Sensitively guiding & supporting families to better sleep.
Tailoring solutions that suit you and protect the parent-child bond.
"Kel - we cannot thank you enough for the assistance you gave to getting our little princess to love sleeping! I just wish I had contacted you 4 months ago and stopped making excuses as to why her sleeping was out of whack (and in turn stopped my own internal guilt). You were caring and understanding, listened to our family lifestyle challenges and at all times made sure we were comfortable with the plan. Thank you for giving our daughter the gift of sleep xx"
Selina Pollard (baby girl aged 10 months)
The arms of the sensitive mother invite. When the world looms too large, too loud, too bright, too cold, the infant knows she will be enveloped in a warm protective embrace. "You are safe, you are loved. You are loveable". And so the infant relaxes... secure against the world. - Dr Sharon Heller.
I really like this description of what is the fundamental idea of evolutionary theory of attachment. I think as mothers, no matter what particular 'parenting style' we go by, we're all fostering this same goal for our child - to have them know they are loved and secure.
I don't feel its worthwhile to beat yourself up, or let another parent judge your style, when you know in your heart of hearts that your child knows this. No matter what 'methods' you've chosen to encourage your tired child to sleep, your fussy child to eat, your cranky child to quieten etc, at the end of the day if you can know within yourselves that bubby is loved and protected, you've done it right!
Kel Whittaker, MSW(Q), BPsySc founded the Institute of Sensitive Sleep Consulting after identifying a need in the child sleep industry to support and educate professionals who identify themselves as respectful of attachment parenting values, positive parenting principles and other parenting styles that nurture the parent-child bond, whilst guiding clients to respectful solutions to their sleep issues.
Kel works one on one with clients on the Gold Coast / Brisbane and leads a team of sensitive sleep consultants across Australia and internationally. Kel is the Australian & NZ Representative for the International Association of Child Sleep Consultants. Kel feels her understanding gained through her Bachelor of Psychological Science (including attachment theory and cognitive development) have been fundamental in adapting her approach. She has completed a Master of Social Work. She holds a certificate in Insomnia Diagnosis and Treatment and certificate in Infant Mental Health Foundations (University of Auckland) and is trained in crisis counselling (Lifeline Australia), and a Happiest Baby Educator. She is also a Professional Associate of Attachment Parenting International, and is a member of the Association of Professional Sleep Consultants, a published contributor to the International Maternity & Parenting Institute and a featured Wisdom Expert for the Birth Institute. Kel is proud to share her thoughtful program approved with International Institute for Complementary Therapists. She also has a background as a Childrens Ministry Leader (ages 1-4 years). Throughout her experiences with assisting parents, she has shaped her practice of assessing and coaching parents with sleep issues to one that ultimately listens to the client and guides and counsels them to find their own solutions from a place of love and understanding. Kel does not claim to be an 'Expert' - the world does not need more Experts, it needs Encouragers.
Kel Whittaker, certified sleep consultant Gold Coast and Brisbane based, takes on a holistic, gentle counselling approach to sleep foundations and sleep training (transitioning) for all ages and parenting styles - including attachment parenting.