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Introduction

I’m Kim West, a licensed child and family therapist and the mother of two girls. My clients know me as The Sleep Lady®. For over ten years, I’ve focused my practice on helping tens of thousands of weary, bleary-eyed parents all over the world find solutions to their children’s sleep problems—from babies who are old enough to sleep through the night but aren’t yet doing so, to nap-resistant toddlers, to older kids who won’t stay in their beds (or sneak into their parents’ beds uninvited). My method, the Sleep Lady® Shuffle, depends on step-by-step changes in the bedtime, nap time, and middle-of-the-night routines that haven’t been working for these families. For the parents of infants in particular, it’s a gentler alternative to letting their babies “cry it out.” Ultimately, the children I work with develop sleep “independence” and can drift off on their own and sleep soundly throughout the night, knowing that Mom and Dad are nearby.

What makes the Sleep Lady® method so successful is that it’s not a “one size fits all” approach to sleep coaching. When I work with a family individually, I factor in their values, lifestyle, and childrearing philosophies so as not to suggest something that might make parents feel uncomfortable. Doing so would be highly counterproductive—I can’t stress this enough—and so a plan that parents can’t stick with is bound to fail.

That said, the Sleep Lady® Shuffle is not an overnight cure. Essentially, you’re teaching your child a new skill. So be patient and remember that mastering a skill—whether it’s walking, handling a spoon, using the potty, or sleeping through the night—takes time. However, the families I work with solve the majority of their kids’ bedtime snafus within two weeks. (Issues like napping and early rising typically take a little longer.)

How to Use This Workbook

For the best results, I recommend that you read the first few chapters, plus the chapter that corresponds to your child’s age, of my book Good Night, Sleep Tight before you begin creating your plan (on page 46 of this workbook); at the very least, please read all the way through the workbook before you start sleep coaching your child. And remember: Your success will depend on consistency, follow-through, and patience, as well as 100 percent commitment on the part of everyone else who shares in caring for your child—including your partner, your child’s grandparents, and the sitter.

May you enjoy many peaceful nights of sleep ahead!

—Kim West, LCSW-C

The Sleep Lady®

Disclaimer: The information and advice presented in this book have been reviewed by a qualified pediatrician. It should not, however, substitute for the advice of your family doctor or other trained health care professionals. You are advised to consult with a health care professional with regard to all matters that may require medical attention or diagnosis for your baby or child, and you should check with a physician before administering or undertaking any course of treatment such as sleep training your baby or child.