Case Study: Helping 8 month old Eddie go from contact naps and feeding to sleep to falling asleep on his own

The Situation 

When Eddie’s Mum first contacted me as an Infant & Child Sleep Consultant , she was exhausted, frustrated and struggling with sleep. She was a single mum and felt like she didn’t have the confidence and knowledge to make any changes herself. Eddie had been waking frequently at night. His naps were only possible when he was either being held or in the buggy, and he needed to feed to sleep. Bedtime was a challenge, with Eddie becoming reliant on his mum  for comfort to fall asleep and return to sleep when he woke up. His early wake-ups, as early as 5 AM, meant that mum was feeding him back to sleep, creating a cycle that was difficult to break.

The Plan

I analysed the intake form that Eddie’s mum completed and we did our 1 hour in-depth consultation call. After the call I put together a plan focusing on the following key areas. I was then there to check in, guide her and answer any questions that she had for 2 weeks. 

1. Age-Appropriate Schedule and Sleep Cues
   
   

• We established a consistent wake-up time, between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM, to regulate his body clock.This is really important. 

• Instead of strictly following wake windows, we focused on Eddie’s sleep cues, ensuring naps were taken at the ideal time that aligned with his natural sleep rhythms.
  
  

2. Creating a Consistent and Early Bedtime
   
   

• Bedtime was adjusted earlier to help Eddie avoid overtiredness and ensure restorative sleep.
  
  

• We established a calming bedtime routine lasting up to 30 minutes, giving Eddie a predictable and comforting sleep environment.
  
  

3. Managing Feeding & Breaking the Feed-to-Sleep Habit
   
   

• We worked to differentiate between comfort feeds and true hunger feeds.
  
  

• The last feed was moved 30 minutes before bedtime and away from the bedroom to break any association between feeding and sleep.
  
  

• If Eddie needed a night feed, we aimed to offer it at a time that minimized disruptions to his deep sleep.
  
  

4. Encouraging Self-Soothe Techniques
   
   

• We gently introduced self-soothing techniques, allowing Eddie the space to settle back to sleep on his own without needing his Mum’s  assistance.
  
  

• Eddie was a little reliant on the soother where Mum was replugging it overnight. To help with this process, we introduced multiple soothers in Eddie’s cot, allowing him to find them on his own.
  
  

The Outcome

With patience, consistency, and time, Eddie’s sleep dramatically improved. He now has a consistent, age-appropriate sleep schedule, and his naps are longer and more restorative. Eddie is able to settle himself at bedtime and when waking overnight, with only one feed needed during the night. His Mum is so much  more rested, and Eddie is getting the healthy sleep he needs to thrive.

This case study highlights the importance of an age-appropriate sleep schedule whilst following sleepy cues, the power of consistent routines, and the benefits of teaching self-soothing techniques to help babies develop healthy sleep habits. If you’re struggling with your little one’s sleep, why not book a free 15-minute sleep Assessment  call with me to see how I can help you?

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