Possums approach for baby sleep

Site www.possums.org

Dr Pam Douglas's new website has launched recently and it's the perfect occasion for me to present you the Possums approach, that I felt in love with back in 2021 (thanks to COVID!).

I first encountered Pam Douglas's work while searching for solutions regarding persistent nipple pain, and I found an article on Gestalt breastfeeding.

I remember discussing with my english IBCLC mentor and uk ibclcs friends and asking if they knew her, but no....

Pam is a GP, Associate Professor, researcher and IBCLC, author of several pioneer research articles, and a book: "The little discontented baby book".

You can find her interview here

I then started reading about her approach, watching her webinars, and completing her courses with Possums, and then the NDC Institute, becoming an NDC practitioner and now and NDC Fellow (to become an NDC Lactation cCnsultant as well as an IBCLC).

I discovered that Possums is not just about breastfeeding, but a holistic approach around baby nourishment, baby crying, baby sleep , parenting, and mother's mental health.

And since 2021 I haven't stopped training with Dr Pam: I really appreciate her evidence- based approach, with a critical eye about new research and research blind-spots, her phenomenal knowledge but also her vision about very specific subjects, either breastfeeding or baby-sleep related.

As an IBCLC my vision about breastfeeding, nipple and breast pain has profoundly evolved, from a pathological approach (this baby probably has tongue-tie/ GERD/ allergy) to a more physiological approach. Breastfeeding fit and hold is often key to relieve nipple pain and prevent breast inflammation, nipple blebs, and breast refusal or agitation.

I also discovered Possums approach about sleep and this too has been a revelation. Even if I already had training about gentle sleep approaches, Possums really made a difference in my approach to support families. In my view, it is fondamental in preserving family harmony and preventing parental self-doubt about this specific subject.

There is so much conflicting information around baby sleep and injonctions about naps or sleep durations: parents are overwhelmed, feeling guilty as well as exhausted.

Possums offers evidence-based information, debunking persisting myths on this subject, relieving parental anxiety, bringing parents confidence in their baby ability to sleep whenever he needs it, without them being responsible to establish schedules and watch for tired signs.

Pam works with Pr Helen Ball who is another reknowned sleep expert, anthropologist, researcher and expert about SIDS.( you can see her website BASIS here)

This subject is really important for me as I had twins and my son was labeled as having "sleep issues", resisting sleep, crying for hours each time he what put to bed ...13 years ago, I remember receiving sleep training information from health professionals, inviting me to let him cry himself to sleep, which was an absolute nightmare. They gave me the responsability to "teach him to sleep"...which didn't work. We both would have benefit so much from Possums approach back then.

I often have mothers contacting me, asking how I am going to help them with their baby sleep. I explain that I won't promise nights without any waking ( I am not the sleep fairy, and I don't promote sleep-training methods, and wakings are part of normal baby sleep) but that we can discuss about what normal baby sleep is and try to find ways to resynchronise the body clock if needed.

If you are a parent looking for information about baby sleep: have a look at Pam's website. And if you want specific support: I would be happy to meet you!

Book with Elise

For any question you can contact me Elise Armoiry, IBCLC, Pharm D, NDC

• More than 2000 families supported

• tel : 0033 749 506 782

• email: info@mybabymoonibclc.com

• www.mybabymoonibclc.com