The cold weather is most definitely here in the UK! With the cost of living high (along with energy prices) it is going to be a difficult time for many families. You might have to make difficult decisions between heating or eating which is why the Lullaby Trust published guidance last year with new winter guidance . t’s natural to want to keep your baby warm and cosy — but research shows that overheating is a key risk factor for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) .So, wh

As a gentle baby and toddler sleep consultant, I’m often asked about white noise for baby sleep . Parents want to know: is it safe, does it really help, and how can you use it without creating problems later on? The truth is, white noise can be a useful tool — but it’s not for everyone, and there are a few things to keep in mind. This guide will walk you through the benefits, the risks, what the research says, and how to use white noise safely if you choose to. What Is White

The UK clock change on Sunday 26th October 2025 can disrupt your baby’s sleep, especially if they’re an early riser. Learn gentle, effective ways to help your little one adjust when the clocks go back.

Struggling with baby and toddler sleep on holiday? Discover gentle, responsive tips to help your child sleep well while traveling.

Your baby’s sleep at 8–10 months might feel like a regression - but it’s actually a sign of progress. Here’s what’s going on and how to get through it.

Many people have difficulties with sleep at some point in their life but for those who have neurological and developmental disorders,...

Discover how certified toddler sleep consultant Sarah Patel from Teach To Sleep helped HELLO! Magazine’s Rachel Avery gently improve her 16-month-old’s sleep—with personalised, responsive support.

How to help your baby adjust to the clock change happening in the UK on Sunday 30th March 2025 When my two were younger, clock changes always caused me anxiety. I used to dread what it would mean for sleep and it always seemed to coincide with a period where we had just reached a period of relatively good sleep, so there was more at risk! The silver lining of when you are in a really tough sleep phase; it can’t get much worse . If you are in the UK, come the last Sunday of Ma

Christmas is such a magical time of year — but for parents, it can also bring a few challenges when it comes to baby sleep. Between the twinkly lights, the sugar highs (and lows), late nights, visitors, and disruptions to routine — it’s no surprise that many babies (and parents!) find sleep a little trickier during the festive season. But don’t worry — with a few gentle strategies, you can  enjoy the magic of Christmas while still protecting your little one’s sleep. Here’s ho

Many people assume that as an infant sleep consultant , I mainly help families with babies’ sleep. In reality, half of my work is with toddlers and older children . We often expect that as a child gets older, their sleep will get easier. But with age come new challenges: Transitioning from a crib to a bed Potty training Nightmares Realizing you sleep in a different room and wanting to join you One of the most common issues is toddlers getting out of bed every night . While th

We didn’t plan on having two children under two , but life had other plans! When my second baby arrived just 9 months after my first, it was a huge shock—especially as I had just returned to work. While it was challenging, I wouldn’t change a thing. Having two children so close in age has many advantages. My children, George and Ivy, are 18 months apart, and while they have the usual sibling arguments, they also share many interests—from books and music to TV programs and act

Many parents worry about the 4 month sleep regression  and how it will affect their baby’s sleep. Understanding what’s happening and how to respond can make this challenging phase much easier for both you and your baby. What is the 4 Month Sleep Regression? The 4 month sleep regression  is a normal developmental phase when a baby’s sleep cycles mature  and become more adult-like in structure. Some experts, like Lyndsey Hookway, refer to it as a sleep progression  rather than

Gentle Tips from a Holistic Sleep Consultant on how to help your baby or little one adjust to jet lag when you are travelling. Travelling with Your Baby? Here’s How to Help Your Baby Adjust To Jet Lag If you’re planning a trip with your baby, you might be wondering how to manage sleep when crossing time zones. Parents often ask me how to prepare their baby for jet lag — so here are my gentle, realistic tips  to help you all enjoy the journey and keep sleep on Should I Prepare

7 Gentle Tips to Make It Easier for Everyone Leaving your baby overnight for the first time Leaving your baby overnight for the first time can bring up all sorts of emotions — excitement, anxiety, guilt, and maybe even a little relief. It’s completely normal to feel mixed about it! Whether you’re away for work, a wedding, or a well-deserved night off, with a bit of planning and gentle preparation, both you and your baby can have a calm, positive experience. Here are my 7 top

Help! My Baby Is Taking Short Naps If your baby only naps for short periods, you’re not alone. Many parents worry that short naps are a sign of a sleep problem — but short baby naps are often completely normal . What Is a Short Nap? The definition of a short nap can vary. Some parents think of a 5–10 minute catnap, but typically, a short nap lasts 20–40 minutes , which is roughly one sleep cycle for a baby. These shorter naps are common, especially in younger babies whose sle

When my daughter Ivy was 3 and my son George was 18 months old, we decided to have them share a bedroom. Ivy had started saying she felt scared and lonely at night. After talking to both of them, they were excited about the idea, so we moved George’s cot into Ivy’s room. Three years later, they are still happily sharing a bedroom! Many parents worry that siblings sharing a room will lead to more night wakings  or bedtime battles. In our experience, the opposite happened — Ivy

As a baby and toddler sleep consultant, this is one of the questions I am most frequently asked. It’s easy to fall into the routine of one parent (often the breastfeeding parent) taking full responsibility for bedtime and night wakings. But if you’d like to share the load, it’s absolutely possible. Whether you’re preparing to go back to work, want more flexibility in the evenings, or simply need more rest, involving your partner in your baby’s sleep routine can make a big dif

Dropping a nap is a major milestone in your baby’s sleep journey . Once your baby starts showing consistent sleep patterns, it can feel nerve-wracking to reduce daytime naps—but transitioning to fewer naps can make outings easier and may even improve night time sleep . How Many Naps Should My Baby Be Having? There is no ideal age  for dropping naps—every baby is unique. Below is a rough guideline: Age Typical Number of Naps 4–6 months 3 naps per day 7–9 months 2–3 naps per da

By Jo Bates, Founder of Thumbsie Thumb sucking  can be a frustrating habit for parents to manage. It can feel impossible to stop — and over time, it can cause lasting effects on a child’s oral health and confidence. In the ten years since I founded Thumbsie® , I’ve spoken to countless parents who’ve tried everything to help their child stop thumb sucking . From gentle encouragement to creative reward systems — I’ve heard it all. So what really works? Let’s look at why thumb

As a holistic sleep consultant  who has regularly attended training with the Baby Sleep Information Source (BASIS) , I was delighted to see the NHS update its guidance on bedsharing  in March 2023 . For years, NHS advice around co-sleeping and bedsharing was clear-cut: “Never bedshare.”  However, the latest update now reflects the NICE guidance  (originally published in 2014) — bringing UK recommendations more in line with the latest evidence on safe infant sleep . This is a