Baby & Toddler Sleep Training FAQ: Expert Sleep Consultant Answers
What does a sleep consultant do?
I will assess your child’s sleep habits, environment, and daily routines to identify what’s causing their fragmented sleep, short naps, resistance at bedtime, or night wakings. Using that information, I create a customized sleep plan tailored to your child’s age, temperament, and your parenting preferences.
This plan typically includes guidance for both day and night routines, because a good day sets the foundation for a good night. Daytime structure may include ideas for connection-building activities, energy-burning play, nutrition tips to boost calorie intake, and improvements to overall sleep hygiene.
We will go over your plan together in detail to make sure it is exactly what you want. I provide ongoing support with guidance, troubleshooting, reassurance, and adjustments while you implement the plan. This support helps parents stay consistent, reduces stress, and increases the likelihood of long-term success. The level of support I provide is completely up to you! My goal is to empower you as parents, leaving you confident in your ability to manage your plan.
What methods do you use?
The methods we will use for your family depend on a combination of your own preferences and what I think will work with your child. Crying it out is often quick and effective, but is not always the right choice for a child or for their family dynamic. Often, I will advise a method that is based on strengthening the parent-child connection during the day and setting gentle boundaries at night, reinforcing that night time is for sleep. Ultimately, we won’t do anything you aren’t comfortable with! A plan will only work if you feel confident about it.
What if things don’t work?
If progress is slower than expected, we adjust the plan. All sleep plans come with ongoing support so we can troubleshoot, make changes in real time, and find the approach that works best for your child. You won’t be left to figure it out alone.
How much parent involvement is required?
Parent involvement depends on the method you choose. Some approaches include staying nearby and offering reassurance; others involve giving your child more space to practice independent sleep. We’ll choose a method that aligns with your comfort level and your child’s developmental needs. You also have the option of having me implement the plan for you, while you get some much needed sleep! All plans will require you to be consistent and committed.
How much crying is normal?
Some crying is normal when a child is learning a new skill, including independent sleep. Even the most gentle of techniques will result in tears. The amount varies based on your child’s temperament, age, and the method you choose. There are techniques that can greatly reduce the amount of crying for the sleep training process, and they can work well for many children. My goal is always to minimize distress by using developmentally appropriate strategies, setting your child up for success, and ensuring you feel confident and supported through the process.
When can we start?
You can start your sleep plan at any time! The difficult part will take one to two weeks, but it’s important to give your child 4 weeks to truly lock in the results – and some children will need 6 full weeks for lasting success. This means no big life changes, vacations, new puppies, or overnight visitors in the house for the duration of the plan. When your family is ready to make this commitment, you are ready to start sleep training!
Do you offer virtual or in-home support?
I offer both virtual and in-home support, depending on your location and preference. Virtual support is highly effective and allows for flexible scheduling and real-time guidance. For families who prefer hands-on help, in-home support may be available within a certain travel radius.
Are your methods safe for my baby?
Yes. I only use developmentally appropriate, evidence-based strategies that prioritize your baby’s safety and emotional well-being. All guidance aligns with American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations for safe sleep. This includes safe sleep environments, age-appropriate routines, and strategies that prioritize both safety and healthy sleep habits.
Special Circumstances
Do you work with children with disabilities or medical needs?
Yes. I have experience supporting infants and children with a variety of developmental and medical considerations, including cerebral palsy (CP), hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), and anxiety. Sleep plans are always adapted to your child’s abilities, sensory needs, developmental stage, and medical recommendations. When appropriate, I coordinate with your child’s care team to ensure the plan aligns with their overall health and therapy goals.
Can you help with sleep during illness, teething, or regressions?
Yes. These situations are extremely common and often disrupt sleep temporarily. I guide you through how to support your child while still maintaining healthy sleep habits, and we adjust the plan as needed until they’re fully back on track.
Do you work with twins or multiples?
Absolutely! I provide tailored strategies for managing schedules, coordinating naps, and balancing the needs and temperaments of more than one child. Plans account for whether your children share a room or sleep separately.
Can you help families who are room-sharing or living in smaller spaces?
Many families share rooms or have limited space, and I can create a plan that works within your home setup, with specific guidance for room-sharing layouts, routines, and minimizing disruptions.