If your child isn't sleeping well and you are considering teaching them some new sleep skills, here are a few tips:
1) Consider if you even need to make sleep changes to begin with. Are you getting enough rest? Are you and other members of the household comfortable with the current sleeping arrangements?
2) When researching what a strategy to use, look for reviews or feedback from actual people who have implemented this book/plan. For example, if you are considering purchasing a book to follow along with - check on amazon for reviews.
3) Trust your instincts. While it is normal to feel a little uncomfortable (after all, change can be challenging), if you are feeling very put-off and upset by the advice given - it is likely not the right strategy for you.
4) There are many ways you can teach a child to sleep well - if one isn't working for you, there may be another way that could be a right fit.
Including a book in your child's sleep routine can help them to develop vocabulary, memory and listening skills. If you are starting on a new journey of teaching your child to sleep well, try reading the same book around all sleep for the first 1-2 weeks. After that, it can be a fun part of the bedtime routine for them to choose a book they like. When you travel, bring the book along to help settle them into sleep.
I will let this weeks story be told by a client I worked with earlier this year:
"Sleep training was a difficult decision to make, but realizing we needed help, we connected with Bridget whom had been recommended to us. Bridget was an absolute pleasure to work with! Our sleep training journey was challenging with many ups and downs with our little one. Had we decided to attempt sleep training on our own, we would never had completed the process, but with Bridget’s in-home support the first night and her easy to follow, simple sleep plan, we had the tools required to ensure it was a success. She provided support throughout the entire process with many follow-up calls and emails guiding us. Bridget is kind, supportive, and knowledgeable. She went above and beyond to help us and we are very grateful for that. We would highly recommend Bridget and Better Bedtime to anyone!"
Do you have a toddler AND have a new baby on the way? My best advice is to keep the toddlers routine as normal as possible. It can be tempting to break the routine, change their boundaries around sleep and eating. etc. because of the changes the baby has brought along. Consistent boundaries help toddlers feel safe and secure. Try and keep their routine as normal as possible, as they've just experienced a huge change.
It reminds me of a quote I heard a few years back: "Toddlers are like night watchmen, checking all doors - but not wanting any to be open."
Finally planted our veggies and herbs today. Thanks for all your tips, everyone - a few different tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and strawberries. Also my toddler snuck in some cauliflower so this should be interesting.
