How I work...
If you are having sleep or behavioural troubles at your house and do not feel comfortable with the old school method of sleep training or time outs etc nor do you want to exhaust yourself with gentle parenting techniques that get you nowhere then this is where I can help you and your little one.
Together we will look at the big picture of what is going on at your house, taking into consideration you and your child’s uniqueness and then build from that to establish
flowing daytimes, healthy sleep habits and a deeper sense of connection and understanding with your little one.
I observe behaviours and view them as a symptom of what may underlying on various levels, these may be developmentally, socially, separation anxiety, routine and balance of the day, as well as factors linked to earlier experiences such as pregnancy and birth, illness and transitions.
Nurturing, empowering and getting to the root of issues by incorporating specific play, connection, laughter and supportive emotional release helps a child to be able to let go, trust, relax and thrive.
Behind the situation, story, behaviour or symptom that the child is experiencing we dig deep to get to the root of the issue for the individual child, making sure that they feel physically and emotionally safe at all times so that they can be their true selves. Acknowledging their own unique experiences and feelings, building a strong sense of safety and confidence in relation to sleep and / or daytime trickiness while at the same time empowering both the child and the parents.
We don’t want to change your child we need to change the goals so that instead of trying to STOP negative, “attention seeking” behaviours we redirect our attention and goals to connection instead. Connection meets your child’s underlying needs and ensures that they feel seen.
I create a safe, nurturing space where babies, children, and parents can get to the roots of behaviour and sleep issues together using specific play, appropriate routines with a strong focus on secure attachment. Helping you to understand your child’s inner world and guiding your family towards deeper connection, rest, and flow by nurturing your family's emotional growth.
when a child is struggling with sleep or daytime behaviours we are typically told to soothe, distract, or ignore, however none of these techniques take into consideration how the child is actually feeling, that is why we must always dig deeper to find the underlying factors that are making sleep and behaviours so hard and build deep connections that help children to feel safe, seen, heard & unconditionally loved.
guidance for every stage of your child's early growth including age appropriate routines, incorporating balance into your day by taking into consideration developmental milestones with a focus on emotional regulation and healthy ways to release tension from the day.
play is a huge part of how I work, by meeting your child at their level and strengthening your bond through play, you will deepen your understanding of your child's emotions helping to build a secure foundation of trust and mutual respect. Guiding children to identify and express their big feelings in healthy fun ways, the specific play that we will use will give great insight into what is going on for your child.
Support Options
to help bring balance, flow and rest into your home
meet me for a chat - free
a free 20 minute chat to help you to decide if working together feels right for your family
you can find out more about the way that I work, that it is a truly child led approach and that I work with holistic and emotionally appropriate foundations which includes play, connection and understanding of emotions because working on an emotional level empowers children, enhancing confidence for them to feel comfortable, seen, heard and safe at all times, and that these are the essential elements of child sleep and behavioural work
here when you need me - $80
a pay as you need me support option offering parents a safe space to talk through issues using a series of chats as and when needed
some issues can be resolved in one session however sometimes a few chats are required
this is a quick way for parents to access support and is an excellent option for families to have a chat, gain insight and ideas and then work on making the suggested changes at their own pace
it is appropriate for all babies and children and all issues big or small
i will help you to understand underlying factors influencing your child's sleep or behavioural issues, digging deep to the emotional roots of the problem and discovering how to support smoother days and more peaceful nights.
