The Final Assessment

As you start to work with families you will come across different sleep challenges that children face. They may manifest themself in different behaviours so understanding the root cause is the key to resolving them. In the following scenarios there may be a number of issues at play, but what could be the leading cause. Each answer should be about 20-50 words.

a)  An 8 month old is fighting their first nap of the day. They can become very upset and will not settle for ages. Until recently they were settling well for all 3 of their daily naps. What could be happening and what would you recommend to your client?

b) An 18 month old little boy has started waking up in the night and moving about his cot for ages. He sometimes calls out to his parents to come in to him. He has been fighting his afternoon nap too. His parents tell you he has just started walking and they thought that with all the running about, he should be more tired. What might be happening and what advice would you give?

c) A father has reached out to you because his daughter has been waking every night at about 1am. She isn’t crying and her mood is generally ok. She can be awake for up to 2 hours each time. What do you think might be happening and what questions would you ask?

d) A 13 month old has recently transitioned to one nap. Her parents didn’t feel like was ready but they couldn’t get her to have 2 naps per day. She struggles to stay awake until lunch time so she has a nap from 11am to 1pm. Her bedtime is 7pm and she used to sleep through until 7am. Since she transitioned to one nap she has been waking at 5am. What do you think is causing the early wake up and what would you suggest the family do?

You have been asked to go into the home of expecting parents. They want you to do a room assessment of their baby’s sleep space. Once you leave you write up your recommendations for the family. What are they? Where/which organisations would you tell them to find updated information on safe sleeping guidance? (250-400 words).

Sleep training methods. Each answer should be between 50-100 words.

a) If a toddler is in a bed, what sleep training method could you use and why?

b) A family has come to you because they are in a desperate position. No one is sleeping in the house and it’s causing a strain on mum’s mental and physical health. They need quick results. What method would you suggest and why?

c) Tina’s 6 month old baby is irritated by physical touch when she is trying to sleep. What method can you use to help improve her sleep and why have you selected this method?

d) Mum is up 6 times per night with her 11 month old baby. Each time the baby wakes, he needs mum to go in and breastfeed him back to sleep. He isn’t taking much milk on each feed. Dad wants to help but the baby will not accept anything other than breastfeeding. What would you propose they do? Why have you chosen this method?