Anoushka is our first child and when it comes to sleep, we seemed to have made a lot of mistakes with her. She was exclusively breastfed for 14 months with frequent night feeds and then weaned off onto soy milk as we were told that she had a CMPA.
She had been sleeping in her own room in her own cot from the time she was 6 months old, however, following travelling on a trip away where we co-slept for 3 nights, she refused to sleep in her cot. We had been co-sleeping since then in her room until the time we contacted Amanda, just after she had turned 2 years old. We contacted Amanda as two and a half weeks later I was due my second child and we were desperate!
Amanda was extremely understanding with our situation and the impending new arrival brought severe time constraints, but she was supportive despite her challenging schedule. I remember having our Initial consultation at 9pm and it went on up to 11pm.
I must confess that when I first received the Programme I was a bit sceptical as having attempted to sleep-train Anoushka several times, the Programme emailed to us seemed similar. However, following our Initial consultation, it was clearly obvious that what Amanda brings is her vast experience and knowledge. I loved that the Programme was not just about improving sleep, but also focused on her food and most importantly – BOUNDARIES.
As first-time parents, we had always focused on pleasing Anoushka and keeping her happy at the cost of sleepless nights and sometimes stress and anxiety. Amanda clearly showed us that we were the parents and needed to be in charge. I remember a conversation when I told Amanda “She won’t listen to me if I say that” and Amanda saying “Sparsha, she is 2 years old. She has to listen to you!”
Anoushka used to drink 1-2 bottles and eat 1-2 bananas every night. The very first night, we said bye bye to her bottles, moved out the extra bed from her room and sat on the chair. Anoushka responded beautifully and she exceeded all our expectations. She still woke up 1-2 times every night but we were happy with the improvement that we made. We didn’t do Stage 4 i.e. Chair outside the room as the baby came along and Anoushka regressed again in her sleep and behaviour. She only ate pasta and porridge all day every day for a month and would wake 3-4 times at night! Amanda was there to support again and she recommended that we move the chair back next to her for a while. After the phase passed, Anoushka has been sleeping through about 4-5 nights a week. The other nights she wakes up once which is a huge and significant improvement for us. The Magic Chair is still next to her bed and we stay with her while Anoushka falls asleep, but we hope to change that at some point when she is older and more confident.
Amanda was there any time I messaged her, and she went above and beyond anything that I had expected from her. I wouldn’t hesitate recommending her to anyone with a baby or toddler. Also, she put me in touch with some of her other clients who were all so lovely and helpful.
