Baby Sleep FAQ
Why hire a sleep consultant? With so much baby sleep advice online, it’s a fair question. But often, that’s exactly why families reach out. There’s just so much information...too much! And a lot of it is confusing, conflicting, or doesn’t match your values. Many parents tell me, “I just want one person I can trust. Someone who understands my baby and can guide us step by step.” That’s what I’m here for—clear, gentle, personalized support so you don’t have to figure it all out alone. You may not need a sleep consultant if your current sleep routine feels good and your family is well-rested. In that case, I truly celebrate that with you! But if you're feeling overwhelmed, unsure, or simply want more rest and peace—I'm here. Let’s talk!
My baby is not a newborn anymore. Can you still help? Yes, I can! As a certified pediatric sleep consultant, I support families from the newborn stage through preschool. I focus on newborns because I love helping families build healthy sleep habits early to prevent future sleep challenges and so-called "sleep training." But I’m always happy to support older babies and toddlers too. If you're facing sleep challenges, feel free to reach out. We can chat and see if I’m the right fit—or I can help connect you with another trusted expert.
I've heard that “sleep training” is useless because babies go through sleep regressions. True? It’s true that babies go through sleep regressions. These are normal parts of growth and development. But that doesn’t mean gentle sleep support is useless. With the right guidance, your baby can learn healthy sleep habits that last through regressions, milestones, and other changes. Many parents are surprised to see how much smoother things can go when a strong, flexible foundation is in place from the start. You don’t have to be worried about regressions. Once you understand how baby's sleep really works, you’ll feel more confident handling whatever comes your way.
Can I just wait for my baby to “outgrow” sleep challenges? That’s a very common question, and the short answer is: it depends. First it depends on each family's values and priorities. For example, some families are able to accept frequent night wakings, long hours of holding their baby, or sleep deprivation with flexibility and patience, even if the baby is often fussy. In such cases, if the family doesn't see it as a problem, there’s no need to involve a sleep consultant. On the other hand, when ongoing sleep deprivation and fatigue start to take a toll on parents — both physically and emotionally — it can begin to affect daily life and the overall well-being of the household. For these families, sleep issues often become an urgent and important matter that they want to resolve as soon as possible. Secondly, it depends on the type of sleep challenge. Not all sleep difficulties naturally resolve with age. Research shows that sleep problems in infancy often persist into toddlerhood, and chronic sleep deprivation can increase parental stress and the risk of postpartum depression (*). That’s why it’s important to identify whether the current sleep challenges are temporary and likely to improve with time, or if they are rooted in something deeper that needs support. Even if the whole family is running on little sleep, knowing that “this will likely get better in a few weeks” is emotionally very different from “we don’t know when this will end.” Understanding both your family’s priorities and the nature of the sleep issue can help you decide whether to wait or seek support. * "Persistence of sleep disturbances in preschool children" - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3559818/
Do you use "Cry-it-Out" method? I get asked this question often—and the answer is: no, absolutely not. Unfortunately, the idea that babies must be left to cry for hours in order to learn to sleep is still widely believed. This method, commonly referred to as “cry it out” (CIO), is just one of many sleep strategies. First and foremost, I do not advocate for any strict or forced sleep training including CIO with babies younger than 16 weeks. In fact, I prefer the term “sleep conditioning” rather than “sleep training” when working with babies in this age group. Just like athletes improve their performance by working on their conditioning, we can gently support a baby’s sleep by creating the right environment and setting up healthy sleep conditions. This approach helps improve the quality and duration of their sleep naturally and gradually. Even for older babies, CIO is not part of my approach. I believe a baby’s needs should never be ignored—and they should always receive a loving, responsive presence when they’re upset. Babies need to feel safe, secure, bonded, and deeply loved—especially as they’re learning to sleep. Bedtime should be a calm, nurturing experience, never stressful or overwhelming. My approach is always gentle, responsive, and rooted in connection. I truly believe that supporting better sleep doesn’t mean ignoring your baby’s needs—as often misunderstood in Cry-It-Out methods—but rather understanding their true needs and meeting them with care. You don’t have to choose between restful sleep and your baby’s emotional well-being. You can absolutely have both.
What is your opinion on bed-sharing (co-sleeping)? When it comes to bed-sharing, my first step is always to listen and understand why a family has chosen that path. If parents have made a thoughtful decision to co-sleep, I respect that choice. I gently walk them through the possible short- and long-term risks and help them create the safest sleep environment possible for both baby and parents. But sometimes, families find themselves bed-sharing out of pure exhaustion or because nothing else seems to work. If that’s the case, I want them to know—there are safer, more restful, and more sustainable options out there. And if they’re ready to make a change, I can help guide them through the transition with care, patience, and gentle support. No pressure, no judgment. I will offer support that meets you where you are.