Infant & Toddler Sleep Support with Marlee

• Compassionate support. Sleep can be such a complicated, heavy subject to talk about. I strive to offer a safe, trauma-informed place for my clients to share honestly about their struggles and challenges so we can create a plan that will truly work for your family.

• Attachment-based approach. My recommendations are informed by your little one’s age and stage, and are rooted in attachment theory. Together we will make changes that are developmentally appropriate and will help your child feel safe and cared for.

• Individualized care. Sleep is such a unique and personal aspect of every person and every family’s life. The plan we come up with together won’t look like anyone else’s! Since every family’s needs are different, every sleep counseling relationship is different as well. My flexible approach to sleep support is not a one-size-fits-all model!

• Education. One of my passions is helping parents understand the biological sleep needs their babies and toddlers have. I often find that helping parents understand their little ones’ biological needs regarding sleep can help them make more sense of their situation, and get a clearer view of what they can and want to adjust.

• Compatibility with lactation (if that’s how you’re feeding your baby). As a lactation professional, my approach to sleep is first and foremost supportive of breastfeeding / chestfeeding. Many other sleep consultants, trainers, and educators out there are not specialists in lactation (yes, this includes certain prominent Instagram sleep consultants…), and it can be very easy to disrupt milk production by changing routines to get more sleep. I always work with my clients to find a balance between sleep needs and how they feed their little ones.

• Awareness of mental well-being. Of course, sleep plays such a central role in mental wellness, and it’s very important to me to make sure that mental health needs are being met in this regard. I love helping parents find a balance between mental health, sleep, and maintaining the nursing relationship (if applicable). This gentle approach to sleep support for little ones is often much easier on parents than methods that use “cry it out” techniques.

• Safety is always a priority. Whether your little one is sleeping in your bed, on their own sleeping surface, or in some other sleeping configuration, I can help walk you through safety considerations to keep in mind. There is SO MUCH misinformation and conflicting information out there about sleep safety, and we can do a lot of myth busting during our time together! My goal is for you to feel comfortable with your options so you don’t have lingering worries about whether something is safe or not.

If sleep is a struggle in your home, let’s work together!

• Is this a “cry it out” approach?
  Definitely not! I have trained through Moorea Malatt’s Sleep Savvy program for postpartum professionals. This approach is based on the science of both sleep learning and lactation, with a lot of flexibility to accommodate for the unique needs of each little one, parent, and family.
  
  Most of my clients want to avoid “extinction” or “cry it out” methods, and I can fully support you in doing just that. Does that mean there will never be any tears as you implement some changes? No, of course not! Babies and toddlers often react to changes or new experiences with tears, and that’s a healthy developmental behavior. Whether you are bed-sharing, room-sharing, using a crib, using a co-sleeper, or some other sleeping configuration, we will work together to find developmentally-appropriate adjustments to help everyone get more sleep.

• Can you help if we’re bedsharing?
  Yes! Supporting families who are cosleeping and/or bedsharing is one of my specialties. We can work together to make sure your set-up is safe according to the available research, which is often a big concern for parents who choose this sleep configuration. We can also work together to help your little one transition to their own sleeping surface if you’re ready, whether in your room or in their own room.

• What does “sleep counseling” mean exactly?
  I love the word “counseling” to describe my work! Making changes to the way you handle your little one’s sleep can be emotionally challenging, and I’m here to help you work through each step. As a gentle sleep educator and consultant since 2018, I help families assess their current situation with regards to daytime and nighttime sleep, where they want to be, and provide developmentally-appropriate strategies to bridge that gap.
  
  As an experienced lactation counselor and postpartum doula, adding sleep counseling to my work was a very natural transition. I love helping parents understand the biology behind infant and toddler sleep needs (in plain English without the lingo!) and help them figure out ways to help everyone get more sleep that feel like a good fit for their family. I don’t use any one-size-fits-all method… just biology, and ways to make it work for you instead of against you!
  
  In general, I don’t recommend taking extreme or drastic measures to force babies to sleep through the night in just a few days. That kind of process is usually a pretty harsh adjustment, and while I understand that some families need that kind of rigid routine to make their lives work, my clients tend to prefer a gentler approach. If you’re looking for someone to help you get your baby to sleep through the night in a period of a few days, I’m probably not the right sleep consultant for you.
  
  I work with my clients to create a customized sleep plan with developmentally-sensitive changes to help facilitate better sleep for babies and parents alike. My approach is based on the idea that babies need some guidance from their parents to learn healthy sleep habits, and I love helping parents feel confident in providing that support to their little ones!

• What ages do you work with?
  I work with families of newborns and toddlers (from brand new babies up to around age 3).
  
  With newborns under 3 months old, I usually focus on helping you understand your baby’s sleep needs. This is especially important for families who are nursing. Helping parents to have a good foundation in sleep cues and the biological needs of their baby is so helpful as they grow. You’ll be able to encourage good sleep habits right from the beginning!
  
  As babies get older, we might be working together to navigate a sleep regression, trying to help a little one get better naps during the day, developing strategies to help babies need a little less involvement from parents overnight, or any number of other questions that come up.
  
  If you have a toddler who is struggling with sleep, I can help you learn what might be going on developmentally. Then we can use that knowledge to make some gentle adjustments to help your little one (and YOU!) more sleep.
  
  And regardless of how old your little one is, I can help you create a safer sleep environment for them, one of the top reasons parents contact me as a Pittsburgh sleep consultant.

• What if I can’t afford your services?
  Sleep is so important for parents and little ones alike. If you need personalized sleep support but are having trouble meeting your basic needs financially, reach out and let’s talk. I can often provide services on a sliding scale for those who qualify for Medicaid, SNAP benefits, WIC, or TANF. Please reach out!