Frequently Asked Questions

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1. What is a holistic sleep consultant/coach?

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A holistic sleep consultant/coach can work with your family to help optimise your child’s overall sleep situation. They will adopt a gentle and responsive approach to your little one’s sleep using evidence-based, attachment-focused and family-centred support, which fits in with your sleep objectives and goals.

 

The level of support can vary depending on the type of package you go for but will be based on the consideration of the following factors to name a few:-

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• Age and development

• Child temperament

• Sleep biology and cycles

• Sleep hygiene and daily activities

• Feeding, health and nutrition

• Allergies and intolerances

• Mental health and wellbeing

• Wider family environment

 

During the course of the support they provide, you might like to think of a holistic sleep consultant/coach as an extension of your “village”, someone who can provide you with a fresh objective perspective on your sleep situation without recommending “sleep training”. They will listen to your concerns and provide support and reassurance. They may consider possible reasons for sleep challenges you may be experiencing and help you identify if further professional support may be necessary in your circumstances.

 

Subject to your personal objectives, they may discuss the pros and cons of possible options for optimising the sleep situation if you feel you would like to make some changes, always with your input and collaboration.

 

2. What are your qualifications?

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The sleep consultancy industry is currently unregulated, which means there is no set qualification in this area of work.

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With this in mind, it was of utmost importance to me that I receive the most reputable and rigorous training in the field of gentle, responsive and holistic sleep support to ensure that I can provide families with in-depth and up-to-date knowledge, which is evidence-based. This is why I completed the internationally renowned Holistic Sleep Coaching Program, run by the incredible Lyndsey Hookway, international speaker, author, Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Paediatric Nurse and Health Visitor and the Babyem team along with teaching from numerous leading experts in the field.

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Through this program, I obtained formal accreditation at Level 6 through the Open College Network (OCN), the largest vocational body in the UK.

 

Before pursuing a career as a holistic infant sleep consultant, I trained and worked a family and children lawyer for nearly a decade so have significant professional experience working with and supporting families often through particularly challenging times. I recognise the important balance of optimising rest and sleep for the family while always responding to your little one.

 

3. Do you ever recommend cry-it-out or controlled crying?

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No, I don't endorse sleep training methods eg. cry-it-out or controlled crying. I will never ask you to leave your baby, toddler or child to cry. I will only ever recommend responsive and gentle approaches and strategies in relation to your little one’s sleep. 

 

A note, however, that I completely appreciate that parents/caregivers will address their sleep situation in the way they feel is best for the overall health and wellbeing of their family and I don't pass any judgement on those choices.

 

4. Can you guarantee my baby/child’s sleep will improve?

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Sadly no! I would obviously love to make that guarantee (and recognise I would attract a lot more clients that way) but I cannot say with certainty that your little one’s sleep will definitely improve.

 

Every child is unique and I cannot control all contextual and environmental factors, which may be affecting your child’s sleep. I can and will, however, work with you and your family to understand your sleep situation and objectives, provide you with evidence-based, attachment-focused holistic sleep support and develop a personalised sleep plan to try and address the challenges you are currently facing.

 

You are the expert on your child and I will be here to support and guide you through any changes we collaboratively decide to make at a pace you feel completely comfortable with.