What is Sleep Counseling?
Infant sleep is a surprisingly controversial topic. There are so many conflicting opinions, false expectations, and unnecessary pressures on parents when it comes to their child’s sleep. So many parents feel pressure to immediately sleep train their kids, that there is something wrong with them if their child isn’t “sleeping through the night” by a certain age, and that they should feel guilt for allowing their child to sleep with them. This could not be further from the truth!!
My goal is to educate and support parents so they not only receive the adequate rest they need to be present parents, but that they also have realistic expectations and a true understanding of their child’s needs and behaviors in order to eliminate the stress from sleep. I believe that there is no such thing as spoiling a baby, there is no such thing as giving your child too much love and attention, and that independence comes from the safety and predictability of a secure attachment.
In my opinion, there is NOTHING wrong with bedsharing, rocking your baby to sleep, feeding your baby to sleep, etc. This can be precious time where you feel the most bonded to your child and I do not want to take that away from you. These behaviors only become a “problem” when they no longer feel sustainable to you- and there is nothing wrong with admitting that! The majority of sleep problems are about perception- what works for one family might not work for another and that is completely valid! If you are content with the way sleep is going in your house there is no need to change it, but if you’re struggling you should know that there are solutions that meet both the needs of you and your baby and don’t involve traditional sleep training methods or cry-it-out.
Sleep and parental mental health are so closely related. Let me make something clear… Your needs are just as important as your baby’s! Your child will thrive when their parent is present, confident, and in a positive headspace. They deserve this version of you and just as importantly, YOU deserve this version of you! But you also shouldn’t have to compromise your bond with your baby or your values as a parent to get there. This is where the sleep counseling method comes in!
As a Sleep Counselor, I am here to meet the specific needs of each family I work with. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to infant and toddler sleep. I take the time to get to know you and your child through an extensive intake form and an hour long Zoom call, where we discuss your current challenges, goals, and values as a parent. I listen to your needs, offer some education, and then create a personalized sleep plan that is completely tailored to you. Once I send you the plan, you let me know when you would like to implement it, and I am here to support you over the next 30 days (don’t let that timeline scare you, many families see great progress after just 4 nights)!
The Sleep Counseling Method has been approved by neurologists, IBCLC Lactation professionals, and perinatal mental health therapists. We will co-create a plan specifically tailored to your family in order to keep your values and priorities at the center. Most sleep consultants ask you to follow a strict set of rules that may not work for your family, but together we will create routines and boundaries around your own life and desires to find a solution that works for you! This method is lactation friendly, bedsharing-friendly, and prioritizes your child’s secure attachment along with your mental health. You don’t have to let your baby “cry-it-out” alone or take away important bonding time, but you also don’t have to go through life as a sleep deprived parent.
I know how stressful and daunting sleep can feel with a young child, let’s work together to find a sustainable solution that allows you to be the present and energized parent you want to be! I’ll be right by your side through it all!
