Sleep expert talks to us about common toddler sleep problems
OHbaby! founder, Angela Pedersen talks to OHbaby! sleep expert and sleep consultant Annette Faamausili about common problems and solutions for toddler sleep.
Watch this Podcast on YouTube HERE
Annette, who is originally from the UK, has been working in the sleep sector for over 20 years. She ran a fully funded sleep clinic back in the UK, where she was inundated. After doing that for 13 years, she and her family moved to NZ. Annette then set up Serene Sleep as a consulting business, and started really small. That’s now been going for 10 years and provides a similar service to what she was doing in the UK. Annette says that the sleep challenges that parents face are universal.
Annette’s particular interest and area of expertise is toddler sleep, “I find resolving toddler sleep issues incredibly rewarding, you can turn things around pretty quickly, when parents often think it’s not resolvable” she says.
Common problems that Annette sees in her practice are:
Bed hopping – toddlers that tend to wander out of their bed in the evening or at night.
Night wakings for bottles/feeds.
Early rising.
Annette says that a lot of parents reach out and say to her “I think I’ve left it too late, and I say, absolutely not, it’s never too late”. She says that toddlers in particular have very little control of their impulses, when they learn a new skill (such as climbing out of their cot), they want to keep practising that skill, it’s very normal. But she says that it’s also about setting those limits from day one, keep putting them back in their beds or pop up a toddler gate; a gentle boundary. “If they get put in your bed or keep coming out to see you in the lounge they realise that’s what’s on offer. They’re also testing the boundaries” she says.
The most common misconceptions about sleep consultants that Annette has noticed are that they’re going to suggest cry it out methods. “I don’t advocate for that at all,” says Annette. She says that 80% of the phone calls she gets are people asking her about that.
Steps that parents can take with their babies: Annette says that there’s no right or wrong way to do sleep – if it’s working for you you don’t need to change it. However, if the sleep deprivation is taking a toll on you, then she says that it’s time to make changes. What Annette says to parents often is that it’s about giving your baby warning signs that sleep is coming, she says it’s similar to the cues your might use before you feed your baby, for example, preparing a bottle. They’re recognising those familiar cues and they’re getting ready for food. It’s the same with sleep. Sleep rituals that are predictable and consistent everyday, that your baby will be able to tune into will help them to sleep and shut down well. “Baby’s respond really well when their days feel predictable and familiar. Even adding a couple of drops of lavender in their bath can cue them into sleep, and each time they smell that they will know it means sleep time” she says.
Another thing Annette notes is that it’s good to give your baby an opportunity to sleep, and not rush in immediately. “Let them find their way, while you support them from the sidelines.” Annette says to trust your maternal compass, and not rely on monitors (especially ones with cameras) which can actually cause unnecessary anxiety.
Annette says that a lot of families these days are raising a family without the support of a ‘village’, so having someone to come alongside you can make a world of difference. “A lot of the time when you are bogged down with sleep deprivation, you lose hope for the situation and cannot see a way out, that’s when a sleep consultant can really help” says Annette.
OHbaby! magazine brings you the OHbaby! Empowered Parents Podcast.
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