SleepTraining

Sleep is a skill that babies need to learn and develop during their first few months of life. Parents need to assist their children in falling and staying asleep during this time to establish secure attachment. Once babies reach six months of age, they may have developed self-regulation skills and can begin to learn how to fall asleep on their own. This is where the sleep coaching process can begin. Gentle Sleep Coaching is a method based on the 'Shuffle' technique, created by Kim West over 20 years ago. It is an alternative to traditional cry-it-out methods usually associated with sleep training. The Shuffle method aims to help children gently and gradually move away from their sleep associations. The goal is to enable them to fall asleep on their own at the start of the night and continue to do so through the night. Creating the best sleep conditions is crucial to ensure the process is as gentle and loving as possible. During the sleep coaching process, we review all factors that influence sleep, such as the sleeping environment, nap schedules and duration, and routines. We start by creating a sleep plan tailored to your specific needs, which will improve what's necessary and maintain what's already working. As your sleep coach, I will support you over the next month while you implement the sleep plan we have created and guide you toward achieving your sleep goals. The 'Shuffle' method can be customized to suit the needs, parenting styles, and goals of each family. It is a technique that works for children aged six months to six years. Some sleep coaches, like myself, have extended their education and practice to work with children up to ten years of age.