Frequently Asked Questions

Questions relating to our service and what we do may be found under What to Expect - What is a Parenting Coach? What Happens at a Coaching Session? or About Us.

Other questions may be found under the list of topics below:

• Parenting Questions
• Questions relating to Temperature
• Questions relating to Sleep
• Questions relating to Toddlers & Children
• Questions relating to Breastfeeding
• Questions relating to Routine
• Questions relating to Wrapping
• Questions about the uses of Dummies/Pacifiers
• Questions about our Service

We suggest you also take a look at some of our Case Studies which may relate to your situation. These are also found under What to Expect

Parenting questions

I thought parenting came through natural instincts. Why do I often feel I don’t have those ‘natural instincts’?

Parenting is a learnt skill. In the past we learnt from those around us. These days it is wise to get professional advice, as advanced studies and research have brought about many changes which will enhance and equip parents in their task of parenting. Many families, not only first time parents, have benefited from our home visits as every child is different and has differing needs that may need to be addressed.

See Articles on newborns - Arriving home with a new baby

Questions relating to sleep

Don’t babies grow out of bad sleeping habits?

No, not all babies grow out of bad sleeping habits. Some need to be shown how to enjoy and good long sleep.

Also see Articles - Articles relating to sleep
And What to Expect, Case Studies - Sleep Issues
As well as Services - Newborn & Baby

I was told that not all babies need to sleep for long periods. Is this true?

All babies need sleep to grow. How much sleep they need depends on their age. If a baby less than nine months sleeps less than an hour she/he will need to learn to sleep longer. It is usually only after their first sleep cycle that they enter into the much needed and highly beneficial REM sleep (rapid eye movement). REM is essential as babies’ bodies and brains develop predominantly during REM.

Also see Articles - Articles relating to sleep
And What to Expect, Case Studies - Sleep Issues
As well as Services - Newborn & Baby

If my baby is only having short sleeps during the day and is spending most of his time awake won’t he sleep better at night?

No. In fact, ‘sleep induces sleep’. A baby who is over tired during the day will often be a teary, grumpy, miserable or lethargic baby during his wake time. Better day sleeps help baby to sleep restfully at night.

Also see Articles - Articles relating to sleep
And What to Expect, Case Studies - Sleep Issues
As well as Services - Newborn & Baby

My baby only sleeps if I breastfeed her to sleep; rock her in my arms, in the pram or in the car. How do I get her to go to sleep by herself?

This is a very common problem parents have with babies that haven’t learnt to self-settle. We will help you with the sleep solutions to achieve your goal.

Also see Articles - Articles relating to sleep Are you dependant on the pram to settle your baby?
And What to Expect, Case Studies - Sleep Issues
As well as Services - Newborn & Baby

What’s the solution for a baby who lacks sleep and is difficult to settle?

All babies from birth to three years need to sleep during the day. If babies under nine months haven’t learnt to sleep more than forty-five minutes they need assistance to achieve this. The sleep solutions we teach are tested and tried methods, which need to be carried out with consistency and persistence. Only then you will begin to see sustainable results.

Also see Articles - Articles relating to sleep
And What to Expect, Case Studies - Sleep Issues
As well as Services - Newborn & Baby

Why is it important to address bad sleeping habits early?

Teaching good sleeping habits early will help you to avoid some of the pit falls, which lead to bad habits. The older the child becomes, the more difficult it is to break an established habit.

Also see Articles - Articles relating to sleep
And What to Expect, Case Studies - Sleep Issues
As well as Services - Newborn & Baby

Questions relating to temperature

At what temperature should a baby’s bath be?

How much clothing should I put on our baby/child for the differing climate temperatures?

Questions relating to toddlers and children

At what age should toddlers or children under five go to bed?

Studies and shown that children need at least twelve hours sleep per night with one to three hours rest during the day up to the age of five.

How do I teach my toddler to sleep through the night?

