Certified Pediatric Sleep and Toddler Behavior Consultant at Slumberland Solutions
Answered a year ago
As a pediatric sleep consultant, I incorporate playful strategies into bedtime routines to ease the transition to independent sleep. One of my patients, Benjamin, responded well to the "Oops I Forgot" game. After the usual "Countdown to Bedtime," I instructed his parents to give him a kiss and say, "Oops, I forgot to turn off the bathroom light. I'll be right back." They briefly left the room, then returned, gradually increasing the time away until he fell asleep. This method, often combined with the "Kissing Game," helped Benjamin feel more secure, reinforcing his ability to fall asleep independently and sleep through the night.
Sleep challenges are a common experience among my clients. I introduce the cognitive triangle to support their understanding of the interconnection between our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and how that impacts their sleep. Clients share what works in their current sleep routine and the barriers they face when trying to improve their sleep hygiene. Through this process, they can better understand why getting quality sleep is important to them, the emotions present when they do or do not achieve their goal, and sustainable shifts they can make in their sleep hygiene behaviors. Often, we fall into patterns, and even when we do not like how we feel, interrupting these patterns can be difficult. Through behavioral therapy, empathy, and accountability, I work with clients to interrupt these patterns.
Behavioral therapy can greatly improve sleep quality for patients with poor sleep hygiene. For instance, Sarah, who struggled with insomnia, benefited from a structured plan involving strategies like sleep restriction, which limited her time in bed to the actual duration of her sleep. This approach aimed to modify her daily behavior and environment, ultimately addressing her insomnia and reducing daytime fatigue and mood disturbances.