What is the difference between “sleep training” and “holistic sleep coaching”?

A holistic sleep coach works with the baby or child’s natural biological abilities to promote healthy sleep patterns that will last and which teach the child that he/she is safe. This is not only better for the child’s future sleep habits but is also consistent with responsive parenting.

Psychologists tell us that responsive parenting is the basis of a secure, confident child.

A “sleep trainer” usually aims to change a child’s sleep habits by encouraging parents to remove parental support and comfort either gradually or suddenly. The sleep trainer may claim to be able to “train” your baby to sleep for long periods that your baby is not yet biologically ready to achieve.

The “sleep trainer” often promotes strategies which conflict with the responsive parenting approach. Strategies which involve refusing to respond to a child’s needs do not help a baby to “learn to self-soothe” because a young baby has not yet developed the ability to “self-soothe”.

What can I expect from a breastfeeding consultation?

Your breastfeeding consultant will first listen to you and your feelings - without judgement and without jumping to conclusions. She will respect your knowledge about your baby and will ask you what your feeding goals are. She’ll offer ongoing support from a knowledgeable, evidence based position and discuss steps going forwards which are acceptable to you. She is not affiliated to any formula or infant food manufacturers.

What’s the difference between doing hypnobirthing with a private tutor like Sarah Johnson, and doing an online course?

Many organisations such as NCT are now offering online videos which propose to teach hypnobirthing. These videos do not address personal concerns, previous experience or individual needs. With a private personal course such as ours, the mum and/or parents-to-be are listened to as individuals and are welcome to keep in touch with Sarah as time goes on.

What will I learn in a baby massage class?

Baby massage is one of the loveliest ways to connect with your baby and is not only beneficial to your baby’s development but also to your mental health. Lou’s happy group classes are a place to bond and make friends.

Our baby’s grandparents think they know all about babies - why should they do the Grantenatal Workshop?

Because a lot has changed since you were born. We know a bit more about the impact of certain practices such as using soap in a baby’s bath than we used to; we know more about how babies sleep; and we know a lot more about breastfeeding and the constituents of breastmilk. There is bound to be something in the Grantenatal course which will surprise and interest them.