The Gentle Sleep approach is a gentler alternative for families who emotionally or philosophically resist letting their child cry-it-out, or those who have tried controlled crying (“Ferber”) or other cry-it-out methods without success. It is also for families who believe in and wish to continue co-sleeping/room sharing but find that their child isn’t really sleeping all that well, or for families
are co-sleeping but are ready for the family bed to revert back to the marital one. The Gentle Sleep Coach philosophy was developed by Kim West LCSW-C, The Sleep Lady® because she found so many parents had difficulty implementing a sleep coaching program that they feared would damage their child emotionally or that filled them with so much guilt they couldn’t follow through with it. If a child is accustomed to being rocked, walked, swung or nursed to sleep, they will naturally protest when the parent changes their bedtime rituals and stops putting them to sleep. My goal is to have as little crying as possible (they probably will cry less than you expect!). I encourage parents to be loving and responsive, staying with their child and offering physical and verbal reassurance while allowing the child the room to learn this vital life skill of putting themself to sleep. This supports the development of a secure attachment between parent and child. I will work with you to create an individualized, step-by-step sleep plan that will factor in your parenting style, your child’s age, health and temperament, mother’s well being and the related family dynamics. Most importantly, I will support and coach you through the entire process! I work with parents of children ages 6 months to 6 years old. For babies under 6 months, I will consult with parents on how to set up healthy sleep habits from the start and, if appropriate, how to gently shape their sleep. Please note that it is never necessary to stop breastfeeding in order to successfully sleep coach your child. If you have any questions about the Gentle Sleep philosophy, please don’t hesitate to ask. Sleep is crucial to your child’s growth and development, and the health and well being of the entire family. Helping your child learn the skills to fall asleep is a priceless gift with lifelong benefits.
