What Is a Sleep Consultant?
Sleep consultants vary in their approaches, each using different techniques to help families get the rest they need to feel prepared for their day—a process often referred to as "sleep training." Since there is not a one-size-fits-all method, it is important to find a consultant whose techniques and strategies align with your values. How do you feel about excessive crying? Some sleep consultants may advise you to let your child cry it out, even for short periods, if gentle methods do not work immediately. If that does not sit well in your heart, you have come to the right place!
When I started Emotionally Safe Sleep, I implemented what I had been taught and quickly realized that even with gentle methods there was room for unintended mistakes that could cause a child to lose trust and feel unsafe. Throughout my years in childcare, my goal was to always be a safe space for children—someone they could trust and turn to when they were upset. As I began working with families to achieve more restorative sleep, that foundational goal remained the same, yet transformed into educating parents on healthy sleep habits and age-appropriate methods to comfort their children, ensuring they always feel safe, loved, and understood.
For many people, especially infants, sleep feels like an extremely vulnerable state. As we drift off, we become less aware of potential dangers and our minds seek safety and security before fully relaxing. It is natural for everyone to experience moments of difficulty falling asleep, as this is our brain’s way of protecting us. Does this mean your child needs sleep training? Not necessarily!
When you choose to work with me, you will quickly see that my sleep plans are not geared toward training or teaching your child how to fall asleep. After you complete my intake form, I will be able to identify key areas of focus for your unique situation. My goal is to help you create a calming and peaceful sleep environment, teach you age-appropriate soothing techniques, suggest helpful tools you may not be aware of, and encourage you to attend to your child’s needs. Together, we will replace common habits like rocking or nursing to sleep, which often lead to your child waking up after a sleep cycle and wanting your help to fall back asleep. Our bodies naturally crave sleep, and when trust and security are established, the rest will follow.
While fostering independent sleep is a great goal, I will also help you look at things realistically and help you recognize when your child might need additional support. There are a variety of reasons your child may wake and cry—hunger, illness, gas—and your presence provides the comfort they require. By responding to their needs in a nurturing way, you help them feel safe and secure, which leads to longer, more restful sleep. The goal is not for your child to stop crying due to them no longer expecting you to be there. By responding to them in a healthy, supportive manner, you will reduce unnecessary wake ups and promote better sleep for everyone.
