Separation anxiety is a normal developmental stage in babies characterised by a strong emotional reaction when separated from their primary caregiver—you! It typically emerges around 6 to 8 months of age and can peak between 10 to 18 months, though it can occur earlier or later in some babies.

In this blog I delve into signs of separation anxiety, how you can help your baby and ways to manage sleep issues during this challenging time.

It's natural for everyone to stir at the end of a sleep cycle. It’s just as adults we have the ability to sort ourselves out - get a drink, go for a wee, rearrange the duvet. Babies of course find this tricky. However there are some babies who undoubtedly are able at times to settle themselves back to sleep.

Is your baby a self -soother or a signaller?

You know that day is on the horizon and moving ever closer. The day when your toddler stops napping and that little slice of downtime for you disappears for good. But must it truly be that way?

Before you resign yourself to mourning the loss of naptime, read on!

Around the 15 to 18-month mark, most babies begin transitioning from two naps to one. However, every child is unique, and there may be outliers.

In this blog I offer valuable insights into recognising signs of readiness for your little one to drop to one nap, adjusting nap schedules, and establishing a new routine that works for both you and your little one.

Moving from three naps to two, or from two naps to one, can feel like stepping into the unknown sometimes, with more questions than answers!  Which nap should we drop first? When is the right time to make the change? How do we even begin? It's a whole heap of decisions, and like pretty much everything else to do with raising babies, no one way is the answer for all. 

Here is my rough guide to the 3 to 2 naps transition (and when I say rough, I mean rough!)

As parents, the instinct to protect our babies is ingrained. Ensuring their safety is a natural priority, especially when it comes to their sleep. It's an essential aspect of parenting to create a safe, secure and comfortable environment for our little ones. 

This week, 11th to 17th March 2024, is Safer Sleep Week, hosted by The Lullaby Trust and this year's theme is the safest place for your baby to sleep. It's essential that every baby has a secure sleep spot.

Engaging in a contact nap is often considered one of the most wonderful ways to connect with our little ones. This practice is entirely natural, a tradition that humans have embraced for thousands of years.

If you're contemplating a shift from contact napping to cot napping, it's crucial to assess your motivations and ensure it aligns with your and your baby's needs.

If you’ve decided that now is the perfect time to stop contact napping, then this can be done in a gentle and responsive way.

A successful nap brings a much-needed recharge for your little one and a well-deserved break for you. However, when naps don't go as planned, frustration and stress can follow. It's not uncommon to witness concerns about the duration of a baby's nap, uncertainty about when to drop a nap, or the challenge of adhering to recommended wake windows. If this is you, you are not alone!

Discover how to help your little one get the naps they need - it’s simpler than you may think!

Does the four month regression deserve the bad press it receives? And should it even be referred to as a regression?
At four months there is a hive of activity in your baby as their brain and body develops quickly. Sooo much is changing - developmentally, socially and physically for them. All this makes for the perfect storm with sleep quite often being a casualty! 

Embarking on the journey of motherhood comes with its unique set of challenges, and for me, one of the biggest was knowing when my baby was tired. Classic cues like yawning, eye rubbing, and a touch of grizzliness seemed like foolproof indicators, prompting immediate attempts to settle her for sleep. However, the inconsistency left me bewildered, unable to grasp why my efforts sometimes worked and sometimes didn't.

There are varied ways in which babies communicate their fatigue, with some giving no clear clues at all! AND these so called tired signs may not actually be tired signs at all! If you're feeling confused, read on for clarity!

When pondering the amount of sleep your baby should be getting, it's worth considering the underlying motivation for the question.

Are you asking because your baby seems dysregulated, unsettled, or generally unhappy?

Is it a quest for reassurance? Or perhaps it's influenced by a perceived notion of what your baby's sleep patterns should be, even if they differ from those expectations.

Understanding the motivation behind the question can provide insights into addressing your concerns or expectations regarding your baby's sleep.

Parenthood is a journey, an up and down one, filled with joy, challenges, and, for most, sleepless nights. I think it’s important to normalise the realities of infant sleep and arm you with the facts.

It's crucial to reframe expectations and recognize that waking during the night is a normal part of a baby's first two years of life.

The festive season is a time of joy, family gatherings, and enjoying delicious food and drink! For parents of young children, the holiday visits to relatives can often be accompanied by well-intentioned but sometimes unhelpful remarks.

As a holistic sleep consultant, early years expert and mum of four, I completely understand the challenges parents face during this time. In this article, we will explore common pitfalls and provide practical tips to help you navigate the festive period with confidence and ease.

I’d wager that at the top of most parents with young children’s wish list is the elusive gift of a good night’s sleep! Establishing a conducive environment for sleep involves more than just a safe space. As a holistic sleep consultant, I'm here to guide you through the key elements that contribute to a good sleep environment for your baby.

Oh the bedtime struggle with a toddler is real especially when you’re tired, stressed and have nothing left in the tank. If you're wishing for a more relaxing end to the day, then maybe it’s time to strengthen the bedtime routine!

Embarking on the nightly routine with toddlers can sometimes feel like entering a confusing maze where sleep is the well hidden treasure.

However, what if I told you that introducing a playful routine before bedtime could be the key to a more restful night for your little one?

Sounds crazy?! Well, on the surface perhaps, but trust me, it might just be the bedtime magic your little one needs!

Parenthood is undoubtedly a whirlwind of responsibilities, especially when it comes to ensuring a good night's sleep for your little ones.

Amid the demands of daily life, finding moments for quality interactions can be challenging but if you do so your efforts will be richly rewarded.

When children feel loved, valued, and respected, they develop a sense of security that translates into better sleep patterns. In this blog I share some practical tips to enhance your connection with your little one.

Parenthood comes with a myriad of challenges, and one of the most common struggles for parents of babies and toddlers is ensuring they get a good night's sleep. While there are various factors influencing a child's sleep patterns, one of the key elements often overlooked is their diet.

We all know that a balanced diet is the cornerstone of good health. Filling our plates with an assortment of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains is important in nourishing our bodies. But how often do we pause to consider the profound impact a balanced diet has on one of the most fundamental aspects of our well-being - sleep?

In today's fast-paced world, establishing healthy sleep patterns for our little ones has become a challenge for many parents. However the solution might be simpler than we think : the great outdoors!

Let's explore why daily exposure to natural daylight, and plenty of physical activity, can play a vital part in the well-being and sound sleep of babies and toddlers in our modern society.

In the realm of baby and toddler sleep, confusion often arises when it comes to terminologies like self-soothing and self-settling. These terms, though commonly used, can be misleading and might not accurately capture the intricate processes occurring in a child's developing mind.
My aim of this blog is to shed light on these concepts, dispel misconceptions, and introduce a more nuanced perspective centred around the idea of self-regulation.