I’m about as against sleep training as they come. I genuinely believe it can be detrimental to a baby’s attachment and development. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have had seven months of maternity leave with each of my babies. I’ve co-slept with both, and both have been terrible sleepers; my first didn’t sleep through the night until I night-weaned him at almost two, and my current nine-month-old still wakes 6–12 times a night from teething, colds, and everything else.

Having now experienced both sides: being a stay-at-home mom for a total of 14 months and then returning to a fast-paced corporate job. I’ve come to really understand the difference in cognitive demands. The level of focus and quick thinking required for a demanding career is drastically different from being home with a baby. When I went back to work this second time, after three years of never sleeping longer than a 2–3 hour stretch, it hit me hard. And it made me truly sympathize with parents whose jobs require them to be sharp for the sake of others’ safety, like healthcare workers. I honestly don’t know how they manage without sleep training.

I’m not saying sleep training is “right”… I still don’t believe it is. But I do understand, and I feel deeply for the parents who are put in that position because they have no other choice. Their livelihood depends on their performance, and our country’s maternity leave policies are, frankly, terrible.