Naturopathy & Child Sleep Consulting FAQs
Sleep Consulting Basics
What ages do you support for sleep consulting?
For children's sleep issues, I can treat children from 3 weeks old through to 12 years. For adults wanting sleep support, sessions would be best booked as naturopathy support, as the treatment approach is very different.
My child is a newborn. Do I need sleep support
I can start supporting healthy sleep patterns and associations from age 3 weeks. This wouldn't be sleep training as such, but more about setting up good habits from the beginning, and helping with settling techniques for colicky babies. Sleep training methods typically start from around 4 months of age.
Do you support "cry it out"? What sleep methods do you use
I don't typically encourage cry it out, though there are gentler variations that can still be highly effective. As a naturopath and certified sleep consultant, I have a variety of methods that I can workshop with parents, and together we choose a method you're comfortable with.
Some parents want minimal crying, others want the quickest results with the least time spent on sleep training. Navigating these goals and everything in between is how we land on the right method for your family.
Is sleep training dangerous?
Absolutely not. It's far more dangerous for everyone involved to go months or years with less sleep than is healthy. Sleep training itself is typically very short, days or weeks at most, while the effects of poor sleep can carry on for years. The sleep training I do is only ever approached with the health of both child and parent in mind, physically and emotionally. In fact, many studies show that sleep training causes no psychological harm to children.
Some people believe sleep training causes harmful spikes in cortisol, but the research doesn't support this. When sleep training is done in a short, age-appropriate and responsive way, it doesn't cause excessive stress or emotional harm. A study by Gradisar et al. (2012) found that infants who went through gentle sleep training showed no negative effects on attachment, emotional health, or stress levels, even five years later. Another study, Price et al. (2012), found no significant increase in cortisol in sleep-trained babies, especially compared to everyday stressors like separation at daycare. Further research, including Mindell et al. (2006), shows that supportive sleep training is linked to longer stretches of sleep, fewer night wakings, and better emotional regulation.
When Naturopathy and Sleep Overlap
My child is neurodivergent. Can you help us?
Yes, I work with neurodivergent children for both sleep concerns and naturopathy. In this case, it's best to start with a discovery call so we can work out whether you need naturopathy support, sleep support, or both, and whether now is the right time to begin.
My child has food intolerances and eczema. How does this affect their sleep training?
As a naturopath and certified sleep consultant, I'll most likely want to work naturopathically first to help with the food intolerances and eczema, though it depends on the case and how much these issues are affecting sleep. If sleep problems are being caused by something like food intolerances, sleep training won't be as effective until the intolerances or eczema are resolved or under control.
My child is fine, and doesn't have sleep issues, but I'd like to support myself after pregnancy and birth.
Excellent news! I'd love to do this. In this case, naturopathy consults are what you're after, and we can always weave healthy sleep habits for your child into the consults, providing nothing has gone significantly pear shaped in that area.
My child sleeps fine, but I'd like to support them naturopathically.
Perfect, book in for naturopathy consults and we'll work on this together!
I don't know what I need or what I should book! I feel like I need everything!
You and many others! Book a discovery call, and we'll work out the priorities of what's needed first and go from there.
What To Expect Working With Me
We did 2 weeks of sleep consulting, but my child's sleep still isn't 100 percent resolved. What now?
While most children's sleep issues can be resolved within 2 weeks, some take longer, whether because the parents want the gentlest approach possible, which can mean slower progress, or because the sleep issues are multi-layered and take longer to unravel. Whatever the case, this is why a subsequent 1-week support option is offered, which can be booked immediately after the first 2 weeks, or any time up to 6 months after the initial appointment.
Can you guarantee results?
No, nothing can ever be guaranteed. What I can guarantee is that I'll try my utmost to get you the results that are feasible within a reasonable time frame. For some babies, that means sleeping well within a week, for others it can take longer.
For most naturopathic cases, you'll start to see some changes quickly, but deeper healing typically takes months, sometimes years. That doesn't mean you need to work with me the whole time. You might dip in and out, or feel equipped to continue on your own after just a few consults.
Success comes from both my guidance and knowledge, and your commitment and dedication.
Still Have Questions?
If your question isn't answered here, or you're still not sure what you need, let's talk it through together.