Regression or progression? If you have been following me for a while you will know I like to refer to these regressions as “PROGRESSIONS”, because simply it is a positive sign of development!

So, you have survived this first year of parenting and reached this awesome milestone your - child’s first birthday! Maybe you will celebrate with a cake smash photo shoot or perhaps invite all the family over but you may also be planning this celebration in a fuzzy haze of sleep deprivation….
Why?

​Well this millstone can also be met with yet another sleep “progression”. Don’t worry, it to shall pass and you will be onto something else (!) but let’s explore what this sleep “progression” is really all about and how you can navigate your way through it with confidence and ease. 

SO FIRST OFF, WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?
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It’s important to know that this is COMPLETELY normal, an expected developmental progression. It is a sign your child is developing “normally”.
At 12 months your child will be going through a LOT of new experiences. They may be pulling themselves up on the furniture, starting to walk, speech development is coming along and their food intake will be increasing. This is all very exciting for your baby and their busy little brain will be processing it all – at night time!

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS?

• Refusal of naps, more often the first nap of the day
• Waking early from a nap/cat napping
• Increase in waking’s during the night
• Fussy and hard to calm and console back to sleep
• Resisting/unsettled bedtime

 
HOW LONG WILL THIS LAST?
As with all sleep “progressions” it should only last about 2 weeks. However all babies develop at different rates and you may find it is shorter or longer. If you notice symptoms lasting longer than 3 weeks it may be worth doing a little trouble shooting.

• Has anything changed in your baby’s world recently, perhaps a house move, started nursery
• Could they be ill – it may be worth speaking to your GP to have a check-up.
• Speak to your health visitor and arrange your child’s 12 month review
• Consider sleep training

WHAT TO DO TO NAVIGATE YOUR WAY THROUGH THIS…

• It is super important to ensure you do not introduce any “unwanted” sleep habits or re-introduce old ones such as bed sharing, offering extra feeds (unless you are sure your child is hungry), start rocking or hugging back to sleep. Of course if you are happy to do these things then of course, go for it, but do bear in mind it may set you back in the sleep training department and you could start embedding new habits.

• Be super consistent with your daily routine and bedtime routine. Do not be tempted to drop down to one nap too early, this can cause even more night waking’s and disturbance’s.

• Ensure your response is consistent every time, not to over stimulating, take away any potential barriers that could be inhibiting your little ones sleep such as external noise (close the window/ use white noise), ensure the room is pitch dark, remove toys and mobiles from the cot.

• Fill up your little ones love tank during the day with lots of cuddle time, eye to eye contact.

• Have a calm bath and bedtime routine.

• Support your child back to sleep with a loving response method you find comfortable to implement and that suits your child’s temperament. Continue with a dark room and white noise on.

• It is key to be extremely consistent and preserver. You may feel theses 2 or so  weeks are never ending but with your consistency, perseverance and love you will find just maybe the next night your little baba sleeps all the way through the night!

 
As always, please share this blog with a tired family you know out there. It may just shed some light on their parenting and sleep journey!
If you would like some help and support to navigate your way through this sleep “progression” feel free to get in touch and we can set you up with a free discovery call to see how the best way for me to help you is!

www.rachaelwilsonsleepconsultant.com

Happy sleeping!
Rachael
X
Your Paediatric Sleep Consultant
 

In this article today I will be talking about the impact sleep deprivation can have on a new family and how this can effect mental health and your return to work.

I have some top tips on how to make these transitions easier for you and some links to excellent support sources that you may find helpful
 
When you are expecting your baby we are often filled with emotions of sheer joy and excitement followed by a wow...ok…this is going to be life changing, a little scary but awesome life changing! The months of pregnancy pass by and boom, a little bundle of love is born and this new world of parenting has arrived. 
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​To celebrate world wide bubble bath day I thought I would take this opportunity to write a about the importance of bath time, how we can make it fun for those a little scared and also some safety tips for us nervous first time mums!

This week I was lucky enough to have the awesome and super energetic Missy Yandow from Slumber and Bloom to be a guest blogger on my website and answering your questions on my Instagram. If you missed it jump over to my Potty Training highlights and you will see her top tips and questions answered

Now read on to learn about getting started with potty training!
 

