Baby Viviana
Multiple visits to sleep schools. Nothing was working.
Difficult and very tricky to settle, 11-week-old Viviana had been to various sleep schools but no professional advice was working. Her parents had encouraged her to sleep in the car, the pram and the carrier but she just wouldn’t settle and refused to sleep anywhere.
She was constantly unsettled and overtired. Most days were spent at home and her parents’ days were beginning to spiral out of control. It seemed no one could help, and as a result, their mental health and well-being were suffering.
Stimulation
Viviana was a very playful and alert baby. She struggled to switch off and was stimulated by her environment and the fear of missing out. She was more unsettled and alert than ever even after a 5-night stay at a sleep school.
Tired Signs
As Viviana was tired all day it was hard for her parents to read her tired signs. She was always rubbing her eyes or yawning. Her parents were trying to put her to sleep before she became overtired but this didn’t seem to work. On a good day they were able to put her in the cot and she would rub her eyes but would be awake for an hour until she would finally have a meltdown. As there was no sign of her going to sleep, her parents would have to pick her up and then cancel the nap.
Solutions
After an initial phone call, we chatted about how we could improve Viviana’s sleep and what the best steps forward were. We decided that her day naps were where she needed the most help and we decided to work together with a Daytime – in-home consultation. When I met Viviana I could see how alert she was, her sleep environment had some light coming in and there were lots of things that could catch her eye. We used a settling technique where we weren’t in direct eye contact with Viviana. This gave her the chance to not to be so stimulated by our presence. Reducing her stimulation meant that Viviana was able to link her sleep cycles without being distracted. This really helped her to switch off and become calmer when it came to sleep time.
Reducing stimulation:
Applying a calming wind-down routine before any sleep time.
Making the sleep environment as dark as possible and pitch-black.
Removing any mobiles over the cot or toys so that there is nothing to distract them.
Age appropriate routine:
As Viviana was appearing to be tired all the time, it was hard for her parents to read her cues. We put in a consistent age appropriate routine and awake windows. Ensuring that she wasn’t being kept awake too long and putting her down to sleep when it was time to rest. This approach really helped Viviana to catch up on the sleep that she desperately needed. The more sleep she got the more sleep her body needed, she was no long overtired and was much easier to settle.
We were able to bring a balance to Viviana’s parent’s day and they were soon able to get out and about. Viviana was able to learn how to sleep in the car, the pram and the carrier she was happy to sleep on the go. As the weeks went on she started to consolidate her overnight sleep and started sleeping through. With all this new sleep Viviana’s temperament changed, she was no long overtired and fussy she was happier and a more well-rested baby. All down to her hard work and the patience her parents had invested in her sleep.
Viviana now at 10 months.
“Words can not describe what a challenge our little baby girl was before meeting Aprilla and implementing her settling techniques and sleeping program.
I have been to multiple places like Tresillian and Figtree early parenting program, as well as getting advice of other “professionals” and no one could help us...I was on the verge of having serious depression and mental breakdown. My day was out of control and seeing my baby in such a distress, constantly crying and being tired made me feel like I wasnt doing such a great job at being a mum! I spent hours trying to put my baby to sleep, often 2 hours constant rocking and walking with her in my arms and all she slept was 15-20 minutes!
Not enough she was one big cat napper, she was very persistent, refusing and fighting to go to sleep. Thanks to Aprilla program, techniques and mostly her constant support, even when she was aboard, our life has changed like no one would believe. Viviana now has a routine which makes her rested, happy and very playful baby.
My anxiety is gone and I can actually enjoy my baby now ( not to mention, it was impossible for me to even leave the house, put her in the pram or a car was something I wasn’t able to do!) At her age of 6 months now she sleeps 6:30pm till 6:30-7 am without night feeds! I can’t recommend Aprilla highly enough for her amazing work and support she has given me through all this time! Anyone who struggles, Bubba Bed time and Aprilla is the way to help you bring a balance to your daily life and make your baby calm, well rested and joyful for you to enjoy this special time! Thank you so much Aprilla for all your support!”