1.5 hour consultation to discuss what is going on for your little one and strategies to move forward
includes a follow up email with notes from our call with my suggested approaches
as well as daily text support as you implement the changes
finishing with a 15 minute follow up call to see how you are getting on
please note text support is for 1x text per day monday - friday
newborn support - $50
a 1 hour chat to discuss setting up healthy sleep foundations for your newborn
as well as helping to support and settle your family as you adjust to your beautiful new addition
using my years of experience as a postpartum doula alongside studying pre and perinatal psychology and healing what happens pre conception, pregnancy and birth can have an impact on your baby’s settling and sleep during those first few months, we will discuss gentle ways to ensure that you and your baby have everything needed to make those precious first few months as smooth and restful as possible
1 hour consultation to discuss healthy foundations and strategies to move forward
includes a follow up email with notes from our call with my suggested approaches
please note there is NO text support for this option
with you all the way - $400
if you feel that you would like continuous support to gain momentum as you make change I offer a 4 weeks support package
this can be helpful if you are experiencing challenging behaviours that have been a theme for some time or for long term / engrained sleep difficulties or if you are nervous about making big changes and would like to be supported and guided throughout the whole process
i will help you to understand underlying factors influencing your child's sleep or behavioural issues, digging deep to the emotional roots of the problem and discovering how we can support smoother days and more peaceful nights and then step by step we will work our way towards your goals together
1.5 hour initial consultation to discuss what is going on for your little one
20 minute chat twice weekly with strategies to keep moving forward
includes follow up emails with notes from all of our calls
as well as daily text support throughout the 4 weeks of support
please note text support is for 1x text per day monday - friday
a little extra - $20
15 minute call to answer any questions that you may have about how you are getting on
please note that I no longer offer a full written up sleep plan additional chats can be purchased as and when required
About me
I have been working with families for 12 years now, firstly as a postpartum doula, then as a baby/child sleep consultant which naturally flowed into helping with daytime behaviours, unwanted 'coping tools' and emotional wellbeing.
Over the years it has been wonderful to see more and more parents acknowledging that emotions play a huge part in their child’s wellbeing and that they want to understand their child’s behaviours and struggles on a much deeper level.
It is such a privilege to meet wonderful children and parents every day and use my experience, knowledge and passion to support and nurture the entire family as we work towards resolving sleep and behavioural problems.
As a child I struggled with sleep and this has had a huge impact on me as I grew up, consequently I developed a deep understanding of how children can develop fears and anxieties around sleep and why they settle into behaviours to cope with big feelings which is supported by my research and training over the past few years. Despite the discomfort of being an anxious child and adult, having insight into what is going on for children on a deeper holistic level and to be able to help parents see what is going on for their children that is making sleep or behaviours so tricky is always so rewarding.
I love to be the child’s advocate and it gives me such joy to help every child that I get the pleasure of meeting to feel lighter, more confident, more settled within themselves and able to be their true authentic self, while at the same time deepening the connection within the family unit and helping to ensure that the entire household flows with as much harmony as possible at all times.
A further goal is to support and educate parents in understanding the underlying and hidden elements influencing sleep and behaviours so that they feel empowered, excited and confident in their parenting role with a new way forward by offering responsive and appropriate emotional support to their children. Step by step the aim is to remove the barriers that are in the way of peaceful nights and flowing days and provide parents with the tools and confidence needed to implement the changes.
My approach is a holistic, unique and integrated approach that has a strong focus on emotional wellbeing, play and deep connection as tools to support children. My focus is on connection, attachment, laughter and helping the family to resonate within a balanced synchronised rhythm. I work with the uniqueness of each family’s story and situation, acknowledging and respecting both the child and the parents emotional wellbeing at all times.
Qualifications
Postpartum Doula - 2012
Childbirth International
Certified Maternity and Child Sleep Consultant - 2013
International Maternity & Parenting Institute
Happiest Baby on the Block Parent Educator - 2013
Happiest Baby on the Block
Parenting by Connection Professional Intensive course - 2015
Hand in Hand Parenting
Certified Ho’oponopono Practitioner - 2019
Global Sciences Foundation
Pre and Perinatal Psychology and Healing Educator - 2019
Myrna Martin
Bach Flower Practitioner Diploma - current
Testimonials
“Our 3 year old had been ending up in our bed from 4 months old, not that co sleeping helped any of us get decent sleep, we were all exhausted and his daytime behaviours were getting hard to deal with so we were using screen time constantly just to keep him calm and so that he would eat, we had no idea how to help him.
Our doctor and family told us to “use a bit of tough love... and let him cry he will be fine” the thought of this made me sick, I endlessly searched the internet for help but nothing felt right for our family so I took a leap of faith and contacted Lettie.
