From Contact Naps and Frequent Night Wakings to Peaceful, Independent Sleep
- 3 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Laura’s story shows us that sleep training does not have to be harsh or stressful. It can be a loving process that respects the child’s and parents emotional needs while promoting independence.
Before Laura reached out to me , her 11 month old daughter napped only in a carrier and woke up multiple times during the night. This pattern was tiring and unsustainable. Laura's back was aching a lot and she felt very frustrated with needing the carrier for every nap when she had things to do and could not get them done.
Not only did she know something had to change, she wanted it to change, but Laura didn’t want to stop co-sleeping completely or remove all nighttime feeds. All done by following safe sleep guidelines from the Lullaby Trust Uk.
Her goal was to help her daughter sleep more independently while still continuing to co-sleep and keep one night feed.
One of Laura’s biggest fears was whether it would even be possible to improve her daughter’s sleep while still maintaining the parts of motherhood that felt important to her. She worried about excessive crying, emotional distress, and whether the transition would feel traumatic for them both.
These fears are incredibly common among parents considering sleep training, especially those who have built a strong nighttime bond through co-sleeping. What Laura discovered, though, was that with a gentle, responsive plan, the process did not have to feel harsh or overwhelming.
Within a few days of sleep training, her daughter began sleeping without the carrier for naps and then slept through the night with the one feed that mum wanted to continue to offer.
The process focused on:
Maintaining a consistent bedtime routine for both naps and in the evening
Offering reassurance and emotional support throughout the transition
Gradually reducing physical sleep associations such as rocking and the carrier naps
Supporting independent sleep while continuing to co sleep in a calm and responsive way
Maintaining One Night Feed While Continuing To Co Sleep
So instead of cutting off nighttime feeding abruptly, she allowed her daughter to have this comfort while gradually encouraging longer stretches of sleep. This was completely achievable. Her daughter was also showing signs that she wanted to sleep longer stretches without the feeding so I knew it was going to be possible.
This approach helped Laura’s daughter feel secure and supported. It also gave Laura a manageable way to introduce sleep training without overwhelming her baby or herself. The night feed became a gentle bridge between co-sleeping and independent sleep.
This gentle sleep training approach change brought significant relief to the whole family. Laura could finally sleep well, her back recovered, and her they were all getting consolidated sleep at night. This also allowed Laura to reclaim her evenings with her husband as she was not falling asleep on the bed with her daughter attached to her breast unable to move. This gave her confidence as a mum knowing her daughter is sleeping easily and above all very happily every night.
Laura’s story offers a hopeful and practical example for parents who are struggling with constant night wakes and assisting naps every day that become difficult and almost back breaking.
What Laura Learned Along the Way
Reflecting on the experience, Laura shared rather than following traditional rigid sleep training rules, she responded to her daughter’s needs while still gently guiding her toward better sleep.
Her story is a reminder that sleep training does not have to involve leaving a child to cry alone or removing all comfort overnight. With the right support and approach, it can be a loving and respectful process that supports both emotional connection and independent sleep.
Practical Tips from Laura’s Experience
Create a consistent bedtime routine: Familiar rituals help babies feel secure.
Comforting presence during the initial nights
Gradual reduction of physical contact, from the rocking, carrying and feeds
Be patient and flexible: Adjust the pace based on your baby’s reactions and temperment.
Celebrate small wins: Even a few hours of uninterrupted sleep is progress.
Listen to Laura sharing her candid reflections on her journey in the full interview HERE .
If you would like some help and support in your sleep training journey but not quite sure where to start, book in your complimentary discovery call first and we can talk it over so you know and feel confident on going forward to getting better sleep for your child and family.
Rachael
xo
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