Need Sleep?
Did you know that one out of every four families has a child with sleep problems? If you are one of those families, you know how difficult it is to carry on with your day when you are sleep-deprived and exhausted.
Do any of these sound familiar?
- Bedtime is way too late, and often a struggle with your toddler or pre-school child
- Your baby doesn’t fall asleep unless you walk, rock, pat his back, or nurse him
- Your family struggles to wake up feeling well rested and in good moods
- When your baby or toddler wakes during the night, he has trouble falling back to sleep unless you go in and repeat your bedtime tactics
- Your baby will only nap in the car, swing, or stroller
information from pediatricians, doulas, lactation consultants, counselors, and
other sleep coaches. Having also spent over 25 years teaching preschool, I have guided and supported hundreds of families in understanding and enjoying their children, and knowing some of the simple ways to improve family life by using my 5 “C’s” - being consistent, calm, clear, caring, and confident. These are the same ideas that will help you create a new routine that will ensure better naps and bedtimes.
There is so much sleep research happening right now, and in spite of the fact that opinions and results may vary, research does consistently tell us that the quality and quantity of sleep affects every part of our lives. The benefits of the right
amount of sleep are numerous: better moods and less irritability; better appetites and weight control; better concentration on school or work during the day; our children’s growth hormones are released during sleep; and everyone in the family benefits from better self-regulation, social competence, and memory.
There are also a number of theories about how to improve sleep, and trying to decide how to fix sleep problems can be very confusing Unless you live in a bubble, you have already heard the advice from friends and family members, who have their own opinions about how you should fix the problem. Some will tell you to let your baby cry-it-out, and others will tell you that you are damaging your child to ever let them cry. Their story is not the same as your story, so their solution may not work for you.
I believe that children and families are resilient, and change is possible, but I also know that changing routines can be difficult. I will offer you a gentle, gradual method that will minimize tears. You will be responding to and reassuring your child, and together we will create a plan that respects the parenting style that you have chosen for your family. There is not just one plan that will work for
everyone – when we meet for a consultation, we will talk about the issues that
you are facing, your goals for improved sleep, and the temperament of your child.
Most families find that the sleep challenges that may have been a problem for months or years can be gently changed in approximately 3 weeks. One of the most important pieces of sleep coaching is that we will have frequent, if not daily, conversations. You will be supported and helped throughout the process.
If you are struggling to get a good night’s sleep for your child, call today, or visit my website, goodnightchild.com for more information. Making the right change will be one of the best decisions you can make for your family.
Future posts will explore some of the most common reasons why your child does not sleep through the night, and some tips you can begin immediately to improve bedtime in your house.