I totally agree with Lettie when she says she doesn’t like being called a sleep consultant because she isn’t one! She is nothing at all like the one size fits all, cry it out consultants that you see all over the internet. She listened to our story and was so kind, she came up with a unique plan for our family that also involved his big brother which both boys loved.
I felt constantly supported by Lettie’s fun, caring and calm nature. Our son now happily and easily sleeps in his own bed with a proper bedtime routine which feels unbelievable considering the last 3 years, however it is how he is during the day that is the most wonderful change, tantrums and angry outbursts are non existent and we eat as a family with no screens, I did not know how we would ever get back on track but here we are.
I thank Lettie from the bottom of my heart, she is an absolute star xx”
Common Questions
If you feel overwhelmed, exhausted or struggle to connect or understand your child's emotions, seeking guidance and support is a sign of strength. I will help you to get to the root of the issue, identify patterns and provide the tools to help restore peace, flow and rest.
Working on an emotional level empowers children because we are meeting them at their developmental level and ensuring that they truly feel seen, while also helping them to build confidence to feel secure, comfortable and safe around being able to let go.. whether this is at bedtime, daycare, mummy’s arms or the dummy, screen etc or whatever else that they may have defaulted to “relying” on to feel “better”. Working on an emotional level is the essential element of all child behavioural and sleep work.
I have found that families benefit more from the chats because they are able to work at their own pace that suits their unique family. Working this way helps parents to gain more confidence and achieve their goals faster. However some parents prefer to have my support throughout the process making the 4 week support ideal for them.
Yes! I started my business after studying child and baby sleep in 2013 and for the first few year of working with families I only helped with families needing sleep support, the subject of child sleep, parents sanity and a rested family is very important to me however over the years there has been an increasing need for support with behavioural issues as well so my interests, study and work has naturally evolved to having a strong focus on helping families to build secure attachments from pre birth into childhood.
Absolutely! Tantrums are a child's way of expressing feelings that they cannot yet name and although tantrums are exhausting, intense and at times frustrating for you, I find them incredibly insightful and once you have the tools tucked up your sleeve to deal with them you will find them insightful too! I will provide you with the techniques to help your child regulate by getting those feelings up and out in a productive and healing way.
Yes, setting up healthy sleep foundations at a young age has huge benefits for you all while having insight into your baby's emotions early on helps you to strengthen early emotional security and bonding.
Yes very! In fact as a child grows and their emotional expression expands.. the tools I share with you and the play techniques only get better and more insightful! The strategies are specifically designed for early development while also taking into consideration the importance of healthy routines for younger children.
It is the practice of slowing down to your child's pace, observing what is going on for them beneath the behaviour that they are showing you, being as present as you can be in the moment, being non judgemental with your child, building deep empathy and safety, understanding and trust. It is not permissive parenting, the word NO can be a very helpful tool.
NO! Never have and never will. CC/CIO are behavioural approaches and do not build a sense of trust or safety.
Every child (and adult) needs support, responsiveness and nurturing. My approaches work with deep consideration of the parent child attachment relationship.
NO.... My work, although gentle and emotionally responsive does not mean that I use “no cry’ techniques, the NO CRY approach is also a behavioural approach in terms of preventing a child’s natural expression therefore, please do not expect me to help you avoid your child crying.
Crying is a child’s natural way to communicate their big emotions, as well as it being their way of letting us know if they have a physical need, it is how we respond to this that makes the difference.
So often parents are afraid of their children’s tears and tantrums, thinking that their child should be “happy"... not wanting to think that their child is sad.. or feel that children should be seen and not heard, not make a fuss, not act out… there is always a reason for the tears or frustration, and it is never because they are being “difficult” or “naughty” I help you to look below the expression to see what is truly going on for your child and respond appropriately to this.
Contact
Sessions are done as FaceTime or What's app calls.
Contact me to book a call at a time that works for your family.
Consultations must be booked and paid for in advance.
