Sleep support for parents who don't want to sleep train
Using Science + Connection to support healthy toddler sleep
My approach to toddler sleep involves throwing out the notion of bad habits or ditching the idea that somehow you have created this situation and instead we focus on the 2 key areas that are impacting your little one’s sleep.
Their sleep pattern AND their sense of safety to sleep.
We use sleep science to optimise their sleep regulation system. This means we look at small adjustments to their pattern as well as environmental factors that may be disturbing their sleep.
We also use connection-based strategies to minimise the normal separation anxiety or any situational anxiety that can impact children across the developmental stages in this age group.
My approach draws from attachment theory, developmental psychology, neuroscience, sleep science and lactation research.
Absolutely no cry-it-out, reward systems or punishments.
Children do well when they can (as do parents!) and our job is to support them in a developmentally appropriate way while still ensuring our own needs are met.
Nicole CampbellTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Andrea helped us a lot with our little boy who is almost 2 and has woken frequently (every 1-2 hours) since birth. With a few tweaks to nap times and some very gentle night weaning advice, for the first time ever he now sleeps a long stretch at the start of the night. She gave me lots of different ideas to work with and it felt so nice to have some knowledgeable support around sleep, as we were at a loss! Thanks Andrea! Tina LittleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Andrea is amazing at what she does and makes it really easy to understand how to approach sleep for our daughter and feel more confident as first time parents. It was a relief that the advice worked so quick and was really simple to implement, with our crying out. Thank you so much! Sarah TinneyTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It was great having frequent access to a professional while tweaking our sleep patterns to get more consistent sleep. Having access to one professional also stopped me googling answers half the night and helped me to relax and appreciate that all babies sleep differently and that it is not forever. We still have bad nights, but I feel more able to accept they are temporary and have tools to tweak the days to try and get sleep back to being more manageable. The non-sleep resources, especially around mental wellbeing were also very valuable. Elizabeth JestonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It is hard to put into words just how much Andrea’s Mama and Me Resilience Method Course has changed my life. The course empowered me to stop worrying about sleep (I was obsessing and had extreme anxiety about it) and just enjoy my days with my little one. If you feel like you’ve read everything there is to know about infant sleep, refuse (or have ‘failed’ at) sleep training, and nothing seems to be working, I would absolutely recommend this course. What I learnt was profound, and very different to the majority of advise you read online. Before this course, I lived dreading every day and every nap. I’d spend multiple hours a day rocking my baby to sleep, for him to sleep a maximum of twenty minutes before he was awake again! Night times were even worse with my little one waking and crying every forty-five minutes or so. I was exhausted, burnt out, and genuinely thought my baby was broken! I honestly tried everything including counting wake windows, white noise, drowsy but awake, blackout curtains, air con, sleep suits, you name it- nothing seemed to work! Andrea’s course delivered factual information about infant sleep, that is based on current scientific research, in a way that was easy to digest and understand. She offered a range effective strategies that were easy to implement and that were specific to my baby. She looked at my baby’s individual sleep needs and his temperament / sensory profile to come up with a plan to suit my baby. Andrea provides a simple formula to get your baby sleeping better through the night, with strategies that work and make nights more manageable, and even enjoyable! The ongoing support also gives me peace of mind knowing I have a life line if things ever go haywire again! If you are considering this course, just do it, it will be the best thing you’ve ever done! Marishell CruzTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Before Andrea, I was already considering sleep training since I thought waking every 2 hours to feed at night is not normal. She gave me confidence that it is normal and saved my mental health. We also had an issue with multiple false starts at night that doesn't happen anymore now ever since I've followed her advice from the program. Baby is still waking up every 2 hours but easily settled by breastfeeding so I can continue to sleep afterwards. Tara GriffinTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Andrea, saved our sanity and not one tear was shed. I’ve never believed in CIO but I knew my baby was a low sleep needs child. I needed some assurance and assistance. One phone call with Andrea and 2 small tweaks to our routine and my son slept through the night peacefully and continues to do so. Leaving a crying child is not something I find to be natural or normal (if you know about attachment) so thankfully Andrea knows so much that you don’t even need to worry about approaches that don’t align with your beliefs and values. Highly recommend this service. Michelle NicholasTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. In the depths of severe overwhelm and facing what I thought would be years of sleep deprivation, Andrea has completely changed everything for me and my little one in a matter of days. She supported me, educated me, completely solved our sleep difficulties but also looked at the picture holistically, helping me in more ways than just sleep. Very much in line with my beliefs and values of being a responsive and nurturing mother. She brings things back to basics, back to nature. And with that comes a very happy mum and Bub. Can’t recommend or thank her enough. Miranda HodgesTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a fantastic experience with Andrea. My 16 month old boy was waking frequently throughout the night for over a year with many people suggesting that I sleep train or stop feeding him to sleep. With a few small changes to our daily routines, Andrea helped us reduce the night wakes and consolidate daytime naps fairly easily. I still feed to sleep and safely co-sleep. We have gone from 6-7 wakes a night to 1-2 wakes, easily settling back to sleep. I feel more rested and confident in that I’m doing the right thing for my boy. There is so much mis-information about infant and toddler sleep out there. I would highly recommend seeing Andrea who uses evidence-based research in her approach to your child’s individual sleep needs. Emily NielsenTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Whilst pregnant I was slammed with so much marketing and promotional materials from 'baby businesses'. I wanted to do what was right for my baby, partner and myself. I was so glad I found Andrea. She is the nicest, open, reliable and up to date midwife I have come across in our journey. She has helped us with a variety of things from breast feeding to relationships in the program. Holly BeetonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Andrea is extremely knowledgeable in baby and toddler sleep and development. She provides a science and evidence based, holistic approach to helping babies sleep better as well as supporting the mum/parents. I think every new mum needs to complete the Mama and Me Resilience Method!Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
3 ways I can support you...
4 Simple steps to restful nights and independent toddler sleep.
If you need follow up support for your toddler, book here (previous clients only).
Hi, I'm Andrea
I’m a midwife, child health nurse and accredited neuroprotective developmental care practitioner and holistic sleep coach.
When my first daughter was 5 months old we experienced significant sleep difficulties (hourly wake-ups!) and not only did the mainstream strategies NOT work but I was left doubting my instincts and abilities as a mother.
I found support through a mum-led, sleep support Facebook group and came to realise that it was vital for health professionals to support mums in a way that put their natural instincts and values at the centre of their care.
Before my second daughter was born I completed training as a neuroprotective developmental care practitioner.
I’ve had success both personally and professionally with this approach and look forward to supporting your family.
Questions? Send me an email info@wholeheartedfamilyhealth.com
Or a message on social media.