This is one of the areas we cover in our training program. We help you teach your toddler a bedtime routine and how to remain in their bed throughout the night.

Should children under five years old have a midday sleep?

From my experience I believe all preschool children should have an afternoon rest if not a sleep. Especially if mum wants more children. This not only helps children learn to have a relaxation or unwind time but gives mother time to relax or catch up with things she needs to do.

Also see Articles - Articles relating to sleep
And What to Expect, Case Studies - Sleep Issues
As well as Services - Toddles and Child

Questions relating to Breastfeeding

How and when should I wean my child?

Weaning is a very personal thing. Many mothers need to wean their baby at 3-6 months due to work commitments, while other mothers are happy to breastfeed much longer. How to wean depends on the age of your baby. Many mothers have benefited from the support and advice of Cradle 2 Kindy during the adjustment period from breast to bottle.

Also see Articles - Articles on breastfeeding At what age should you introduce a bottle?
As well as Services - Newborn & Baby

Is it important to demand feed our baby?

I believe demand feeding has its benefits but often mothers are mislead and demand feed on baby’s cry not on his/her hunger and therefore a habit of snack feeding and cat-napping develops. We teach you to recognise your baby’s needs and the skills to assist you in successful parenting.

Also see Articles - Articles on breastfeeding
As well as Services - Newborn & Baby

Questions on Routine

Aren’t babies under three months too young to learn a routine?

This is a well known misconception. Although a well-fed and rested baby will automatically fall into a good routine right from the start some babies often need to be taught how to resettle themselves; especially as if they sleep for less than an hour. Settling often becomes more difficult as baby becomes more alert.

Also see Articles - Articles relating to sleep
And What to Expect, Case Studies - Sleep Issues
As well as Services - Newborn & Baby

I have twins who are on different timetables how do I get them to wake, drink and sleep at the same time?

It is helpful to have twins on the same routine, as this will enable you to have time to do the things you need to do – including sleep. Cradle 2 Kindy can assist you in establishing a workable routine for the whole family.

See What to Expect, Case Studies - Twins
As well as Services - Newborn - Multiple Births

Why is a routine important?

All babies respond well to a routine, it helps them to know what to expect next. It also helps you to organise your day and to know what your baby needs next.

Also see Articles - Articles relating to sleep
And What to Expect, Case Studies - Sleep Issues
As well as Services - Newborn & Baby

Questions relating to Wrapping

How long or to what age should I wrap my baby?

Babies if wrapped correctly respond positively to wrapping till they are 9 -10 months or until they are rolling over or crawling around the cot. I suggest you stop wrapping your baby once he/she is able to sit up or roll over and get out of the wrap.

Also see Articles - Articles relating to sleep How and when to wrap your baby
And What to Expect, Case Studies - Sleep Issues
As well as Services - Newborn & Baby

Why should I wrap my baby? Why is it so important? Does it matter what kind of a wrap I use?

Wrap baby in 100% cotton using the Sleep Sweet instructions on how to wrap. This method helps your baby feel secure and restricts the startle reflex which helps to prevent waking him/herself. Unlike the swaddling method, which straps baby’s arms down, the technique we illustrate allows some arm movement which assists baby to resettle him/herself. Hands are at their natural position for sleep – up around their face. If wrapped only for sleep, a baby begins to recognise ‘wrap means sleep’ and will settle quickly when put to bed.

Questions about the use of dummies/pacifiers

Should I use a dummy? Are there any risks associated with dummies/pacifier?

Dummies are known to carry disease. I advocate not using a dummy because I strongly believe that if you teach a child to sleep without any external assistance you are doing them and yourselves a big favour. There may be problems later with dummy dependence that may lead to long time use of a dummy. Cradle 2 Kindy will help your baby learn to sleep without being dummy dependant.

Also have a look at Services - Newborn, Baby or Toddler & Child
See Articles - Articles on Developmental Stages - Speech and the use of a dummy or pacifier

Questions about our service

Can you stay longer if we need you?

