Family Case Study: Helping 8 month old Carter sleep better- How a few changes made a difference

When Carters parents reached out to me as a Child Sleep Consultant in Ireland , their little boy had never slept through the night. He was taking short naps, struggling to settle at bedtime, and waking up frequently. Both parents had demanding work schedules—Dad worked nights and Mum had long days—so sleep was crucial for everyone’s well-being and Carter’s growth.

The Situation:After I analyzed the intake form and did our one-hour sleep consultation call, we discovered that Carter’s nap and bedtime routine were causing several issues. His nap schedule didn’t fit his age, causing him to miss those crucial “sleepy windows” that are key for restful sleep. This led to short and inconsistent naps, often taken in different places like the buggy or cot. His bedtime was also quite late, and given his short naps and frequent night wakings, he needed an earlier bedtime to help him catch up on rest. Carter had also become reliant on the bottle, especially in the early morning hours, creating a negative sleep association where feeding was essential for getting back to sleep. Additionally, he depended on rocking, patting, and the soother to fall asleep.

The Plan: To tackle these issues, we made the following changes:

• Establish a Consistent and Age-Appropriate Sleep Schedule: We set a consistent wake-up time between 6 and 7 am to align Carter’s nap schedule with his natural sleep rhythms. We created a fixed place for naps and established a routine suited to his age and sleep patterns. An earlier bedtime was set, along with a 30-minute bedtime routine. We made sure Carter’s last feed was 45 minutes before bedtime and outside his bedroom to avoid linking the bottle with sleep.
• Help Carter Fall Asleep Independently and Self Soothe: We focused on teaching Carter self-soothing techniques to help him fall asleep on his own. Since he wasn’t too reliant on the soother, I suggested phasing it out completely or limiting its use to bedtime only.
• Establish Real Feeds vs. Comfort Feeds and Remove Bottle Association: We eliminated bedtime feeding by providing the last feed 45 minutes before bed and away from the bedroom to break the comfort feeding habit. The first feed of the day was given after 6 am and also away from the bedroom to support a healthy sleep routine.

The Outcome: After just two weeks, Carter was able to self-soothe and settle himself to sleep at both naptime and bedtime. He transitioned to long, restful naps and was consistently getting 11-12 hours of sleep each night. This improvement in Carter’s sleep had a remarkable impact on his overall well-being. The consistent sleep schedule and full nights of sleep we established made a significant difference for the entire family. Carter is now happier and more alert during the day, and his parents are finally getting the rest they need to manage their demanding work schedules. With these new healthy sleep habits, Carter is on track for optimal growth and development.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with your baby's sleep challenges or toddler sleep issues, why not book a free 15-minute sleep assessment call? We can discuss your current sleep problems, such as night wakings, feeding to sleep, or establishing a bedtime routine, and how I can help you find the solutions you need for better sleep in your little one 

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