As a Child Sleep Consultant and mum of three, I know how tricky baby naps can be—especially when you’re not at home.
So many parents tell me, “My baby only takes short naps,” or “They’ll only nap in the buggy.”
Between school runs, errands, and busy weekends, life doesn’t always pause for nap time—and that’s completely normal.
While cot naps are ideal for the most restorative sleep, flexibility is essential. That’s why I designed the CulaBaby Sleep Shade — to make naps on the go calmer, darker, and more consistent, so your baby can rest no matter where the day takes you.
Creating a dark sleep environment is one of the simplest, most effective ways to improve your baby’s naps.
Darkness tells the brain to release melatonin, the hormone that helps your baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
When there’s too much light — from sunlight, busy rooms, or even passing distractions — melatonin production drops, leading to:
At home, blackout curtains or blinds work wonders.
But when you’re out and about, you still need a way to help your baby nap in the buggy, pram, or stroller — and that’s exactly where the CulaBaby Sleep Shade helps.
The CulaBaby Sleep Shade isn’t just a cover — it’s a practical, parent-designed sleep tool that creates calm, dark, and safe nap spaces anywhere.
Here’s why families love it:
🖤 Helps babies nap longer — darkness reduces overstimulation, turning short naps into longer, more restorative rest.
🌬️ Fully breathable and safe — the polyester mesh fabric allows full airflow, giving you peace of mind.
☀️ UV protection — shields your baby from sun and glare during outdoor naps.
✨ Reduces distractions — blocks the world out so your baby can settle easily in the buggy or pram.
🚶 Fits most prams and strollers — perfect for holidays, walks, or those unpredictable days when naps happen on the move.
When your baby naps better, everything feels easier.
No more worrying about short naps in the buggy, no more overtired meltdowns before bedtime.
The CulaBaby Sleep Shade helps your baby relax and rest — which means you can enjoy calmer outings and smoother evenings.
Parents tell me they love how it:
Life with a baby is busy and unpredictable, but their sleep doesn’t have to suffer.
By creating a dark, peaceful nap environment, even on the go, you’re supporting healthy sleep habits and helping your baby (and you!) feel more rested.
That’s why I designed the CulaBaby Sleep Shade — to make naps easier, safer, and calmer anywhere.
Because better naps during the day lead to better nights for everyone. 🌙
CulaBaby Products
CulaBaby Sleep Shade, CulaBaby Silk Pillowcase, CulaBaby Silk Scrunchies
Popular Articles
Toddler Sleep Challenges: Overcome Early Rising, Night Wakings & More
Why Does My Baby Wake Early? Tips to Stop Early Rising and Improve Sleep
Is your Baby Taking Short Naps or won’t sleep in Creche or Daycare
Choose the perfect package to help your child sleep better with our child sleep consultancy packages
2 Week Support Package 4 Week Support Package 60 Minute Guidance Call
The Problem
When Isabel’s parents first contacted me as a Child Sleep Consultant in Ireland , they were at breaking point. Their 15-month-old was waking as early as 5:00 AM and only returned to sleep with a feed. Daytime naps were short and inconsistent, usually happening in the buggy or after being rocked or walked in their arms before being carefully transferred into the cot. Nights were no better — Isabel often ended up in bed with her parents and relied completely on feeding to fall back asleep each time she woke. Everyone was exhausted, and her parents were desperate for change.
Through my 2-week support package, we worked together to create a personalised sleep training plan that targeted Isabel’s specific challenges:
The results were life-changing. Isabel now sleeps 11–12 hours overnight with little to no wake-ups. She has dropped her night feeds, no longer relies on rocking or feeding to settle, and enjoys longer, more restorative naps during the day. Most importantly, her parents feel confident, calm, and finally well-rested. What once felt impossible has become their new normal.
If you’re feeling stuck in the same cycle of exhaustion, 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.
