The 8 minute rule for babies, in the context of sleep, is a part of a calming and settling technique designed to help babies fall asleep and transfer to their cribs more easily. It builds upon a preliminary 5 minute settling process.
Understanding the 8 Minute Baby Sleep Rule
This rule is based on a study that suggests a particular sequence of actions can help calm a baby and facilitate a smoother transition to sleep. It's the second phase of a settling process that starts with movement.
Here's a breakdown:
| Step | Action | Duration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walk with Baby | 5 Minutes | According to research, walk your baby with no sudden movements until they are calm, if not already asleep. |
| 2 | Sit and Hold Baby | 8 Minutes | After the walking phase, sit and hold the baby for another eight minutes. This allows them to deepen their sleep. |
| 3 | Gentle Crib Transfer | N/A | After the 8 minutes of holding, gently transfer the baby to their crib. |
In Essence: According to research, after walking the baby for a minimum of five minutes with no sudden movements, then sit and hold baby for another eight minutes before making a gentle crib transfer. This eight minutes of holding is a key part of solidifying the calming process before attempting to move the baby.
