Ah, New Year’s resolutions. We all make them, and let’s be honest—most of us break them by the second week of January. We all start strong with the big plans: “This year, I’ll finally organize my closet,” or “I’ll exercise every day!” But by February, it’s more like, “Yeah, I’ll try again next year…”

But here’s a resolution that’s not only *possible*, but will make a HUGE difference in your life as a parent (and as a human being): **Teaching your baby to sleep.**

If you’re thinking, “Wait, Anna—really? That’s my big resolution?” I hear you. But hear me out. This one is the resolution that will literally change your life. (And, you know, let you *finally* feel like a human again.)

### 1. Parents Can’t Parent If They Can’t Adult.

Let’s have an ugly-honest moment here. Sleep deprivation makes everything harder. I mean, we all know this—when you don’t get enough sleep, you turn into a toddler with a big ol’ cup of coffee in hand, just trying to survive. (Or is that just me? Probably not.)

It’s *so* much harder to be the patient, loving, guiding parent you want to be when you’re running on fumes. Your ability to think clearly, handle tantrums like a champ, and keep your cool in the face of, well, *life*, all go down the drain when you’re not getting enough sleep. You start finding yourself saying things like, “I *used* to be patient” or “I *used* to be fun.” But guess what? You can *be* that person again.

If you’re not getting enough sleep, it’s not because you’re a bad parent. It’s because you’re human. Sleep is a basic human need, and it’s the foundation that everything else rests on. So if you’re feeling like you’re running on empty, now’s the time to do something about it—and it starts with teaching your little one how to sleep independently.

### 2. Your Baby Needs You to Help Them Learn How to Sleep.

Remember when that adorable little whimper from your newborn used to be cute? Fast forward a few months, and now that same whimper at 3 a.m. has you wondering if you should just move to a cave and live off of coffee (I’m not the only one who’s thought about it, right?).

Here’s the thing: if you’re constantly feeding, rocking, or shushing your baby to sleep, you’re creating a “sleep association.” Basically, your baby starts thinking, “Oh, I need mom to feed me (or rock me, or whatever) to fall asleep.” It’s cute in the beginning, but over time, it starts to feel like you’re trapped in a never-ending cycle of *getting baby to sleep* instead of teaching them how to do it on their own.

The good news is, it doesn’t have to be that way. You can absolutely teach your baby to fall asleep independently while still keeping all the love and comfort that comes with your bedtime routine. No, it’s not an overnight miracle, but trust me—once they learn how to settle themselves to sleep, you’re both going to be SO much happier. And—drumroll, please—this is the perfect resolution because it benefits *everyone*.

### 3. This Resolution Isn’t Forever, But It Will Last Forever.

I know, I know—this sounds like one of those cheesy motivational quotes you see on Pinterest, but bear with me! Teaching your baby to sleep independently is a *temporary* investment that will pay off for years to come.

Here’s how it works: We’ll work with your family for about two weeks. And yeah, I won’t lie to you—those two weeks might feel a little tough. (Consistency is key, and it might feel like you’re taking two steps forward, one step back at first.) But by the end of that two weeks, your family will be in a solid rhythm, and those new sleep habits will be in place.

And when I say “sleep habits,” I mean *independent sleep skills* that last forever. You won’t have to keep “fixing” sleep over and over again. Your baby will know how to fall asleep on their own and sleep longer stretches. That’s right—less crying, more sleeping. You’ll be able to put your baby down awake and let them settle themselves to sleep, without needing to rock or nurse them back to dreamland every time they stir.

You’ll feel *so* much better, trust me. And you’ll never have to go back to that sleep-deprived zombie state again.

### Time to Ask for Help—Before You Hit Your Breaking Point.

I know it’s tough to admit that you need help, but now’s the perfect time to do it. The whole world is asking about your New Year’s resolution anyway (seriously, the supermarket checkout clerk knows more about your goals than your best friend). So, why not make this the year you give yourself the gift of *good sleep*?

Remember, you don’t have to struggle alone. This is exactly what I do—help families learn how to teach their little ones to sleep independently so everyone gets the rest they need. You’re not a failure for needing help; you’re a *supermom* for asking for it. And you’ll be so grateful that you did.

**So what do you think?** Ready to make this the year that you and your baby sleep like champions? If you’re still unsure, check out my **Free Infant Sleep Class** to learn more about how to help your baby sleep independently (without losing your mind). If your baby’s under 3 months, we’ve got a **Free Newborn Sleep Class** to help you get started too.

This New Year, give yourself the *best* resolution of all: better sleep—for you and your baby. It’s the one that lasts forever.

Sleep Sweetly,

Anna

There’s still time for that New Years Resolution! (More sleep anyone?)

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