FAQ
Do you use the controlled crying technique?
No. The Australian Infant Mental Health Association does not recommend the use of controlled crying as a sleep strategy. They believe it could lead to emotional and mental health issues later in life. This does not mean your baby will not cry in protest at the changes to their existing routine when you implement you new one however I want you to choose a method that feels comfortable for you and your baby or toddler and be as gentle as possible. I don’t want to cause distress for your baby/toddler or you.
Can I change my child’s exiting habits without crying?
Sometimes. Your baby cries to communicate with you. Toddler’s can tell you what they’re feeling, babies cannot talk but can communicate with their different cries and body language. Occasionally small changes made in minutes when fine tuning a baby’s routine can result in great sleeping with no crying at all. However, if you have well established habits at sleep time your baby or toddler is going to cry in protest at the changes to their new sleep routine. In my sleep strategies I encourage you to respond to your baby or toddler when they need you. Remember that you the adult are making the decision to change the child’s routine not the child and it is reasonable to expect them to protest at the changes. They are sensitive intelligent little humans who need respect when we are changing their routine.
How do I work out what service is right for me?
When considering a service choice I suggest thinking about how much support you feel you would need to make changes to your family's routine.
If you like the idea of the group environment and hearing the information, or are not sure you need a consultation the seminar is the right choice.
If you feel confident reading through the simple steps with detailed instructions and applying the information in your own time, The Sleeping Baby System TM is right for you.
If you would like me to hold your hand and provide comprehensive personal support in your home, in your child's bedroom, at your child's sleep time then the In-Home consultation is right for you.
If you just need a confidence boost or to finetune your routine a short telephone consult would be right for you.
If you live outside my local area and would apprecaite one-on-one personal telephone support while implementing your new routine, the Telephone Consultation Package is right for you.
How long does it take to work?
Changing your child’s routine is a gentle process. Sometimes as previously stated I can fine tune a child’s routine and they respond immediately and appreciate that mum and dad have confidence and a plan. The speed of your success in achieving your sleeping and settling goals is determined by how consistent and persistent you are with your routine. It is you who create the habits not the children. The average time it takes to achieve realistic sleeping and settling goals is 3-21 days. Please note I do not encourage dropping night feeds until your baby is developmentally ready to do so, or from 9 months of age.
How many consults do I need?
All of my clients have only needed one consultation. I can provide telephone and email support if needed to answer questions as they arise after the consultation. I have visited some families more than once but for another issue or the next baby to prevent problems. The consultation is designed to empower you with the information and the skills to improve your baby's sleep yourself. I don't come in to 'fix' the baby, I come into your home to hold your hand and guide you with the confidence to follow through with what we cover and once you achieve your sleep goal, maintain your new strategy and routine.
How long does a consultation go for?
An in home consultation is booked for three hours, however if needed we can extend the time for as long as you need or desire it to. Any time remaining in the three hour visit can be used as telephone folow-up support.
Please read ‘in home consultations’ for more information.
A Telephone Consultation Package provides 2 hours of telephone or email time and can be used in one go or in smaller time lots. Please read ‘Telephone Consultations’ for more information.
A short telephone consultation answers questions and helps with troubleshooting through issues after you have worked with your Sleeping Baby System™ and usually from 10 minutes up to 1 hour in length.
What age ranges do you cover?
I cover newborns to five year olds. However I have written articles on the School aged child and sleeping issues and are happy to personally consult with any school aged child.
Are newborns too young for your service?
No. I am empowering you with confidence, understanding of your baby’s needs, a plan for creating great days and a back up plan for unsettled days. It is never too early for you to gain confidence and be prepared for meeting your baby’s needs. I also prepare you for tricks to help your baby be flexible and let you enjoy life outside the home and have baby sleep and settle just about anywhere. Once your baby knows how to self-settle to sleep they can sleep through the night 7pm-7am as soon as they are developmentally ready to do so. The average age for this is 9 months.
My child’s sleep issues are in the night time can you still help me?
Yes. It doesn’t matter when your child has their sleep issues because you will be applying the same approach day and night. Also, your child’s day time routine affects their night sleep and their night sleep affects their day time routine. We have to start somewhere and you are more likely to retain the information I discuss with you in the daytime when you are more awake.
I want to co-sleep with my baby. Do your strategies support this?
You can successfully use my strategies with your baby or toddler in a side car bed and a bassinette or cot next to your bed or in your room. I recommend for safety reasons and SIDS prevention that your baby sleep in their bed (whatever room you choose is up to you). I have had many clients report their baby or toddler falling out of the parent’s bed and onto the floor because the baby co-sleeps with the parents overnight but mum/dad didn’t want to sleep all day with the baby or go to bed at the baby or toddler’s bedtime at night, leaving the baby unattended on a parental bed. Babies can roll from 6 weeks, pillows are not enough protection from baby rolling out of bed.
Do you deal with twins or more than one child in the family?
Yes, I have had many successful consultaitons with twins and siblings of all ages. I will help you find a solution for any children 0-10 years. We will also work out a time schedule together if needed, for you to apply the system in stages if there are lots of changes to be made and it feels overwheling to do it all at once.