Hi, I’m Liadhán — a Child Sleep Consultant and Breathwork Coach (and mum of three). Through my work supporting families with sleeptraining and nervous system regulation, I often hear the same thing from parents:
“I’m exhausted.”
And yes — that’s completely expected during the early years when sleep is broken and babies wake frequently.
But what many mums notice (and often feel confused by) is that even when their children start sleeping better… the exhaustion doesn’t always disappear.
So whether your child sleeps well or not — or your kids are a bit older now — this is something I really want to talk about.
Part of the reason is obvious.
You’re looking after children.
You’re juggling routines.
You might be working outside the home.
You’re managing the logistics of family life.
But often what gets overlooked is something deeper:
The mental load.
The constant awareness.
The worry.
And hormones.
Even as my children got older and sleep improved, I noticed something else.
The exhaustion of life didn’t magically disappear.
There was still the mental load.
The juggling of kids, work, relationships.
For me, a husband who travelled a lot.
The constant decision-making.
I realised I felt constantly “on.”
Constant checking.
Constant questioning.
Constant responsibility.
Things I would have done easily before kids — like travelling or spontaneity — suddenly came with anxiety and worry.
And I remember thinking:
It’s not just me anymore.
I’m responsible for little humans I love more than anything.
Of course that changes how your brain works.
When you become a mum, your nervous system is designed to stay alert (Always on).
You need to:
Feed your baby
Respond to their needs
Protect them
Care for them
Your brain is constantly scanning for:
Needs
Sounds
Safety
Emotions
Routines
And this doesn’t stop when they sleep.
It continues as they grow — protecting them physically and emotionally.
But when you are constantly “on,” your body can interpret this as stress.
So cortisol — your main stress hormone — stays elevated.
Your nervous system shifts into a more alert, survival-mode state.
And that affects:
Mood
Patience
Mental clarity
Energy
Sleep quality
Overall wellbeing
So even if your child sleeps…
Your nervous system might not be.
This is where breathwork can be incredibly powerful.
As a breathwork teacher, I support parents and professionals using simple breathing techniques that help regulate the nervous system.
Your breath directly influences your nervous system — particularly something called the vagus nerve.
The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in the body.
It runs from the brainstem down through the neck, chest, and into the gut, connecting many major organs including the heart and lungs.
It’s a key part of the parasympathetic nervous system — often called the rest and digest system (the opposite of fight or flight).
When we breathe slowly and intentionally, we activate this calming system.
We move from:
Chaos → Calm
Stress → Regulation
Survival → Safety
Even a few minutes can make a difference.
And with regular practice, your body becomes better at finding calm during stressful moments.
Find a comfortable place to sit or lie down.
Close your eyes — or soften your gaze in front of you.
If it feels comfortable, place your hands on your tummy.
Now breathe:
In for a count of 3
Out for a count of 6
The exhale is the most important part — it’s twice as long as the inhale, almost like you’re gently blowing through a straw.
Try 6 slow breaths like this.
Then pause and notice how you feel.
This is often called the calming breath.
It helps move the body from a state of tension or overwhelm into a state of calm and regulation.
If you feel exhausted — even when your child sleeps — there is nothing wrong with you.
Your nervous system has been working hard for a long time.
And it deserves support too.
As both a child sleep consultant and breathwork coach, I often see that supporting sleep alone isn’t always enough — we also need to support the parent’s nervous system.
If you’d like help calming your nervous system, you can explore my free breathwork audios or learn more about how I work with parents through sleep and breathwork support.
✨ Free Breathwork Library
✨ Sleep & Breathwork Support Packages
✨ Events and workshops for parents
Because when parents feel calmer… everything feels more manageable.
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