A Sleep Success Story
The Sleep Sanctuary recently worked with this lovely family who were struggling with their baby’s sleep. Read their testimonial and see how we got this little one sleeping through the night in less than a week, and how enlisting a Sleep Consultant might help you!
Review written by Lizi, VIC
Our 3rd child, at 10mo, had never slept through and would regularly resist any attempt we made to settle her overnight leading to severe sleep deprivation all round 😬
Within just a few days, Sarah helped us get our girl to settle herself to sleep and she started sleeping 12hr a night consistently! Sarah was super attentive and generous with tips, advice and encouragement. She made sure to always check what we’re comfortable with and how we felt it was going and tailored her whole approach to us.
Many thanks to Sarah for our sleep and sanity 🥳
Why is there so much judgement around sleep training?
As I scroll through social media these days, I see a lot of pressure and unintentional judgement around how people are parenting. Mums looking for advice are often shut down and told their baby’s behaviour is normal. How is social media impacting the way we parent and ask for help with our children’s sleep?
As I scroll through social media these days, I see a lot of pressure and unintentional judgement around how people choose to parent. Mums reach out for advice when they need help, only to be shut down and told it’s normal. Constructive advice is often shut down because someone doesn’t agree with your thoughts. It seems to be a chain of pressure down the lines of motherhood, of Chinese whispers declaring it will damage your attachment if you want to work on your child's sleep.
It baffles me because, in 2023, when maternal mental health is becoming more talked about and there is less stigma around seeking help, we still seem to be shutting down a large portion of women who are saying that they are not OK! So as someone who works with many different types of parents from all different backgrounds, I just wanted to clear a few things up.
Wanting your child to sleep more and seeking support to get it is completely valid and understandable. Sleep deprivation is torturous and you shouldn’t have to suffer through, especially if your mental health is suffering
Sleep training does not equal leaving your baby to cry! You can work on sleep without compromising your ethics as a mother. Your babies' attachment to you will not be damaged when working on their sleep
While sleep will come to all babies eventually, no matter what, the quality of that sleep will always be better if they are taught how to self-settle and connect cycles. Just as we teach our babies to breastfeed effectively, and they need to learn to wean onto solids slowly, the skills of sleep can taught. We need to stop the judgement around this!
Moral of the story? Let us celebrate each other's parenting wins and support each other when we are down. Not by telling someone that they don’t need what they are asking for, but by lending an ear and listening to them. Mum life is tough in this modern world of social media and constant societal pressure. But if we band together as a community, then I know we would be so much stronger for it!
We all have our limits and it's important to understand that someone reaching out for help is usually at the end of theirs. As always, please reach out if you would like any more clarity around this topic.
Sarah xx
The Sleep Sanctuary is taking Night Nanny bookings for 2024!
Are you expecting a new baby in 2024? Are you in search of a Night Nanny to support you overnight through your postpartum period? I have over 20 years of experience supporting families overnight and as a Sleep Consultant, so rest assured you are in safe hands. See how you can secure your spot!
Are you expecting a new baby in 2024? Are you in search of a Night Nanny to support you through the postpartum period? I have over 20 years of experience supporting families of twin and singleton babies overnight and as a Sleep Consultant, so rest assured you are in the safest of hands.
What exactly is a Night Nanny? A Night Nanny (sometimes known as a Maternity Nanny or Night Nurse) is a professional who specializes in newborn and infant care. My responsibilities include bottle feeding (I of course support breastfeeding Mums too!), soothing, and all other baby-related tasks, giving parents the opportunity to catch up on sleep.
Bookings are available for a single night or up to five nights per week, with care typically provided between 10pm-6am. Customized scheduling is also possible based on your family's requirements. Daytime bookings for Maternity Care can be arranged based on availability. Full-time bookings for this service are in high demand and should be made in advance of the baby's arrival. This service is open and available to families seeking assistance Australia-wide. Travel costs apply outside of Brisbane.
Hiring a Night Nanny to support your postpartum journey will not only help you feel rested and recover faster, but it will also set your baby up into a routine. Many parents report their babies sleeping through the night much sooner as well! So, do not delay! Request a free discovery call and lets chat about securing your spot!
Sarah xx
Have you heard of the fourth trimester?
The 5 S’s by acclaimed Paediatrician and “Happiest Baby on the Block” Author, Dr. Harvey Karp are the foundation of how we work to settle a newborn baby. Backed by science, read how The 5 S’s can help get you and your baby the sleep that you need!
The theory and idea behind the fourth trimester came from the acclaimed paediatrician, Dr Harvey Karp. He defines his idea of the fourth trimester as the first 3 months of a baby’s life after birth. Karp’s belief is that babies are born 3 months too soon and are still adjusting to the world outside. Therefore, to comfort and calm a crying newborn, they need you to simulate the environment they had in utero.
Karp's 5 S's are:
🌟 Swaddling - helps to calm that pesky startle reflex
🌟 Side/Stomach - think chest-to-chest cuddles
🌟 Shushing - white noise
🌟 Swinging - rocking or swaying
🌟 Sucking - feeding or dummy
Karp believes that this formula can help to calm any unsettled newborn baby!
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