FAQ | Jolly Good Sleep

Frequently asked questions

Q. What is your approach to sleep training?

A. "Sleep training" is a comprehensive treatment plan that reverses chronic sleep deprivation in children aged 4 months to 8 years. We focus on every element that impacts quality sleep: optimizing schedules, enhancing sleep environments, establishing consistent routines, and teaching independent sleep skills. By addressing both how and where your child falls asleep and returns to sleep, we create the foundation for age-appropriate, restorative rest that transforms your child's sleep health.

I am educated and certified in numerous sleep behaviour techniques and response methods, all of which are supported by positive psychological research. My sleep plans are bespoke and my approach is adaptable, based on your child's temperament and your parenting philosophy; no two little ones are the same. For some children and their parents, they need plenty of contact and interaction during the sleep improvement phase and for some, a method with less parental involvement is more appropriate; and that's okay! Whether we implement a high or low involvement approach, there is no right or wrong; only what is best for your family.

Q. Is there crying involved?

A. When we make any change to the way little one's sleep, the following always remains true:

an overtired child + change = tears. Whatever strategy we decide is the best fit for your child, my priority will always be to minimize stress across the board and if you do not want to leave your little one crying alone, you do not have to! Remember; an overtired child cries significantly more than a well rested one, so getting their sleep on track is the most assured way to reduce crying for your child.

If for example, we are supporting a child from sleeping in arms or while being fed, to falling sleeping independently in a crib (but not necessarily alone), even the gentlest, most supportive of sleep training methods with lots of parental involvement where you do no leave their side, will involve some tears. Your child is an autonomous little person, and we cannot "fix" their natural response of feeling frustrated or upset - but, we can lovingly support them through it, and reduce crying and stress for both baby and parents as much as possible. Remember, an overtired child cries significantly more than a well rested one

if you are hoping to transform your child's sleep with zero crying, I'm afraid sleep training might not be for you; and that's okay!

Q. What about a "zero tears" method?

Q. Can I still bedshare and co-sleep with my child?

A. As a Mum of 3, I feel deeply that the decision to bed-share and co-sleep with your little one is a deeply personal one. As a practitioner, I am led by the science - and the risk of SIDS increases by 50% when bedsharing with your baby. So as a practitioner bound by ethical and liability standards, I cannot work with families who are actively co-sleeping or bed-sharing, and plan to continue doing so.

For families currently bed sharing who are looking to transition to independent sleep, I can absolutely customize your sleep plan to support you while you wean your child off of contact sleep, and transition them confidently to sleeping peacefully in their own crib/bed.

Q. What sleep challenges will you transform?

A. My bespoke sleep plans encompass all common family sleep challenges with easy to follow, supportive, behavioral science led solutions. The sleep challenges we will transform include (but are not limited to):

* Early morning wake ups
* Nap refusals
* Short naps
* Crib refusal
* Bedtime battles
* False start bedtimes

* Separation anxiety
* Own bed/bedroom refusal
* Multiple night wakings
* Nighttime Feeds and reverse cycling

* Nightmares, night terrors & fear of the dark
* Leaving bedroom multiple times
* Sibling room share disruptions

Q. What is included in my sleep plan?

A. Depending on your family's individual sleep challenges, I will formulate my recommendations in an easy to follow guide, breaking down your child's optimal routine, sleep schedule and environment to transform your little one's sleep. For night wakings, night feeds and short naps, you will have a customized sleep training method that suits your parenting philosophy and your child's temperament, so that you can respond to your child in a way that is comforting, consistent and conducive to restorative sleep. Your bespoke sleep plan breaks down your pathway to a predictable, nourishing and peaceful night's sleep for your family, step by step; no more guess work!

Q. How long will it take for my child's sleep to improve?

A. The biggest impact on the success of your child's sleep is consistency. If you can trust the process, follow through on your chosen method and implement your recommended sleep schedule and strategy in full, you will see a dramatic improvement in your little ones sleep with consolidated nighttime sleep and longer naps within 2 weeks; with significant improvement seen in the first few night's! Methods centered in high parental involvement (lot's of contact) do take longer to see improvements, but to most families it is worth the added time to utilize a method they are comfortable with; with the same successful end results. Remember, if you only implement your sleep strategy-ish, you'll only see results-ish!