​Sleep training is very much a hot topic. There is one side of the fence for it and the other side of the fence against it.

So in this blog I am going to discuss this and help you understand more about sleep training and you will see why I am obviously on the side of the fence for it asides for having a passion to help families around the world be well rested and sleep productively!.

Sleep shaping as I like to call it, is effectively training.

You will be the one teaching your child a new skill, just like riding a bike, learning to swim or drive a car, you are teaching them a new life long skill. Learning to fall asleep independently is a learned skill and many do not know or even believe this.
 
WHAT SLEEP SHAPING IS NOT?

Sleep shaping is not leaving your child to cry endless hours until they fall asleep. It is not depriving them of love, comfort and care from you. It is not cruel or unkind.

In fact…it is one of the most awesome lifelong skills you will teach your child to do and one you and the rest of your family will also benefit from immensely.

It is in no way traumatic to sleep train, it is kind, responsive and I always take a loving approach where your child will never be left to cry all night long and you can still achieve those sleep goals you dream of and need.
 
SO, WHAT DOES SLEEP SHAPING LOOK LIKE TO YOU?

Perhaps being stuck in your house endless hours consoling a crying baby, fighting with your toddler to just go to bed after 3 hours of to and fro, perhaps it is disagreeing with your husband on how to approach the night waking’s and what your child needs.

All these things a sleep consultant can help you with. We give you advice and guidance on sleep expectations appropriate to your child’s age and stage of development. We can give you the tools to implement within your family lifestyle to achieve your sleep goals. We walk you through it all and are there every step of the way as per your sleep package you choose to support and keep you on the right track and focused! That is not nonsense...is it? I don't think so!

Maybe you do have a unicorn baby or toddler that does sleep the moment their head touches the mattress, perhaps you have to wake them up for nursery every morning or they will sleep till lunch time and you feel sleep shaping is just a load or rubbish. That’s OK. You are absolutely are entitled to think this, however if you are reading this you may feel differently, are thinking about getting some help in or indeed are sitting on the fence...
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Some people do not buy into the concept of sleep shaping because they feel it is cruel and unkind, they feel their child’s needs are not going to be met. But what if I told you that for the benefit of your child’s health, cognitive development, learning abilities, your mental and emotional health your personal relationship and social interactions can all benefit greatly for being able to have a child that sleeps well day and night, AND your child’s needs are still being met and nurtured?
 
REMEMBER SLEEP IS A BIOLOGICAL NECESSITY, NOT A LUXURY.
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​3 REASONS WHY SLEEP SHAPING A GREAT POSITIVE THING TO DO

1. The health and development of your child. Your child will thrive in ways you may not have seen or even know.  Reports form nursery will be more on the side of “wow, what a difference a good night sleep has made”. Your child’s eating habits will regulate. Brain connections will be made, immune system will be stronger. The list is endless…

 

1. Sleep shaping can and is tailored to your family’s desires and needs. Your child’s temperament is at the core of any sleep plan.

 

1. It will provide you with more structure to your days and nights. You will know what to expect, be able to read your child cues more confidently without second guessing what they need and when, and imagine this…get to go on that date night you have long talked about with your partner!

 
 
 
SO WHY NOT?
 
Think of it this way, if you are ill you would go to the doctor, if you want to loose weight you would go to the gym, perhaps even hire a personal trainer, if you wanted to learn a new language you would hire a language tutor. All these things you seek and bring in help for.
 
So in conclusion sleep shaping is not nonsense, not cruel, in fact I certainly feel it is a wonderful opportunity for your families health and well being..

If you want your family to sleep better and you are and not sure how to go about it then why would you not hire in a sleep coach?
A professional that has the experience, the education and the advice and the ability to support you through this amazing journey of teaching your child the lifelong skill to sleep independently?
 
If you would like to know more about sleep shaping, how I would work with you in this journey just drop me a message and let’s chat. I am here to help you get the rest your child needs as well as you and your family to thrive!
 
P.S Do share this blog with a friend you know who may be sitting on the fence about sleep training…it may just shed some light for them…
 
Take care Mamas and Papas,

Love,

Rachael
Paediatric Sleep Consultant