No, sleep training doesn’t mean you have to stay home for every single sleep time! I work with families of all different lifestyles and schedules. However, for the first two weeks, I recommend staying home as much as possible during scheduled sleep times to establish a solid sleep foundation. After that, I follow the 80/20 rule—aim to keep your child’s schedule and sleep environment consistent 80% of the time, while allowing 20% flexibility for outings and life’s unpredictable moments. This balance ensures your child maintains healthy sleep habits while still allowing room for real-life adjustments.
Most families notice significant improvements in their child’s sleep within just a few days, and many reach their sleep goals within two weeks. Every child is unique, and the key to success is consistency in following the sleep plan. I provide you with personalized guidance, practical tools, and ongoing support to ensure you feel confident throughout the process. As long as you remain committed to the plan, I will be here to support you until you achieve your family’s sleep goals!
Not at all! Teaching your baby to sleep independently does not automatically mean removing all night feedings. Your initial questionnaire will include details about your baby’s current feeding schedule, which I will carefully review before creating your personalized sleep plan. We will also discuss this in detail during our training call to ensure your baby’s nutritional needs are being met while also establishing healthy sleep habits. If night feedings are still necessary, we will create a plan that supports both feeding and quality sleep.
The earliest recommended age for formal sleep training is 16 weeks adjusted age. This means that for babies born at full term (37+ weeks gestation), sleep training can begin at 16 weeks old. If your baby was born before 37 weeks, you’ll need to add the number of weeks they were born early to the 16-week guideline.
Example: A baby born at 35 weeks would wait until they are 18 weeks old before beginning sleep training.
Newborns do not yet have a fully developed circadian rhythm, which means their sleep patterns can be unpredictable. Their bodies need time and exposure to natural light to gradually establish a biological sleep-wake cycle. Until around 16 weeks, it’s completely normal for babies to have inconsistent sleep schedules, and they need gentle, responsive care as they adjust to life outside the womb.
Crying is a baby’s natural way of communicating, and some crying is to be expected when making changes to their sleep habits. Adjusting to a new routine can bring temporary frustration, but I will help you understand your child’s different cries so you can respond appropriately, ensuring their needs are met while also encouraging independent sleep. The techniques we use will be tailored to your child’s temperament, based on the information you provide in the detailed intake questionnaire and our initial consultation. I will never ask you to follow an approach that makes you uncomfortable, and we will always prioritize a responsive and supportive sleep plan.
