Studies have shown that sleep training does not threaten attachment. Sleep training is proven to improve baby's sleep, maternal mood and sleep, has no long term stress(cortisol levels), no long term effects on the child's behavior or emotions and is not linked to attachment.
Short answer: YES! Sleep is a very basic need that all human beings have, and teaching your baby to sleep in a supportive way is a perfectly reasonable thing that many parents all over the world do, without damaging their secure attachment with their child.
Of the few studies that have looked at the short- to longer-term outcomes of sleep training, none have found an effect on a baby's attachment or mental health.
Encouraging young babies, especially those less than 6 months of age, to sleep for longer more quickly than is normal for their stage of development may put them at increased risk of SIDS. Unusually prolonged or deep sleep, from which a vulnerable baby cannot easily arouse, has been associated with increased SIDS-risk.
Parental use of 'cry it out' in infants: No adverse effects on attachment and behavioural development at 18 months. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 61, 1184– 1193.
Now researchers say they have found that leaving infants to cry has no impact on their behavioural development or their attachment to their mother, but may help them develop self-control.
An accumulation of risks throughout childhood may have a very negative impact on a child's future wellbeing. While behavioral sleep training such as the Ferber Method may not constitute an Adverse Childhood Experience, there is evidence to support that it may negatively impact attachment.
Sleep trainers say that when parents stop responding to cries, babies put themselves back to sleep. Opponents of the practice deem this not self-soothing but the end of signaling; having learned that their cries go unanswered, babies still wake but stop reaching out.
Starting sleep training at the wrong time.
To be safe, I usually recommend starting around six months of age, but efforts in the 4-6 month window may be helpful. Before four months, just follow your child's cues. Lately there have been some articles in the news about training younger infants but I don't recommend this.
Reason #1: Babies and toddlers cannot self-soothe
Probably one of the top things we hear in favour of sleep training is that you need to “teach” your baby to self-soothe. But here's the thing, it's not physically possible for a baby or toddler to soothe themselves.
4.5-5.5 Months. Most experts recommend sleep training around this time, when babies can make it 6 to 8 hours without feeding overnight. But keep in mind that your little one is learning that crying gets a response from you—so expect plenty of waterworks when you leave the room!
Is the Ferber Method Harmful? Children's health and development experts agree that when infants receive love and attention during their waking hours, using the Ferber method isn't harmful. It doesn't damage babies or disrupt the relationship between babies and their parents.
#1: Create a Night Time Environment
You can help your child wind down and prepare for sleep by creating a restful environment and routine that gently leads him to relax and become sleepy. For some families, this might mean sacrificing some existing evening activities in the short or long-term.
This study suggests that there aren't any negative long-term effects of sleep training and that there aren't any positive ones either. That means whether you choose to sleep train or not, your baby will probably be fine and eventually sleep through the night.
Attachment issues can arise for a number of reasons, but they are typically rooted in childhood experiences. Inconsistent or neglectful caregivers, for example, may play a part in attachment disorders in childhood as well as attachment issues in adulthood.
A partner acting in one of the following ways may trigger an unhealthy emotional response for someone with an anxious attachment style: Inconsistent behavior (acting attentive and then withdrawn) Seeming distant or distracted. Forgetting important events, such as a birthday or anniversary.
Though sleep training is a bit harder after your toddler has turned 1, it's still very possible, though you'll want to start while she's still a year old rather than waiting until she's 2 if you can, since bedtime habits are harder to break the older your child gets.
Because of this “cry-it-out” sleep training can be damaging to a rapidly growing brain – and to a growing psyche. Researchers have documented how, with sleep training, infants' fight and flight instincts activate in the face of extensive distress, such as being left without comforting physical touch.
Many babies, and especially those under 3-4 months of age, are perfectly capable of achieving good sleep without any formal sleep training. The secret is knowing the perfect awake windows for your baby's age and allowing your baby to nap at the optimal times and lengths, so they are perfectly ready for sleep.
Because you are changing your child's current habits, the first night is usually the one with the most protest, because your child doesn't expect what's coming and is generally unhappy about making changes to a routine that's been working for them pretty much their entire lives.
A serious limitation of attachment theory is its failure to recognize the profound influences of social class, gender, ethnicity, and culture on personality development.
Enmeshed/Preoccupied is a dependent style with high need for proximity and under-developed autonomy. It involves clinging behavior which can involve anger when needs are not met. Fearful style involves fear of rejection or criticism and this is often accompanied by behavioral avoidance.
A disorganized attachment style can cause a lot of distress and confusion when it comes to social interactions and intimacy. It can harm your relationships and lead you to lose someone you really want in your life. Being around or with someone with this attachment style is also challenging.
By the time they reach five to seven years of age, they should be able to play more freely on their own, take responsibility for simple things like getting dressed, and even start to do chores such as cleaning up their toys. Children can't be too attached, they can only be not deeply attached.