Q. What does a pediatric sleep consultant do?
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Sleep consultants work one on one with families to help establish healthy sleep habits for their little ones. A pediatric sleep consultant guides parents in establishing an age appropriate sleep schedule for their child and also helps teach their child to fall asleep independently. Sleep consultants are trained to follow American Academy of Pediatric (AAP) safe sleep guidelines. A good sleep consultant will be a sleep expert, cheerleader and coach for your family.
Q. What is sleep training?
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Sleep training means teaching your child to fall asleep independently and self-soothe. There are many different methods to sleep train depending on the child’s age and parental preferences. Sleep training involves taking a comprehensive look at everything that contributes to good sleep at night including daytime routines, naps and bedtime routines.
Q. What methods do you use?
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I support families using many different methods. My goal is to establish a plan that matches your parenting style and preferences while following safe sleep guidelines. I have been trained in several methods that can be adapted to the child’s age, temperament, and current sleep issues. Every method of sleep training will likely involve some amount of crying from the child, but working together we’ll choose a method that you are comfortable with and confident in. I like to remind parents that crying during sleep training is often your child expressing confusion about the new routine and expectations. Cry it out (otherwise known as extinction) is one option that is well known, but there are many other “more gentle” methods out there that I guide parents in implementing.
Q. When is the optimal time to start sleep training?
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Q. What is your background?
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Q. You’re based in Reno, NV. Can you help clients elsewhere?
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The best time is whenever you are ready! Typically, the easiest age to complete sleep training is around 4 months. If your child is older than that, do not to worry. We can teach your child to fall asleep independently and develop healthy sleep habits and routines at any age.
Correct, I’m based in Reno, Nevada. Since my sleep packages provide virtual support, I can work with families across the United States.
My original training is as a Registered Nurse (RN) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). When not helping families with sleep, I work in a family medicine clinic taking care of all ages including newborns, children, adults and the elderly. My medical background and clinical experience allow me to look at the big picture of what's going on with your little one and advise if you need a medical evaluation prior to working with me. I received my pediatric sleep training from the Center for Pediatric Sleep Management. This program further prepared me to help families address a large range of common children’s sleep issues.
