Summary Transcript Eoiside 137

AI Generated

Lucy: Welcome to this week’s episode of Mumbition. Today we’re joined by Gerri Florence, founder of The Sleep Collective — a sleep educator passionate about helping families achieve healthy sleep patterns.

Gerri: I’m here to challenge the status quo that babies don’t sleep. Once I experienced how powerful sleep support was in my own life, it lit a fire in me. After years of IVF and then a newborn who wouldn’t sleep, I felt like I wasn’t allowed to complain — but once I sought help, everything changed.

Lucy: Many parents feel that same pressure — the idea that we should be grateful and just push through sleep deprivation.

Gerri: Exactly. Mother guilt and societal expectations rob us of joy. You can be a good mother and prioritise your wellbeing. Working on sleep isn’t selfish — it benefits the whole family.

Gerri: I see huge cultural differences too. Some cultures expect babies to sleep well because mothers are supported. Others assume exhaustion is normal. Even within Australia, parents feel pulled between co‑sleeping or “cry it out” camps when in reality, sleep is far more nuanced.

Lucy: And you’re navigating this sensitively with each family.

Gerri: Yes. Communication is key, especially with sleep‑deprived parents. I provide written plans, ongoing touchpoints and an approach tailored to a baby’s age, temperament, and the family’s parenting style. Where those factors overlap — that’s the sweet spot.

Lucy: Social media can be overwhelming for new parents. Does that affect your clients?

Gerri: Definitely. Labels like “gentle” sleep consultant make parents feel judged. Instead, we need to find what’s gentle for that specific baby. Some babies hate patting; some love it. My role is judgment‑free, helping parents make choices that align with their values.

Gerri: A big misconception is that sleep training equals “cry it out”. Crying is a form of communication. Babies can self‑settle, but they can’t self‑soothe — they need co‑regulation. Modern sleep support respects that.

Lucy: Do you have a favourite success story?

Gerri: One toddler hadn’t slept through the night and the parents felt defeated. I recognised signs of a medical issue and encouraged an ENT referral. He ended up needing grommets and tonsils removed — and once treated, his sleep transformed. Sometimes sleep issues are not behavioural at all.

Lucy: That holistic view is so valuable.

Gerri: Whether it’s babies or toddlers, sleep affects emotional regulation, behaviour, and the whole family’s wellbeing. And it’s never too late to make changes.

Lucy: Where do you see The Sleep Collective heading?

Gerri: The industry is unregulated. I want to raise the standards — proper certification, working‑with‑children checks, and safe practice across the board. The stakes are too high to accept anything less.

Gerri: And for anyone listening — you don’t need to wait until breaking point to seek sleep support. Asking for help is a strength, not a failure.

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