Compassionate sleep consultant

A beautiful counsellor who I highly recommend 🌸
I have been lucky enough to have her support through my parenthood journey.

I’m Lisa, registered counsellor and proud owner of Echo Counselling.

Click the link below to take you to my brand new website https://echocounselling.com.au

You might have the “wild child”
The one who speaks their mind
The one who doesn’t listen
Where patience is hard to find

The one who does it on their own
Who doesn’t need your help
With stubborn ways, and on those days
Will turn you inside out

The one that they call ‘naughty’
Where strangers roll their eyes
The one labelled as “hard”
Who often yells, or cries

But often it’s forgotten
These ones aren’t really “wild”
They’re tiny humans learning
And in fact they’re just a child

They’re the ones who feel things deeply
Who will have a voice that’s strong
They’ll lead with that big heart of theirs
And stand up to what is wrong

They’ll challenge our way of thinking
They’re gentle, brave and bold
And they picked us to guide them
In a world that can feel cold

So maybe they seem ‘hard’ right now
But they’ll change the way we live
With so much good to come, you’ll see
And so, so much to give.

Maybe someone needed this reminder today ♥️

Words for print on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/nz/listing/1390653438/

Jess Urlichs, Writer

I have been a little MIA lately with posting!

Last year I made the decision to study nutrition at University. Nutrition can play a big part in how our children sleep as well as act. Being a sleep consultant I wanted to branch out further to have more knowledge and qualifications to help you and your child on a deeper level.

So, my number one priority has not just been the business but also juggling being a mum of two, studying and I also did go back into Early Childhood two days a week because as much as I love being a sleep consultant, I missed being apart of the children's life too!

But! I am still a sleep consultant and will be consulting two days a week! 🌻

18 month sleep regression ✨️

The 18 month sleep regression generally happens around 18 months of age. It is due to your toddler going through a developmental leap and experiencing rapid growth. Your child may be:
○Learning independence and resistance.
○Experiencing separation anxiety.
○Experiencing a change in their daytime routine.
○going through a growth spurt.

Ways that you can help guide your child through this sleep regression:
Your child at 18 months of age is likely Experiencing a big developmental shift. I suggest being consistent with your child's settling methods at bedtime, they need consistency and to be in control.
Playing pick-a-boo can help with your child's separation anxiety, understanding object permanency. Giving your child extra 'quality' time prior to bed can be really helpful, I.e. rough and tumble play, reading stories, nursery rhymes, etc.

Having a consisten routine is very helpful at this age ✨️

12 month sleep regression ✨️

The 12 month sleep regression can happen anywhere between 12 and 15 months of age. It is due to your toddler going through a developmental leap and experiencing rapid growth. Your child may be:
○Learning to pull themselves up onto furniture, walk or climb
○Learning further language development.
○Dropping the second nap with a change of routine
○Experiencing separation anxiety

Ways that you can gelp guide your child through this developmental leap is:
○Assist your child with their separation anxiety by playing pick-a-boo with your child to help with their object permanency
○Give your child lost of opportunity to develop their gross motor skills while awake
○Follow a sleep routine, I can also help guide you through the changes from 2 to 1 sleep ✨️✨️

Sleep regressions ✨️

Aren't they just the best? 😂👎

Your great sleeper all of a sudden begins to wakeup more often than usual, catnaps and resists settling.

Sleep regressions can happen for a few different reasons due to:
-Sickness
-Developmental milestones
-Travel
-Growth spurts
Etc.

Although there are a few sleep regressions that most babies will experience at certain stages in their infant life.

The 4 month sleep regression ✨️

This sleep regression is a permanent change in your baby's sleep cycle. Your baby will begin to wake completely between each sleep cycle as their sleep patterns mature (like an adults sleep pattern). Their patterns now have cycles of light and deep sleep.

This is due to maturation of your baby's neurological development.

If your baby has a sleep association at this stage, they will likely begin to wake in the night seeking this sleep association to return to sleep. This can mean waking up from 45 minutes to every 2 hours during the night.

Kiara's favourite thing to do right now is take a million and one photos, Theo's not impressed 😂

Temperature ✨

Did you know the ideal temperature for sleep is between 18-22 degrees?

