Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
After payment is made, I email a “Let’s Get Started” document for clients to begin to prepare for sleep training, and the “Contract” and “Sleep Intake Questions” forms for clients to send back to me. After one week of “pre-sleep training,” we schedule our 1.5 hour phone consultation to discuss the next steps for the first week of “official sleep training.” After our consultation, I email clients the written sleep plan, and my daily sleep summary to begin tracking sleep progress. I break things down as much as possible into baby steps. This helps make the process less stressful and more simple to remember in a step by step strategy for parents, while also making it easier for your child to solidify new sleep habits.
The second most common question I hear is, “what if sleep training doesn’t work for my child, and our financial investment went towards nothing?” Here’s my answer: it will work!!! Why? Because it’s sleep science. Natural melatonin and circadian rhythms will do the work for us. I’ve never worked with a client who did not gain amazing sleep results, for both their child and entire family. As long as you stay consistent with the sleep plan, results will be consistent – and life changing!
7-14 nights, although some children learn as soon as 1-5 nights. Each child differs depending on several variables, including consistency on the parents part, whether your child is in daycare or not, if they are in the midst of developmental milestones, and more.
3-4 weeks for naps to solidify, but some children reach nap goals in as soon as 3-7 days.
Cry it out approaches involve little to no involvement from the parent, with little to no strategy to reduce tears and increase sleep hormones. True, healthy, sleep hygiene strategies involve a holistic view, looking at everything that goes on in a 24 hour period for a child. My program is deconstructed into 3 parts to help make the process as gradual as we can, in an effort to make it easier for the child, and the parents. Timing is everything. Syncing our sleep to natural circadian rhythms is key. I don’t like crying as much as any other parent doesn’t like it. My goal is to reduce tears as much as possible through implementation of ideal sleep timing for your unique child. With that said, it’s important to remember that a child expresses themselves through crying, if they are tired – they cry. A child also expresses their frustration from learning a new sleep habit – with crying. It’s something they have never done before, so of course a new habit is going to be frustrating for them. However, it’s temporary struggle, just like crying while learning to ride a bike, or while sitting in a car seat for safety in traffic. A loving parent does not enforce toxic stress on to their child. A loving parent does, however, encourage healthy and safe habits for their child, whether in the form of discipline, sleep, car safety or learning a new skill – even if the child does experience some struggle, there is growth to be had on the other side of it.
The first few years of a child’s life involves a significant amount of growth and development. Much of this growth takes place during deep sleep cycles while human growth hormone is secreted, brain development occurs, organ detoxification, physical repair, and more. If a child struggles with poor sleep hygiene, they don’t get to experience these health benefits fully. On a personal level, I have worked with older children who were close to 10 years old, that were so afraid to sleep in their own bed, that socially/emotionally they had a difficult time when it came to sleepovers with friends, and camp events with their peers. Once we helped them through this, their confidence was built surrounding sleep, and opportunities opened up for them socially.
During the sleep training process, we’ll want your child to sleep at home for at least 4-7 days if possible. This will help prevent falling asleep in the car seat, stroller, or carrier, which will delay the learning process for your child. However, after sleep training is solidified at 3-4 weeks, you’ll practice the 80/20 rule. Majority of nap and night sleep is at home. On occasion, naps are on the go, and nights are away from home if on vacation, for example. Balance is key. Memories being made during the holidays and special occasions are much more important than grasping onto the perfect sleep schedule. You can always get back on track with sleep again, however, you don’t want to push your child too much either. Overtiredness accumulates slowly, and can result in bedtime onset struggles, night wakings, early morning wakes, and short naps.
Babies who hold on to 1-2 night feeds can absolutely still be sleep trained. I work with clients who decide to keep a night feed often, or as recommended by their pediatrician.
Yes! Breastfeeding mom’s can absolutely keep up with milk supply, and their child can sleep through the night with no night wakes, if of appropriate age and pediatrician recommends to do so.
Yes! Anyone can put your child down for naps and bedtime!