Based on recent interviews and expert consensus from 2024 and 2025, the landscape of infant sleep advice has shifted from a “one-size-fits-all” approach to a more nuanced spectrum. This ranges from strict biological timing to responsive, attachment-based care.
For parents in Latin America, there is a distinct cultural divide: Global experts often push for independent sleep, while prominent Spanish-speaking specialists advocate for co-sleeping and biological rhythms.
1. The Two Main Philosophies: A Comparative Overview
Experts generally fall into two camps: those who prioritize sleep hygiene and independence (often involving some crying) and those who prioritize attachment and biology (minimizing tears).
2. Insights from Global & Latin American Experts
Dr. Marc Weissbluth: “Timing is Everything”
- Core Concept: The “Drowsy but Awake” window is fleeting. If you miss it, the baby gets a “second wind” (cortisol release) and becomes wired, making sleep difficult.
- Key Advice: Watch the clock and the baby. An extremely early bedtime (e.g., 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM) can sometimes cure night wakings because it prevents overtiredness, which is the root cause of most sleep battles.
Dr. Harvey Karp: “The 4th Trimester”
- Core Concept: Human babies are born 3 months “early” compared to other mammals. They need a womb-like environment to trigger their “calming reflex”.
- Key Advice: Use the 5 S’s (Swaddle, Side/Stomach position for holding, Shush, Swing, Suck).
- Pro Tip: Use the “Wake and Sleep” method. Rock the baby to sleep, put them down, and then gently tickle their feet to wake them slightly. This teaches them to fall back asleep without your help, even if just for 10 seconds.
Rosa Jové (Spain) & Lyndsey Hookway (UK): “Sleep is Evolutionary”
- Core Concept: “Sleeping through the night” is a cultural myth, not a biological reality. Adults wake up multiple times but know how to return to sleep; babies need help regulating this.
- Latin American Context: Dr. Gonzalo Pin Arboledas (Spain) and Jové emphasize that human sleep has historically been biphasic (two phases). Waking at 3 AM is biologically normal for a toddler. They warn that “training” a child to sleep alone too early can cause toxic stress.
- Key Advice: Focus on the total 24-hour sleep hygiene (light exposure, physical activity) rather than obsessing over night wakings. Contact (holding, carrying) is essential for brain development, not a “bad habit”.
3. Critical Safety Updates (2024-2025)
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and global health bodies have updated their guidelines. Parents should be aware of these strict recommendations:
- The ABCs of Sleep: Alone, on their Back, in a Crib.
- NO Weighted Swaddles: New guidelines explicitly warn against weighted swaddles or blankets (e.g., those with beads or rice). They can impair a baby’s arousal mechanism, which is critical for preventing SIDS.
- Inclined Sleepers: Any surface inclined more than 10 degrees is unsafe for sleep. This includes swings, gliders, and car seats (when used outside the car).
- Pacifiers: Offering a pacifier at bedtime is now highly recommended as it reduces SIDS risk by 50-90%.
4. Handling Sleep Regressions
Regressions (commonly at 4 months, 8-10 months, and 2 years) are actually “progressions”—signs of brain development.
- Don’t Panic: It usually lasts 2-4 weeks.
- Avoid New Habits: If you don’t want to rock your baby to sleep forever, try not to start doing it only during a regression. Keep the routine consistent.
- The “Pause”: Before rushing in when the baby cries, wait 1-2 minutes. They might be “loudly sleeping” or settling themselves between cycles.
5. Actionable Summary for Parents
- For the Data-Driven Parent: Follow Weissbluth. Track naps, aim for an early bedtime, and respect the biological clock.
- For the Attachment-Focused Parent: Follow Jové/Hookway. Accept night wakings as normal, co-sleep safely (if desired), and use contact to soothe.
- For the “Fix It Now” Parent: Follow Karp. Master the swaddle and white noise to activate the calming reflex immediately.
Final Expert Tip: “Sleep training” isn’t binary. You can be responsive (pick up the baby when they cry) and still have boundaries (put them back down once calm). The best method is the one that allows the whole family to function safely and happily.