My Approach
Hi Mama
I'm Nicole!
South Africa's only Baby-Led Sleep and Well-being Specialist who is also an Occupational Therapist.
For as long as I can remember I wanted to be a Mom. And after some challenges along the way; when we finally had our beautiful baby boy, I knew that being a Mom was what I was always meant to become. Don’t get me wrong, it hasn’t been all rainbows and butterflies. But, becoming Riley’s Mom ignited a passion in me that I never knew existed. A passion to learn and grow as much as a I could as a person in order to be the best Mom for him. A passion to spread a message to other Moms like myself that a baby who depends on you deeply, and needs you close always, is normal. In fact; they are doing exactly what babies are meant to do.
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I never really felt pressured into doing anything that went against my instincts as a Mom; but I did fall into a rut of questioning my choices and analysing everything I was doing – because I seemed to be doing everything so differently to everyone around me. Co-sleeping, bed-sharing, not swaddling, contact napping, feeding to sleep, allowing my baby to look into my eyes to fall asleep; you name it – we did it! Anything a sleep trainer would tell you not to do – we did or do. And, it felt right. So when I came across the Baby-Led Sleep approach it was a breath of fresh air! Hearing that what felt right was actually really quite normal, lifted a weight off my shoulders, and I knew I needed to learn more to help other families feel the same way.
And so, Beyond Their Dreams was born. Welcome!
My Promise
I promise to listen to your story, be the safe place to share your frustrations and concerns and honour your family’s needs and choices. I promise to see your child for the unique human being they are, and empower you to tune in to their unique needs. I promise to never use separation based techniques with you. To never ask you to leave your child to cry alone, and figure it out or teach themselves to “self-soothe”.
I promise to support you to hold space for your child’s emotions. I promise to never ask you to do anything that does not feel right for you or your family.
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I promise that our work together goes far beyond sleep.
My Approach
With my approach rooted in attachment,
I will walk the journey alongside you to empower you and build your confidence to follow your instincts, and find sleep without any form of sleep training or separation based techniques. Focusing on connection; our work deepens bonds and relationships blossom.
A holistic family-oriented approach that ensures any underlying red flags impacting on sleep are identified and resolved with the relevant practitioners or professionals.
Education & Experience
I am the only Occupational Therapist and Baby-Led Sleep and Well-being Specialist through IslaGrace Sleep in South Africa. I have trained under experts in the field of normal infant sleep and childhood development, such as Prof James McKenna, Dr Gordon Neufeld, Dr Deborah MacNamara and Dr Gabor Mate - to name a few
And, of course, I am a Mom to an incredibly energetic and loving little toddler who continues to teach me so much daily.
Services
I have created various levels of support for you and your family. If you need additional information let's schedule a free 15min clarity call to choose what will best suit your needs.
All my services are Virtual via Zoom.
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Full Support
My most comprehensive support package which includes a 90min consult, unlimited email support as well as 6 follow-up consults where I will walk alongside you as you shift patterns with your babe gently and responsively.
90 Minute Consult
My once-off support following a brief intake form will assist you to make small changes to the rhythms and flows of your babe's sleep. .
5 Call Support
Whilst still offering you all the benefits of the sleep education and sleep plan, this package is for the parent who would prefer to work more independently with only a set number of follow up contacts available.
60min Confidence Call
Typically best suited to parents of newborns, or where support and advice on realistic expectations and how to set up optimal sleep hygiene and rhythms.
3 Call Support
Ideal for the parent who is experiencing some nap niggles or bedtime battles where some patterns may need shifting. A fantastic mid-level package if you are needing a bit more than just the once-off consult but don't require significant follow-up support.
Prenatal Consult
This 60-min once off consult will equip you with everything you need to set yourslef up for success when it comes to normal infant sleep.
