Starting out with the Michi Method

Thinking of starting a gentle sleep training program but not sure what’s involved? You’ve definitely come to the right place! This week we’re looking at what you need to do to get ready when starting out with the Michi Method. Do let me know if you have any questions at all.

What is the Michi Method?

The Michi Method is the name for the technique I use when working with families keen to use gentle sleep training methods to resolve sleep issue with their child. The first thing you need to know about the Michi Method is that it’s a very gentle technique that can be applied to all children (from around the age of 6 months) of all temperaments. I do not advocate leaving your baby to cry, and always advise that parents follow their instincts when it comes to gentle sleep training.

Starting the Michi Method

First piece of advice I always give to parents: start with night time sleep. Don’t start with naps, because nap issues are quite different and in most cases it can be easier to make changes to night time sleep first. The second piece of advice is to get some support at bedtime. You need the rest of the family to be onboard here, so that everyone understands what needs to be done and why.

Principles of the Michi Method

One of the main focus points for families is that I encourage parents to use their instincts. So I encourage parents to pick up their baby to soothe and calm them, when they feel they need to. If your baby is awake but happy in their sleeping space, it probably isn’t necessary to pick them up and do whatever you’d usually do to help them to sleep. The idea is to encourage independent sleeping, and if your baby is happy enough by themselves, there is no need to intervene at all. I encourage parents not to ‘over help’, even if their baby is awake for up to 20 minutes or more. In lots of cases, babies will fall asleep by themselves- you just need to wait and see, and give them the opportunity to do so wherever you can.

If your child is starting to fuss, there is still no need to pick them up straight away. You’re right there beside them, you’re not going anywhere. You can offer support and comfort without picking them up, BUT if you feel you need to, then go ahead and pick them up. You’re in charge. You know better than anyone else when your child needs to be picked up and comforted, so trust your instincts.

I generally advise parents to stay in the room once they’ve picked up their baby. You can walk, rocky bounce or whatever it is that you usually do, but stay close to that sleeping space if you can.

If you can avoid feeding to soothe, then try to do that- this is so that you can return your baby to bed as quickly as possible once they’re soothed.

Once you’ve returned your baby to bed, they may well get up and start to fuss again. Once more it’s up to you to asses when you need to pick them up again to offer comfort as necessary.

What to expect when you start the Michi Method

Forewarned is forearmed, right? So you can expect to be picking up your baby quite a lot at first, and you can also expect your baby to be upset too. The reason for the upset is simply because you are completely changing the ‘normal’ way of doing things. This is a positive thing, and things will get better. But for now, expect some resistance and upset. That said, don’t forget that you are there with your child every step of the way. You’re not leaving them to cope with a new routine alone; you’re there to comfort and soothe when your child needs you.

You can expect the first night of the Michi Method to require at least 45 minutes of picking up and soothing. Just keep going. Eventually your child will become sleepy. At this point you can still pat, shush or gently talk to your baby, as you normally would, but you’ll start to gently taper this off as they fall asleep. Take your time to gradually reduce the amount of help you give your child at this point, so that they can fall asleep properly without your intervention.

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