Sleep Coaching FAQs

Is this sleep training?

"Sleep training" can be a polarizing term because everyone defines it differently. If your definition of sleep training is "shutting the door and letting baby cry it out," then the answer is no. If your definition is "supporting your child as they learn the skill of falling asleep with less help from you," then yes. I take a middle ground approach to sleep. It is not "Cry It Out," but it is also not a gradual approach that takes months. If the phrase “sleep training” gives you pause, I encourage you to reflect on whether that comes from the media’s portrayal of sleep training or the actual idea of your child learning a new way of sleeping with your support that will help your family be more rested and connected.

What does a sleep plan include?

Every plan is fully personalized and looks at the holistic picture of your child's sleep, which I learn about through our intake session. This includes circadian rhythm alignment, daytime schedule adjustments, individual sleep needs guidance, feeding suggestions, activity and regulation support, a sleep approach for nights and naps, mindset coaching, and even parent sleep suggestions and an attachment guide. You’ll receive daily WhatsApp support and coaching from me for 2 weeks while you make changes. At the end of our two weeks together, your family receives a personalized sleep roadmap for the months ahead.

How do I know if this approach is right for my baby/for me?

This approach is a great fit for families who are ready to make changes and can commit to being consistent while their child learns a new way of sleeping. Most families come to me with children they describe as “strong willed,” but I have never worked with a baby that cannot adapt to a new way of sleeping in the ways I approach it. It’s not so much about the baby as it is about you as a parent being ready to make changes and support your child through the change. As your coach I’m here to support and guide you through this process and talk through your worries or fears, but it is not my role to convince you to be ready- only you can decide that.

Do you use "Cry It Out?”

No. My work with families often involves parent-present support, where babies are not left alone to cry as they learn new sleep skills. This builds security and confidence quickly, which allows a parent to move out of the room if that’s the goal. I also meet families where they are at, and sometimes that does involve frequent check-ins out of the room. With any of my approaches, your baby knows that a caregiver is close by and they are safe and supported through this process.

Will my baby cry?

Yes, likely. It's impossible to promise a tear-free experience when we're helping a baby or child learn a new skill that's different from their preference. Babies and children have a right to express their big feelings about a change, and you can be right there to love and support them through those emotions. Secure attachment is not built through never experiencing tears and frustration. It's built by the way we show up for our children over thousands and thousands of moments, over years.

How long does it take?

We usually see substantial improvement toward your sleep goals within 5 days if the plan is done with consistency. My approaches are designed to move families through changes in the shortest amount of time possible, while remaining as responsive as possible. You will not be stuck making changes for months. If a super gradual approach is what you are looking for, this is not a service I offer. I find months of change to be unsustainable for both parent and child. While it may feel more "gentle," it usually creates more frustration and exhaustion for parents, more confusion for baby, and more overall crying, over a longer period of time.

Do I have to night wean?

Nope. I fully support (and in some cases encourage) parents keeping a night feed(s). I can also help guide you in the night weaning process if that is your goal and it is appropriate for baby.

Do you work with co sleeping/bed sharing families?

Yes! I am so happy to be supporting bed sharing families. Most bed sharing families come to me wanting longer stretches of sleep, fewer night wakes while still bed sharing, or support transitioning into baby’s own room. All of this is possible!

I take a harm-reduction approach and teach safer bed-sharing practices based on the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine's Protocol #6. While this differs from American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations, my focus is on helping families reduce risk and get better sleep within the choices that work best for their family.

For babies under 12 months, I work with bed-sharing families who are fed exclusively human milk. If your child is over one year, I work with bed-sharing families regardless of feeding method.

How do I get started?

Book a free 15 minute discovery call with me so we can see if it’s the right fit! Look forward to chatting. :)