She answered some of the many questions that came in via our soapbox.

SHORT-SLEEPING 5-month-old

From the Soapbox: My 5 month old baby will only sleep for 45 minutes at a time during the day, no matter what I have tried he will still only sleep 45 minutes. He has done this since birth. How can I get him to sleep longer?

Sheyne says: Think about how you position sleeps during the day. Don't think your baby (especially infants) always needs to be asleep. They have to build up an appetite for sleep.

RESTLESS 9-month-old

From the Soapbox: My name is Lynda. I have a 9 month old son who is now starting to wake up a couple of times each night and doesn't want to go back to sleep.  Does she have any suggestions??  We try and let him cry, but he just won't stop for at least 20 minutes!  He sleeps well during the day.  I would really appreciate your help (and so would my husband!) Thanks!

Sheyne says: If he's sleeping really well during the day, there's behavioural-based waking at night which tires him out. What are the triggers? If he wakes in the early night, he might be over-stimulated. Waking in the middle of the night can mean too much sleep during the day. Waking in the early morning can be dietary.

WAKING 14-month-old

From the Soapbox: Hello my name is Samantha I'm 20. I have a 14-month-old who doesn't sleep all night or for more then an hour after bed time. I have tried everything in the books and nothing seems to work I've been to the doctors and they say i just have to put up with it she goes to bed at 7 and she will be awake by 8-830 wanting to sleep with me once she is asleep again i put her back into bed but she never stays I do this all night every night but it never does anything and she never wants anyone but me I'm so tired and drained can you help me please.

Sheyne says: There's a strong association problem here. Parents need to use the "govern line" - it's the tone of voice which says "I need you to do this now". Worst thing is to get emotional over the waking up and slipping into bed. One thing to ask, can the little girl play by herself during the day, when Mum is busy? Or does she have to follow her around everywhere? Does bub insist on being picked up while Mum is, say, vacuuming?

More info

www.dreambabyguide.com.au

www.australianbabywhisperer.com.au

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Extra notes from Sheyne

1) A sleep time issue is a reflection of a miscalculation or imbalance somewhere through their day, so we never address sleep in isolation of the rest of the day.

2) We need to find those imbalances and correct them first, to ensure we empower each baby with the skills they need, nutrition their body is requiring, comfort they emotionally desire and ability to listen and understand happily so we can ELIMINATE the cause of the wakings in the first place thus dramatically reducing the cause of or need to manage crying. This enables us to quickly and permanently repair sleep respectfully.

3) We treat ever single child as unique and adopt a program that caters for their individual needs, rather than trying to use a blanket approach where every baby is meant to fit the same routine requirements.
 

From the soapbox

Sunrise, I really have issues with Sheyne Rowley coining herself "the baby whisperer" and issuing baby advice i.e. "just let them have a little cry so they get used to it" when it is NOT considered best practice anymore. As a show with a huge following, you have a responsibility to present best practice information and at the very least, a balanced view. Best practice from longitudinal psychological studies clearly recommends not to leave young babies to cry.

Check out the Australian Association for Infant Mental Health.
Sunrise, please do a follow up and correct your advice before damage is done.

Sarah W.