Are You A Sleep Deprived Parent Dreaming Of A Full Night’s Rest?
- Is your baby refusing to sleep through the night?
- Does each night feel like a battle?
- Are you exhausted and overwhelmed, longing for a few hours of uninterrupted sleep?
- Do you feel like you should be able to figure out your child’s sleep, but nothing seems to work?
- Are you worried your child is not getting enough healthy sleep?
If your baby is not sleeping, you may feel as though you’re on “survival mode,” doing whatever you can so everyone (including you) gets the most sleep as possible.
As a parent, you are tired enough, especially as you juggle work and home responsibilities. And now, even your precious few hours of sleep are gone. Multiple interruptions during the night make it impossible to ever feel fully rested. To make matters more stressful, poor sleep can cause concentration and motivation issues throughout the day, as well as negatively affect your ability to be a present parent.
At this point, you may be wondering if and when you can return to a sense of normalcy. Deep down, you hope your child will magically start sleeping all night without your assistance, but you also fear that day (or night) will never come.
You Are Not Alone
Dealing with sleep deprivation is very common for parents, especially new parents.
There are many factors that influence sleep quality, including age, temperament and previous experiences. And, for some, baby’s slumber comes easy. For others, the battle for sleep requires attention and work.
Even those parents who don’t face newborn sleep problems are often surprised when the six- to nine-month mark comes along. That’s when many children start to have difficulty sleeping. For others, the move to a big kid bed sparks the beginning of nighttime chaos.
You may worry about causing harm to your child by leaving them to sleep independently or feel confused as to developmentally appropriate expectations for your child’s age.
But, no matter when or why they began to fight bedtime, the truth is that your child needs to learn how to sleep independently. And, as parents, you needa sleep plan that both helps your child develop the skill of sleep and supports you through this period of transition and growth.
The good news is that, through online coaching and consulting, I can provide skills and insights to help everyone in the family rest.
I Can Help Sleep Deprived Parents Identify And Resolve Their Child’s Sleep Issues
Having a sleep consultation can be incredibly helpful in providing the education and resources needed to understand sleep development. Collaborating with you, I can create a tailored plan to help your family become rested and excited to start the day together.
There are several self-help books on child sleep strategies. Chances are you’ve already read them all, with little luck. Unlike these books, I offer tailored support that’s rooted in empirical research. My approach is systemic and views your family through an attachment framework. In other words, I consider the safety and security you feel with one another. I evaluate your family’s needs and, in partnership with you, determine how to meet them.
If you’re new parents, I can provide useful insights about infant sleep development. For example,
sometime between three and six months, babies wake and fall asleep on their own. Some babies are ready for this transition, while others resist the change. The degree of protest depends on various factors. Your child may prefer the “old method” of going to sleep. They may not be developmentally ready to sleep on their own. Whatever the case, we can assess possible causes and then find appropriate solutions.
We may also assess lifestyle and self-care to discover productive changes you can make for your family’s overall wellbeing. For example, if naps are a concern, I can help you create a consistent, healthy nap schedule that brings predictability to your day and still allows you to get healthy sleep at night. Imagine being able to fall asleep and wake at a reasonable hour. Imagine a predictable nighttime ritual that actually works.
No matter what stage of development your child is in, I can help your family to learn skills that promote better sleep—for everyone. Children who know how to self-soothe to sleep are shown to sleep longer and have better quality sleep. In fact, well-rested children are more resilient, explorative, curious and better able to regulate emotions. With guidance, you can help your child get the rest they need.
You may still have questions or concerns about sleep problems in children…
Do you offer online sleep consulting?
Yes! I have worked with parents all over the United States, as well as overseas. Online coaching is a great option for parents who are not local or have jammed packed schedules.
When can I start sleep training my child?
Nighttime sleep training can begin sometime between three to four months of age. Please note that this timeline is an average. Your child’s temperament and history, as well as family factors, contribute to determining the most prudent time to sleep train your child. It’s also helpful to note it’s never too late to teach your child healthy sleep habits.
Teaching your child this critical life skill is not only essential to their health and growth, but also good for your overall wellbeing. Children benefit from having rested parents who are more present and engaged.
How long will it take for me to sleep train my child?
The general rule of thumb is three to five days. For toddlers, it might take slightly longer. If you want to implement a daytime nap strategy in conjunction with a nighttime sleep one, then allow two to three weeks. Often parents begin to significant results early on.
What People Are Saying About My Practice
“As a pediatrician, I am thrilled to be able to refer my families to Rachel for appropriate advice and reassurance regarding nighttime issues. Rachel has a calm, nurturing approach to sleeping difficulties and provides excellent and continuing support when working with families. I have had numerous families contact her for help and have received very positive comments about her abilities.”
-Jill Kamon, M.D. – Pediatric Center, Boulder, Colorado
“As both a physician and mother of two, it is reassuring to know Rachel has so much experience. She has saved many exhausted parents (me included) and children with her individualized program and incredibly personalized attention to the client and their entire family. Rachel makes herself available so that children and parents are set up for success!”
-Karen Kaufman, MD
“Rachel has been a godsend for our family. She has advised, coached, encouraged and supported us as we’ve struggled to help our son sleep well through his developmental stages. When I have felt beyond frustrated, and of course exhausted, I have called on her. And every time she has guided us toward blissful sleep. Thank you, Rachel!”
-Sandra
“While we knew that the half-hour naps and interrupted nights were not giving our little guy nearly enough sleep, we had no idea that his fussy temperament was attributable to chronic overtiredness. With Rachel’s help, we got him sleeping all night plus two to three good naps a day. As a direct result, he is now a smiling, laughing, joyous six-month-old.”
-Elisa
You & Your Family Deserve Rest
If you have any further questions about sleep problems in children or my practice, please reach out via our contact form or call 720-504-8489 for a free 15-minute consultation.
