Why is there so much judgement around sleep training?

As I scroll through social media these days, I see a lot of pressure and unintentional judgement around how people choose to parent. Mums reach out for advice when they need help, only to be shut down and told it’s normal. Constructive advice is often shut down because someone doesn’t agree with your thoughts. It seems to be a chain of pressure down the lines of motherhood, of Chinese whispers declaring it will damage your attachment if you want to work on your child's sleep.

It baffles me because, in 2023, when maternal mental health is becoming more talked about and there is less stigma around seeking help, we still seem to be shutting down a large portion of women who are saying that they are not OK! So as someone who works with many different types of parents from all different backgrounds, I just wanted to clear a few things up.

• Wanting your child to sleep more and seeking support to get it is completely valid and understandable. Sleep deprivation is torturous and you shouldn’t have to suffer through, especially if your mental health is suffering

• Sleep training does not equal leaving your baby to cry! You can work on sleep without compromising your ethics as a mother. Your babies' attachment to you will not be damaged when working on their sleep

• While sleep will come to all babies eventually, no matter what, the quality of that sleep will always be better if they are taught how to self-settle and connect cycles. Just as we teach our babies to breastfeed effectively, and they need to learn to wean onto solids slowly, the skills of sleep can taught. We need to stop the judgement around this!

Moral of the story? Let us celebrate each other's parenting wins and support each other when we are down. Not by telling someone that they don’t need what they are asking for, but by lending an ear and listening to them. Mum life is tough in this modern world of social media and constant societal pressure. But if we band together as a community, then I know we would be so much stronger for it!

We all have our limits and it's important to understand that someone reaching out for help is usually at the end of theirs. As always, please reach out if you would like any more clarity around this topic.

Sarah xx

Sleep: A biological necessity

Sleep, just like eating, drinking water, and breathing is a biological function we NEED to survive. When our little ones come along and sleep goes out the window, it can leave us feeling pretty awful.

The United Nations (CAT), considers prolonged sleep deprivation a form of torture. And us Mums (and Dads) are trying to function for months, if not years without consistent sleep!

Sleep isn't just about rest. It is a time when our body repairs, our hormones regulate and new cells grow. Science states that adults who get 8 hours of sleep in:

• Get sick less often

• Have a lower risk of getting serious health problems

• Can concentrate more

• Find it easier to learn

These are just a few reasons why sleep is so important. Not just for us Mums and Dads, but for our kids too!

Don't feel overwhelmed or like getting more sleep is an impossible task. Getting more sleep can be a gentle process that we work on over time. If you are interested in finding out how you can improve your family's sleep, reach out today!

Swaddling for better sleep

Let’s talk about swaddling and why it is so important during the early months of your baby’s life! All babies are born with several normal newborn reflexes. Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex, is one of these primitive reflex responses intended to keep a baby safe. Have you noticed your baby suddenly startle while sleeping before? This is the Moro reflex at work! The baby will experience a sensation of free-falling, where the baby reacts by lifting and stretching their arms. It often ends in the baby crying and/or waking.

We can EASILY prevent your baby from startling by swaddling them for sleep!

Over the years I have had many parents tell me, ‘My baby doesn’t like their swaddle’ or ‘They fought it so much I stopped doing it because they were always getting out’. There are lots of reasons why parents stop swaddling early. But education is power when it comes to little ones!

Here are some swaddling facts:

• Babies generally don’t grow out of their startle until around 4-6 months

• Swaddling helps simulate the security they felt in the womb (they squirm and move the same way they did in your belly; they just have the freedom to break out now)

• Swaddling helps to reduce overall crying and helps to calm babies’ nervous system

• Swaddling can help to extend sleep both overnight and for naps

• Babies with Colic, reflux, and other painful conditions are the ones who benefit from swaddling the most. They also generally will be the ones who take the longest to grow out of their startle!

• Some babies are less likely to startle and will grow out of this reflex quickly

• Babies should be swaddled firmly around their chest/arms and loosely from the waist down to protect their hip position (think froggy legs, not straight down)

• A baby who can roll easily from back to belly shouldn’t be swaddled

There are so many swaddling options out there. My personal favourite is always the classic muslin wrap! So, keep wrapping your little baby burritos for the best sleep possible!

A Beautiful Review

I recently received the most beautiful review from a family I had been supporting as a Night Nanny. This gorgeous family had brand new twin boys and needed someone to help them overnight while they adjusted to life as a family of four

5 nights a week, over the period of three months, I built such a special bond with both parents and babies. One that I will always cherish and hold dear to me. To spend these early months in someone's home is a true privilege and something I still have to pinch myself that I am lucky enough to call my career!

When hiring a Night Nanny, you aren't just getting the sleep that you need. But you are also getting someone to help you establish healthy sleep habits for your baby! You will get on-hand support and advice from me on everything baby related to help you really enjoy those early months with your new little one/s!

To say I love my job is an understatement! Supporting families is what I was born to do ❤

Do you know someone who needs the support of a Night Nanny? Share or reach out today to see how I can help your family thrive! 🌿

“Sarah is phenomenal and I cannot recommend her highly enough. From the moment she stepped into our home and took one of our twin boys into her arms, we knew that we and our boys were in very good hands. Sarah joined our family when our twins were 2 weeks old and worked with us for 3 months as a night nurse.

As a new mum, I was naturally nervous and was just hopeful that Sarah could help me overnight with the boys so that I could get some rest to tackle the days on my own. But we got so much more. Not only did Sarah look after the boys overnight (feeding, settling etc), she provided us with so much advice and guidance around everything to do with the boys including their routines, feeding, developmental issues, and literally ANYTHING to do with parenting. Her knowledge of all things baby and children is exceptional.

Sarah was so kind, gentle, caring, and nurturing both towards us and the boys and even though we only had her assist us for 3 months, she feels like a member of our family and someone we will forever cherish.

Sarah is a real professional, was a delight to have in our home, and built a fantastic bond with us and our boys. Sarah clearly loves her job and is passionate about caring for babies and children. She is loving and caring and having Sarah made life so much easier at what can be an overwhelming time. We miss her every day. It was truly a pleasure to have her look after our boys at the start of their lives. We are lucky to have met Sarah and believe that any family would be lucky to have her.”

Amity, Ipswich