My sleep training journey: A New Mom's Honest Experience
meet emily…
If you’re a parent, I’m sure her story will sound familiar. Emily is a new mother, balancing her return to work, and lovingly caring for her five-month-old daughter, Poppy (who’d just passed the dreaded 4-month sleep regression). She came to us exhausted, but hopeful that infant sleep training could help her family get the consistent rest they so desperately needed to thrive during their busy days.
Emily & Poppy, 2024
On our first call, Emily identified several factors that were at play in their sleep struggles. Poppy had just gone through the 4-month sleep regression and had recently been sick. Sometimes she would enjoy a full nighttime sleep until 7 AM, and other nights she was wide awake at 3 AM.
Consistency was also a concern; Poppy spends two days a week at daycare, where her nap schedule can vary. Additionally, Emily’s father (Poppy’s Grandfather) helps out with childcare. Emily wondered if it was possible to ensure Poppy experienced continuity among all her caregivers at naptime.
Like most parents I speak with - Emily had theories about the steps she and her husband might take to improve Poppy’s sleep, but she also had reservations about what infant sleep training would mean for their family. “I don’t think we want to be tied to such a strict schedule,” Emily told me, recounting a sleep training program she had found that scheduled naps down to the minute.
One thing Emily was certain about: she was overdue for a good night’s sleep, and overwhelmed with the onslaught of opinions she was finding on the internet. And with that, she took the plunge and signed up for A Restful Night’s Two-Week Full Support Program, with me (Meg) as her sleep coach.
here’s how sleep training changed her life…
Now that we’ve reached the end of her Two-Week Full Support Program, Emily kindly agreed to share her experience sleep training Poppy with A Restful Night. We hope that this honest account will help other new parents discover the resources they need to get their families back to sleep!
here are the sleep challenges Emily was facing…
What did your family’s sleep look like before we began working together?
Before we began our Two-Week Sleep Training Program with A Restful Night, our sleep was extremely inconsistent. Poppy had been a great newborn sleeper, so when she started waking up during the night it threw us for a loop. Some nights she would wake up and just need her pacifier to fall back asleep, others she’d need a MOTN feed, and occasionally we’d sleep in until 7 AM. We never knew what to expect and were always taking guesses on what to do.
In the midst of our sleep regression, I was also navigating returning to work post maternity leave and our new reality of jam-packed schedules. My husband and I were both feeling the lack of sleep and were having trouble adapting.
What were you hoping to achieve by sleep training Poppy? Did you have any reservations?
I was mostly hoping to learn so I felt confident in the tools available to help Poppy with sleep! I also wanted to create a sense of consistency and predictability for all of us since our schedules are changing from day-to-day.
My biggest reservation about the sleep training program was the idea of committing to a strict schedule. It’s really important for our family to maintain flexibility and we didn’t want to feel tied to a super strict nap schedule and/or our house in order to get a decent night's sleep.
What were you looking for in a sleep training expert?
I was really looking for a sleep coach that understood and respected the nuances of our day-to-day. I really appreciate how open and knowledgeable Meg is at creating customizable plans to fit your unique circumstances without any judgment.
here’s what the sleep training process looked like…
Emily opted for our Two-Week Full Support Program. Like all of our clients, she filled out a detailed Intake Form about her and Poppy’s sleep. We reviewed those details together on our Sleep Assessment Call, and I went off to write their customized Sleep Plan. We then reviewed the sleep plan, and I coached her through her Start Night as she implemented the routine for the first time. Over the two weeks that followed, we worked together to make adjustments as challenges arose.
Can you tell us about “Start Night”? How did you feel leading up to it, and how did it go?
Although we weren’t currently thriving, I felt anxious going into “Start Night” knowing that our routine was going to change. However, I felt ready to take this next step and learn.
What were the biggest changes Meg implemented in your family’s routine?
The biggest change Meg implemented in our routine was adjusting to an eat/play/sleep schedule. Before, I felt like I was constantly feeding Poppy to make sure she was getting enough oz’s throughout the day. Turns out, we weren’t allowing her to get hungry enough!
Sleep training can sometimes feel like a roller coaster - what were your hardest challenges, and greatest wins throughout the Two-Week Program?
We started off very strong, which gave me confidence that this was the right time to start sleep training with Poppy. When we got to the first weekend, I found it challenging as we were still adjusting to our new schedules, but these days required more flexibility. I very much wanted this flexibility, but wanted to maintain the work we had already done throughout the week.
The greatest win has been teaching Poppy to find and put in her pacifier herself. Poppy loved practicing this during the day and implemented it during the night so quickly.
How did you and Meg navigate Poppy’s daycare and your Dad’s involvement in sleep training?
Meg helped us create a ‘guide’ that we could give to Poppy’s various caregivers, which was so helpful. During the Two-Week Program, Meg was there for us everyday to assess what our next steps would be for bedtime. This helped give us the tools to adapt and adjust based on how the day goes when we can’t control her schedule – whether at daycare, or a short nap!
Did you feel as though there was a moment that the changes you made “clicked” for Poppy? If so, when?
At the start of the Two-Week Program, we moved Poppy from a mini crib in our room to her nursery. I believe moving her to her own, larger, space helped give her the independence she needed. I also think implementing the soothing technique Meg taught us really helped Poppy adjust to daytime vs. nighttime sleep. I love that with this method I can still go in and “help” Poppy, while also teaching her self-soothing skills.
What are three words you would use to describe your experience with the Two-Week Program?
Educational, relieving, restful!
here are Emily’s sleep training results…
How are you sleeping these days, Emily? How’s Poppy doing?
We are getting much more sleep these days! Poppy will sometimes still wake up during the night, but most of the time will be back to sleep within minutes. And in the rare cases that she doesn’t – I feel much more confident that I have the tools to get her back to sleep with little intervention. The insights Meg gave us on adjusting schedules really had the most impact on our sleep. By having this knowledge, we’re able to tweak bedtime accordingly instead of going into it blindly.
2. How would you describe Infant Sleep Training and it’s impact on your day to day life?
Now that I’ve experienced Infant Sleep Training firsthand, I would describe it as a valuable resource for parents more so than infants. I thought I had the information I needed from friends, online resources, and social media, but really having an expert teach and guide you through the process is invaluable.
Sleep training has really given us the consistency we needed during the week. Whether it’s a day that I’m working in the office, or Poppy’s at daycare, we know what we’re walking into each night and what we will accomplish before bedtime.
Would you recommend A Restful Night to a friend?
I would 100% recommend Meg and A Restful Night to a friend (and already have!) She really feels like a partner who is invested in this journey with you and truly cares about your individual needs.
If anyone knows how important a good night’s sleep is, it’s a new mom.
Emily and her family worked hard during our two weeks together to implement changes and practice techniques that will help Poppy enjoy a lifetime of great sleep.
As a sleep training expert, my goal is always to empower parents to take control of bedtime. As Emily mentioned, sleep training is often more about the parents than it is about the children. With the right support and guidance, parents can feel confident and empowered to help their little ones sleep better—and to finally get the rest they need, too!
Is Emily’s story sounding familiar? If you’re in the thick of family sleep struggles, you're not alone—and we’re here to help! A Restful Night offers a variety of programs virtually, so no matter where you are in the world, we’ve got you covered.
Book your complimentary consultation call with me (Meg) today, and we’ll help you find the program that’s right for you!
Meg O’Leary is an Infant and Child Sleep Expert and the Founder of A Restful Night. She and her team offer sleep training support to families worldwide.
