When is it time to hire a Sleep Consultant?
When is it time to hire a Sleep Consultant?
Parenting a newborn today can be hard. Let’s face it, parents are stressed and exhausted. Many parents work full time or live away from supportive family that can help when things get tough. Parenting now is not like it used to be. And a baby who has trouble sleeping can make things even more challenging. A large percentage of babies have difficulty sleeping. The good news is that there are many sleep experts, books, websites, and other resources available for sleep-deprived parents. The bad news is that it takes time to read all these books and blogs. They offer a variety of contradicting, sometimes unhelpful information. Not all books or methods are backed by science or research or are approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Your family pediatrician may be a helpful resource, but many pediatricians receive little training in resolving baby sleep challenges and may tell you to, “Just let your baby cry themselves to sleep. This is the only way.” This is what my pediatrician told me when my littlest was waking up 8-15 times a night.
If your baby has been waking often at night, has a hard time falling asleep, or is refusing naps, you are probably feeling exhausted. If you are having another child soon, are moving your baby to a crib, or have fallen into the habit of accidental co-sleeping, you may be wondering what the best way is to cope with these situations. If your newborn is colicky and you are frazzled from hours of crying, you may be feeling hopeless about parenting. A sleep consultant can be a great resource in all of these situations.
What does a sleep consultant do?
A good, well-trained sleep consultant will act as your personal guide through all of the training methods out there, will listen to your unique family sleep challenges, will spend time developing a thoughtful sleep plan that fits your specific needs, will support you for a pre-determined about of time while your plan is implemented, and will be available for follow-up questions and help if necessary. A good sleep consultant will also have experience in a variety of different areas, will have a team of coaches and mentors available to ask for second opinions when necessary, and will know when to refer out if the situation calls for it.
How is your method different from other consultants out there?
At the Holistic Sleep Center, I use a method developed through years of practice and research by Mar De Carlo based on the holistic science of sleep. This method is not a one-size-fits all approach. Some sleep coaches spend time honing and polishing their individual methods. When you come to them for help, this is the method they use to address your family’s sleep challenge, whether or not it fits with your parenting philosophy or your baby’s temperament. Many times, these consultants will ask you a few questions through email, give you a pre-prescribed plan, and offer little or no support or follow-up. You may never even speak to them on the phone.
When we have our first conversation, I will ask you about your family’s unique lifestyle, parenting philosophy, schedule, and challenges. I will spend a lot of time getting to know you and helping you decide if we are a good fit before beginning to work together. Once we start our plan, I will be there to support you via email and phone. We will first work to resolve your child’s sleep challenges through a holistic approach. This means looking at all areas that influence sleep including diet, activity level, environmental factors, routine, schedule, sunlight exposure, temperament, and many other factors. After addressing these things, a majority of sleep challenges resolve on their own. If sleep training is needed after this, we will discuss the best method that fits your lifestyle and parenting philosophy. And I will be there to support you every step of the way. Because of the way I approach sleep, we usually work together for 2-4 weeks. I don’t promise your baby will be sleeping through the night the second day, like many sleep coaches do, but I do offer long-lasting solutions that empower parents and support them in facing future sleep challenges!
If you are feeling sleep-deprived and are looking for a co-pilot to help you navigate your way to restful sleep, contact me for a complimentary 15-minute phone call and let’s chat!