The first year of my son’s life is a bit of a blur if I’m honest. There are definitely some things that I don’t remember or don’t recall due to the severe sleep deprivation I was going through. And I’m not talking about that newborn stage, where we know sleep deprivation occurs. I’m talking 6 months, 8 months, 11 months of waking almost hourly and surviving on around 2-3 hours of sleep per night.
We got a diagnosis of allergies and reflux when my son was about 4 months old. I’d had to push and push to get listened to and taken seriously at my local GP practice. Whilst there are some absolutely amazing GPs out there, I unfortunately know my experience is not in isolation. After requesting a referral to a local specialist hospital for allergies, my GP was very nonchalant about the whole thing, and his words, ‘why on earth do you need to see a specialist for just that’ just spurred me on.
People may sometimes think its easier if you’re a health professional, but actually it’s not any easier, I’m just more aware of local services. When I’m sat at the GP, I’m just a parent like anybody else, trying to advocate the best I can for my child.
When we did get referred it was amazing. I finally felt seen, heard and supported by professionals that were experts in allergies. They gave us evidence based advice and care as to how to wean, we had skin allergy testing, support and treatment for my son’s eczema and they spoke to me about how to make sure I received enough vitamins and minerals as I was also breastfeeding.
I am so glad I didn’t follow the GPs very detailed weaning advice, of “Well, just don’t give him milk”. I really shouldn’t have been made to feel like I was making a big deal of something. But that’s a story for another time.
On to sleep training.
I was so hesitant to sleep train my little boy. We were so far into the depths of sleep deprivation that I really couldn’t see a way out, and moreover, I didn’t want to put my little boy through anymore discomfort or upset. He’d spent so much time of his little life crying and being uncomfortable.
But then, it got to the point where I had no choice. He was almost one and I was due to return to my job as a paediatric nurse, but I didn’t think I could return. The sleep deprivation was affecting me both physically and emotionally. I felt ill. I felt drained. I could not care for sick patients, and I did seriously consider handing in my notice. But then someone mentioned using a sleep consultant, and it changed our lives.
I can remember feeling very skeptical. Would it even work? What would they do? How could we manage my son’s reflux and allergies? I in no way wanted to leave him in pain, no matter what a plan said.
So we started. We worked together and we discussed at length the cues my little one displayed when he was in pain. We came up with a plan for every single time he woke. The result?
It was responsive.
I never felt like I was leaving him to cry. Or that I was not being responsive to any pain cues.
Within 3 weeks he was sleeping through. And the transformation was life changing for us a family.
I know I can’t be alone. I know that there must be families out there who are in the exact same place as me, and I want to tell them, I see them and it really does get better.
Does every child with reflux or allergies need to sleep train? Definitely not. But if sleep really is affecting your daily functioning, then working with a sleep consultant can honestly change your life. It can be responsive and take into account your child’s needs.
I have that medical background. I qualified 21 years ago now as a paediatric nurse. I also used to be health visitor. But more than that, I’ve been there. I’ve been there at 3am Googling for the 100th time, ‘why doesn’t my baby sleep’, and trying to find a solution. Wondering when will things improve for my son and for me.
I provide 1:1, responsive and individualised sleep training for families no matter what the sleep concern. I understand reflux and allergies and I will support you every step of the way so you feel confident to manage sleep and transform nights from unmanageable to calm, sustainable and predictable.
Click the link in the banner to book a completely free 30 minute assessment call with me today.
