What age group do you work with?
I am trained to work with children from 1- 16 years old.
What if I have two children who are sleeping in the same room?
I carry out a thorough sleep assessment in order to fully understand each family’s individual circumstances. Two or more children in the same room is not a barrier to implementing a successful sleep training programme. Each programme I create is bespoke and created in full collaboration with the family. We work together to make a plan that is achievable and realistic for the family.
What does the process involve?
I encourage every family to make use of the free initial consultation I offer. This enables me to ensure the family is experiencing a challenge that I have been trained to support. I will then send out an assessment form and sleep diary. I ask that every family complete the form and a two-week sleep diary. We will then meet, often virtually, to discuss the assessment and create the sleep programme together. I will provide a written programme and any extra tools needed, such as visual aids for the child. We will then agree on a start date together and, if on a standard package, I offer four support calls to help the family implement their programme. Additional support calls can be purchased if needed.
Have I made a “rod for my own back”?
I personally believe that this statement is unhelpful and often incorrect. Often, parents will provide a baby with the vital emotional and physical support they need when they are very young. Each parent must feel free to meet their babies needs as they see fit. There are no bad habits that cannot be undone when the time is right. Parents often come to me when they know their child is ready to be more independent but need some help to plan the best and kindest way to do that.
Will I be made to do controlled crying?
There are often multiple options for how to address individual sleep problems. Whilst Controlled crying is a valid evidence-based approach, it is not for everyone. I will match your parenting styles with my sleep training programmes and use gentle sleep training techniques as the family require. I would never ask a parent to do something they do not want to. I myself used a gentle sleep training approach with my own son and they are just as valid and evidence-based.
How long will it take before I am getting better sleep?
Each programme and child is different and therefore it is impossible to say for certain how long it will be before sleep improves. It depends completely on how accurate the family complete their assessment paperwork and how consistent they are with implementing their programme. The more consistently a programme is implemented, the quicker results will come. All my approaches are evidence based and proven to be effective.
Why do I have to keep a two-week sleep diary?
A thorough assessment is key in identifying all the components contributing to the sleep difficulty. A sleep programme will only work if all the issues are addressed. The two-week sleep diary is vital in identifying the sleep disorder and therefore the correct programme. One of the most common causes of sleep programmes failing is the lack of a full assessment and a programme that does not address all the needs.
Will you do a home visit?
I do not routinely offer a home visit as I feel I am able to work effectively with families remotely. I carry out a full assessment and offer video calls which enables me to work well with families. It also enables me to offer support outside of normal working hours such as evenings and weekends. My experience is that families find this support meets their needs.
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