Has anyone here ever paid for a sleep consultant? What did they do? How much? Was it worth it/did it work?
I think I am going nuts stressing myself out over K's sleep. It has been declining this week. The last 3 days tallies of TOTAL NAPS: 50 min., 45 min., 27 min. I wanna cry!
I think it's a major combo of milestones, teething, and wonder week (month) - but I wonder if we need professional help.
clementine / 899 posts
No personal experience (obviously), but my Aunt and Uncle tried using one earlier this year. The consultant gave them a bunch of tips, which seemed to work a little, but their DD got sick in the middle and everything went out of the window. She said it was a waste of time and money, especially because she wasn't receiving the correspondence she thought she would. My cousin still isn't STTN and has crappy naps at 19 months.
I guess it depends on what your expectations are, whether it's worth it.
watermelon / 14206 posts
I wouldn't hire anyone because of one week of bad sleeping. Maybe if it continues past a month or so, but not right away. You're probably right that it's all the milestones.
GOLD / squash / 13464 posts
This isn't something that ever crossed my mind. It seems like this profession was pretty much invented to prey on parents weaknesses. Sometimes babies go through periods where their sleep is crappy (believe me we've had many ups and downs during the first year of my daughter's life). But all mamas, daddies and babies eventually figure it out. And they did so long before there was ever such a thing as a "sleep consultant". I would just keep trying different things (wearing her, stroller naps, etc). And if she doesn't sleep, it won't ruin her. I know it's exhausting and draining and I've been there but I promise, this phase will be over soon and it will be on to the next one!
persimmon / 1153 posts
Ugh, I feel for you. J has had 20-30 minute naps 3x a day all week long and waking up every two hours at night. She used to nap 2.5-3hrs 2x per day and sometimes a 3rd 30 minute nap. She's still in our room and our doctor suggested we move her out and see if that helps. 
I am SO tired. She's in the middle of teething, growth spurt & learning how to crawl and stand...sigh.
bananas / 9973 posts
@HellOnHeels: I feel like everything = some reason to disrupt sleeping. Sick, travel, teething, time change, etc.
@Dandelion: It's always a battle for naps. I had been making a little bit of good progress the 2-3 weeks before this one. But she has never been a good napper.
@MamaMoose: hahah.... totally can prey on exhausted parents! I'm going to hold you to that promise! 
hehehe
bananas / 9973 posts
@emg86: Aww... This week I might be happy if she had 3 short naps. I've only had one short nap, in the carrier today. I think you're on the same page as us though, with all the combination of things going on.
squash / 13764 posts
I think if you can find a good recommendation from someone you know, and you can afford it, I don't think there's anything wrong with it! We were on the verge of doing it right before we sleep trained.
Have you tried any sort of nap training with k?
persimmon / 1153 posts
@hilsy85: When did you nap & sleep train? I took your advice and started reading Ferber.
squash / 13764 posts
@emg86: we nap trained at 5.5 months an sleep trained at 6.5 months (we did it backwards, most ppl sleep train then nap train). Glad you're reading the book, I found it super helpful!
bananas / 9973 posts
@hilsy85: I've been doing a nap routine for months now. I've done everything, short of CIO. Even a little bit of attempts at CIO, as long as it doesn't escalate, but she's never been able to cry herself to sleep - ever.
squash / 13764 posts
@shopaholic: ah ok. We did CIO with me in the room for naps and it was rough..is it that she won't fall asleep or stay asleep?
bananas / 9973 posts
@hilsy85: Both. She has never been able to cry herself to sleep. And she has cried for over an hour before. But I can't get her to stay asleep. Like right now. She was just talking and moving around her crib for 26 min. Finally fell asleep, but her body parts keep moving. After 3 min, she rolls onto her tummy and immediately (I think subconsciously), starts crawling. Result = wakeups and crying. 1/2 effort for 3 min. of sleep.
grapefruit / 4291 posts
We saw a "baby whisperer" at 6.5 months and I think it did help us but I also went back to nursing to sleep shortly after. I thought the consultation was worth it particularly as she didn't advocate CIO and gave us some alternative solutions to work with.
I was advised to try a more structured and consistent routine and offer more solids to help with the night sleep.
bananas / 9973 posts
@Kemma: She would nap with me before, but that trick hasn't worked this week. She is crawling and rolling and trying to pushup into standing all over our king sized bed. She won't nap on me for months now. I'm going to google baby whisperer now...
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
I almost did last week, but she's calmed down, finally. However I know jojogirl did and told me a little about hers- maybe wall her if she doesn't chime in. Isis Parenting offers 50 min phone consultations for about $129, but watch their sleep webinars first, per jojogirl's suggestion.
It really really sucks when their sleep is horrible. I hope it gets better soon.
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