Helping Your Family Heal Body, Mind & Spirit

What is Infant Sleep Education? How is it different from sleep training?

We take a developmental approach. Looking at the science of sleep, development and attachment. We recognize how in those earliest years we are creating the foundation of neural, emotional and psychological development. 85% of brain growth occurs in the first 3 years of life. We want to foster that development and not distress it. Sleep trainers take a behaviourist approach looking at baby's night wakings as bad and a behaviour to be fixed. As an ISE we recognise how waking is a part of normal healthy development. A large focus of our work together will be on how to get your whole family more sleep, with us working towards shifting your adult sleep and lifestyle habits that may be leaving you too tired to parent normal baby behaviour. Much new research has shown that distress-based sleep training doesn't actually help babies sleep better, and doesn't change their own night waking intervals or wakeful time enough for the effort and disconnect to be worth it. Babies are born with the expectation that when they need you, you will be there, and traditional sleep training methods lead them to believe that you wont come when called. This training may create neural-pathways which lead to avoiding asking for help when its needed, which infant mental health experts are beginning to feel is connected to the growing amount of childhood anxiety we are seeing. If behavioural modification methods don't actually teach your baby to sleep better or longer, and is more to meet adult needs of not being called for in the night, I invite you to first find other simpler and less upsetting ways to achieve the same goal! As your sleep educator, this is exactly what I will help you do!

If you would like to focus on interdependent children who know when to ask for help and when to attempt it alone, my alternative to sleep training is the answer. Together we can help your family teach interdependence while maintaining the trust needed to know that help is coming if it's needed. We can avoid possible unwanted consequences such as relationship and attachment concerns, and help you feel more rested at the same time. Many families simply feel strongly that their babies cries are meant to be responded to. If this sounds like you, know that your instinct and your baby’s ability to learn to trust are valid and worth protecting.

Prenatal Group or Private Classes:

The #1 concern for new parents is SLEEP and how to get it!

Hint-- It does NOT involve sleep training or self soothing!!

This class is designed to set up healthy expectations and habits surrounding infant sleep BEFORE the baby is here.

Using evidence based research, we have created a prenatal class that sets parents up for the best start possible.
Not only do we get parents on the same page as far as infant sleep knowledge, but you will also learn about schedules, calming techniques and ‘normal’ sleep patterns for a baby. We want to set the stage for good sleep habits so that your baby can grow up knowing that bedtime is a safe and peaceful time.

Prenatal  Sleep Group Class:

3 hour Workshop for those expecting or with young babies.
Covering: Normal infant sleep Patterns 0-3 years, infant neurological development & Parenting the infant brain for long term healthy mental and emotional health, ensuring safe sleep/ SIDs reduction tools, Parenting to sleep tools,  understanding your babies' cries, developmental progressions,  Healthy family balance, attachment & development and much more to prepare you to have realistic expectations and the knowledge to help your entire family get their needs met.
Partners encouraged to attend but are not necessary.  Great class for those who work with expectant families too. 

Tuesday Aug 31, 2021 6-9 pm  $25  Register Here

Pre/postnatal Sleep Education Private E-Class

Same as the in person/online class. Plus:
Personalized help creating a nursery/sleep environment that works for you and is safe. Nighttime parenting tips & get all your questions answered. $75*

Creating a healthy attitude about sleep now for fewer issues down the road.