Why Hire A Sleep Consultant
Congratulations! You have added a new baby to your family! After all of the things you had to worry about to get them here safely, now it seems like sleep is another thing to tack onto your list.
Did you know that every age group has their own optimal amount of day and night sleep? For example, a newborn sleeps 14-17 hours! That’s a lot of sleep! Trying to figure out how to get all of those hours in can seem daunting.
Here’s the truth, baby sleep doesn't need to be so intimidating. It is possible for babies to sleep independently, sleep well, and sleep enough to be happy, rested and healthy. A baby that sleeps well is a baby that lets their parents sleep well too.
Learning healthy sleep habits can start at any age. There are strategies and methods that are applicable for newborns, infants, toddlers, and children. Healthy sleep habits promote routine, comfort and structure which are incredibly helpful for kids. Children’s brains are developing at super speed and they have a hard time processing the world around them compared to a developed adult brain. If they have healthy sleep habits, they can rely on the safety of their predictability and structure, which makes them feel that much more grounded.
With that being said, the most common sleep developments with infants begin around the 4 month marker and this is when a child could greatly benefit from sleep training methods.
Sleep training is essentially sleep education. Once you learn how your baby sleeps, the way their brain is developing and the optimal environments for sleep, the process suddenly becomes routine.
The most common sleep hiccups that come with infant sleep include, but are not limited to, the following:
Short naps that are not restful
Daytime nap schedules
Not being able to sleep independently in bassinet or crib
Baby or toddler that is reliant on rocking, nursing/feeding to sleep or even co-sleeping
Sleep regressions
Separation anxiety
Night wake ups
Weaning night feeds
Early morning wake ups
Nightmares/night terrors
Illnesses
Travel
Transitioning rooms, toddler beds
I have seen it all so you are not alone! I can help you!
As you can see there are a number of sleep factors that change during your time parenting young children. Not having all of the answers to these questions is very normal. This is where a Sleep Consultant can come in to help you. As a trained professional, a sleep consultant's role is to navigate these milestones with you. By asking for help, you share the heavy load of navigating sleep with your consultant.
Here are some of the benefits of hiring a sleep consultant:
Empowering you with techniques and knowledge about sleep training and how to stay on track in the future;
Providing you with direct one-on-one support in navigating and troubleshooting any sleep troubles you are experiencing and get their baby or toddler to sleep more easily;
Helping you stay consistent and to ensure success. As a tired parent, it can be tough to stay on track when it comes to sleep training so having support and someone keeping you accountable is game-changing.
OK, you’ve convinced me! I’m in! …But where do I start?
The process is very easy. First, send me an email with a very brief description of what you are interested in discussing or what sleep challenges you are experiencing with your child. If you’re not even sure of that, no problem! We will determine the situation together.
Next, we will schedule a 30 minute phone call where we dive a bit deeper into the sleep issues you are facing. This allows me to get an even better picture of our current sleep struggles, your goals and which package would work best for your family.
Here is the link to book this discovery call: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=21825427&appointmentType=19891458
Third, I will send you a detailed questionnaire and a 3-day initial sleep log. This is where I really get to see what your schedule is like, what your child’s personality is, your lifestyle, your sleep philosophy and so much more. This allows me to create a personalized sleep plan that will fit your child and your family’s needs.
The next step is a virtual training call where I walk you through every step of your child’s sleep plan for the next two-three weeks. This will give you clear instructions about what to do and provide you with a complete picture of your child’s sleep. We also discuss other factors such as siblings, work schedules, daycare, regression, nap transitions and anything that could be relevant to our plan.
After this training call, the plan is sent to you for your family to follow. I will be available to you via text, email, phone call, when you have questions.
I will be available for you during the bedtime routine and will walk you through each step of the way on the first night of sleep training.
After our plan has been implemented for two-three weeks, I am only a phone call away and we can arrange to have more support if you need it. Returning clients have a special place in my heart.
Laying down the right groundwork early on sets your child up for success for years to come. The benefits of sleep training may seem to be the most impactful in the short term but the truth is that these strategies benefit you and your family for the long haul. Restful, deep sleep is the key to growth, both physically and cognitively. As your children grow, they will depend more and more on these early strategies to manage the increasing demand on their mind and bodies.
Being a parent is stressful, and exhausting. We feel like we should know it all and have all of the answers. Trust me when I say, you know your child best. With that in mind, just remember it is also okay to ask for help. I can help you through this challenging time. Sleep can be very complex and every baby is different. I have worked with hundreds of families to help them navigate through these developments and have provided them with the knowledge, tools and techniques to make sure that their kids are and remain great sleepers.
If you think your family is struggling to have restful nights, peaceful daytime naps or just don’t know where to begin, please reach out to myself or Kendall. We are here to help!