Page 3 - mini sleep school booklet

SLEEP FOUNDATIONS

Sleep foundations: are all the factors that promote healthy sleep habits that need to be in place before
sleep training begins.

1. Perfect sleep environment – Pitch dark room, loud sound machine for all sleep (ocean waves),
music on ipad for bedtime routine/falling asleep & continuous for naps, cozy set up,
temperature etc.
2. Perfect sleep attire – Cotton sleeper + 2.5 tog sleep sack with approx. 20-21 room temp, night
diapers 1 size up (huggies over nights).
3. Perfect timing – sleep science – Night totals, nap totals, wake windows, age appropriate
schedule, caught up on sleep debt. Circadian rhythms & sleep regularity. Nap totals by ANY
means possible. Nap totals are more important than the sleep crutch at this point. ALL no cry
naps to assist with lining up the sleep science. Perfect sleep science will help minimize tears and
help to maintain our sleep work.
4. The right energy – Loving, nurturing, responsive, calm, fun, light, healthy etc..
5. Deep connection time with parents – Fill those little love & security tanks to the brim! When
babies/children feel emotionally safe & nicely connected with parents, less tears during formal
sleep work results.
6. The right nutrition – Offer the right calories from nursing/formula for infants – along with solids.
Proper nutritional habits for toddlers/children are important for healthy sleep.
7. Emotionally & physically healthy family unit – Anxiety, stress, worry, less than positive energy
and frustration is transferred energy to a baby/child- and can interfere with successful sleep
training. Healthy homes help with healthy sleep habits.
8. Parents having healthy sleep hygiene & self-care – Healthy sleep hygiene/habits begin with
parents own sleep. Parents who are excellent sleepers are more likely to have babies/children
who are excellent sleeper.
9. Positive parenting approach – How a child feels emotionally, has a lot to do with how well they
sleep. A positive approach to discipline can help with the success of formal sleep work. We want
to work with children, not against them!