A: If you found my website because a friend or family member has referred you, or through an online search, you probably feel like something needs to change and you’re not sure where to begin. You may feel like you’ve tried everything and nothing seems to be working, or you may not know what to try due to the huge amount of contradictory advice parents are bombarded with.  I know how overwhelming it can be, especially when you are sleep-deprived.

As a certified child sleep consultant, I take the guesswork out by creating a sleep plan that is customized to the needs of your child and your family.  I’m not here to judge or tell you what is right for you.  My role is to provide you with my expertise to advise you as to how you can achieve your sleep goals, and then to provide you with support and guidance as you do so.  Together, we will work towards achieving our goal of getting your little one the healthy sleep that they need.  This, in turn, will allow you to get the sleep you so desperately need as well!

A: I don’t recommend any formal sleep coaching until your baby is about four months of age. However, this doesn’t mean that we have to wait until that time to lay the foundation for healthy sleep habits.  By teaching your infant good sleep habits from the very beginning, you may find that there is no need for sleep coaching later on.

A: If you’re anticipating the arrival of a new baby (congratulations!), there is some really valuable information that can help you lay the foundation for healthy sleep from day one.  I offer a prenatal package for families (as well as seminars for groups of eight or more) that provides information including the components of healthy sleep, what to expect during the first few months, how families can set themselves up for sleep success with their new babies, and how to provide a safe sleep environment.

More information is available on the services page.

A: I hear this all the time.  Parents will say that their child just doesn’t need a lot of sleep, or that they simply fight sleep.  As a parent, this belief makes perfect sense to me as every child is different, but as a sleep professional I know that research shows that most children are not getting the sleep that they need.  It may appear that your little one needs less sleep than what is recommended, but the opposite is most likely true.  Overtired children may fight going to sleep, wake through the night or very early in the morning, or have an inability to nap well.

Healthy sleep is critical for children because their brains and bodies are developing so quickly!  With a sleep plan that is customized for your family, along with patience and consistency, every child has the potential to be a good sleeper.  The work you put in now to get your little one’s sleep on track will pay off for the rest of their life.

A: No!  Many parents are wary of sleep coaching because they believe it means leaving a child alone in a room, crying for hours.  This is not the case.  There are many approaches to sleep coaching, ranging from gradual and gentle approaches to those that are more quick and direct.  No single approach is better than the other and I do not push any one sleep training method over another.  My role is to listen to your concerns and challenges and then to discuss different methods with you in order to determine what works best for your family.

A: Infants need nourishment more frequently than older children because their tummies are so small!  If you still need to nurse or bottle-feed your baby during the night, we will work that into your plan so that all of their needs are met.

A: I am certified as an infant and child sleep consultant through the Family Sleep Institute.  The program involves more than 70 hours of specialized training and I continue to attend classes and seminars to increase my sleep knowledge to better serve the families I work with.  As a parent, I know personally what a difference having a child who is a healthy sleeper can make, not just to them, but to the whole family.

A: I work with families, regardless of their location, throughout Canada, the United States, and internationally.  Our consultations can be done by phone, Skype, or FaceTime.