Sleep Strategies for High Need Babies [Webinar Recording]

If you weren’t able to join us for this fantastic webinar with Diana Julian of Big Sky Lullaby, we are offering it as a recording until Monday, Nov. 17 at midnight.

Here is a brief introduction to Diana, and a recap of what was be covered in the webinar (this is taken right from our pre-event promotional material:

This free webinar will focus on helping parents of high need babies and toddlers learn new strategies for helping their fussy or high need child sleep. Diana of Big Sky Lullaby will cover topics such as colic, eat/sleep associations, sleep props, soothing routines and the “Forbidden Zone of Sleep”. She will also help us understand the science of infant sleep, including how sleep waves, cortisol and melatonin production can affect our child’s ability to fall asleep.

Topics specifically related to high need children will include:

• How sleep differs from a child who is not high need
• The most important things to practice
• What to avoid and when
• How to remain consistent
• What Diana has learned throughout my work with high need families
• What she has learned as a mother of a high child

About Diana

Diana Julian is a Certified Child Sleep Consultant who has successfully worked with many of the parents in this group; in fact, it was through these success stories that I heard first learned about Diana. She has even helped one our group moderators get her high need TWINS sleeping! Diana has an amazing story, which I’ve asked her to share with us below.

“There are many contributing factors from my work experience and education that have led me to where I am today. However, the number one reason I teach parents how to teach their children to sleep is because I was once an incredibly sleep deprived parent with no one to turn to and no resources available for help. I immediately became determined to not only help other families but to make sure that all parents out there know that help is an option!

In 2011, I met my husband and in 2012 I gave birth to our son, Owen. Since I had so much experience with babies, toddlers, and children of all ages, I thought that I would immediately know how to handle all aspects of parenting. This idea soon changed. I found myself with a 9 month old baby who woke every 1-2 hours at night and slept sporadically throughout the day. With a husband who worked away from home, I was alone with a baby who did not sleep and for both of our sakes I had to figure out a solution. I soon realized that our pediatrician was not a resource for child sleep like many parents assume they will be. And I refused to put my baby in a room to “CIO” even though that’s what everyone around me was telling me to do.

One day, a stranger out in public (who must have seen the look of desperation on my face), came over and suggested I hire an “Infant Sleep Specialist.” Those three words changed my life. Within two weeks my son went from an overtired, irritable baby, to focused, rested and happy. I was able to properly care for and engage with him during the day because I was now a well-rested and happy mother. My marriage was restored along with my sanity and I knew I was giving my child the gift of healthy sleep!

The term “high needs” was not presented to me until I began studying to become a sleep consultant. As part of the course, we were required to read many books about infant sleep, but it wasn’t until I began reading a book written by Dr. Sears did I realize there was an explanation for what I was dealing with all along. When I spoke to other Sleep Consultants about the term “high needs” you could hear a pin drop. I wasn’t sure if they didn’t believe in it or if they just did not have any experience successfully working with HN families. It became clear to me that I needed to give HN families not only a solution for sleep but a voice as well. I immediately became dedicated to working with these families and trying to complete the “sleep” piece of the HN puzzle.

I have learned an enormous amount about HN children through my work. I have also had the opportunity to see the difference between working with a child who is HN and working with a child who is not. This insight furthers helps me differentiate the approaches I take, learn what methods are most successful and how best to present them to the child.”

To watch the webinar, please enter your information below and you’ll receive a download link shortly!