KHJ

This is tricky because you are trying to help people that are sleep deprived and not thinking clearly and “sleep training” is such a loaded term – as well as your role as MIL (depending on relationship). My first son only slept on me for two months and I just thought it was supposed to be that hard and thought he was too young for “sleep training” – thank whatever bigger force is out there because a friend reached out and said she was using a schedule / plan for sleep times, wake times, eating times for the age and weight of her baby a few months older than me and just having the plan / schedule helped so much. Most people use a million crutches (including themselves as the bed / pacifier / etc) to just keep their baby quiet – but babies aren’t supposed to be silent to be healthy – they should be allowed to be frustrated too. For me, when she asked me – what do you think your baby is saying when they cry was a game changer for me. Using a schedule / plan changed my life in 24 hours – I got more sleep, was able to pump more, and my baby was infinitely happier from getting more and better rest. I had been so tired and had not thought it was even possible his cries were anything other than I’m starving or I’m so lonely or I’m dying. It could really be they are saying – please leave me alone so I can figure this out and fall asleep. I would personally offer to pay for the consultant to come and do it for the parents at this point – the window is closing and they can’t think clearly.