Is Your Child a Self-Soother or a Signaler?

Why does it matter?

Every child is different and they are born that way. It’s always fascinating to see families with multiple children raised by the same parents, in the same environment, and observe how different they all are! 

But understanding your baby’s temperament, sleep rhythms and patterns, sensory preferences and sleep needs can help you understand how to best support them. And it takes time to figure this out, so don’t be hard on yourself if you’re having trouble getting your little one to sleep. That’s what I’m here for ☺ 

All babies (and adults) rouse at the end of their sleep cycles. However, what a baby does during this awakening varies and is often down to temperament. In the 1970s a researcher, Dr Thomas Anders, was observing this and coined the term ‘self-soother’. 

Characteristics of a Self-Soother (when waking between sleep cycles):

• Comfort themselves by repositioning, sucking their thumb, find their lovely, etc. 

• Able to go back to sleep on their own (or with little support)

• Described as ‘good sleepers’ and have easy going temperaments

Characteristics of a Signaler (when waking between sleep cycles):

• Will call out for support quickly after waking

• Usually slower to consolidate their sleep, struggle to settle and are easily affected by changes in their sleeping environment/routine.

• Described as difficult sleepers and have highly sensitive temperaments.

Note: It’s important to mention that if there was a need (hunger, thirst, connection, wet diaper etc.) the soother would signal for support, just as the signalers would. 

It’s not anything you do or don’t do that determines if your child is a soother or signaler. They are who they are, but understanding this will help you feel less frustrated and know what they need to better support them for superior sleep (which benefits the entire family!).