(now 13 and 16)

I joined this family when their youngest was 6 months old and their eldest was 3, and I continue to support them now over a decade later.

In the early days, mum was transitioning back to work while breastfeeding and struggling with broken nights. I supported them by creating a clear daytime routine that was age appropriate, providing stimulation and plenty of time outdoors, while ensuring the routine worked around school schedules and after-school activities.

I played a key role in helping the youngest become more comfortable in his own sleep space, starting with high-level support to help him settle into the cot. Over time, I gradually reduced the support until he was able to fall asleep independently. He became a child who loved his naps!

Over the years, I have supported both children through school changes, anxiety triggers and neurodivergent diagnoses, helping them build coping strategies and establish comforting routines and habits.

As the family has evolved, I have been a consistent and trusted presence during changes in family dynamics, offering emotional support, stability and someone they can always talk to.

Youngest child was my main focus who I supported from 6 months, over four years

I began supporting this family when their child was 6 months old, in a household where sleep happened on the go around breastfeeding and co-sleeping. With a busy family life and demanding work schedule, there was little predictability.

Over four years, I gently introduced a routine that brought more structure to the child’s days, particularly around naps. I worked three days a week, using a calm, in-room approach to help the child settle confidently in their own sleep space.

I supported the family by:

-Creating a consistent nap rhythm that could be built into the week

-Lengthening naps and resettling broken ones

-Guiding the transition into the child’s own sleep space when the family was ready

-Working flexibly around the energy and schedules of a lively household

-Ensuring changes were manageable and respectful of the family’s dynamic

As a result, the child became more confident and independent in their sleep, and the family gained more predictability and calm in their daily routine.

This experience reinforced the importance of meeting each family where they are; emotionally, practically and logistically. It also shaped my approach to sleep consulting, showing that even busy, fast-paced households can find a rhythm that brings rest and ease.

I began supporting this family when their youngest was around 12 months old. At that stage, naps were mostly happening on the go, which had suited the family in the early months. As their child grew, mum felt that the little one wasn’t getting enough daytime rest to support her increasing activity levels and wanted to introduce more structure to the day. I worked with the family three days a week, offering consistent in-room support to create a predictable nap routine. I planned this around regular outings and activities to ensure plenty of stimulation and engagement, helping to build healthy sleep pressure ready for rest times. Once this routine was established, I could be flexible and plan some lunch naps on the go. In the early stages, however, it was important for this child to have calm, in-room cot support to strengthen her emotional regulation and sense of security. On the other days, the routine remained flexible to fit around mum’s work commitments. Despite this variation, she adapted beautifully, learning clear sleep cues and becoming confident and relaxed in her own sleep environment. I supported the family by: Introducing a structured nap routine on the days I was there Supporting emotional regulation around naps so rest felt safe and familiar Adapting the routine as her needs changed, including the transition away from daytime sleep around 2.5 years Preparing her for school by encouraging independence and offering choices within her day This experience reminded me how important it is to follow a child’s lead, whilst always taking into account what’s right for their age and stage. When routines are introduced gradually and at the right time, they feel natural and easy to keep up with. It showed me that children can adapt beautifully when change is gentle and responsive and that’s the approach I bring into my sleep work today.

One child — supported from 2 weeks to 6 years

This role began as a newborn mother’s-help position, where I supported the family three days a week before transitioning to one full day when their little one reached 7 months.

It was a truly special time, being able to offer gentle, hands-on support to mum in those early weeks. Helping her build confidence and create calm, nurturing habits around feeding and sleep from the very beginning. Together, we shaped a steady daytime rhythm that evolved naturally as her child grew.

Over the years, I continued to support the family through key stages such as weaning, night-time dryness and school readiness. As her child grew older, there were moments of change: friendship challenges, a school move and possible neurodivergent needs, which at times affected bedtime. I worked closely with the family to bring calm back to the evenings, using familiar comforts like a special teddy, soft lighting, audiobooks and simple breathing techniques to encourage relaxation.

This experience reminded me how closely sleep and emotional wellbeing are connected. Supporting this family from the newborn stage right through to the age of 6yrs deepened my understanding of how early foundations and emotional connection shape healthy sleep. It’s a perspective that continues to guide my work today, helping families build rest routines that feel calm, confident and connected.

Supported until 3.5 yrs & 7yrs

I began supporting this family during the start of the Covid period. The mum already had a clear routine established, and my role was to build on that while supporting additional developmental milestones, including early potty training and preparation for night weaning.

With two children to consider, I structured my support to meet both of their needs. Predictable nap times for the youngest created opportunities for quality time with the school-age sibling, while some naps on the go allowed for learning and outdoor activities for the eldest. As the children grew, I helped navigate school runs and after-school activities, ensuring the youngest avoided accidental car naps that could disrupt bedtime. I introduced activity baskets and bags to engage him while waiting for his sibling, and car toy baskets to keep him entertained on commutes home.

This experience showed me how important it is to consider each child’s needs while keeping the day running smoothly. By planning routines that included both rest and learning, I could help the youngest thrive without missing out on time and attention for the older sibling. This experience shapes the way I support families today, helping them find a rhythm that works for everyone.

Currently supporting- Girl 19 months and Boy 10 weeks

When I began supporting this family, the mum was navigating nap transitions for her daughter, moving from two naps to one. I offered practical guidance to help her through this stage and supported changes to her morning bottle, encouraging the use of a cup, as well as meal routines to match her growing development needs.

During this time, her brother was born, and I helped the family adjust to these changes, supporting the little girl so she settled well and her bedtime routine stayed on track. Working closely with the family, I have also provided newborn support from the start, helping mum feel confident with feeding and sleep, and guiding her to recognise developmental stages and when her son is ready for a little more structure in his day.

This ongoing role has highlighted the evolving needs of siblings and the importance of giving parents practical tools to manage everyday routines; feeding, bathing, and bedtimes so everyone’s needs are met safely. It’s knowledge and experience like this that continues to inform the way I support families with sleep.