Once you have made a booking and you would like your coach to stay longer it may be possible depending on her schedule.

See What to Expect – What is a parenting coach? and What happens at a coaching session?

Do I need to book in advance? How long will I need to wait for someone to come to my home?

No - in many cases it is not necessary to book in advance but it may help as if you have a set date in mind. Depending on your situation and our availability you may not need to wait at all. Sometimes you may need to wait up to a week or if we have a cancellation we may be able to fit you in sooner.

See What to Expect – What is a parenting coach? and What happens at a coaching session?

Do I need to have a referral, as do the Mothercraft residential units?

No. Unlike mothercraft residential units you do not need a referral for us to visit you.

See What to Expect – What is a parenting coach? and What happens at a coaching session?

Do you come to our home?

Yes. As stated in our name, Mothercraft Home Service, we come to you. No need to pack-up the family or leave the comfort of your home. Visits are a minimum of three and a half hours.

See What to Expect – What is a parenting coach? and What happens at a coaching session?

Do you stay overnight?

Yes. Cradle 2 Kindy provides overnight or extended stays to suit your needs.

See What to Expect – What is a parenting coach? and What happens at a coaching session?

If I need further reassurance or advice after your visit can I speak to the coach who visited us?

Existing clients have the advantage of calling direct. Speak to your coach and receive consistent advice from someone who know your situation and understands your needs. Please be aware that your coach may be with another mother when you call and may need to call you back if you need some in depth advice.

See What to Expect – What is a parenting coach? and What happens at a coaching session?

If our health fund doesn’t give rebates can we claim your service any other way?

If your health fund doesn’t cover this service I suggest you check with your accountant to see if you can claim it though your tax return.

What are the qualifications and experience of the parenting coach?

All our parenting coaches have completed a rigorous training and are experienced, mature women with integrity and honesty.

See What to Expect – What is a parenting coach? What happens at a coaching session? and About Us

What are your costs?

Considering the ongoing service you receive our costs are very reasonable. Our professional service includes your own parenting coach, brings help right to your door, a bi-monthly newsletter and follow up calls. For further information please contact us on 0409 721 145.

See – What is a parenting coach?
Also see - What happens at a coaching session

What are your costs?

Considering the ongoing service you receive our costs are very reasonable. Our professional service includes your own parenting coach, brings help right to your door, a bi-monthly newsletter and follow up calls. For further information please contact us on 1300 786 101.

See What to Expect – What is a parenting coach? and What happens at a coaching session?

What can your service guarantee?

We can guarantee your confidence for caring for your child will increase. We provide caring professional consultation, advice, products, support and practical skills to increase and enhance your parenting-skills.

See What to Expect – What is a parenting coach? and What happens at a coaching session?

What hours can I call to make a booking or inquiries?

Calls are taken daily from 8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday or between 3pm and 5pm on Sunday.

See What to Expect – What is a parenting coach? What happens at a coaching session? and About Us

Why is there is much conflicting advice out there especially amongst the professional health workers?

Let me acknowledge that several of the tested and tried methods we use may be contrary to those taught by others outside of recognised Mothercraft Centres such as Karitane and Tresillian. Much of the seemingly conflicting advice - especially with others from the health profession - can often be put down to knowledge achieved through theory or the ongoing training and practical experience with families. Misunderstanding may also play a large part in parental confusion. Parents may often forget to inform health professional of some vital information needed to diagnose the problem or may remember only half the instructions they are given to help their situation. With a wealth of practical experience ‘in the real world’ as a Mothercraft Nurse who has helped numerous parents and infants I have found that sometimes living-in for several days has given our nurses in-depth understanding of the needs of both parents and infants.

I acknowledge that others will give different advice but I can reassure you as would the parents we have worked with that the simple but tried methods we use, work. Read some of the testimonies received from some of the parents we have worked with.

Click here to see Parent's Testimonies