PRP019 Possums Sleep Intervention Part 3

Show Notes: Possums Sleep Intervention Part 3

Dr Koa Whittingham (A collaborator on the Possums Sleep Intervention - www.possumsonline.com) shares some wonderful information about the Possums Sleep Intervention including how to co-ordinate baby wearing and feeding to sleep with multiple caregivers, a new perspective on sleep association, tired cues, incorporation of ACT and how to access the Possums Sleep Intervention.
Summary
Does co-sleeping, baby wearing, feeding to sleep restrict caregivers?

Everyone who cares for baby does NOT have to do the same thing.

Each caregiver can find different ways to settle the baby.


As the primary caregiver, you want your life to be as easy as it can be.
Each caregiver needs to flexibly experiment and find what works for them and baby.
There are many ways to comfort a baby, and baby will learn what to expect from each caregiver.

Sleep Associations

Feeling relaxed after food is extremely natural.
Any external association with sleep can become problematic.
Sleep should be primarily cued by the internal cue of sleepiness.
The feed relaxes baby, the sleepiness cues sleep, at that point we do not want to wake baby and uncouple sleepiness and sleep.
If feeding to sleep is easy and works for you, enjoy it. Just because your baby has learned one thing, doesn't mean he or she can't learn another.
The Possums Sleep Approach: You know your baby and situation best. It is about flexible experimentation to figure out what works best for you and your baby.

Tired Cues

Problem with tired cues

It is important to understand your child's cues
Infant behaviour cannot be classified into observable cues - Babies are all different - you need to learn to understand your baby.


You will learn to understand your baby's cues. Flexibly experiment until you understand the patterns.

You will get it wrong. That is part of learning.
Be flexible and live in the moment.
You will develop expert intuition through experience. You won't always know how you know.



Possums Clinic attitude to breastfeeding and co-sleeping

Fully support breastfeeding, formula feeding, or combination feeding.
Fully supportive of co-sleeping and solo sleeping. Keep baby within sensory distance for the first 6 months.

ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)

Most interventions are focused on infant sleep.
Mother's ability to get back to sleep is also important.
Support mother's sleep efficiency with mindfulness and relaxation exercises and taking the focus off sleep.

Learn to disconnect from worrying thoughts.



Accessing Possums Sleep Intervention

Possums Sleep Film
Skype consultations
Face-to-Face sessions with Dr Pamela Douglas in Brisbane

General assessment
If sleep is the primary issue, then move into the Possums Sleep Intervention


Group sessions (Accessible online and in person)

Links

Possums Sleep Intervention: Possums Online, and Feed your baby to sleep - The possums sleep intervention new recommendations
The Discontented Little Baby book by Dr Pamela Douglas
First step in any good sleep intervention (understanding sleep biology): www.practicalresearchparenting.com/firststeps or sign up by clicking here.
Parenting from the Heart: www.koawhittingham.com.
Becoming Mum book by Dr Koa Whittingham



For more great resources on Mindfulness and ACT for parents, check out these links: