Whether you're in the thick of sleepless nights or just looking to create healthy sleep habits, these gentle, practical suggestions are designed to support both you and your little one.
Meet Sleep Consultant – Helena, a certified infant and child sleep consultant, and most importantly, a mum. Helena’s passion is helping families enjoy parenthood by removing the added stress of sleep deprivation. Her journey began when she experienced postnatal anxiety triggered by severe lack of sleep after her daughter was born. Reaching out to a sleep consultant was a turning point, and the positive impact it had inspired her to pursue the same path professionally. Helena truly understands how challenging those early months and years can be. Now, through her gentle, supportive methods, she helps families achieve better sleep while nurturing a secure attachment between parent and child.
In this blog, Helena shares her top four tips to help improve your baby’s sleep if their experiencing split nights.
1. Observe how your baby falls asleep
Why it matters: The way your baby falls asleep at bedtime often sets the pattern for how they manage waking during the night.
What to consider: Are they settling to sleep on their own, or do they rely on feeding, rocking, or being held?
What to do: Encouraging independent sleep skills at bedtime can be key to reducing frequent night wakings. Supporting your baby to learn how to drift off without sleep associations will often help them link their sleep cycles more easily.
2. Check for any signs of discomfort
Why it matters: Physical discomfort can lead to prolonged or frequent night wakings that aren’t soothed by usual settling techniques.
What to consider: Teething, reflux, tummy issues, eczema flare-ups, or a wet nappy could all be contributing to disturbed sleep.
What to do: Gently observe your baby for any signs of discomfort and address these needs first, as resolving the underlying cause often leads to more restful nights.
3. Align nap timings and bedtime
Why it matters: Daytime sleep and the timing of bedtime play a big role in how well your baby sleeps at night.
What to consider: Are naps too long or too late in the day? Is bedtime happening when your baby is overtired or not tired enough?
What to do: Review your baby's daily routine to ensure that wake windows, nap lengths, and bedtime are working in harmony. A well-timed bedtime can support better, consolidated sleep overnight.
4. Pause before responding to night waking's
Why it matters: Not all night waking's require intervention, sometimes babies are simply stirring or trying to resettle themselves.
What to consider: Is your baby crying intensely, or just fussing, babbling, or briefly waking between cycles?
What to do: Give them a moment to see if they can settle back to sleep independently. By pausing and observing first, you can avoid unnecessary disruptions and support the development of self-settling skills.
If you’re finding sleep a struggle, know that you’re not alone, and small changes can make a big difference. With Helena’s expert guidance and gentle approach, families can move towards more restful nights while maintaining a strong bond with their little ones. If you'd like personalised, one-to-one support on your sleep journey, head to this link to book a free discovery call, or feel free to have a look at her social channels @shushconsultancy.
