FAQs

You’ll have a lot of support....because that’s how I get results. I offer what I like to call a stalker-level of support (in the best possible way!). I’m in your pocket every day, checking in, guiding you through each step, and making sure you’re following the plan so we can see real, lasting progress. I don’t leave you to figure things out alone, I’m right there, tweaking, encouraging, and holding your hand the whole way through. That said, some parents prefer minimal contact and that’s absolutely okay too. My job is to support you in a way that works for you. Whether you want daily voice notes and reassurance, or just quiet accountability in the background, I’ll tailor my approach to suit your communication style and your goals. Whatever support looks like for you, just know I’m fully invested and I don’t stop until we see change.

Sleep training is actually the last thing I look at. When a baby is struggling to fall or stay asleep, there’s often a whole range of underlying factors at play like routine, sleep pressure, nutrition, environment, and overstimulation. If we don’t get those right first, no method will work well and it would be unfair to put your baby through that! That said, when it is time to look at sleep training, I take a completely individualised approach. I use a wide range of evidence-based methods and am always guided by your preferences and comfort level as a parent. But I’m also honest: if your baby’s temperament clearly isn’t suited to a particular method, I won’t recommend it. Your baby’s wellbeing is my top priority, and I’ll never suggest something that isn’t in their best interest, it's not fair and can take them a lot longer than is necessary to learn how to sleep. Every plan I create is tailored, thoughtful, and built around your baby’s needs, your parenting style, and what will actually work for your family.

If you have any questions at all, simply email me at sophia@sophiassleepschool.com (sophia@sophiassleepschool.com) Most clients book The Sleep Concierge Package if they want real time support, otherwise The Mini Concierge Package if they just want once a day emails with me. If you feel in person support at home, I will be there right next to you telling what to do and when. Sure, I could put your baby to sleep for you quickly, but that isn't actually what you need (sorry, some tough love here). Parents doing this themselves, to start creating really consistent messaging to babies is SO important. Which is why I will coach and guide in the moment, but you are always in the drivers seat getting really comfortable with the change and the methods used. This is how you get LONG LASTING results. If your baby is having problems self settling for bedtime, waking up overnight or having short cat naps during the day, booking The Sleep/ Mini Concierge/ Home consult is designed to address all of these issues at once and fast! The Concierge Call is only appropriate for 1 sleep issue like how to drop a nap or how to fix an early morning wake. As night wakes and day sleep training is so complex, this call just isn't enough to rectify these issues.

A sleep plan is the blueprint for your baby’s sleep success....but not just any plan. Mine are in-depth, science-led, and completely tailored to your baby’s biology, temperament, and current sleep challenges. It’s not just a routine on a page. It’s a step-by-step strategy that brings together everything we’ve uncovered in your sleep assessment: sleep pressure, nap timing, wake windows, feeding patterns, environmental tweaks, and when needed—sleep training methods. Every element is intentional and backed by research! The truth is, sleep is a biological process, and when we align with that biology, things fall into place faster and more calmly. Without a proper plan, sleep changes are often just trial and error which leads to more frustration and inconsistency for both you and your baby. A good sleep plan brings clarity. A great one brings change. That’s what I build (which is why they are roughly 8 pages long and take about 3 hours to write)!!

You’re not alone. No parent enjoys hearing their baby cry and neither do I. That’s why my approach is always thoughtful, responsive, and evidence-based. Here’s what’s important to know: crying is a baby’s way of expressing emotion and adapting to change, especially when a familiar sleep pattern is being replaced with a new one. It doesn’t mean they’re in pain, or that you’re doing something wrong, they are simply confused and don't quite understand yet. In fact, studies show that short-term crying during sleep training doesn’t cause any short OR long-term harm or attachment issues when paired with a loving, supportive parent-child relationship (Middlemiss et al., 2012; Gradisar et al., 2016). That said, I never jump straight into sleep training. Before we even consider it, we look at everything else, like sleep pressure, timing, nutrition, overstimulation, and environment. Often, once these foundations are corrected, the need for intense sleep training dramatically reduces. When it’s time to use a sleep training method, I work closely with you to choose one that aligns with your values and your baby’s temperament. I’ll never ask you to use a method that makes you uncomfortable or one I don’t believe is developmentally appropriate for your child. I have a very responsive and loving parenting style, and sleep trained my son at 4.5 months of age. I would never suggest anything to you that I wouldn't be prepared to do with my own child. Your baby’s emotional wellbeing is my top priority. Crying may be part of the process, but it’s never ignored. You’ll always know exactly what to do, when to respond, and how to stay connected while guiding your baby toward independent sleep gently, confidently, and with support every step of the way.

