Forum Index
»
Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
sleep consultant
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| Can the Annika folks post a bit more details about the strategies that were recommended in their cases (and the pricing involved too)? I know there is no "one size fits all" on sleep, hence the helpfulness of consultants, but details would be great. Was there an underlying issue Annika discovered that had never occurred to you? What was it? |
Anonymous
|
Annika-user mom here. First off, I want to say that what I find "typical DC" is the attack by the preivious poster, an attack on someone who is down by a self-righteous know-nothing.
That having been said, let me answer the questions posed. Cost of Annika's services in Summer 2006= $500. She had a waiting list and it took us 2 months to get an appointment to see her. No, she did not uncover an "underlying problem" that we had failed to see. It was more that she gave us extremely clear directions and was so positive and available with us during the 1-2 week period it took to get our daughter sleeping through. By the time we got to Annika, we were so sleep deprived (I am the mom whose daughter was waking up every hour to nurse) and had read so many books and had tried so many techniques and so much advice that we were stymied about what to do anymore -- we had tried advice from Weissbluth, Pantley, Happiest Baby, Ferber, and at least four other books on our own. I would say that Annika gave us an extremely clear technique that probably owes a lot to Weissbluth but that her explanations are much more concrete. As I explained in my earlier post, she also listened to our expectations about our lifestyle and how far we were willing to go. I assume her technique varies with the family. We also did dreamfeeds which I had a lot of doubt were going to work but worked wonderfully. |
Anonymous
|
I agree with the PP. Those without children(like my best friend) or those with babies who sleep wel most of the time have NO IDEA what sleep deprivtion really feels like.
I was a walking zoomie until we finally just decided to have DS sleep in our room with us until he's bit older. I'm still not getting that much sleep some nights. Would LOVE to her what the consultant rec and if it works for you. Good luck! |
Anonymous
|
Annika is def. of the Weissbluth school, imo. But, her directions are much more clear (where the Weissbluth dissertation sometimes seems -while generally good- conflicting at times). Annika is very compassionate, at least to this mom who had a wicked case of the baby blues.
Her website: http://www.littlesleepers.com/ |
Anonymous
|
We used Annika. It was definitly more $ than we could afford but with a 14 month old and a baby on the way we needed help.
What she can do that the books can't is offer you help every step of the way. You come up with a plan and can call her to work out the problems on the spot. I remeber calling her (crying) wanting to give up but she stuck with us and now we have 2 excellent sleepers! |
Anonymous
| I have heard wonderful things about Annika. We used Suzy Giordano and had AMAZING results. Also expensive, as we did the in house help for a week. But if you can swing it, highly recommend it. My daughter is an amazing sleeper ever since (now almost 2). I had PPD (undiagnosed) and I wish I had called her on my first (also PPD and a colicky baby). I just do not have good sleepers. I read all of the books, etc. and could not seem to do it myself. Anyway, daughter is great, we are great, marriage is in tact (and believe me, I understand it barely surviving the sleepless, crazy time). Suzy is babycoach.net, I believe. She has a book too. I love her and recommend her to everyone I know. She is one of the most up beat people I have ever met. Best of luck to you and I wish you sleep soon-- I really do know where you are coming from and I think this is so important to deal with for you and your child. Best of luck to you and sending you wonderful, peaceful thoughts of sleep. |
cmkeough
Member Location: Arlington, VA
Offline
Member Location: Arlington, VA
Offline
|
I am 37 weeks pregnant and had no clue such a thing existed, how wonderful!!!! I'm hoping that we won't need a sleeping coach but I'm super happy to hear that should my husband and I become overwhelmed and sleep deprived (well, I suppose that's a given really) but rather have a baby that refuses to sleep there are people to go to for help.
I love DCUM...except for the judgeMENTAL women that lurk about. |
Anonymous
| By the way, Annika does not consult on newborns. I believe she will only consult on children four months and up. She considers children younger than that not amenable to sleep training. So the idea that DC parents can't be "bothered" to deal with "newborns" isn't really relevant here. We went to Annika because my daughter was at an age when she was physically ready to sleep through the night but she was still waking up every hour. |
Anonymous
| The PP is exactly right about Annika. That notwithstanding, Annika called me in response to a frantic email I sent her when my child was a few weeks old (while she was on her own maternity leave no less, which I didnt' know about). She took her own time to reassure this overwhelmed new mom that everything was "normal" and to not even think about "Training" until she was older. I cannot say how much that meant to me at the time. |
Anonymous
|
I second the recommendation for Suzy Giordano (www.babycoach.net). I just put a post on the request for recommendations on a sleep book with details about Suzy and my experience with hiring a baby sleep consultant. For your health and well-being, as well as that of your child and your family, don't hesitate to get help. Getting help makes you an awesome parent. There is no reason to suffer, be depressed and/or sleep deprived.
A baby sleep consultant does not have to cost a fortune. We used Suzy for a one-time in-home consultation (this past Fall). Total price tag $250, but the results were absolutely priceless. She is a life-saver. As I said in my earlier post, the results of hiring her are that my kid, my husband and myself are all significantly happier and well-rested. It is 100% worth your money to get help of this sort. I suggest you drop an email to Suzy explaining your problems and see what she suggests (phone consult, in-home consult or whatever). You can then decide if you want to hire her. Best of luck to you. |
annys
Member Offline
Member Offline
|
would anyone be willing to talk to a reporter about their experience with Suzy for a story on baby services?
i have friends who have used her but i can't interview them, sadly. thanks! annys.shin AT gmail.com |
Anonymous
|
When DS1 was about 22 months, he went through a HORRIBLE period where he just wouldn't sleep. I was prego with DS2 and literally couldn't take it anymore, so I looked into hiring a sleep consultant. We were in London at the time. We ended up not needing one. Instead, we implemented some strategies that we found on the supernanny site. I know it sounds cheesy, but I swear it worked like a charm.
But I would easily have spent the $$$ on a consultant if things hadn't improved. And for all the meanies - why is hiring a sleep consultant any different than contacting a lactation consultant??? If I was having trouble breastfeeding, I'm sure nobody would give me sh*t for getting help with that. Why is sleep any different? Or potty training? I swear people make so many arbitrary judgments on this board... |
Anonymous
come on. all babies are different my dear. my mother did the same thing with all of us and some of us slept through the night at 6 weeks and others slept through the night at 8 or 9 months. i have heard that they do pressure you to let your baby cio. how old is your baby? maybe it is teething or hungry or ear problems?? you don't need a sleep consultant. no one knows your baby better than you. why would you let someone else tell you what to do with your baby? beware as that is what they will tell you to do. you and hubby need to work out a plan. make sure baby is healthy for one. make sure he/she is getting enough food and/or milk during the day, etc.. follow bedtime rituals. try "no cry sleep solution" good luck. |