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 acti

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

If you're planning a trip with your baby, you might be wondering how to manage baby jet lag 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 track. Should I Prepare My Baby for Jet Lag in Advance? The answer depends on your baby's age and temperament. For babies under 6 months: You don't need to spend time preparing in advance. Their circadian rhythm

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

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 an incred