Q. "90% of families achieve an 80% reduction in sleep challenges by night 4", what about the other 10%?

A. There are 2 significant factors to consider here: 1. Underlying health conditions with sleep disrupting symptoms, and 2. Consistency, and following the process as prescribed.

1. The goal with sleep training is to maximize sleep to the extent that your child is developmentally capable of. If your child experiences any health condition with sleep disrupting symptoms, such as reflux, GURD, milk allergies/severe stomach sensitivities, environmental allergies (particularly to mold or pet dander), this could limit the success of a prescribed sleep plan. For reflux and GERD babies, I would generally say that these babies achieve a 70-80% reduction in sleep challenges (depending on severity of symptoms), and will continue to progress to 90-100% as symptoms improve. Realistic expectations are key.

2. Families who only implement their sleep plan ish, will only experience success ish... If for example you only implement 50% of the recommendations within your custom sleep plan, well you can expect a 50% improvement in sleep challenges. Trusting the process and communication are essential to the success of your family's sleep journey, and adaptations are always possible - my goal is for this to be the best use of your energy, time and financial investment, and for you to achieve the greatest success possible for your family's sleep!

Q. Why should I work with a sleep consultant?

A. The realm of baby and child sleep is a notorious minefield of misinformation. Instead of digging through google at 3am desperate for a solution to your little one's sleep challenges, you could have an evidence based strategy, that is tailored to your child and will improve your family's sleep within days. Better still, you don't have to work on this alone. Change is tough, but you will have me in your pocket guiding and supporting you every step of the way.

Q. Will you sleep train our child for us, and is there 24/7 support?

A. I am a firm believer that there is no such thing as lasting change for your family if I were to 'fix' your child's sleep for you. If I were do that, the same struggles will resurface once I'm gone, and you will need to hire me again. Good business model? Yes! But, that's not at the heart of what I do.

I want you to feel so confident in exactly how to handle your child's sleep, that you will be able to handle every regression and possible future curveball with ease. I want to empower you with the tools you need to support family sleep throughout the baby years and beyond!

I will be by your side every step of the way towards making a permanent transformation to family sleep, and in-home support is available. Have you ever watched Supernanny? Same thing, I join you in your home, and lovingly guide you, while you parent your child.

As for 24/7. I am obsessed with my own sleep, and aim to get as much of it as I possibly can... Unlimited support is available during the business hours of 08:00 AM - 8:00 PM Monday - Friday, and 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Saturday-Sunday. In-home support of up to 6 hours is available, from 5/6:00 PM onwards.

Q. How will my child's mood and behaviour change?

A. Gaining long stretches of restorative sleep will have a tremendously positive impact on your child's overall well-being. Sleep begets sleep, and once little ones suddenly soak in long stretches of restorative sleep that they're not used to, they can at first be much more sensitive to being overtired now that they are no longer "wired." It's as if their body suddenly realises how exhausted they are! Their stress hormones are decreasing, and their natural sleep hormones are finally able to increase, and regulate. Symptoms of sensitivity during this positive phase can include being less sociable, gaze drifting off into space, less eye contact and lack of interest in activities, and generally being more sensitive to lack of sleep - before eventually becoming more well rested and balanced within days. This doesn't happen for all children and good news, this phase is temporary! Once sleep becomes more predictable and their body becomes more regulated and well-rested, your child's mood will improve significantly. A well-rested child is a happy one!

Q. Can we relax our approach to sleep once we see improvement?

A. Once sleep is stable, an 80/20 rule is suitable for most children. 80% of the time, sleep is offered at an optimal time, in an environment conducive to sleep. The other 20% of the time, enjoy that contact nap snuggle, nap on the go in the car or later bedtime while enjoying an evening out with friends - you needn't be shackled to the house by your little ones sleep!

Q. If I struggle with the sleep training process, what should I do?

A. Once you begin to implement your sleep plan, if you find it is not playing out how you hoped it would, let's talk it through and see what adaptations could be made to have you feeling comfortable, confident and one step closer to achieving your family's sleep goals. Communication is key and I am here for you throughout this process!

Q. Do you have any clinical studies you can provide that support there is no harm to my child during sleep training?

A. Absolutely! The latest clinical research in pediatric sleep and child behavioral psychology is at the center of my practice. Click here to access stacks of clinical research in support of traditional sleep training methods.

Q. I don't live in Charlotte, North Carolina; can you still help me?

Absolutely! I support families nationwide and globally through virtual video consultations, telephone and email support