👉 Book Your Free Call Here
Popular Articles
Toddler Sleep Challenges: Overcome Early Rising, Night Wakings & More
Why Does My Baby Wake Early? Tips to Stop Early Rising and Improve Sleep
CulaBaby Products
CulaBaby Sleep Shade, CulaBaby Silk Pillowcase, CulaBaby Silk Scrunchies
Choose the perfect package to help your child sleep better with our child sleep consultancy packages
2 Week Support Package 4 Week Support Package 60 Minute Guidance Call
As an Infant Child Sleep Consultant and mum of three, I know firsthand that naps don’t always happen at home in a crib or cot. Babies—especially young ones—need frequent naps, and life doesn’t always pause to accommodate them. Whether it’s the school run, family holidays, or simply running errands, managing your baby’s nap schedule while on the move can feel overwhelming.
While I’ll always recommend cot naps for the most restorative sleep, flexibility is sometimes necessary. That’s where the CulaBaby Sleep Shade comes in—a tool I designed to make naps on the go calmer, safer, and more consistent.
Creating a dark environment is one of the most powerful ways to support your baby’s sleep. Darkness signals the brain to release melatonin, the sleep hormone that helps your little one fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
On the other hand, light—whether it’s sunlight, bright rooms, or even screens—can suppress melatonin production. This makes it harder for babies to settle, often leading to shorter naps, more night wakings, and disrupted sleep overall.
At home, blackout curtains or shades can help create the right environment. But when you’re out and about, you still need a way to give your baby that same cozy darkness—and that’s exactly why I created the CulaBaby Sleep Shade.
The CulaBaby Sleep Shade is more than just a pram cover—it’s a sleep tool designed with parents and babies in mind. Here’s why it’s a must for naps on the go:
When babies nap better, the whole family benefits as sleep aid sleep and the more sleep a baby gets during the day the better they will sleep at night. By using the CulaBaby Sleep Shade, you’re not just helping your child fall asleep—you’re helping them get the deep, restorative sleep that supports growth, development, and mood.
For parents, that means less stress around nap schedules, more consistency when out and about, and the reassurance that you’re protecting your baby’s sleep and wellbeing wherever you go.
Life is busy and unpredictable, but your baby’s sleep doesn’t have to suffer because of it. By prioritising a dark, safe sleep environment—even on the go—you’re giving your baby the gift of better naps and healthier sleep habits.
That’s why I designed the CulaBaby Sleep Shade: to make parenting just a little bit easier, and to help babies sleep better anywhere.
This type of breathing can be a game-changer—especially during tantrums, bedtime battles, nap refusals, or those long nights when your baby or toddler just won’t settle.
If you’re deep in the trenches of sleepless nights, nap strikes, or toddler meltdowns, I see you. As a mum of three and an Advanced Breathwork Teacher, I’ve been there too—running on empty, emotionally drained, and desperate for a moment of calm.
That’s where the breath comes in.
This isn’t just about slowing down—it’s about resetting your nervous system. Often as parents, particularly mums, we are always on and our body interprets this has stress and releases cortisol, our stress hormone. So one of the most effective ways to bring our cortisol down is through vagus nerve breathing and it's all backed by science.
Here’s how to do it:
Inhale gently and deeply through your nose for a count of 3
Exhale slowly and completely through your mouth for a count of 6
Keep your attention on that long, steady exhale
Repeat for just 2–3 minutes whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed
This kind of intentional breathing stimulates the vagus nerve, the communication highway between your brain and body, and helps switch your nervous system from “fight or flight” to “rest and digest.”
As someone who supports parents daily with sleep struggles, I’ve seen how often anxiety and overwhelm show up alongside disrupted sleep. That goes for both parents and their little ones.
When we’re stressed, our cortisol levels spike, our breath becomes shallow, and our bodies remain on high alert—even when we’re trying to sleep or help our children settle.
Intentional breathwork changes that. It grounds you. It soothes and calms your nervous system. And more importantly—it helps you show up more calmly and confidently in those moments when your child needs you most.
