Book SummaryTwelve Hours' Sleep by Twelve Weeks Old, by Suzy Giordano

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Twelve Hours' Sleep by Twelve Weeks Old

Giordano's method for instilling sleep habits in infants.

Suzy Giordano's approach conditions young children to sleep soundly throughout the night.

The method developed by Giordano is designed to instruct babies in self-soothing techniques, enabling them to sleep through the night without interruption by the time they reach twelve weeks old. The method aims to guide a baby toward achieving a full twelve hours of continuous sleep by the time they reach twelve weeks old. It involves establishing a structured feeding schedule during the day, gradually eliminating night feedings, and teaching babies to fall asleep independently in their cribs.

The strategy known as "The Limited Crying Solution" that Giordano developed is intended to instruct babies on self-soothing techniques, thereby encouraging a full night's sleep without interruptions.

A key element of the method developed by Giordano is known as "The Limited Crying Solution." Suzy Giordano believes that extended periods of crying can be emotionally taxing for both the baby and the parents, and usually do not result in the baby learning to calm themselves. The strategy includes a brief intermission, typically lasting between three to five minutes, before initiating soothing techniques for the baby. The infants master the art of self-comforting with only a slight amount of fussing. If the infant continues to cry or the crying becomes more severe, it is recommended that parents comfort their child, making sure the child stays in their own bed. Comfort the infant by staying near their bed, softly stroking their abdomen, offering a soothing item for them to suck on, or murmuring tranquil words. Once the baby has been calmed, caregivers should leave the room, and if the baby starts crying once more, they should carry out the calming procedure again. This approach guides babies in mastering the art of calming themselves, which allows them to fall asleep independently. It additionally enables parents to provide encouragement and comfort without fostering a reliance on physical holding or rocking.

The four essential pillars constitute the foundation of Giordano's successful method designed to teach infants how to sleep through the night.

Giordano's approach is built upon four pillars vital to successful sleep training,...

Twelve Hours' Sleep by Twelve Weeks Old Summary Establishing a solid foundation is crucial during the first six to eight weeks before initiating the sleep training program.

In the beginning, it's crucial to avoid setting up detrimental sleep habits.

Giordano underscores the importance of averting the development of detrimental sleep habits prior to implementing a systematic approach that leads babies to independent sleep. It is widely acknowledged that young infants are not at risk of being spoiled, yet certain unintentional actions might cultivate habits that may become difficult to alter as time progresses.

Ensure that reliance on swings, vibrating seats, and pacifiers is minimized to avoid infants developing a dependency on these items.

Giordano compares the scenario to the time preceding a diet, observing that yielding to bad habits may complicate the establishment of beneficial ones in the future. Infants might develop a reliance on devices like vibrating chairs or become excessively accustomed to using soothers to fall asleep. The author recommends using these strategies only during periods of extreme fussiness in an infant, and only when it's truly essential. Occasionally, it's acceptable to use a swing when the baby is inconsolable and suffering due to digestive distress. Consistently employing this technique whenever the infant...

Twelve Hours' Sleep by Twelve Weeks Old Summary The core strategy is aimed at training infants to consistently sleep throughout the night within a span of twelve weeks.

Establish a consistent daytime feeding routine.

The method developed by Giordano establishes a foundation for extended sleep during the night by promoting independence with a structured daytime feeding schedule.

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....

Twelve Hours' Sleep by Twelve Weeks Old Summary 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...

Twelve Hours' Sleep by Twelve Weeks Old Summary 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...