From Sleepless Nights to Sweet Dreams: A Case Study.

As a certified baby and toddler sleep consultant and founder of Teach To Sleep, I've dedicated over 15 years to helping families navigate the challenges of infant sleep. Recently, I had the pleasure of working with Rachel Avery, Homes Editor at HELLO! Magazine, to assist her 16-month-old son in achieving restful nights.

Within a few weeks of working together, Rachel's son slept through the night for the first time EVER.

Here's how we did it

Understanding Individual Sleep Needs

Every child is unique, and so are their sleep patterns. In Rachel's case, her son exhibited signs of being a "low sleep need baby," meaning he required less sleep than average for his age. Recognizing and respecting these individual needs is crucial in developing effective sleep strategies.

The Power of a Single Nap

One significant change we implemented was transitioning her son to a single daytime nap. This adjustment helped consolidate his sleep, leading to longer and more restful nights. It's a testament to how minor tweaks can yield substantial improvements in a child's sleep quality.

Gentle, Responsive Techniques

My approach emphasizes gentle and responsive methods which means steering clear of the "cry it out" techniques. Instead we looked at introducing a comforting soft toy as well as having lots of role play around problem solving and self settling. Additionally, we looked at ensuring the bedroom was conducive to sleep by maintaining a room temperature between 16-20°C as recommended by The Lullaby Trust and having a pitch black room.

Empowering Parents

It's essential to remember that nighttime awakenings are a normal part of a child's development. My goal is to empower parents with knowledge and strategies tailored to their child's unique needs, fostering confidence and resilience in their parenting journey.

If you're facing challenges with your child's sleep, know that you're not alone; I speak to parents every day who have children from newborns to primary aged children who struggling with falling sleep, st.

If you are looking for personalised sleep support, we can work together, to create a plan which works for your family and means you can have restful nights again. Book a free discovery call today .