous sleep from evening to morning over several weeks, gradually adapting them to their sleep settings and nurturing their capacity to comfortably and autonomously find a peaceful sleeping posture.

Assisting infants with severe acid reflux in maintaining uninterrupted sleep throughout the night.

Giordano recounts her time with twins Brandon and Braden, who struggled with lying flat due to intense discomfort and regurgitation caused by their significant gastroesophageal reflux. Giordano recommended that parents adjust the method of conditioning for sleep by positioning their infants at an angle using supportive bouncy seats within their cribs, while still maintaining the core principles of the regimen designed to establish consistent sleep patterns. This modification helped them effectively control their reflux, resulting in uninterrupted nighttime rest for a twelve-week span. As time went on and their reflux problems diminished, they began to sleep in their cribs without an incline.

Guiding infants with cleft palates to consistently sleep through the night for twelve continuous hours.

The method developed by Giordano is notable for its flexibility, demonstrated by its success with Caitlyn and Carter, twins born with cleft palates, showing that it can triumph even in the face of medical complications. Giordano successfully led them to consistently sleep through the night by the time they reached 12 weeks old, despite their cleft palates potentially complicating their ability to breathe. She also provided guidance on activities meant to maintain consistent sleep habits even through challenging transitions following their surgeries.

Ensuring that quadruplets, including those with Down syndrome, achieve uninterrupted sleep for a continuous twelve-hour period at night.

Giordano's approach proved adaptable when she effectively implemented it with quadruplets, among whom two were identified as having Down syndrome. Despite the complexities of looking after several infants simultaneously, all of them, including those with Down syndrome, achieved the milestone of uninterrupted nocturnal rest for a span of twelve hours once they attained the appropriate weight. This underscores the importance of consistent and nurturing guidance in transforming challenging circumstances into triumphs by cultivating sleep routines.

Addressing the challenges that occur when a baby is often held or utilized in place of a comforting tool.

Giordano narrates the experience with a set of triplets, highlighting the parents' particular focus on the infant named Diana, who was smaller and had a facial birthmark, resulting in them often holding her. The constant holding nurtured a dependency that impeded her independent sleeping capabilities. Giordano worked with Diana's parents to teach her how to soothe herself, enabling her to sleep soundly the entire night once her grandmother, who often held her, had left. This instance highlights the significance of encouraging self-sufficiency and steering clear of establishing habits that lead to dependence on outside assistance, even though the intentions behind such actions are good.

Encouraging a five-year-old child to develop the habit of resting independently rather than co-sleeping with their parents.

Giordano shares a compelling story about Franklin, a five-year-old whose habit of sleeping in his parents' bed for the past two years caused tension and disruption in the family. Giordano worked with the family to establish boundaries and clearly define a separate sleeping space for the child, distinct from the areas where his parents slept.

She adeptly transitioned her older child to the routine of sleeping independently in his own room over a few days, despite previously having different bedtime routines. This instance highlights how parental guidance that is both kind and firm can successfully change established sleep habits.