sleep consultant

[Anonymous]

Has anyone used a sleep consultant for their infant? If so, how do they work? I need to convince DH that a sleep consultant is more than just reading a book. Please help me convince him. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

From what I've heard "sleep consultants" just tell you to CIO.

[Anonymous]

Well, PP, you'd be wrong. I've talked with some of the consultants myself and that's just not true. I found that Annika's Little Sleepers was very helpful to me. I haven't talked to her in some time, but when I needed to talk and get suggestions, she was wonderful and very compassionate (Annika, that is). Google it b/c she has a website.

[Anonymous]

Wow, they've thought of everything in the baby business. From wipe warmers to sleep consultants...

I've never heard of such a thing!

[Anonymous]

This is the PP who is apparently wrong Glad to hear it!

[Anonymous]

We also worked with Annika Brindley and she literally saved my sanity and brought me back from the brink of PPD. My daughter was waking up approximately every hour and within a week became the best sleeper of any kid I know.

No, she didn't tell me to "cry it out." She listened carefully to us about our parenting style, what kind of arrangement we wanted (did we want to have DD sleep in the bed with us? Did I want to nurse her on demand? All kinds of other questions and issues) and then crafted a careful strategy with us. She was available CONSTANTLY until that strategy wokred.

[Anonymous]

I wonder why people even 'bother' to have children when their solution--in typical DC fashion- is to hire someone else to handle their problems and deal with the challenges of having a newborn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder why people even 'bother' to have children when their solution--in typical DC fashion- is to hire someone else to handle their problems and deal with the challenges of having a newborn.

OP here- I am confused by your statement- do you even know what a sleep consultant is? Sleep consultants give advice on how to teach children to sleep, they do not actually come to your home and train your children to sleep. If you think it is wrong to take advice from a sleep consultant than should we never read any books on how to teach children to sleep? Should I allow my five month old child wake up evey two hours when I have to return to work in a couple of weeks? Not all of us are blessed with good sleepers. I refuse to have my whole family suffer from lack of sleep because I feel that I need to "deal with the challenge of having a newborn." If you believe in never taking advice from anyone, then why are you even on DCUM?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder why people even 'bother' to have children when their solution--in typical DC fashion- is to hire someone else to handle their problems and deal with the challenges of having a newborn.

OOH! I think we have a winner!!! This has got to take first place for Dumbest-Least Informed-Most Judgemental-Biggest DCUM Weenie Post (DLIMJBDCUMW for ease of reference). Dude. She IS dealing with the challenges of having a newborn. A sleep consultant is another reference to consult regarding said challenges. Like books, magazine articles, other human beings (some call them friends and family), or the message board that you frequent. Stop being so mean and self-righteous.

[Anonymous]

I was about to respond to the DLIMJBDCUMW post myself but think the PP said it better than I would have.

I don't know why some folks think that just b/c you reach out for help and guidance to deal with the challenges of a newborn that you don't want to be a parent or are "bothered." This stuff does not come naturally to some of us and, factor in PPD that many of us have struggled with, you can feel pretty desperate for help at times. I hope the DLIMJBDCUMW poster never has to know what the feels like.

[Anonymous]

Although it's been said, I have to echo it:

1. The sleep consultant does not train your child.
2. The sleep consultant does not come to your home.
3. The sleep consultant does not do the work for you.
4. The sleep consultant in fact never meets your child.
5. The sleep consultant assists you to do the extremely hard work of training your child to sleep -- which if you did not do, you would not be parenting your child YOURSELF.
6. You are an ignorant, self-righteous fool.

[Anonymous]

I guess the anti-sleep consultant probably doesn't get her car tuned up. Or have a nanny. That would be allowing someone else to take over her responsibilities.

[Anonymous]

OP here- Thanks for everyone's words of support. I think I am going through some type of depression because of the lack of sleep in our house. It is not good for my marriage either. Anyway, I have to return to work- I do not have the option to become a SAHM. I hope to find a solution to DS2's sleep issues soon. I did not have this problem with DS1, so I had no idea what to expect with DS2. Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm the second Annika Brindley user. I was quite depressed by the time I got to her. Lack of sleep alone will do that. I remember actually crying in her office. Hang in there, you will get this worked out.

And ignore the negative posters on here. In a few weeks, your kid will be sleeping like a dream-come-true and YOU will be giving sleep advice on this board. Trust me.

[Anonymous]

Hmm, this thread is very interesting to me - I think sleep might be the most contentious baby topic, even more so than bf'ing! OP, if Annika works for you please post about your success, I might be interested. I think parents whose babies sleep can't even imagine what it's like to have a non-sleeper. Wishing you good sleep vibes!