Every day I come across post after post on parenting boards discussing how they need more sleep and they don't know how to get their little one to sleep better. Simulataneously, I see various advertisements on social media outlets promoting the items below:
Merlin Sleep Suit
Weighted sleep sack
Dock a tot
Fisher Price Rock n' Play Sleepers
The Snoo
Swings
Yoga balls (to bounce on)
What do all of these items have in common? You guessed it, they are all sleep props and "temporary" sleep solutions at best. You can only imagine my reaction when I see these ads and hear stories about the extreme measures parents take to get their baby to sleep. Most of the companies making these "sleep props" are backed by great marketing departments. Trust me, been there and I have done the marketing thing for 19 years prior to changing my career - so I know how enticing these products can look especially when you are desperate for some sleep.
Here's my opinion about these band-aid solutions: Drop the props and put your money towards hiring a sleep coach! This is a more sustainable and long-term solution than bouncing your baby on that yoga ball every night or placing your baby in a weighted suit that makes him look like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.
Think to yourself, do you really think our parents, and grandparents used these sleep props to get their baby to sleep? Of course not, so why are we? Maybe you are exhausted and sleep deprived and just desperate. This is completely understandable and VERY normal to feel this way; however most of these sleep props are not "approved" safe sleeping areas/devices for your baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend using any of these temporary solutions. So instead of investing time and money into a temporary, non-approved, unsustainable solution, maybe you should choose to reach out for help from a sleep expert. Not only will you be making a safer decision, but you will ultimately save time and money, and you will get long-term success.
How will you save time and get success?
For one, you will not spend time shopping or doing research on these items. You will not have to try something just to see it fail or only help for a week. And you will not have to spend the time figuring out how to transition your baby out of that sleep prop to their crib one day.
If you work with a sleep consultant, like myself, you will get success because my goal is to make my clients happy so they continue to refer me to other parents. Additionally, I don’t give up with my clients, we will always figure out a solution. I'm a mom of three. I completely understand what you are going through. I even had twins the first time around, so I REALLY understand how desperate you can become for sleep.
So the next time you go to Google to find out how to get your little one to sleep better (for naps, nights or both), or you go to Amazon to purchase the next sleep prop for your baby -STOP- and think to yourself, "Do I want long-term success or a short term solutions?" If you just answered you want a long-term solution then hire a certified sleep coach to reach your sleep goals.
Really – I promise it will be some of the best money you spent and you will look back and thinking to yourself, "I wish I would have done this sooner."
If you would like to book a FREE discovery call please email me at pediatricsleepcoach@gmail.com or complete my online form. I would love to learn what your sleep goals are and we can talk about how we can work together to get you the sleep you need and deserve. Take a moment to read through my testimonials and sleep success stories.
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