“The Truth About Sleep Training: It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All”
Sleep training can be a controversial topic among parents, but it can actually be a positive experience for your child. Unfortunately, many people assume that sleep training means leaving your baby to “cry it out” for hours on end without intervention, which is understandably scary for any parent. As a sleep consultant, I know that is not true. Sleep training involves much more than that. It’s a combination of detective work, teaching, coaching, and support during one of the toughest times of parenthood. Sleep training is about finding a balance between helping your baby develop healthy sleep habits and meeting their emotional and physical needs.
For me, choosing to become a sleep consultant was a natural decision because my love for my family is unparalleled. Yes, you read that correctly, and it may be surprising to hear, given the conflicting opinions on this topic. Well, when my son was only getting a total of 7 hours of sleep per day and night, I knew that something needed to be done for the sake of his health, my mental health, my husband and my relationship, and our family’s overall well-being. So I did my research and carefully monitored his schedule, wake times, eating habits, sleep environment, and my own interventions before choosing a gentle approach and staying consistent with it. It wasn’t easy at first, but with teamwork and consistency, we were able to help him learn how to calm himself and develop healthy sleep habits – all by his side. My baby boy was much happier once we implemented a sleep schedule for him. He knew when to expect sleep, which made a huge difference in his mood and behavior.
To provide some perspective, imagine being in your tween years and spending the entire day at an amusement park. You feel exhausted and desperately need a nap, but your friends keep dragging you on rides. You try to communicate that you need rest, but it comes out as whining. Despite your efforts to keep up with them, you become crabby and even teary-eyed. By the time you get home and crawl into your own bed, your body is in fight or flight mode, and you struggle to calm down. That’s when your mom comes in and sits down with you, talking to you gently and rubbing your back. She creates a comfortable environment by closing the curtains and providing white noise, continuing to soothe you with sensory input until you gradually drift off to sleep feeling safe and secure. And if you happen to wake up during the night and call for your mom, she’s there to help you get back to sleep, rubbing your back while you toss and turn until you’re able to drift off once again in a soothing and calming environment.
Every child is unique and so are their sleeping patterns. Some kids may be able to easily fall asleep after an exciting day at an “amusement park”, while others may struggle. Every family’s situation is also different, and there’s no right or wrong way to approach it. It doesn’t make anyone a “bad” parent if they need to assist their child in getting the sleep they need. In fact, it is a wonderful gift to help your child get the rest they require for their physical and emotional well-being.
I understand that every family is unique and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to sleep training. That’s why I offer a personalized and compassionate approach that aligns with your values and beliefs as a parent, while also supporting your child’s needs. As your consultant, I am here to listen and support you every step of the way, whether you’re just starting to consider sleep training or you’re facing specific challenges.
Our process begins with a 15-minute call where you can ask any questions about our services and we can get to know each other better. From there, we will work together to create a plan that is tailored to your family’s situation, taking into account your child’s temperament, sleep patterns, and any other factors that may be affecting their sleep. Throughout the process, you’ll be in the driver’s seat, making the decisions that are best for your family, while I offer guidance and support along the way.
Don’t be afraid of the road. This is your best adventure yet. Let’s drive!
