I would describe my form of sleep coaching as practical, holistic and responsive.

I advocate for an approach that helps babies, toddlers and older children develop long-term healthy sleep habits.

It seems that sleep consultants fall into two camps- those advocating for controlled crying type methods and those at the other end of the scale only offering "gentle, holistic" sleep coaching. I like to think I fit somewhere in the middle. I look at the whole child/family/situation to try and get to the reasoning behind the sleep issues and I like to tackle the easy wins first. But I'm also practical enough to know that at times a little bit of space is what a baby or toddler needs to fall asleep and is often the kinder thing to do as it gets to the end result quicker and with less crying overall.

When working with children aged 3 and above I don't really classify this as sleep training and therefore I would not expect any crying (but perhaps a bit of backchat instead)!

Here are five key points that define my sleep coaching:

1. Respectful and Responsive

My sleep coaching focuses on responding to your child's needs in a sensitive and respectful manner. I emphasise understanding and empathising with your child's emotions and needs during the sleep process. You can give your child space and remain responsive.

2. Individualised Approach

In my approach, I recognise that every child is unique and there really is no one size fits all approach. I take into account your child's temperament, developmental stage, and specific sleep challenges. By tailoring strategies to your child's needs, it promotes a more effective and compassionate sleep coaching process. 

3. Gradual Changes and Transitions

My sleep coaching typically involves making changes and transitions gradually over a number of weeks. It allows your child to adapt to new sleep patterns and routines at their own pace. This approach may involve adjusting bedtime routines, encouraging self-settling techniques, or gradually reducing nighttime feedings or sleep associations.

4. Parental Presence and Support

I encourage parental presence and support during the process as much as your child tolerates (some children find parental presence more frustrating and so it is genuinely kinder to leave them for a short while). It is so important to be physically and emotionally available to your child during bedtime and night awakenings to help them feel secure and to nurture the strong attachment your child has with you. This can involve feeding to sleep or back to sleep, comforting touch, and verbal reassurance to help your child feel secure. Some people have mistakenly taken this to mean that they should never leave their child or let their child cry but both these things are fine and completely normal parts of childhood and development.

5. Focus on Healthy Sleep Habits

I always aim to promote healthy sleep habits and patterns while considering your child's individual needs. By focusing on establishing a consistent sleep routine, creating a sleep-friendly environment, and encouraging age-appropriate sleep schedules we can help your child develop good sleep hygiene and self-regulation skills over time.

Remember, every child is different, and what works for one may not work for another. It's important to be flexible and adapt your approach based on your child's responses and needs.