Because remember: your baby can feel how you feel.
When you show up calm, they’re far more likely to feel safe and relaxed too.
The next time your baby or toddler won’t settle, or you feel that wave of stress rising before bedtime or a tantrum—pause.
Just 2 minutes.
Focus on your breath.
Breathe in for 3… out for 6…
And notice what shifts.
This is just one of the many tools I share with families inside my 1:1 sleep support packages and my new breathwork sessions. And it’s one that’s free, powerful, and always available.
Want to try more techniques like this?
Let’s book a free 15-minute Sleep Assessment Call
Book a Free 15-Minute Sleep Assessment Call
Choose the perfect package to help your child sleep better with our child sleep consultancy packages
2 Week Support Package 4 Week Support Package 60 Minute Guidance Call
When 10 month old Luca’s parents first reached out to me as an Infant & Child Sleep Consultant Luca was extremely overtired He was taking a long time to fall asleep at bedtime, relying on feeding to sleep, holding, and being transferred—and then waking multiple times overnight for soother reinserts, feeds, and often ending up in bed with his parents causing them not to get much sleep. His mornings were starting as early as 5am, usually with a feed to help him get back to sleep.
Fast forward to now—and what a transformation he has made. Luca is now settling easily at bedtime, falling asleep within minutes, and sleeping through the night for up to 11–12 hours. His parents didn’t believe this could happen.
The Plan
Luca’s parents chose my 2-week support package. After a one-hour consultation and a detailed review of their intake form, we created a personalised sleep plan, with ongoing support and guidance throughout the process.
Early Rising
Luca had a pattern of waking around 5–6 AM and struggling to go back to sleep unless he was fed. We addressed this by improving nap quality, a more appropriate bedtime, and reducing interaction during early wakings to avoid reinforcing the habit.
Nap Timing & Environment
Luca’s second nap was often too late and too short, which added to overtiredness. We aligned nap timings with his natural sleep rhythms and supported a move away from buggy naps to a darker, calmer cot environment for more restorative rest.
Earlier Bedtime
His bedtime was too late for his age and nap pattern. We introduced an earlier bedtime, depending on his last nap, to reduce overtiredness and support better overnight sleep.
Feeding to Sleep & Night Feeds
Luca had a strong feed-to-sleep association. We moved feeds earlier in his routine and gradually reduced overnight bottles. This helped separate feeding from falling asleep and allowed his body to adapt to sleeping longer stretches without milk.
Sleep Associations
Luca relied on rocking, co-sleeping, or being held to fall asleep. We worked on placing him in the cot drowsy but awake to help him build self-settling skills. We also limited soother use to bedtime only, encouraging him to find it himself or transition away from it over time.
The Outcome
Fast forward to now—and what a transformation! Luca is now settling easily at bedtime, falling asleep within minutes, and sleeping through the night for up to 11–12 hours. His parents didn’t believe this could happen.
Not sure where to start with your little one’s sleep?
My downloadable sleep guides are packed with real-life solutions that work.
Choose the one that suits your stage:
👶 Newborn Sleep Guide – Understand your baby’s rhythm from day one
🧒 Toddler Sleep Guide – Set clear boundaries and tackle bedtime battles
🛌 CulaBaby’s Self-Soothing Plan: 6 Evidence-Based Sleep Tools That Work
These are the exact strategies I use with 1:1 clients—and they’ve helped hundreds of families get the rest they need. Only 36.99 Euro
Or you can book a Free 15-minute Sleep Assessment Call with me and let’s create a plan that works for your family.
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.
Being a parent is beautiful—but it’s also a lot.
There are moments of joy, connection, and wonder... but also stress, overstimulation, and mental overload. If you’ve ever felt frazzled by the endless to-do list or on edge from the sheer noise and chaos of the day, you’re not alone. And you're not without tools.
One of my go-to tools, especially on the tougher days, is a breathwork practice called Coherent Breathing—also known as The Healing Breath.
