Newborn FAQs
Are pacifiers OK?
How do I set up the right sleep habits from the start?
Sleep Environment FAQs
What if my baby hates sleeping in the crib?
If your baby hates the crib, it doesn’t mean that she will hate it forever. Your baby just has to get used to sleeping in the crib independently, which naturally will be part of the transition during sleep training.
When should my baby sleep in his own room?
This is a parent-led decision on the timing of moving a baby to sleep in their own room separate from parents. The AAP suggests after 6 months, but I suggest when the parents are ready, after 4 months. Sometimes the baby and parents don’t sleep as well being so close together.
What is the best sleep environment for a baby?
These components make for a perfect sleep environment:
- cool (68-72 degrees)
- dark
- quiet (with white noise)
- a crib with a firm mattress (with only a fitted sheet)
Nap Questions FAQs:
Why does my baby take only 30 minute naps?
Your baby is likely overtired or does not have the sleep skills to transfer sleep cycles.
What does it mean when my baby wakes up crying from a short nap?
How can I extend my baby’s short naps?
You can assist in getting your baby back down, via rocking, soothing, or feeding. Better yet, give your baby the space to fall back asleep independently.
Is it OK that my baby takes short naps?
A problem isn’t a problem until it’s a problem! If your baby isn’t well-rested, isn’t getting age-appropriate sleep amounts or acts overtired through awake periods, your short naps are not restorative.
How many naps a day should my baby take?
How much sleep should my baby be betting?
Is it bad that my baby will only sleep in my arms?
What if my baby hates sleeping in the crib?
Sleep Training FAQs
What is sleep training?
Sleep Training is the process to teach your baby independent skills resulting in better sleep habits.
At what age can you start sleep training your baby?
It’s a good idea to discuss recommendations with your baby’s doctor to assess readiness, but I recommend anytime after your baby’s adjusted age of four months.
Is “Crying it Out” and Sleep Training the same?
Crying it out (CIO) gives sleep training a bad reputation. Sleep training is the process of teaching your baby independent skills but crying it out refers to a soothing method that parents may choose within the larger process. There are other options that involve reassuring your child, checking on your child, and fading your presence.
What soothing method should I pick?
I am focused on you as the parent and what you can stick to. This is why there are many sleep training methods so you can decide which will work best for your family. I break down the methods for you so you can understand which method you can stick with.
Can I focus on nights and naps at the same time?
When clients hire me for a personalized sleep consultation, we usually focus on BOTH nights and naps to see the quickest results. But, you can sleep training separately for nights and naps. You would focus on bedtime first and then fold in the naps within 3 days to several weeks.
Do I have to get rid of my baby’s feed during sleep training?
Depending on your baby’s age, it’s very age-appropriate to have a feed overnight.
When will my baby sleep through the night?
Babies are capable to sleep through the night as early as 3-4 months, but you as a parent will decide your baby’s readiness (ask your pediatrician, too!). When sleep training, I always recommend having age-appropriate feeding times. 4-6 Months, maximum of 1-2 feeds per night, 6-8 months, 1-2 feeds. After 8 months of age, I recommend eliminating all feeds to help you sleep through the night!
Toddler FAQs:
Sleep Baby Love FAQs:
What is a Sleep Consultant?
A sleep consultant (also known as a sleep coach) can help you formulate a sleep plan based on your baby and family situation. A sleep plan is more about just letting your baby “cry it out” but rather covers way more like sleep hygiene, sleep environment, nap timing and overnight strategies. I’m also certified from the Family Sleep Institute so I have hours and hours of training in addition to my own experience parenting my two girls (who had me deal with a ton of sleep challenges head on). Check out my services here so you can receive a customized sleep plan.
Why should I spend money on a sleep consultant when blogs are free?
This blog, Sleep Baby Love, has a ton of sleep articles designed to give you actionable advice. Some parents have had life-changing results just from reading my blog posts but other parents need more actionable advice in the form of consultation, support, and sleep plan.
Why should I hire Sleep Baby Love as my sleep consultant?
You should only hire me if you like me and trust me, and want to laugh together. I know that sleep challenges can be stressful but I bring a ton of empathy to the situation since I was once in your shoes. I give solid evidence-backed results and I customize my plans for every client – and many screams from the rooftop that they have had LIFE CHANGING RESULTS from working with me. I generally love building relationships with the parents that I work with – and many former clients have become lifelong friends. You can read some other reviews here.
What’s your sleep training approach?
I believe that every sleep method can work as long as you have a solid plan to work from. I try to meet parents where they are as a starting point as long as expectations are set up correctly. I do not offer no-cry sleep solutions – not because I’m mean, but because your baby crying is not because they hate you but their way of communicating that they are learning the new skill of falling asleep independently. I primarily work with four sleep training methods.
Will you just make my baby “cry it out”?