Where are you located?

I’m located in Stouffville, Ontario, Canada. However, I am available to help families all over Canada.

What age group do you work with?

I work with families with infants and children from 3 months to 4 years of age.

What is sleep training?

I like to define sleep training as teaching independent sleep to our little ones. By learning independent sleep, our littles ones won’t need to rely on an adult to fall back asleep when they are transitioning in between sleep cycles or to fall asleep.

What do your individualized sleep plans include?

My individualized sleep plan will include the following:

• background information about sleep training, importance of sleep, safe sleep practices, etc.

• step by step individualized sleep training methods and/or tips that best for fit for your little one and family

• step by step methods to conquer frequent middle of the night wakings

• how to tackle nap training

• an age appropriate schedule to help your little one get back on track with restorative sleep

• how to deal with bumps in the road such as early morning wakings, handling weaning night feeds (when given the go ahead by pediatricians and doctors), dropping sleep props, etc.

I have a newborn baby, can I sleep train him/her?

Newborn sleep is very erratic. Their bodies and brains have yet to form a circadian rhythm and hormones that regulate sleep. My Newborn Guide (0-2 months) won’t include formal sleep training methods however, they will provide tips and healthy sleeping habits that will help you manage during the newborn stage. Healthy sleeping habits will provide a proper foundation for formal sleep training at around 3-4 months of age.

Do you utilize the Cry It Out (CIO) method?

I won’t be asking you to utilize the CIO method. It is not my “Go To” method. There are many methods out there that have been created by sleep experts that are just as effective. I personally prefer to utilize gradual and/or firm methods in my individualized sleep plans. All methods that I recommend rooted by research and are based off of your little one’s temperament, age, and family’s needs.

Will sleep training affect my little one?

There has been no known adverse affects of sleep training and many long-term studies have proven this. In fact, sleep training has been shown to help prevent maternal prevention and instil healthy sleep habits early on.

You may read more through these peer-reviewed articles:

Behavioral Interventions for Infant Sleep Problems: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Five-Year Follow-up of Harms and Benefits of Behavioral Infant Sleep Intervention: Randomized Trial

Infant sleep training: rest easy?

What are your views on crying?

Babies and children cry for many reasons. It is their way of communicating that they want something. Although, I would like to limit the crying, in many cases, there may be some tears. I cannot guarantee there will be zero tears during the sleep training process however, I will try my best to minimize it by recommending methods that suit your family’s needs and little one.

What are your views on bed-sharing?

While I respect each family’s personal sleep decisions, as a pediatric sleep consultant, I follow American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) safe sleep recommendations.

*Bed-sharing is defined as having little one sleeping in the same bed as you*

*Co-sleeping/Room-sharing is defined as having little one sleeping in their own crib or bassinet in the parent’s room*