The Gentle Revolution: Baby Sleep Coaching in Germany |
The Shift in German Parenting
In recent years, Germany has seen a shift in parenting styles, with many young parents seeking alternatives to traditional methods. One area where this change is particularly evident is in baby sleep coaching, a topic gaining traction among German families.
The concept of “Schlaftraining” (sleep training) has long been controversial in Germany, where attachment parenting has deep roots. However, as dual-income families become more common and parental burnout rises, many are reconsidering their approach to infant sleep.
Need for Guidance
Without the “village” to help them raise a child, German or international families living in Germany ask for more guidance to support not only their baby’s sleep but the sleep of the entire family.
Good sleep coaches are adapting gentler methods that align with the country’s emphasis on emotional connection. These approaches, such as the “pick-up/put-down” method or “gradual withdrawal,” offer a middle ground between cry-it-out & co-sleeping.
Broader Perspective
This shift reflects broader changes in German society, including evolving gender roles and work-life balance discussions. As more fathers take parental leave and share childcare & night-time duties, the demand for effective, family-friendly sleep solutions has increased.
Childcare Landscape in Germany
The topic of baby sleep overlaps the ongoing debate about childcare availability and workplace flexibility in Germany. Sleep-deprived parents are advocating for more support, pushing for policy changes that acknowledge the challenges of early parenthood.
Even if it’s hard to believe that this is happening in Germany in the 21st century, many active moms face big challenges if they want to go back to work after parental leave, such as:
- Not enough Kita spots: Many kids can’t get into kindergarten, even though the government should provide care for children over 3.
- Inconvenient hours: Day-care centers often close early, making it hard for parents to work full-time.
- Pressure on moms: Women are often expected to work part-time or stay home with kids.
- International families struggle: The bureaucratic system is very complex and hard to understand, especially for expats.
- Tax system issues: Married couples can benefit from lower taxes, which often encourages women to earn less or stay home.
- Career impact: Having kids can cost parents up to 2/3 of their lifetime earnings.
- Labour market problems: Moms are less likely to get job interviews or work as much as they want.
- Staff shortages (before and after the pandemic): Germany needs 160,000 more day care workers, according to a study from 2020 about the Kita system carried out by the Deutsche JugendInstitut.
- Staff illness: Moreover, a more recent study carried out by the DAK-Gesundheit in 2023 and published in 2024 shows that the educators from the German day-care system suffer the most from mental health issues in the last couple of years.
Balancing Tradition & Modern Needs
As Germany navigates these changes, baby sleep coaching is emerging as a microcosm of larger societal shifts, balancing tradition with modern family needs. Let’s not forget how much mental health and emotional state of the parents influence their babies’ overall health and sleep.
Dare to ask for help!
If you are an overtired parent struggling with your baby’s sleep, feel free to book a free Discovery Call and find out how I can help!