Frequently Asked Questions
What are your qualifications?
I hold a Certificate in Infant & Child Sleep Consulting from Baby Sleep Consultant Training obtained in 2020 and have been helping Aussie families get more sleep ever since. I also have a current Working With Children check and am a member of the International Institute of Complimentary Therapists.
What age groups do you work with?
I am qualified to work with Newborns all the way up to 4 years old of age, however I only work with babies on independent sleep from 4 months corrected age through to toddlerhood.
What areas do you service?
Services are available to families Australia Wide.
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In-home services are available to residents of Metropolitan Melbourne. Please note that all in-home services include up to 25km of travel each way. Travel fees apply beyond 25km.
What is sleep training?
Sleep training can be a bit of a controversial term. But essentially, it's teaching a baby or toddler the skills of independent sleep (self-settling).
With my holistic guidance, we consider all things that affect and influence sleep including sleep hygiene, routine/awake windows, feeding/nutrition, settling techniques, and of course your child's temperament and your parenting style.
How are you different to sleep schools?
There are so many benefits that come from working with a sleep consultant. But the big one is having that 1:1 support - your own personal sleep consultant there whenever you need to talk!
Unlike sleep schools, I offer In-home and Phone Support Packages which include ongoing support to help guide and support you through the process and achieve your goals. This means you don't have to leave the comfort and familiarity of your own home, making it the perfect opportunity to set up and maintain healthy sleep foundations without any disruptions. All of my sleep packages include a consultation, sleep plan created specifically for your little one and a 2 week support period so you never feel alone.
Will my baby cry?
Honestly, yes!
Although crying can be a real trigger for many parents, it's not necessarily a bad thing. Crying is essentially the way our babies communicate with us - hungry, tired, uncomfortable, overtired, undertired, bored, frustrated, etc. When we start to make changes to the way a baby falls asleep, there is going to be some crying, usually out of protest. This usually dissipates with time.
Do you use CIO (Cry it out)?
No. CIO is an outdated concept based around the idea that you put your little one down to sleep and not respond to them until morning.
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When it comes to teaching independent sleep skills, there are different settling techniques to choose from. These techniques are designed for parents to be able to guide, support and encourage their little one's to fall asleep all on their own. My aim is to match a technique to suit your parenting style and your child's personality. I recommend only responsive techniques.
How long will the process take?
Any form of change or learning a new skill takes time to practice and master. How long the process takes can depend on your baby's age and stage, temperament, your preferred settling approach and the pace you choose to go at.
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Improvements can be seen in the first few days of sleep training. It can take up to 2 weeks to fully resolve night sleep issues and a bit longer for naps or early rising.
Will sleep training affect attachment with my baby?
Studies have shown that sleep training does not affect’s attachment. Sleep training is proven to improve baby's sleep, maternal mood and sleep, has no long term stress (cortisol levels), no long term effects on the child's behaviour or emotions and is not linked to attachment.
Can I proceed with sleep training if my baby is sick?
I would not recommend sleep training if your baby is unwell. It is best to wait until they are fully recovered.
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If your baby is experiencing any feeding or medical issues, or you suspect they might, please speak to your GP or Paediatrician before embarking on sleep training.
How will I know which package is right for us?
Your first step would be to book in a discovery call so we can talk through the challenges you are having and find the right fit for you.
If your little one is struggling in all areas of their sleep (night and naps) I would recommend either a phone package or in-home consultation. I personally feel that tackling nights is a great place to start, however depending on your little one's age and your preference of day over night, a naptime consult can also be a great place to start.
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If your little one is struggling with naps alone, a phone package or in-home nap time consult would be ideal.
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Whatever the issues are, they will be covered off in your baby or toddler's personalise sleep plan.
I'm considering booking an Overnight Consultation. Is there anything I need to provide for your stay?
The only thing I will need is a bed to sleep on for the night, and possibly some extra blankets/doona (unfortunately I am unable to sleep on couches). I will bring my own pillow, blanket and anything else I need.
When is payment required?
Payment is required in full prior to the consultation.
What if I have to re-schedule my booking?
Your payment secures your booking. I do however understand that unexpected events and illnesses occur. Bookings can be postponed but must be reschedule within 60 days of payment.
Please note that once a booking is re-scheduled, the cancellation policy below does not apply. In the event that an already re-scheduled booking is cancelled, no refunds are given.
What if I have to cancel my booking?
As you can understand, much work is done ahead of your consultation.
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For this reason, if you choose to cancel your booking giving more than 48 hours notice, 25% of your payment (plus payment processing fee) will be retained as a non refundable deposit. If you cancel giving 48 hours notice, 50% of your payment (plus PPF) will be retained. No refunds will be given on cancellations giving 24 hours notices or less.