It’s a gentle and accessible practice where your inhale and exhale are the same length, typically around 6 seconds each, so breathing in for 6 seconds and then out for 6 seconds. Or how I like to do it in my head is, in 2, 3, 4 and then exhaling out for 2,3 and 4. This rhythm helps regulate your nervous system, reduce anxiety, balance your emotions, and create a sense of grounded calm.
It’s especially helpful for:
Managing the stress of solo bedtimes or toddler tantrums
Calming your own system when your child is upset
Creating a peaceful moment for yourself in a busy day
Even just 2–3 minutes of this breathwork can have an incredible impact.
In my video, I guide you through this technique while sitting by the sea. On some days, the sea is wild and fast-moving—just like life with kids. But beyond the crashing waves, if you pause and look, there’s always a calm horizon. That’s the feeling this breathwork helps you return to.
Watch the video here https://youtu.be/gITEqjz6B3M
You don’t need silence. You don’t need to “do it perfectly.” You just need your breath—and a few moments to tune in.
💛 If this resonates, check out the Breathwork on my Instgram @Culababysleep and soon on my website for more videos and tips.
📞 Or book a free 15-minute Sleep & Breathwork Assessment Call if you'd like tailored support.
Is your toddler suddenly needing you to lie with them to fall asleep or waking through the night to crawl into your bed? Or maybe your baby always did this. It’s not a problem… unless it’s a problem for you.
There’s a lot of noise on Instagram right now about how “this is normal,” how toddlers need connection and comfort—and yes, I wholeheartedly agree. But here’s the thing: sometimes lying with your toddler at bedtime or all night just isn’t realistic. Especially if you have more than one child or you're parenting solo at bedtime.
If your toddler is keeping you up, tossing and turning, or waking multiple times a night—leaving you running on fumes the next day—it’s okay to say: this isn’t working for me. You deserve sleep too. You cannot pour from an empty cup.
I work with many exhausted parents who feel stuck in this cycle. My role is to support, guide, and educate you on what’s really going on at this age—and how your toddler can learn to fall asleep independently without losing that loving, connected bedtime routine.
👉 Download my Toddler Sleep Guide to understand why this sudden sleep shift is happening and how to gently turn things around.
OR
👉 Book a 15-minute Sleep Assessment Call here (No Cost Involved) and let’s chat about what’s going on and how I can help you reclaim your evenings and nights.
Choose the perfect package to help your child sleep better with our child sleep consultancy packages
2 Week Support Package 4 Week Support Package 60 Minute Guidance Call
The Situation
When Freya’s parents first got in touch with me as an Infant & Child Sleep Consultant , sleep had become a real challenge. Freya, their fourth child, had always needed motion—rocking or car journeys—to fall to sleep, and her nights were fragmented with frequent wakings. Most evenings the drove around at bedtime to get her to sleep, then would place her in her cot, but she would often wake up and end up in bed with her parents. They were exhausted, and understandably so.
Freya was only able to nap in the car or buggy, and while she sometimes managed 1 to 1.5 hours, the quality of her sleep was light and broken. Her bedtime was quite late, and it often took a long time for her to settle. Between the over tiredness and the strong sleep associations, everyone was running on empty.
I’m thrilled to say Freya is now sleeping amazingly well. She takes long naps in her own cot and settles at bedtime with little or no crying.
The Plan
Freya’s parents chose my 2 week support package. I kicked off by analysing the intake form Freya’s parents filled out and we had our 1-hour in-depth consultation call. After the call, I put together a personalised plan focusing on the following key areas. I was there to guide them and check in with regular support and reassurance over the two weeks.
Naps
Freya’s nap timing was a bit off, but the big issue was the where. Naps everyday in the car or buggy meant light, fragmented sleep. We aimed to shift her naps to her cot, in a dark, distraction-free room. Creating a consistent nap space helps babies fall into deeper, more restorative sleep—and we wanted her nap to stretch closer to 2 hours to support her night sleep.
