“It was life-changing. To go so quickly from exhaustion and frustration to 12 hours every night just for me?! I had “me time” again! I could actually hang out with my husband! I was so happy to see Riley’s little face in the morning. I could actually enjoy being a mom.
It was 1am and my 8 month old baby girl, Riley, was up for the third time that night. My head was already pounding from lack of sleep, but I got up and picked her up.
That’s the only sound in the world that could get me up right now.
She immediately stopped crying, happy to be in my arms.
I put her in her crib, the crying started.
I picked her up again, she stopped.
I put her down again, she cried.
I tried holding her longer, lulling her to sleep, but as soon as I placed her down she cried again. I was beyond frustrated. I was angry. And most of all, I was exhausted to the very centre of my being.
In a moment of desperation I placed Riley on my bed and lay down next to her.
Just for a moment, just to calm the both of us down, then I’ll put her back in the crib.
I woke up hours later, momentarily confused, then terrified to find my baby girl squished up right next to me.
She was okay, she was safe and sleeping soundly, but I was not.
What if I had rolled onto her?
What if she fell off the bed?
What if the pillow went on her face?
I swore in that moment, that I would never haphazardly bring my baby into bed with me again. No matter how tired I was. No matter what was happening.
I also knew that I needed help, because I could not keep going with how things were. I had read all the blogs, bought the book, and had successfully got Riley to fall asleep in her crib by herself. But the guilt and uncertainty of not knowing why she was waking at night and how I could gently help her, had us stuck in our current cycle of sleep misery.
The day after out potential co-sleeping catastrophe, I contacted a sleep consultant. I wanted to start right away, I was emotional and desperate.
This was my first sleep consultant experience. I was the frenzied parent, and under the care and guidance of a lovely sleep coach, Riley started sleeping through the night that same week.
It was life-changing. To go so quickly from exhaustion and frustration to 12 hours every night just for me?! I had “me time” again! I could actually hang out with my husband! I was so happy to see Riley’s little face in the morning. I could actually enjoy being a mom.
This doorway into the world of sleep consulting has led me to where I am today. Now, I get to be the guiding voice of reassurance helping parents help their child.
I get to see firsthand as family’s lives are transformed just as mine was. There is no greater joy than seeing that text:
She slept until 7:05am!
This is the longest nap he has EVER had.
She’s in her room right now, by herself! I actually get to go watch TV!
You don’t have to do this alone. I will be your teacher, coach, and especially your friend, as we guide your little one to achieve all of your sleep goals.
I hope to talk to you soon!
Maité
