When Róisín’s parents first got in touch with me as an Infant & Child Sleep Consultant, sleep had become a real challenge. Róisín had been struggling with sleep since around 5 months old. She was waking as early as 5:00 AM and would only go back to sleep with a lot of help—whether it was patting, replugging the soother, or more often than not, being fed to resettle until around 7:00–7:30 AM.
At night, she was taking a long time to settle, waking multiple times, and needing to be rocked, patted, or fed to return to sleep—and in some cases, ending up in bed with her parents just to get some rest. Daytime naps were also a challenge, as she would only sleep in the buggy or car.
I’m delighted to say that Róisín is now taking age-appropriate naps and sleeping 11–12 hours overnight—what a transformation!
The Plan
Róisín’s parents chose my 2-week support package. After reviewing the detailed intake form, we had a one-hour consultation call where we discussed everything affecting her sleep. Based on that, I created a personalised plan and supported them closely with check-ins, guidance, and reassurance as they implemented each step.
✅ Early Rising
Róisín’s early waking was a classic sign of overtiredness. To support her body clock and reduce the early starts, we introduced a more consistent nap routine and bedtime to avoid her becoming overtired. We also addressed the 5:00 AM feed, which had become a strong sleep association. With some gentle adjustments, her body no longer expected feeding at that early hour, allowing her to sleep in longer stretches.
✅ Nap Timing & Environment
Róisín’s second nap was happening too late in the day, making it harder for her to settle at night. We worked on aligning both naps with her natural sleep rhythms, while gradually shifting them into her cot. A consistent nap environment—dark, calm, and distraction-free—helped her transition into deeper sleep.
✅ Earlier Bedtime
Her bedtime was too late, especially given her short naps and the long time it took her to fall asleep. We brought bedtime forward and aimed for consistency. This helped her wind down more easily and start the night with the deep, restorative sleep she was missing.
✅ Feeding to Sleep & Night Feeds
Róisín had developed a strong feed-to-sleep association. We introduced gentle steps to separate feeding from falling asleep by moving feeds earlier in the bedtime routine and gradually phasing out night feeds. This reduced her reliance on feeding to resettle and allowed her to learn to drift off without it.
✅ Sleep Associations
She was relying heavily on her parents’ presence—rocking, patting, or even co-sleeping. We introduced a gradual process to help her settle in her cot while still feeling supported. We also reduced reliance on the soother by encouraging her to find it herself or, if her parents felt ready, phasing it out altogether.
The Outcome
Róisín is now sleeping beautifully. She goes down for naps in her cot, settles at bedtime without protest, and sleeps 11–12 hours overnight with little to no wake-ups. There’s no longer a need for feeds overnight or early morning re-settling. Most importantly, her parents feel confident and well-rested, and Róisín is getting the sleep her growing body and brain need.
✨ If you’re feeling stuck and sleep-deprived, just know that change is possible. Book a free 15-minute Sleep Assessment Call with me and let’s create a plan that works for your family.
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