Sleep problems can be the toughest thing to overcome in your journey with your baby. Whether they have always been present, or all of a sudden your once great-sleeper is staying up all night, or maybe a recent holiday or illness has interrupted the bedtime routine, sleep problems can spring up for all sorts of reasons.
Research has shown time and time again that a lack of sleep can impact health, immune system, decision making, and so on — meaning that your sleep is just as important as your little ones.
If you find that your family is losing sleep and you just can’t find a way to change it, it might be time to consider hiring a Baby Sleep Consultant.
The Why’s
As a qualified Baby Sleep Consultant, I work with newborns up to the age of 5. I have seen a wide range of cases (thousands over the last 16 years) and I can tell you that the biggest signs that you need some extra help are when your baby is frequently waking at night or having trouble settling to sleep. After six months of age, most children are capable of sleeping 10-12 hours a night. While all children are different, if you feel that your baby is becoming overtired and simply not getting enough sleep, getting trusted advice from a baby sleep expert may be the answer.
Sleep regressions, developmental milestones, illness, teething, holidays, and everything else life throws at you, can turn your once happy sleeper into an unhappy camper. Your baby is going through massive developments in their first few years of life, and as a result, their sleep can suffer.
I know how easy it is to try to google the problems away, however, one of the best things a Baby Sleep Consultant can give your family, is a personalised approach that’s tailored to suit your parenting philosophy and based on your little one’s personality, temperament. Having a trained professional guide you through the different stages of the learning process (yes, there’s a systematic way of teaching a baby how to sleep) can be the best way forward.
Remember: sleep is a learned skill. Taking the time to teach your child healthy sleep habits will ensure a lifetime of quality sleep.
The How’s
Here at My Newborn, there are a range of sleep programs for your family to choose from. Phone consultations, Remote Programs, Overnight Programs and Live in Programs (for the babies who NEVER sleep!).
It can be hard for parents to find the right Baby Sleep Consultant, so don’t feel shy to send in an enquiry or give me a call. As a fully accredited Maternity Nurse, Birthing Doula, and Holistic Maternity and Child Sleep Consultant, I have a lot of experience to offer and can answer any question you might have about the process.
My philosophy is that your baby should not be left to cry it out for long periods of time on their own. The sleep process should be a positive one, and I firmly believe that having the parents or guardians there to comfort and encourage their child, while they learn their new sleeping skill, is the best way forward. While tears are inevitable during the process, you will never be made to leave your baby cry for extended periods of time, if that’s not part of your parenting wishes.
In conclusion, if you find yourself needing the extra help, don’t be afraid to reach out! Parenting is tough work and parenting with little to no sleep is even harder. Having that bit (or a lot, depending on what your family needs) of outside help, can set your little one up for years of healthy and restorative sleep. Not to mention, the whole family can start sleeping again.
Happy Sleep