Here’s what I can confidently say: if you follow the plan we create together, you will see improvement. Every recommendation I make is backed by science, tailored to your baby’s specific needs, and built around what actually works. I’ve supported hundreds of families through some of the most complex sleep challenges and when the plan is followed consistently, sleep always improves. Always. That said, this isn’t a passive process. Your commitment matters. The families who see the biggest results are the ones who trust the plan, lean into the support I offer, and stay consistent even when it feels hard. I’m here to guide you, adjust things as we go, and cheer you on every step of the way. If you're ready to put in the work, I’ll match that effort and together, we’ll get your baby sleeping better. Unless there are underlying medical issues, there is no such thing as a baby who won't sleep!

This is one of the most common concerns I hear and one I take incredibly seriously. The short answer is: no, sleep training is not harmful when done thoughtfully, responsively, and with your baby’s unique needs in mind. Let’s talk science. One of the biggest myths is that sleep training causes harmful spikes in cortisol (the stress hormone). However, research shows that short-term, developmentally appropriate sleep training does not lead to toxic stress or long-term emotional harm. In fact: • A 2012 study by Gradisar et al. followed infants who underwent controlled sleep training methods (like gradual withdrawal and controlled crying) and found no negative effects on emotional development, attachment, or stress levels—even five years later. • Another study (Price et al., 2012) confirmed that cortisol levels in sleep-trained infants did not rise significantly, especially when compared to baseline stressors like daily separation at daycare. • Babies who are sleep trained using consistent and supportive methods have been found to show more consolidated sleep, reduced night wakings, and overall improved emotional regulation (Mindell et al., 2006). Now let’s talk about what is damaging to your baby: chronic sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation in infants is linked to: • Increased cortisol and stress sensitivity • Poor memory consolidation and cognitive development • Mood dysregulation and difficulty with self-soothing • Impaired immune function And for parents? Lack of sleep contributes to higher rates of postnatal depression, anxiety, relationship breakdowns, and overall poor mental health. So when we talk about sleep training, we’re not talking about ignoring your baby we’re talking about giving them the skills to sleep restfully, in a way that’s biologically aligned and emotionally supported. When done properly (and I only ever do it properly), sleep training is not about leaving babies to cry, it's about helping them learn how to sleep, safely and confidently, with your support and love always at the centre. Sleep is a fundamental need—not a luxury. Helping your baby get there is not damaging. It’s one of the most supportive things you can do for their development and wellbeing.

I work closely and intentionally with families around the world ( often with a waitlist), and I’m just as discerning about who I work with as you should be. I occasionally turn families away if their expectations aren’t realistic for their baby’s developmental stage, or if I feel our values aren’t aligned. This isn’t something I do lightly, but my priority will always be your baby. I take deep satisfaction in helping families achieve meaningful change, and in order to do that, I need to be honest, direct, and supported in return. For this process to be truly effective, both parents (where applicable) must be on the same page, fully committed, and willing to make consistent changes. Otherwise, it’s simply not fair on your baby and it will fail. If at any stage I feel we’re not aligned, or the commitment isn’t there, I reserve the right to end our work together. Real, lasting change depends on trust and I’m here to give your family nothing less.

I work with babies from 16 weeks (corrected age) and up. That’s because the best science and research tells us that before 16 weeks, babies are still neurologically immature when it comes to sleep. They haven’t yet developed the ability to consistently link sleep cycles, regulate their circadian rhythm, or learn through patterned responses, all of which are key to effective sleep support. Before 16 weeks, the focus should be on nurturing, responsive care, establishing feeding, and setting up healthy foundations. If you’re in those early weeks and struggling, I absolutely understand how hard that can be, but real sleep learning becomes possible from around the 4-month mark when their brain and body are developmentally ready.

If you're asking the question, there's a good chance you're ready. You don’t need to wait until things are completely unmanageable to get support. In fact, the earlier we step in, the easier it is to get sleep back on track. One or two night wakes might feel manageable now, but they often signal an underlying issue like overtiredness, reverse cycling, poor nap timing, or an environment that’s working against your baby’s sleep. If those root causes aren’t addressed, it’s common for sleep to gradually get worse: more frequent wakes, shorter naps, early starts, and a baby who’s harder to settle. You don’t need to hit breaking point to deserve help. I work with families at all stages, whether things are just starting to feel off, or you're completely exhausted and out of options. Wherever you’re at, we’ll find the why and create a clear plan forward. This will absolutely get better!