[Ep.11] Navigating infant sleep: An Aware Parenting perspective with Kimberley Cousins

Sleep deprived? Utterly exhausted but don't feel that sleep training personally aligns with your parenting values? You are SO not alone. Aware Parenting offers a beautiful new perspective that may be the alternative you've been searching for. 

In episode two of Authentically Human with Hannah (Season 2), I had the honour and pure joy of chatting with one of my now dear friends, Kim Cousins. This conversation is incredibly close to my heart, and it's one I know so many parents need to hear. I feel this conversation was a real full circle moment in my life having stumbled across Kim and the Aware Parenting Philosophy when I was desperately searching for answers myself around infant sleep and how we could get more of it without stepping outside of what aligned with our personal parenting values. I pressed play on podcast episode that popped into my feed and heard the beautiful Kim sharing absolutely everything I needed to hear in that moment. Kim became an absolute lifeline for myself and my family from that moment on and over a month of intensive guidance and support,  helped us to completely shift how we understand sleep (and crying!) with our 9-month-old, Hazel.

Kim is not only a mum of two, but she's also a registered nurse specializing in perinatal mental health, an Aware Parenting Instructor, a Circle of Security facilitator, and she's working towards her Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy. She's an wealth of knowledge, yes, but more importantly, she's a deeply compassionate and understanding human being who has an absolute passion for supporting parents and families navigate the emotional rollercoaster that is parenthood. 

This episode is raw, real, and so incredibly helpful. We talk openly about our own struggles with sleep deprivation, our own parenting journeys, and how Kim has empowered us to truly listen to Hazel and trust our own intuition around sleep. We dive into the beauty and challenges of Aware Parenting, the importance of emotional release (for both babies and parents!), the impact of birth experiences, and why having compassionate support is essential. We also explore the difference between a baby's needs feelings and healing feelings, and how to truly be emotionally present, even when things are tough. And of course, we touch on the importance of self-care, the uniqueness of every family, and the power of community.

This conversation is a gift, and I truly believe it will resonate with so many of you. It's less about "fixing" sleep and more about understanding our babies (and ourselves) on a deeper level.

Thank you Kim. For all that you are and do in this vulnerable space. 

***NOTE: I apologise for the sound quality in this episode - I'm still ironing out a few teething issues with the new podcast software and audio equipment I have.***


CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to Authentically Human Podcast

05:52 The Journey of Sleep Deprivation

12:08 Transitioning to Aware Parenting

17:57 Understanding Aware Parenting

29:52 The Impact of Birth on Emotions

43:26 Understanding Baby's Emotions

50:19 The Healing Power of Crying

58:29 The Importance of Parental Support

01:06:58 Navigating Parental Emotions

01:15:22 Finding Support in Parenting

 

Connect with Us!

We'd love to continue the conversation with you! You can find Hannah on Instagram at @humanlydesigned_ where she shares more about her journey and insights on living in alignment with our true selves. 

To connect with Kim Cousins and learn more about her incredible work supporting families, you can find her on Instagram at @kimberley.cousins, email her at kimberleyacousins@gmail.com or visit her website: https://www.halaxy.com/profile/kimberley-cousins/nurse/1541651?clinic=1191761 

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