Frequently Asked Questions
Sleep Support
1. Are your sleep strategies compatible with breastfeeding?
YES! I am a huge breastfeeding advocate, having been breastfed myself until I was 18 months old by my wonderful mother, which was not the norm in 1980’s Ireland, almost every member of my family has breastfed their babies, including me breastfeeding my son until he was 2 years and 4 months which also spanned most of my second pregnancy, and my daughter, who is currently 9 months old. Our gentle sleep support techniques are wholly supportive of your continuing breastfeeding journey.
2. What age group do you cater for?
We offer sleep support for new and expectant parents all the way up to 6 years old, and beyond. There are different support options for different ages and stages, please see our sleep support section for more information.
3. Do you use any crying techniques?
I cannot promise that your child will not cry during any changes that we make, that will depend on their personality and temperament. However, I will never encourage you or suggest to you that you should leave your child to cry alone, for any length of time. Some of the sleep strategies that I use for older babies and toddlers may be met with some resistance from your child, especially if you are implementing a big change to the way they usually go to sleep, or return to sleep, but there is a HUGE difference between being left to cry in a cot/bed on your own in a dark room, and crying in the arms of a loving parent or caregiver who is providing comfort and support throughout any changes.
4. Do you offer help with night weaning?
Once your child has reached the age of 14 months I can offer advice on gently night weaning from breastfeeding, however I can offer support with night waking from birth.
5. How long will it be until I see results?
We would expect you to see some improvement within the first week to ten days, however this will depend on each individual child, the range of changes which you are choosing to make and your own consistency with the gentle sleep strategies which we will guide you through.
6. What happens if I need further support?
Depending on the package you choose you will either have up to 6 weeks support included in your plan, or further support can be purchased if you have chosen a standalone package.
Potty Training
1- What age group to do cater for with Potty Training Support?
In general, I cater for children from 2 to 5 years old, however I am happy to chat with you in one of my free 15 minute discovery calls if your child falls outside this age range, to see if my services would be compatible with your needs.
2- How long will Potty Training take?
All children are different, some children will “get it” really quickly, in maybe 3 to 4 days, others will take a little longer. Some will do really well with wees, or poos, and then need a little longer for one or the other to fall into place. With all big changes, rushing is nobody’s friend!
3- Can you guarantee that my child will be Potty Trained when we work together?
The support which I provide is behavioral in nature, just like when I am providing Sleep Coaching support and cannot guarantee that your child will not cry, I cannot guarantee that your child will be fully potty trained during our support period. I will provide you with all of the tools and information that you will need to support your child through Potty Training, their ‘readiness’ and temperament will decide how long it will take.
4- Will my child be Potty Trained in the day time and the night time at the same time?
While day time Potty Training is behavioural, night time dryness is more complex, it is reliant on hormones, bladder capacity and your child stopping themselves from releasing urine while asleep, and so it is described as developmental in nature. Many children will be dry at night soon after commencing Potty Training in the day time, however some will take longer.
If you have any questions Please feel free to contact us
by filling out the contact form or emailing sarah@motherof.ie and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
We are based in North County Dublin, Ireland, but as we work virtually, we can and do take on clients from all around the world!