Bedtime & Overtiredness
Freya’s bedtime was happening far too late for her age especially as she would wake from her nap by 1pm and bedtime would’t be until after 8pm .This late bedtime led to her becoming overtired, and struggling to settle—which also triggered night wakings. We brought bedtime forward and made sure it was consistent, helping her body clock reset and her sleep become more predictable.
Sleep Associations
Freya had developed strong associations with needing someone—or something—to get to sleep: car rides, rocking, or her parents beside her. We wanted to help her learn that she could fall asleep on her own, so we introduced a gentle plan to build her confidence and skills gradually. We also made a small tweak to how her soother was used: allowing her to have it for naps and bedtime, but without constant re-plugging, so she could start to manage it independently.
The Outcome
I’m thrilled to say Freya is now sleeping beautifully. She takes long naps in her own cot and settles at bedtime with little or no crying. Most nights, she’s sleeping a solid 11–12 hours overnight. There were a few bumps along the way —especially when she wasn’t feeling well —but even through those disruptions, the foundations we laid helped her bounce back quickly.
Freya is a brilliant example of how consistency, the right environment, and gentle tweaks can turn sleep around. Her parents now have their evenings back and, most importantly, Freya is getting the restful sleep her little body needs
✨ If you're struggling with your toddler’s sleep and feel like nothing is working, let’s chat. Book a free 15-minute Sleep Assessment Call with me and let’s create a plan that works for your family.
Popular Articles
Toddler Sleep Challenges: Overcome Early Rising, Night Wakings & More
Why Does My Baby Wake Early? Tips to Stop Early Rising and Improve Sleep
Is your Baby Taking Short Naps or won’t sleep in Creche or Daycare
CulaBaby Products
CulaBaby Sleep Shade, CulaBaby Silk Pillowcase, CulaBaby Silk Scrunchies
Choose the perfect package to help your child sleep better with our child sleep consultancy packages
2 Week Support Package 4 Week Support Package 60 Minute Guidance Call
As parents, it’s easy to feel like we’re always running on empty — especially during those tough sleep phases, baby crying endlessly, bedtime battles, toddler tantrums, or middle-of-the-night wake-ups. That’s why I wanted to share something a little different today — something just for you.
✨ A quick, grounding restorative breathing practice you can do anytime.
Whether you're in the thick of sleep training with your baby, managing toddler bedtime battles, or simply feeling overstimulated and touched out, this short practice is designed to help bring your nervous system back into balance and help you feel calm .
This is how we were built to breathe.We were born breathing this way.
If you’ve ever watched a baby sleep, you’ll notice their belly rising and falling gently. That’s natural, restorative breathing — and it’s exactly what we return to in this 2-minute video.
When we slow our breath and bring awareness to the body, we:
🌬️ Calm the nervous system
🧠 Reduce feelings of stress and overwhelm
🌿 Ground ourselves emotionally and physically
💤 Regulate our energy before naps, bedtime, or during long nights
And the best part?
There’s no equipment, no pressure — just you and your breath. Five gentle belly breaths. That’s it.
🎥 [Click here to watch the 2-minute Restorative Breathing video]
(Save it and come back to it whenever you need a pause.)
As a Certified Child Sleep Consultant and Breathwork Teacher, I’ve seen firsthand how breathwork can transform how we show up as parents. When we’re calm and regulated, it’s easier to help our babies and toddlers feel calm too.
Breathing deeply reminds us that we don’t have to rush. That we can soften. That we can respond instead of react.
Whether you’re trying to create a calmer bedtime routine, reduce your own stress, or model emotional regulation for your child, breathwork is a powerful tool.
If you'd like to learn more about breathwork for parents, how to integrate it into your day, or how it supports healthy sleep for your little one, I’d love to connect.
💛 Send me a DM or book a free discovery call on my wesbite— I’m always here to support you.
Take a deep breath — you’ve got this.
