MY MISSION
To support parents who value sleep for their child, their family, and individual selves during those early years through education, customized sleep plans, and support.
To normalize safe and healthy sleep in our society changing the narrative that exhaustion is normal during those first few years of parenthood and breaking down myths and misconceptions about sleep training in general.
MY PHILOSOPHY
First and foremost, no parent should be shamed for striving to have a child who sleeps well. Regardless if improving sleep for the child’s sake or a parent’s sake. Sleep is just as important as food for surviving and thriving. It is nutrition for the brain and body with both quantity and quality playing important roles.
Second, well-fed and well-rested can coexist! The age of a child, whether or not a feeding is a true feeding, the pediatrician’s recommendations, and the parents’ preferences will contribute to whether or not night feedings are removed. From my experience, most children drop feedings naturally between six and nine months when they can fall asleep and transition between sleep cycles independently.
Third, building a strong sleep foundation is more than just choosing a sleep training method. It involves “CATRing” to your child’s age. Meaning age appropriate CONSOLIDATION of sleep for an age appropriate AMOUNT of time at the age appropriate TIME of day. All occurring REGULARLY.
When you understand sleep, you can better understand your children and how to build a safe and strong sleep foundation with realistic expectations based on your child’s age. The type of sleep that a newborn requires is different from that of an infant which is different from that of a toddler.
Fourth, you have options and you are not going to damage your child. “Cry it out” is not the only option when it comes to sleep training. But it is also not something that will damage your child if you choose it.
Each child is different. Each family is different. Therefore, the sleep plan that your family creates to form healthy and safe sleep habits might look different than your neighbor’s or your sister’s. And that is OK!
How you respond while improving sleep should depend on your preference as a parent, your child’s age, and your child’s temperament. These factors will determine how and when you respond to your newborn or which method you choose to help your infant or toddler sleep better.
Fifth, your child is human. For humans, change takes time and can be challenging. And for an overtired child who doesn’t yet understand or want the changes, protesting may occur. Hence, it is important that you, as a parent, trust in the process, believe in your child’s abilities, and keep a positive mindset while also setting realistic expectations.
Regardless of your parenting philosophy and preferences, reaching a goal of a well-rested child and family requires patience, flexibility and consistency. Your child needs the space and time to adjust to any changes that will be happening.
When working together, regardless of your parenting philosophy, you will need to agree to use safe sleep practices outlined by the AAP. Thus, every sleep plan consists of guiding the child to sleep in his/her own bed. Working together does not mean that you must use Cry It Out unless this is the method you choose, does not mean your child cannot room share, and it does not mean getting rid of all night feedings unless your child naturally drops them or you make the decision to wean.
So, are we a match? Find out more about what working with me looks like by downloading my document “What does working with a sleep consultant entail?”
What does it mean to be a Certified Child Sleep Consultant?
Establishing Healthy Sleep Habits from Birth Through Early Childhood
Biological Sleep Milestones: Stages and Transitions
Common Sleeping Challenges and Solutions: Behavioral, Delayed Onset of Sleep, Crying, Fragmented Sleep, Parasomnias.
Child Development
Twins
Working with Families of Children With Special Needs
Medical Conditions which Effect Sleep
The Incidence, Pathophysiology and Treatment of GERD During Infancy
Parent Coaching 101
Parenting Styles
Case Study Reviews
Intake Assessments, Evaluation, Creating Sleep Plans, Coaching Process and Support
Final Project with Three Different Families
What does it mean to be a Certified Postpartum Doula?