FAQ's

Sleep training is teaching your little one how to fall asleep and fall BACK to sleep without being dependent on anything external, such as rocking, feeding, or bouncing to sleep.

The best time to sleep train is when you, the parent, are ready to sleep train. Newborns can practice healthy sleep habits and begin a night time routine. Once your baby reaches 4 months old, their circadian rhythm is developing and they are ready to learn how to fall asleep independently and connect their sleep cycles. As your child grows, you can establish healthy sleep habits, no matter how old they are. Often, toddlers start to push boundaries, and create habits that we want to change, so sleep training is very successful at that age, too.

I use gentle methods, which means that when your child cries, you are responding to them often and not letting them cry for too long. I do not use “Cry It Out” methods. There are many techniques that I use based on the baby’s age and the family’s comfort level. If you are most comfortable being in the room while sleep training, we start with you next to the crib or bed to soothe and comfort your child, and slowly move you out of the room. Sleep training is a process and takes patience and consistency to be successful. We discuss all aspects of your family life, how much crying you are comfortable with, and what suggested methods you think your baby will respond best to. I support you through the entire process until your child is an independent sleeper and you have your evenings (and bed) back!

Unfortunately there is no guaranteed "no cry" method. It’s important to remember that babies use crying as their method of communication. If you are changing something in your baby’s routine, they will protest and cry. Research shows that crying in itself is not detrimental to a child's (whether newborn, infant, or toddler) development or attachment. We meet our baby's known needs, and part of that need is sleep and the development of self-soothing skills. These are important skills that will be help your child grow in independence, in both sleep times AND awake times. You are giving your child the gift of confidence and independence by allowing them to learn how to fall asleep and stay asleep on their own.

There is no answer to that for 2 reasons: • Every child is different and adapts to changes at their own pace. • It depends on how consistent you are in implementing your plan. What I will say, is that if you follow your customized plan, and are consistent with your methods, your baby will begin to respond within the first few nights of working together. You will see a noticeable change in sleeping habits within the first week.

All babies and toddlers might go through a regression as they reach milestones or something changes in their life. It’s important to remember that they are people too, not robots. For example, teething, illness, new school, or travel might cause a regression. If you have established a healthy sleep routine and schedule for your child, and there is a regression, it is much easier to get back on track. Just continue with your consistent tried and true methods and your baby will be sleeping through the night again within a few days.

If your baby is used to being held or rocked to sleep, they will wake once they are put into their crib. It’s important to start a healthy routine of putting them in the crib relaxed and awake.

Your toddler needs to learn how to fall asleep and transition sleep cycles so they can fall asleep independently. If your toddler needs you to fall asleep at the onset of bedtime, chances are they will need you in the middle of the night as well.

Literature can be extremely helpful in navigating parenthood. Most likely you have tried making changes on your own and it did not quite work. Sleep training is multifaceted and because every child is different, this puzzle will be different for each child. It is my job to discover your child's challenges and support you in the process of overcoming them with a carefully crafted, fully tailored, customized sleep plan. Together we will be successful.