This week I had a bit of an 'ah - ha' moment and honestly, it's cemented in my mind how different my approach is when it comes to supporting parents with sleep and settling. It's also the reason why Let's Sleep families have incredible results (and why these positive changes last in the long term).
When I chat to parents in DM's or on 15 min discovery calls, I ask them a few initial questions.
Two of these questions are:What do you want? What are you missing the most in your life right now?
Many families I chat to that are experiencing sleep issues are feeling a lot of guilt and honestly report feeling quite uneasy and uncomfortable seeking sleep help. This makes total sense - there is a LOT of stigma in the baby sleep world. Conflicting advice, strong opinions and beliefs all contribute to this stigma. You only want the best for your baby. You want to make sure they are loved, cared for and want to attend to their needs promptly. This is a given. All parents want the above things for their baby. Sleep support should not get in the way of that at all.
When I chat to families - I often hear that guilt in their voice when talking about their baby's sleep issues and how they'd like to see them change.
This week in a 15 minute discovery call, I was chatting to a Mum and heard this in her voice. I asked her for a minute to put the guilt and her baby's sleep to the side for a minute.
I asked her a simple question...What do YOU want? What do YOU need to feel happy? What is missing for you right now?
Listening to her answers - it was like a weight was lifted from her shoulders. She was provided a safe space to express what she needed to feel happy.
I responded with 'let's make that happen'.
It was during this call that I had a bit 'ah ha' moment. This is how Let's Sleep differs. It's how I have always approached sleep and settling support, without even realising it.
My secret sauce is that I ALWAYS start with YOU (the parents).
Why? Because when we get down on paper what you NEED more of in your life, we can make a sleep plan that is tailored to helping you achieve those goals.
When you know that this sleep plan will help you achieve all the things you're missing most in your life - you're going to be SUPER motivated to sticking to your sleep plan!
When you stick to that plan for a week or two and tick off your sleep goals - you're going to LOVE your sleep plan and will stick to it (on an ongoing basis!!) because it's helped you live a life you absolutely love.
So, I am incredibly excited that in this episode - i'm sharing 10 of the most COMMON answers I hear in response to that simple question ..... 'what do you want?'.
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**Jazz Kostov is a Family Sleep and Wellness Coach and Founder of Let's Sleep. She has a 10 year background as a Midwife, Nurse and MCHN and has supported 1000's of families to sleep well. Jazz gets such a thrill seeing parents confidence grow so they can have off-routine days, take trips and see parents fit in the things they love to do while navigating their baby’s sleep needs. That is what life is all about. Jazz is the Host of The Let's Sleep Podcast and Co-Host of Beyond Biz Podcast. She has been featured by Mamamia in their Baby Sleep audio series.**