Sleep consultants are trained professionals who take the mystery out of sleep issues. They gather information about your current situation, struggles, and parenting preferences. A sleep coach will then create a sleep plan with easy-to-follow steps. A certified pediatric sleep consultant’s most significant role is connecting with and supporting a family as the plan is implemented. I’m here to cheer you on and answer any questions that come up during the process. Sometimes tweaks need to be made to wake windows or the daily schedule, and I’ll be the one to guide and educate you on how to navigate those changes. The support portion of my work is where the value comes in. I spend time connecting with my families and supporting them as they implement their plan.

Although cry-it-out can be an effective sleep training method (if done correctly), I do not use it with any of the families I support. I find that when families come to me, they are looking for a holistic, supportive and responsive method to improve their child’s sleep situation. No one approach is 100% tears-free, but I do all I can to minimize the intensity and length of the protest. 

All human beings, no matter their age, resist change to one degree or another, especially when it impacts their sleep environment or habits. For infants and young children crying is the only way these displeasures can be communicated. We’ll spend time together reframing what crying means during the sleep training process, and I’ll do all I can to ease your mind when faced with your child’s protests to change. 

I want you to understand and feel comfortable that there will be a certain level of protest from your babe as we alter their sleep situation. Your little one’s personality, along with other factors will play into how much protest we see.

 Remember that change can be challenging for anyone, and children often process their big emotions through tears. The good news is that no matter the level of protest at the beginning, most families notice a dramatic decrease in tears and protest within 3-5 days of implementing their plan. Once your little one gets more quality sleep, you will likely also see an improved mood, fewer midday meltdowns and less time spent protesting the new sleep structure. Sleep is a powerful tool for physical health, emotional regulation, and overall mood.

I work with families who are struggling with one or more aspects connected to their child’s sleep. My focus is on the 0 to 5 year age range. Every family dynamic is different, so I’m ready to personalize sleep for your home. 

Regardless of your parenting title (single, co-parenting, foster, of multiples, first timer, seasoned, involved grandparent, etc.) I’m here to support you in all things sleep. 

I want to work with families committed to the process; making changes can sometimes be challenging, but the effort is well worth the reward! I’ll be there to support you every step of the way. With the modern benefits of technology, I work with families internationally, even though I’m based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I’m accommodating of different time zones, so don’t let that deter you from us working together!

I prefer to work on sleep holistically and gently. My custom sleep plans typically involve a parent-present approach, which offers support and comfort for your little one. The goal is NOT to have YOU fix your child’s sleep issues but instead support THEM as they build confidence in their ability to fall asleep independently. 

My philosophy is that quality sleep factors in many details that take place throughout a 24- hour day. I like to dive into screen time usage, nutrition, exercise, and other aspects to pinpoint any external causes of sleep disturbances.

 Sleep is complex, and because of that, I want to present your family with a method that feels doable and realistic, but will also allow you to achieve your goals. My goal is to prepare a sustainable plan that works for your family. Let’s get your entire household feeling rested and rejuvenated!

Many factors influence how soon a family will see changes
in their child’s sleep. The age of the child, which sleep issue(s) we are looking to resolve and how consistent you are in following the plan, all influence this timeline. 

Each child’s personality is different, so it can be hard to answer this question definitively. I will say that when families are committed and consistent, they notice changes within the first week (sometimes in as little as a few days). 

Lasting change takes time and consistency, so I ask my family to give 100% to the sleep plan while working together. We want to establish a new routine for your little one and not cause confusion to their body clock through inconsistently following the plan. 

Nighttime sleep often comes together faster than if we were looking to improve early morning wakings or naps. As long as a family stays consistent in their approach, these issues typically resolve within 4-6 weeks. This is one of the main reasons I prefer to offer longer packages. My goal is to help you achieve your desired results and have support as you get there. I know there is a higher success rate of lasting change if you feel confident in your child’s new routine.

Nope! I’d never ask you to give up feeds during the night unless you want to make that transition and your child meets specific criteria to do so. 

There are benefits to dropping night feeds (or reducing the number of them) in particular cases. Pediatrician approval, medical concerns and your child’s age play into how many feeds should occur throughout the night. Sometimes when baby starts to get more sleep, they drop feeds on their own. It’s incredible to see this transition happen naturally when a baby favours sleep over a comfort feed.

If a parent chooses to keep a comfort night feed, I make sure to cover realistic expectations around sleep goals they have set. Keeping a sleep prop typically involves slower or less progress and this is a choice that some families consciously make. For some parents, any improvement to sleep is a win and for others, meeting a desired goal requires letting go of props completely. Each family is different and knows what is sustainable for them long term. I do not judge but will be clear about the outcomes of ‘cherry picking’ the advice within your sleep plan. 

Some families I talk to believe their child is beyond help and are genuinely skeptical that positive change can be made. 

My goal is to set you up for success. I will ask you to fill out a detailed questionnaire before beginning our work together so I can understand your current situation, sleep goals, and family values. Although I cannot do the work for you, I will be available to answer questions or concerns that rise up, cheer you on and support you as you implement the plan. 

There will be an improvement for families that honestly and consistently adhere to the custom plan I have created for them. Those families that don’t completely reach their goals have often been inconsistent in their approach (which causes confusion for their little ones), or it might take a little more time staying committed to the plan before you see the full benefit of your efforts. Some sleep changes take a little longer to stick because internal body clocks can take on average of 4-6 weeks to adjust. Keep up the good work and continue to follow the plan and in time you’ll see improvements. 

Luckily most pediatric sleep issues are behavioural and not medical, so results can be seen during our time together.

Of the very few who do not meet their goals, there is often an undiagnosed underlying medical condition at play. I am not your child’s medical professional, but if I see any red flags, I will advise you to follow up with a trained and qualified medical professional. Health issues that can negatively impact sleep include sleep apnea or other sleep disorders, food intolerances, allergies, lip or tongue ties, etc. If your child has been diagnosed with any of these concerns and they are being managed through a medical professional, it is still possible to see improvements in sleep and reach your rest goals. Sometimes progress is slower in these situations, but it does come.

No matter how you choose to feed your baby, you can establish healthy sleep habits right from the beginning. 

For breastfeeding mothers, quality sleep for both you and baby can actually improve your nursing relationship. If a mother struggles with chronic sleep deprivation, it can affect her mood, nutrition intake and negatively impact her milk supply. 

If your baby is constantly in a state of over-tiredness, it can cause hyperarousal and irritability, which can make feeds more challenging. Also, a baby dealing with chronic fatigue often falls asleep during feeds, which can turn off our feed into a snack and snooze. I’m a massive supporter of sleeping in for it, so we will make sure our customer’s plan accommodates both

I never want money to be the deciding factor in getting more quality sleep. Rest assured, I do offer payment options! We can discuss a payment plan that works for your family in more detail as we work together.