Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best age to start sleep training?

Good news! It’s never too early or too late to start thinking about health sleep habits for your child. Parents can start implementing healthy habits and age-appropriate routines for babies as young as 3 weeks old. If you’re looking to actively sleep train, you can begin implementing specific skills and methods around 16 weeks old. The timeline for seeing improvements will vary based on the sleep training methods you use and the age of your child. I have worked with children all the way up to 5 years of age.

Do I have to let my baby “cry-it-out” to get some sleep?

As a parent myself, I truly understand the difficulty of hearing your baby cry for any reason. Cry-it-out actually refers to the extinction method, one of many sleep training methods available. It means a baby is left on their own, in a safe sleep environment, until they fall asleep and for the remainder of the night. However, did you know there are other methods parents can choose from?! Sleep training offers a spectrum of options, from in-room methods (parents stay in the room during the process) to cry-based methods. I have been trained in and have experience working with the entire spectrum, and will help you identify which method is best for you, and will be easiest for you to be consistent with. The truth is, children who learn to sleep independently “through the night” are able to not only self-soothe at bedtime, but also fall back asleep between sleep cycles. This is hard to accomplish without a few tears in the beginning, especially if this is a big change from your current routine. During our intake consultation, I will discuss the many approaches available, pros and cons of each, help you identify a method that fits best for your child, family, and parenting approach. In the end, you will receive a personalized plan that you are comfortable and confident with. The goal when working with me is always to minimize crying and maximize sleep, no matter what approach you ultimately choose.

Can you guarantee this will work?

If you have already read all the books and tried different sleep training methods, none of which have worked, I understand your concern. The difference between working with me versus reading a book is that I will be with you along the way, working out any challenges that arise, and answering all of your questions. I can’t give you a magic pill or button that will miraculously make your baby sleep, but I can provide you with clear support and actionable steps that will improve your issues. Achieving better sleep will take hard work and consistent effort on your part, but it IS possible, and I feel confident that I can help if you feel ready to commit. During our time together, if you stick with the plan, you will see improvements in your child’s slumber.

Can we work together if I bedshare?

If you currently co-sleep, I can work with you to transition your baby or toddler to their own bed. However, I do not work with families that want to sleep train while continuing to co-sleep.

Can I keep breastfeeding if I sleep train?

Absolutely! However a parent chooses to feed their baby will not impact their ability to sleep train. My approach to supporting pediatric sleep is science-informed and age-appropriate. When babies still need to eat overnight, or moms still want to nurse regardless of age, that will be built into the sleep plan. Our goal with sleep training is to eliminate sleep associations that no longer work for you. An example of this could be if you are currently feeding to sleep every hour or two to help put your baby back to sleep. If your baby is still nursing or bottle feeding overnight, we will work that into the plan, while teaching skills for going back to sleep right after feeding.

Do you work with families outside of Minnesota?

Yes! I have worked with families all over the country, and can offer excellent support no matter where you are located. My goal is to teach you the skills and knowledge needed to confidently put your child to sleep, and encourage them to stay asleep, all night. If you are interested in a home visit, please give me a call to discuss your options and pricing.

I have twins or triplets, do you charge more for multiples?

I typically only charge for one package for multiples since you will likely use the same plan for all children. But don’t worry, it is still individualized to you and we will discuss thoroughly how to sleep with twins or triplets.

Do you work with toddlers or young children?

Yes! I work with children as old as 5 years old. If you have a child older than 5 years old, please contact me directly and we can discuss your options.

Still have other questions? Contact me to schedule a free 15-minute phone call to discuss your situation and options.