This doesn't mean that you have to have the air-conditioning or heater on all night but dressing your child to make sure they don't get cold or hot in the night is ideal for a good night's sleep.

If your child waking between 3-5, It's likely they could possibly be cold. Putting the back of your hand on your child's chest can be a helpful test to know if you need to add another layer or take off a layer also.

Wearing a sleep suit with the ideal tog rating for the season can be helpful and ensures your child won't kick off their blankets in their sleep 🌸😊

Melatonin ✨️

Melatonin is a hormone that your brain produces. This is produced in response to darkness and helps control your circadian rhythm (your sleep wake cycle).

If your child is in a familiar routine, they will naturally produce melatonin each time they are ready for their nap or bed time. It is also why I suggest a dark room for both nap time and night time. Although, a red light helps produce melatonin if needed too!

A little about me ✨️

Some of you might not know this but I am a total softie! I am not your typical sleep consultant.

I am 100% pro sleep and I want to help every family to get the sleep they need and deserve! If it takes longer than the suggested 5 days to 'sleep train' by support your child emotionally, then I will be there to support you and your child for as long as is needed.

We are our child/ren's security and safe place, they want to know that you are still there for them physically and emotionally so making small gentle changes is my philosophy 🥰✨️

Nap transitions ✨

Sickness took over my family so I had a little break from posting. But, I'm back!!

How do you know when your child is ready to drop the third day nap?

The third nap of your child's day is reccomended until 8 months to ensure your child isn't getting overtired before bed. Some find around 6 months it becomes harder to get their child to continue this third nap. But, generally this is a sleep regression and I do reccomend continuing this nap even if it is in your arms, a car nap, the carrier or the pram.

This third nap ideally will last for 15 minutes and around 8 months old you will find your child will no longer be tired for this nap and will let it go. Let your child take the lead when dropping this third nap, they will know what their bodies need. 🥰

Signs they need to drop this nap-

•bed time refusal
•early waking
•more night time waking

Following a age appropriate routine will make the transition nice and easy for you both 🥰

T H A T // first year of daycare.

The year of immunity building for the babe and resentment for the working parent.

It’s the pits. For everyone.
It’s the struggles and the sickness.
The unattainable health that dangles in front of you, always just out of reach.
The sleepless nights, high temps and teething.
The HF&M, the gastro, the coughs and colds and dreaded nits.
It’s the relief of finally getting over one thing, only to catch the next.
It’s the insurmountable loads of washing, the smell of Glen 20 and the steamy bathrooms.
The lack of personal space, the feeling of helplessness and the overwhelming exhaustion.
It’s a never ending, unforgiving, relentless cycle.
They catch it all.
Then they share it all.
And just to ice the cake, once you’re done keeping them all alive, you go down and go down hard.

But to really make life a tortuous battle, that first year of daycare is also your first year back at work.
It’s the real and constant conflict of trying to navigate how to do your job like you always did but also now be a mum to your babe that seems to always be sick.

The days spent trying to function at work on barely any sleep, the leaving early once again and the paper, rock and sc******ng with your partner to see who’s going to take yet another day off.
The internal battle between heart and head. Knowing the only place you need to be is at home with them but still mentally sorting, prioritising and negotiating your work load in the background.
It’s the pile of work left in your wake, the feeling of letting your team down and the guilt that feels heavy and regretful.
The dread of seeing the daycare number pop up on your phone and the repetitive ‘I’m sorry I have to go’ apologies.

That first year of daycare [and the successive years that follow] are some of the hardest and most draining a working parent will endure. The expectation that you can do it all is exhausting and unrealistic, especially with daycare germ sharing.

That first year of daycare is hard.

It’s simply survival.

Everything else can wait.

Words: Little Jemmings
Photo: Tiny Hearts Education

Overtired ✨

Babies can become overtired in as little as 5 minutes if we miss their awake window.

This is why following a sleep routine or tuning into awake windows is important.

When your child becomes overtired, they produce a (stress) hormone called cortisol. Having too much cortisol in your body can be just like having too much adrenaline running through your body, or as if they have had a cup of coffee before bed… ever had a cup of coffee too late and tossed and turned trying to go to sleep?

