+ Why should I hire a sleep consultant? Can I just read a book and learn all the same things you'll tell me?

There is a vast ocean of information available in the world which helps families with their child's sleep needs. It can be very helpful and you may get what you need from it. However, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the varying approaches and opinions available, especially because those resources are not designed specifically with your child and your family in mind. I'm here for you if the things you've read and tried aren't working for you.

If you choose to hire me, I'll get to know your family and your child individually. I'll understand why you operate the way you do and I will ensure the plan I design for you will actually be one you want to follow. We will consider all aspects of your situation and ensure systems are in place for strong communication and teamwork so that everyone on your child's parenting and caregiver team feels supported.

I'll also be right next to you for one-on-one coaching and cheerleading as you teach your little one to sleep.

+ My baby sleeps fairly well most of the time. Can we just have a conversation and discuss this one challenge I have?

Yes! I do offer a case-by-case one-time phone consultation service called the Ask Keara Anything Call for $100 CAD + GST. It's ideal for families who feel mostly everything is going well. If you just have a few questions and your challenge is fairly specific, this may be the best option for you.

It's easy to book - just head to the services page and click "Book Now". You'll be directed to a calendar to choose the time that works best for you, you'll fill out a form and make payment. Then I'll call you at the scheduled time for our 60 minute call. I'll take the notes and send you a reference guide after our call.

+ Is sleep coaching right for my child and me?

I would love to have just a quick intro call to discuss this together. Sometimes, parents can figure out what they need to do with the resources they're already using or by learning more about their child over time. However, sometimes we struggle through challenges and issues which really make things difficult. We may be hopeful that things will get better soon, but before we know it, significant time has passed and it can mean things still haven't changed.

Sometimes you just need a little help to see things from a different perspective. I can help you do that on a free intro call! And then it's completely your decision as to what to do next.

I'll tell you, if you want to make a change and help teach your child to learn to sleep independently and through the night, it WILL change your life. We will set attainable goals for your family, I'll listen to your parenting and family goals, we will assess your needs and come up with strategies for success. We will make it happen. Better rest is just around the corner!

In case you're wondering if yours and your child's sleep is worth investing in sleep consulting, you might find this blog post helpful :)

+ How old should my baby be before I sleep train her?

Any age! Sleep wellness can begin now, even if you're pregnant. You don't have to wait until your baby is “old enough” to start getting into healthier rhythms to promote sleep in your home. If you have a tiny newborn, we will likely have a different focus and employ different strategies compared to a family who needs help with their one-year-old, toddler, or preschooler's sleep. It's absolutely crucial to use age-appropriate methods and expectations. So you can trust that we won't be pushing your child to do something before they're ready. However you may be surprised at what they can already do!

+ Will my baby cry?

My goal is to minimize the amount of crying in your home. That might be your baby's tears, or someone else's too! It's important to understand that babies cry to communicate something and sometimes it's simply because they're tired and they need sleep! Your little one might also need some time to adjust to the changes we will implement as part of their sleep wellness plan. At first, they may cry because some things will be new to them and you will need to help them understand and feel reassured amid these changes. That means sticking close-by, offering the support they need, reminding them that you're there, and not ignoring their cries.

Results in this area may depend on which method we decide will work best for your family. There are different ways to approach each situation, but ideally we will effecively cross the bridge into the blissful world of sleep as you give them the support they need to learn and grow.

My role is to equip you with the education and the tools to understand your child's sleep needs at all times of the day, as well as know what to do in order to reassure your baby that they're heard, they're important, and they're loved.

+ What method do you use?

My education took a multi-angle approach to methodology. It wasn't just one person who developed a program to be applied to all client situations. I spent significant time researching a range of methods developed using empirical science based research in comprehensive curriculae gathered together by multiple sleep experts.

After collecting the information I need with my intake questionnaire, I have the ability to understand and determine the best method for each particular family situation. You're not receiving a template with your names just plugged in. The one we land on ultimately depends on several factors:

• parenting styles and philosophy
• personalities
• your child's temperament
• time pressure
• mental health and wellbeing in the home
• other influential circumstances and more

Sometimes I combine two or three methods throughout the whole process as varying goals require unique approaches, or I may propose 2 methods for you to choose from.

Regardless, we will determine the method that will work best for you and your child.

Read more about my parenting and sleep coaching Philosophy + Methodology.

+ How long will it take for my baby to sleep well?

Every baby is different and I don't know how quickly your baby will pick up their new skills. There are other factors, such as the approach we feel is best and your parenting styles. That being said, usually significant sleep improvements take between 2-6 weeks. However, if you're consistent with your approach, we will hopefully begin to see progress after just a few days.

+ I'm a little nervous about the process...

I completely understand if you have feelings of anxiety or nervousness. They could be stemming from the trauma you may have already experienced with your child's sleep. If it's been significant time and it's affected your lifestyle and homelife greatly, you've experienced something that has really impacted you.

If you have fears or insecurities about being a good parent... I'm here with you. If you are ashamed of what's currently happening in your home... I'm here with you. If you're feeling desperate and feel like you're at the end of your rope, I'm here with you. If you don't know what's best for your child... I'm here with you. If you think you've screwed everything up and you're wondering how you'll ever fix it... I'm here with you. And I'm here to help you.

Please don't feel embarassed or ashamed of anything regarding your child's current sleep situation. I am certainly not here to judge or draw any conclusions. What I know is that your child needs to sleep. And YOU deserve good sleep too. You've probably tried countless things already and those things have mattered to you one way or another. I hope you'll feel supported and safe to share the realities of a sleepless home so that we can figure it out! I do NOT want to cause shame in any way. After all, I've been there before too.

We're all in this together and even though I'm your sleep coach and I want to help you make things better, I will not make you feel badly about where you're currently at.

If you want to, we can improve your situation and you don't have to suffer any longer.

+ My baby has reflux. Can you still work with us?

Yes, absolutely. If the symptoms are controlled, we can proceed as we would with any other family. I do have some extra reflux tips which you may have not heard yet too!

+ Will you offer a refund if it doesn't work for me?

If you're feeling hesitant to invest in a sleep remodeling project for your family because you're not sure if it will work, I have great news. Hear me out!

If you or your child needs a pause, we can do that. If you are feeling uncomfortable about anything in this process, we can change something. If you feel we aren't on the same page, you can talk to me about it. I want to listen and understand your concerns.

If you are not seeing the results you're looking for, I will encourage you to bring this to my attention and we can figure it out. I'm an unbelievably determined coach and your family's sleep and wellness vision is my greatest drive for our time together. We will create clear and attainable goals. My promise is that we WILL reach those goals and I do guarantee that if you consistently follow through with the plan WE design together, which will be based on your family's individual needs, your child's sleep will improve!

If for whatever reason, it comes down to a particular circumstance when a refund is necessary, I will be happy to provide a partial refund based on the amount of work I invested to create your personalized sleep plan.

I feel it's important for you to know that as a compassionate mom friend who just wants to help babies sleep, I am with you in whatever decision you choose for your family. If it's best to withdraw from your program, I will be fully supportive. Although you should know, I believe sleep success is possible in almost any circumstance and I have not encountered a withdrawal with any clients yet!