Sleepytime-Janelle Jeffery Child Sleep Consultant: "Sleep Training" is a Dirty Word

Since becoming a child sleep consultant and the birth of Sleepytime (www.sleepytime.net.au), my eyes have been opened to the world of mummy bashing and misunderstanding.

When talking to parents about what I do, or post on Facebook, write an email or whatever; I am very, very careful not to mention the phrase “sleep training." Why? It is taboo, a dirty word. I do not want to be condemned for it nor associated with it.

I started to question myself lately as to why I had such a problem with it. It was because it made me feel icky. When you hear “sleep training” you think of this right?

We immediately conjure up this picture of this teeny, tiny child being put through its paces. The sweat and tears to reach the ultimate goal of baby sleeping through the night. Hurrah!

Well guess what? Sleep consultants (good ones!!) DO NOT train babies, they TRAIN PARENTS. The definition of the word ‘training’ says it all. Training is the “acquisition of knowledge and skills.” A baby cannot do this. The word ‘training’ also means; instruction, teaching, coaching, guiding and educating.

A reputable sleep consultant (see below) actually spends the time educating parents as to why their child is having difficulty sleeping through the night and trouble with having decent naps in the day. They look at the big picture. They do not simply try to bandaid it and sell you a quick fix solution. Sleep consultants understand the why, and they teach parents what they need to do to make things better for the entire family.

Sleep training is about giving parents the skills and tools to make those changes using the most gentle and effective way possible, putting the needs of the baby first. It is about empowering parents so THEY feel confident in what THEY are doing. Choose a sleep consultant that will listen to you and tailor a program to meet the needs of YOUR family.

The most important role of any sleep consultant is to provide guidance and support to the parents during this transition. Yep, it can be a bumpy road but it is important for parents to have someone on hand to instruct them through this. Someone to hold his or her hand. Someone to be there if things get a little rough.

If you need to get fit, you hire a personal trainer. My nephew goes to basketball and football training every week. When you start a new job you get ‘on the job training'. Being educated and learning new skills is at the core of our existence.

So, my dirty little secret is finally out. Phew, I feel a weight being lifted off my shoulders. I, Janelle Jeffery am a sleep trainer. I do not train babies but I sure do train parents. I am able to give families the best gift ever - the gift of sleep and I am proud of myself that I am able to offer this to tired and exhausted families living all over the world.

Sleep well,