This is a page of trusted resources and support for parents who are looking to support their baby’s sleep (0-3years), and want to learn why sleep training is not recommended. It is created by a caring group of local professionals who are knowledgeable about infant needs and normal infant sleep.

MISSION:

To provide information about normal infant sleep in the first 0-3 years to our local Kootenay Boundary Region, using up to date, research based, developmentally appropriate infant sleep science that keeps infant/ lifelong mental health a priority.

VISION:

We want parents and caregivers to know that nurture and responsive parenting has the biggest impact on brain and body health. We want parents to feel free to be present with their baby, meet their needs, have a community of support, and feel confident in their instincts guiding how they respond to their child. We envision a community of professionals that are on the same page when offering sleep support.

How Supporting Sleep Without Training is Optimal for a Baby’s Development and Parental Well-being:

• • • • • • • Caregiver instincts are strong and most often know how to meet their baby’s needs in an optimal way for development. Having access to up to date information on normal infant sleep patterns can help release inaccurate expectations
            • With this correct information, parents will have more realistic sleep goals and be less anxious that there is something wrong with how their baby is sleeping
            • By releasing unrealistic sleep goals, parents can worry less about sleep and use that time and energy to truly meet and learn their child in the important developmental years of 0-3. Meeting needs, connection and delighting in a child are key to healthy development
            • Infants have shorter sleep cycles and spend more time than adults in lighter sleep, meaning they wake more easily and often. This is seen as a protective mechanism against SIDS. Recent studies show that pushing deeper, longer sleep before a child is ready, is dangerous
            • By not sleep training, true sleep issues – such as low iron, breathing obstructions, allergies, body pain or discomfort – have the chance to be properly investigated and resolved rather than silenced
            • Sleep support that honours the importance of the relationship between breastfeeding and sleep will ensure milk supply is maintained and baby’s weight gain continues
            • Being with and holding your baby if they are crying will ensure they can release stress through tears without raising their cortisol levels and affecting their nervous system, as can happen when left to cry alone 
            • Responding to infant cues and meeting their needs supports life long mental health and reduces stress in the body. Secure connection promotes physical health and resilience and gives babies the best developmental start