About us
My wife and I started medical school together when our firstborn was just 3 months old! Between trying to keep up with the rigorous coursework and dealing with sleepless nights filled with feedings and constant wake-ups, it felt like there was hardly any time left to study. We had it extremely tough as our son had colic and would cry throughout the night with no apparent cause or underlying medical issue. I vividly remember one night where my wife felt she couldn't handle the crying anymore and was unable to wake me up. She turned the light on in the room, placed the bassinet right next to my head and left to sleep on the couch.
We often found ourselves overwhelmed, struggling to balance lectures, exams, and assignments while also being there for the baby. On top of that, the thought of sleep training for the first time was really daunting. We were scared of letting our baby cry or changing our established routines, and the emotional conflict of wanting what's best for our baby while also needing rest and focus for school was tough.
After reading books and articles on the topic and discussing it with other parents, we built up the courage and decided to sleep train him. On the first night, he cried for half an hour. The next night, it was 20 minutes, then 10 minutes, and eventually, he averaged just 0-5 minutes of crying per night. On nights when we were at the grandparents' house or he was sick, it took him longer to fall asleep. However, on nights with a more consistent routine, he was often able to fall asleep within minutes of being placed in his crib.
By the time our second child arrived in the middle of our medical school training, we were more prepared. Thankfully, our daughter didn’t have colic, and we already had a nanny in place. At 3 months, we started sleep training, and it went smoothly.
With our third child, I was already in residency training for diagnostic radiology, and my wife was in residency for pediatrics. She was able to take 10 weeks off, but I couldn’t take more than 2-3 weeks. After 10 weeks, she returned to work, starting with inpatient days for the first week and inpatient nights for the second week, meaning she worked throughout the night taking care of children in the hospital. Before starting work, she told me that I would need to handle our 10-week-old throughout the night since her job was more demanding. She suggested we could get a night nurse if necessary, but with our small apartment and modest salary (residents don’t get paid much), I was determined to make it work without a night nurse. I knew the standard sleep training method of letting him cry it out in his bassinet wasn’t suitable at such an early age, so I adjusted the “protocol.” After completing his bedtime routine and ensuring he was tired (having not napped for the last 3 hours), I swaddled him in my bed, lying next to him and watching him closely. I kept placing the pacifier in his mouth whenever it fell out or he cried. Within 5-10 minutes of crying, he fell asleep. I waited another 5 minutes next to him, then gently placed him in his bassinet in a safe sleep position. Miraculously, he slept through the night and continues to do so.
Life as a parent is incredibly difficult. We never really know the "right" action to take or the "right" thing to say, but one thing I can say for sure is that sleep training is a must.
Even if I can't convince you to let us help you sleep train your baby, please take my word for it—sleep training is one of the best decisions you'll make for both you and your baby. It may feel daunting at first, but the benefits are undeniable. A well-rested baby is happier, more content, and better able to engage with the world around them, and as parents, you'll find that sleep training gives you the peace and energy you need to thrive. With consistent sleep habits, you’ll be able to enjoy more quality time with your child during the day, knowing that when night comes, everyone will get the rest they truly need. Trust me, sleep training works—and it can transform your family’s life for the better, just like it did ours.