When Anna’s parents first contacted me as an Infant & Child Sleep Consultant, Anna had been experiencing disrupted sleep for several months, which had built up to a noticeable sleep debt. Although she was going to bed calmly and settling to sleep fairly easily, she was waking frequently during the night. These night wakings often left her overtired and unsettled—fussy and unsure of what she needed. To help her drift back off, her parents were offering a bottle or using soothing methods like holding or patting before transferring her back to the cot.
Fast forward to now—Anna is no longer taking a bottle during the night and is resettling herself independently. While she’s still taking a little time to settle at bedtime, she’s doing so happily—chatting to herself and eventually nodding off without needing support. So what did we do:
The Plan
Anna’s parents chose my 2 week support package. I kicked off by analysing the intake form Anna’s parents filled out and we had our 1-hour in-depth consultation call. After the call, I put together a personalised plan focusing on the following key areas. I was there to guide them and check in with regular support and reassurance over the two weeks.
Establishing an Age-Appropriate Schedule and Sleep Cues
To help regulate Anna’s body clock and improve her sleep quality, we set a consistent wake-up.
We looked at her nap timing and noticed it was falling a little too early. Since toddlers have natural sleepy windows we gradually shifted her nap to align with her biological rhythms. This helped promote deeper, more restorative sleep.
At the start if Anna woke unusually early (before 6:00 AM), we allowed a short morning catnap to help her make it through to her lunchtime nap without becoming overtired.
Bringing Bedtime Forward and Creating a Calming Routine
We moved Anna’s bedtime earlier, especially on days where she took a shorter nap or woke from her nap before 2:00 PM. At this age, toddlers can typically manage only 4 hours of awake time after a nap before needing sleep again.
We also refined her bedtime routine to be calm and predictable, lasting no more than 30 minutes and ideally taking place in her bedroom.
Breaking the Feed-to-Sleep Habit
To break this habit, we:
Moved her final bottle to 20–30 minutes before bedtime, given outside the bedroom
Encouraged her to fall asleep independently without feeding
Gradually reduced the amount of milk offered during night wakings until it was phased out completely
Encouraging Independent Sleep
Anna relied on her parents to help her fall asleep—whether through rocking, patting, or transferring her already-asleep into the cot. While this worked initially, it was causing repeated wakings overnight when she couldn’t replicate those same conditions herself.
We gently introduced self-soothing strategies, placing her in the cot drowsy but awake, and offered consistent support to help her learn to settle without needing hands-on help each time.
The Outcome
Fast forward to now—Anna is no longer taking a bottle during the night and is resettling herself independently. While she’s still taking a little time to settle at bedtime, she’s doing so happily—chatting to herself and eventually nodding off without needing support.
This case study highlights the importance of an age-appropriate nap and bedtime routine, the impact of avoiding overtiredness, and how breaking sleep associations gently can support your little one’s independent sleep skills.
✨ If you're struggling with your toddler’s sleep and feel like nothing is working, let’s chat. Book a free 15-minute Sleep Assessment Call with me and let’s create a plan that works for your family.
Popular Articles
Toddler Sleep Challenges: Overcome Early Rising, Night Wakings & More
Why Does My Baby Wake Early? Tips to Stop Early Rising and Improve Sleep
CulaBaby Products
CulaBaby Sleep Shade, CulaBaby Silk Pillowcase, CulaBaby Silk Scrunchies
Choose the perfect package to help your child sleep better with our child sleep consultancy packages
2 Week Support Package 4 Week Support Package 60 Minute Guidance Call
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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Regression? No, They’re Progressions. How Developmental Milestones Can Affect Sleep.
CulaBaby Products
CulaBaby Sleep Shade, CulaBaby Silk Pillowcase, CulaBaby Silk Scrunchies
Choose the perfect package to help your child sleep better with our child sleep consultancy packages
2 Week Support Package 4 Week Support Package 60 Minute Guidance Call