Too much cortisol in your body can stop your body from producing melatonin which is our sleep hormones.
In circumstances like this you may feel as if your child is not 'tired enough' for sleep yet or perhaps they are undertired? Whereas it’s technically a hormonal imbalance.

The signs of overtiredness are of below:
-Crying/fussing
-A second wind (hyperactivity)
-Frustration
-Lack of interest
-Crying to sleep
-Resisting settling
-Tantrums
-Waking 45 minutes after going to sleep for the night
-Early rising

✨️🌸

Transitioning to one nap ✨

How do you know when your child is ready to drop to one nap?

Ideally I reccomend not dropping to one nap until at least 15-18 months of age. Although, some children really are ready earlier!

Signs your child is ready to drop to one nap:
•Your child is refusing one of their naps, likely the second nap of the day
•Your child only takes a short nap when prior it was longer
•Your child shows less and less tired signs and is showing signs of being undertired when going to bed
•Your child's temperament has changed and they seem content and happy exploring without their nap
•Your child isn't falling asleep in the pram or car at their normal sleep time

Around 12 months you may question if your child is ready for a change in sleep routine. The chances are at this age they are going through developmental changes and a sleep regression, generally associated with learning to walk.
My suggestion is, if they are showing these signs to allow two weeks before making the change to one nap. Changing your child to one nap can cause overtiredness before bed, resulting in early wakeups if they are not ready for the one nap quite yet.

If you are worried about the change from two to one naps I recommend creating a sleep routine of one short morning nap and one longer lunch time nap. When the time comes dropping the morning nap will be simple with their routine continuing the same time for their lunch nap.

I have a sleep routine programme available for $15 for all ages to help make these simple changes or if needing a more hands on approach we can work together to make simple gentle changes 🥰✨

Awake windows ✨️

Between 7-36 Months old, there may be a ideal awake window for your child but say for instance your 12 month old was still on two naps. If they wake at 7am and your child doesn't go to sleep until 11 and wakes at 12 then again at 4 and wakes at 5, you would have your child going to sleep at 9-10pm.
Ideally 14.5 hours of sleep at this age would be ideal but your child is only getting around 12 hours of sleep on this daily routine.

Adjusting a routine to give your child the ideal amount of sleep is possible!

Sleep routine guides available for $15 for 3-36 months old via the website ✨️

My inbox is always open for further questions also!

Awake windows ✨️
0-6 Months 🌸

My number one sleep reccomendation is to follow your child's awake window.

This is purely just a guide and sometimes you need to adjust your child's awake window by 15 minutes.

Do you follow your child's awake window?

Cosleeping ✨

I'm sure you are waiting for me to tell you all the reasons not to cosleep because I am a sleep consultant. But, I am not going to do that.

Cosleeping, when done safely based off the red nose guidelines is actually very safe and has many different benefits for you and your child.

It is biologically normal as a parent or caregiver to keep your child close to you and studies show infants that sleep near their parents are more likely to have stable body temperatures, regular heart rates and breathe more regularly.
It also is likely to lower their stress levels.

This is not to say that it works for everyone but it's to help you trust your gut. If you feel you are doing the opposite based on others opinions or that you have heard it is 'not safe' then I reccomend looking into it further and I am happy to answer any questions you have.

Do you cosleep with your child/ren? 🥰

"This program has been life changing for our family.

I was very insistent that I didn’t want to do “sleep training” and “controlled crying” and Tiani was fully on board with my vision of our sleep journey.

Upon the initial consultation we were given some suggestions that we could immediately implement that made a significant change instantly.

We went from waking every 45mins-2hrs for a feed to my daughter only waking once a night for feed.

My favourite part of the program was the constant contact that I had with Tiani after our consultation. I was able to talk through any issues that came up, this was particularly helpful when about 4 days after our consult my daughter got sick and a tooth. Instead of worrying about her sleep regressing or ignoring her needs for me Tiani talked me through how to navigate sickness and pain.

I have recommended Tiani to anyone who will listen. I’m now only waking once, maybe twice during teething, during the night which leads to a much happier mum for the whole family.

Thank you Compassionate Sleep Consultant"

✨️🥰

EOFY SALE ✨️

For the next 48 hours, all sleep programs and consultations will be 30% off!

To recieve this deal either purchase a program within the next 48 hours or book in a date for a consult with myself ✨️