faqs

Why should I invest in a sleep consultant?

Information about pediatric sleep is abundant. There are books, blogs, podcasts, and more resources out there than you can imagine! However, none of these are customized to your child’s needs. A certified sleep consultant will cut through the clutter of information and help you identify the best approach to fit your child’s needs.  Working with a sleep consultant also means you have an accountability partner to ensure you are consistent and diligent with helping your child get on to the sleep plan. A good sleep consultant is an expert at both sleep solutions and parent coaching, which is what you will find when you work with A Restful Night.

What age can I start sleep training my child?

With pediatrician approval, sleep training can begin when an infant is 16 weeks old.  Prior to that age, there are sleep shaping techniques you can apply which will gently and gradually introduce your infant to healthy sleep hygiene and give them a good foundation for independent sleep. Many families want to start earlier than 16 weeks.  Nothing we ever propose or recommend is extreme; therefore, we will always find a way to support you.  We find parents get the most value out of the two-week full support program when infants are 14 weeks or older.

Does sleep training mean “cry it out”?

Sleep training is most often associated with “cry it out”.  Yes, that is a method but it is not the only method, and it is not a method we commonly recommend. All of our sleep consultants received their certification through the Center of Pediatric Sleep Management.  Through this program, we are trained on multiple sleep training  and sleep shaping approaches. Our intake and assessment process ensures we have a clear understanding of your child and your parenting style so we can find an approach that feels comfortable to you. Our goal is always to make this a positive experience.

How will sleep training affect my day to day?

The key to successful sleep training is consistency in your approach.  Adding too many variables can confuse your child during a time when you are trying to help them develop a new skill.  You also want to ensure you, as the parent and teacher, are in the right mindset and headspace to be able to facilitate and stay true to your sleep plan. For example, having your in-laws visit with you during sleep training is probably not a great idea.  Going on a vacation where your child will be in an entirely new sleep environment is not a great idea.  Keeping your child on a good eating schedule and having outside playtime is a great idea! Most importantly, sleep training will affect your day to day in an extremely positive way.  By teaching your child the skill of independent sleep and establishing good sleep hygiene routines you will be enabling a more predictable day to day and likely a happier one as everyone is rested!

Will I need to sleep train more than once?

The short answer is it all depends.  The long answer is with consistency and diligence you can keep your child on a great schedule and help them manage through any regressions or setbacks. If you become very loose with your routines and schedule, overtime your child may lose some of their confidence and familiarity with what they learned during the process of sleep training. There is always a way to get a child back on track and sleeping well, but it could involve another round of sleep training with some different tactics and skills to address whatever new challenges have arisen.

Will two weeks of support with A Restful Night be enough to solve my child’s sleep problems?

Sleep training is about progress not perfection. Results are most often directly correlated to a parent's commitment to the plan. Within two weeks, you can expect to see progress but it will take ongoing commitment and diligence to continue that progress and maintain it. At A Restful Night, we customize all of our sleep plans to ensure parents and caregivers are confident and comfortable with the approach because having a solid plan is the most important step to ensure your commitment.

Does every child need to be sleep trained? 

It is true, some children are just born great sleepers.  It is also true that the earlier you establish independent sleep the better a sleeper your child will be. Some parents begin introducing gentle independent sleep shaping at an early age.  These tactics can include simple steps like putting your baby down awake for naps and bed. Not every child needs to be sleep trained. Sometimes it’s a simple routine or schedule change that can make all the difference. Reach out for a complimentary consult if you are unsure of your next step!

Can I sleep train if I am breastfeeding?

Yes! Your child can learn the skill of independent sleep regardless of whether you choose to formula feed or breastfeed. We understand breastfeeding mothers and babies sometimes need additional components to the sleep plans to ensure success, while maintaining adequate supply. As a mother of three, Meg has sleep trained all of her children successfully while breastfeeding.