Sleep Coaching * Mikaela Lynn - Perinatal Care Specialist

Sleep Coaching

There's no shortage of information available on infant sleep, so how do you know where to turn? Working with me, you don't have to choose sides. You do not have to pick a camp; this isn’t about right or wrong, and sleep is morally neutral. It’s about what is working for you and your family, so you get to choose what works best for your family and your sleep goals.

Together we will create a bespoke, step-by-step sleep plan that will factor in your parenting philosophy, your child’s age, health and temperament, the well-being of the birthing and/or primary parent and the related family dynamics. And most importantly I will support and coach you through the process from beginning to end--for night sleep and naps!

I work with parents of children ages 6 months to 6 years old. For babies under 6 months I will consult with parents on how to set up healthy sleep habits from the start and if appropriate how to gently shape their sleep.

The art of putting yourself to sleep is a priceless gift you can give your child and your entire family.

Sleep Coaching

Are you and your baby not seeing eye to eye on sleep?

Do you need some new ideas to help your little one rest more efficiently?
Are you wondering if Gentle Sleep Coaching is the answer?

It is true that the CIO method and the starker extinction methods can work well and a bit faster than gentler methods, IF you as the parent can follow through consistently and for long enough.

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I bring all my knowledge and training to this work including:

Basic counseling and child development
Sleep science and behavioral modification techniques to help parents of children age 0 to 6 years old
Secure attachment theory
Support for the bodyfeeding parent
In-depth knowledge of the importance of attachment and infant mental health.
The sleep science behind the first six months of life.
What special considerations need to be taken when working with and supporting families during this delicate period.
Specialized instruction on how to evaluate families in the first six months.
Guidance on how to assess when the baby is ready for sleep coaching based on current research and evidence-based strategies.
Review of gentle sleep solutions and strategies that are developmentally appropriate, breastfeeding and attachment friendly and promote a solid foundation for sleep learning and long-term healthy sleep patterns.

The Gentle Sleep Coach® philosophy was developed by Kim West LCSW-C, The Sleep Lady® because she found so many parents had difficulty following through with a sleep coaching program that they feared will damage their child emotionally or fill them with so much guilt they couldn’t follow through.

The GSC approach is a gentler alternative for families who:
emotionally or philosophically resist letting their babies cry it out
Tried “Ferber” (controlled crying) and it didn’t work,
Let their baby cry-it-out earlier but now find it doesn’t help
Believe in co-sleeping but find that their children aren’t really sleeping all that well, even nestled snugly with their parents
Did co-sleep and now want to transition to solo sleeping
Families who want support and guidance along whichever path they choose

Can you guarantee “no crying” you might ask?

No, no one really can. For example, if you as the parent have taught your child that the way to fall asleep is to be held to sleep for all naps, bedtime and wakings and you decide that you want to change this; your child will naturally protest or resist this change. After all, they don’t know why you have changed your approach. If your child is pre-verbal then they will cry. My goal is to have as little crying as possible. I encourage parents to be loving and responsive but to allow the child the room to learn this vital life skill of putting themselves to sleep. The parent responds and stays with their child and offers physical and verbal reassurance without putting the child to sleep. This supports the development of a secure attachment between parent and child.

Do I have to stop bodyfeeding to sleep coach my child?
Nope! As a Lactation Education Specialist, I will work with you to help your child sleep while preserving your bodyfeeding relationship -- it is never necessary to end nursing when gentle sleep coaching your child.

What if we cosleep?
Great! You can continue to room share while sleep coaching.

Contact me here to find out more!