Traditional sleep training: 

• Encourages a degree of non-response from the parent. This can be significant (The extinction method) or low level (“Don’t look at or talk to your baby when meeting their physical needs at night.”)  

• Intentionally, or unintentionally encourages a reduction in night time breastfeeds. 

• Aims for either no night time wake ups, or just one.  

• Are not always based on up-to-date science.  

• Tend to lead to drastic results, quickly.  

However, we now understand that: 

• The brain relies on consistent, loving responses from caregivers to allow for proper development. 

• Being left to cry increases stress responses for babies AND parents. 

• Harsh or non-responsive sleep training methods often result in a “relapse” months later.  

• Night time wake ups and breastfeeds are normal for at least the first 2 years.  

Holistic Sleep Coaching takes a different approach. 

• The Holistic Sleep Coach training by Babyem is similar to degree level, takes around a year to complete, and is 100% evidence based. Designed by Lyndsey Hookway, who is an IBCLC, Paediatric Nurse and Health Visitor. Lyndsey is incredibly science focused and the assignments for the HSC training require proper and thorough use of recent studies. 

• You will NEVER be told to ignore your little one’s cries. However, we WILL talk about how to support them with love WHILE they cry. (Crying is a valid response to something new and uncomfortable being introduced!) 

• We start with the bigger picture. We understand that sleep can be improved with deep connection, intense play with a caregiver, exposure to daylight, exercise, diet, and routines before sleep times.  

• You won’t be given a rigid plan to follow. Instead, we will talk about things that might work for your family and TOGETHER we decide what you’d like to do.  

• I cannot and will not promise you drastic results in a short space of time! I CAN promise you methods that are respectful to you and your child, that should add up to improvements over a four-to-six-week period. These improvements will vary! It might be that you can get your baby to nap alone. It might be that someone else can do bedtime, that wake ups happen once or twice rather than every hour, or that we can support your little one to sleep in their own bedroom. Sometimes all of the above happens. Sometimes just one or two of these things. It depends on your little one’s developmental readiness and how much energy you have to give.  

• We will also look at your emotional wellbeing and self-care. This is because studies show that stressed, anxious parents worry more about their children’s sleep, and that in itself can make sleep harder for everyone! You are the glue that holds your family together, and looking after yourself is essential. Again, how this is achieved can vary hugely depending on your lifestyle, support network, children’s needs etc. But you can expect part of our session to be about you and your feelings, needs, and self care.