Getting your baby to sleep through the night is a parenting challenge tackled differently around the world. There is no one right way to do it, and, as a global platform, Unii believes that families exalt in learning from other cultures. In fact, this article was inspired by a British mum who found a French baby sleep technique that worked for her!

What is Le Pause?

So, Le Pause, the French sleep training technique explained by Pamela Druckerman, author of Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting, is simply taking a moment's pause before attending to your baby at night. Please note that Le Pause is not a term used by the French for this technique, but merely an anglicised way of capturing it.

Ms. Druckerman, an American author and journalist who has written extensively about French parents, explains that you should give your child a minute or two to quiet themselves, or even return to sleep, before you interrupt what may simply be a normal phase of a good night's rest—stirring, then settling down—with cuddles or a bottle. She describes French parenting as a little more old-school than her contemporary American experience, with life à la maison rarely revolving around the children and a popular cultural belief that this is for their good. Le Pause is just a way of ingraining it in them early.

More tender-hearted parents need not stress. Le Pause isn't about letting your child cry it out; it's about understanding that sometimes new babies make a lot of noise in their sleep for developmental reasons or simply because they need to become accustomed to their environment. Why not relax and give them the opportunity to decide if they really need you?

Many new parents have never been told how noisy newborns can be and run to them at the first sound of a cry or snort. Later, when you move the cot out of your room and hear your baby's noises through the wall, picturing them upset and alone can be tortuous. We've been there and understand the powerful desire to run to them is real! However, three minutes or so should be enough to determine whether your baby is returning to quiet sleep. Try not to rush, and trust that your baby will let you know if they need you.

What is Active Sleep?

This is a sleep stage many new parents are delighted to learn about! Their newborn’s sleep patterns can feel chaotic. Starting a proper routine won’t happen for at least three months; a newborn can’t tell the difference between night and day, and they can be so noisy after they nod off. They can also be very active sleepers. If you’ve never had a baby in your room before, you’ll naturally be moved to hop out of bed and reach for them. However, you could be unintentionally waking them up!

Moving, grunting, and even crying babies are often active sleepers. They are still learning to regulate their digestive and respiratory systems, and their sleep cycles are irregular. If you’re hearing your baby making grunting sounds, moaning, or whimpering in their sleep, know that these are typically normal newborn active sleep sounds and try to pause and relax. This is not advice to ignore sounds of congestion or anything you, as a parent, feel is not normal. Alway check anything that worries you with your paediatrician.

Isn't Le Pause just the "crying themselves to sleep" method?

No! And if your baby is crying, Unii has lots more tips and tricks for calming them down. Remember that the cry it out method typically encourages parents to wait far longer than a brief pause to check on a noisy baby, which can make for some emotionally tough nights (though crying itself will not usually harm your baby).

What if I can't bear Le Pause?

Some mums report that having a partner put a reassuring hand on their arm encourages them to stay put. You could also try watching the clock to motivate you to hold back. Remember, this is just one baby sleep technique; you don’t need to keep trying what does not work for you, and this is definitely worth a first try. We can all bear anything once. Courage!

What is the Le Pause method of sleep?

What is Le Pause in baby sleep?