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Transitioning from bottle to cup: a guide for parents
When is the best time for your baby or toddler to start transitioning from bottle to cup? As a sleep consultant, this is a common question, and the answer may actually surprise you! Today I want to have a look at what a couple of different authorities say, and then...
Butter for Baby Sleep?!
Why The latest TikTok Sleep Trend Is NOT the Answer We all know that social media is full of quick-fix parenting hacks; you may even have seen the latest trend: butter for baby sleep. It can be tempting to try these things, especially if you’re already sleep...
Let’s talk Mum Guilt
Let's talk mum guilt. Where Mums feel guilty for working. Mums feel guilty for taking sick days. Mums feel guilty if someone else takes care of their kids. Mums feel guilty for staying home but then putting kids in front of the TV to get things done. Mums feel...
3 tips to keep sleep on track these summer holidays
I’m a sucker for summer holidays. Holidays bring travel and joy, especially if gathering with extended family. But they can also bring a host of disruptions to your baby’s or child’s sleep routine. It can be tempting to throw schedules out the window to accommodate...
7 reasons for your toddler’s sleep regression
As your child grows and develops, their sleep habits can change—sometimes dramatically. Toddlers and preschoolers who have previously slept through the night often begin to experience sleep disruptions. Then, before you know it, your toddler is smack bang in the...
Is sleep deprivation making you super sensitive?
We all know that some form of sleep deprivation is part of being a new parent. But is that sleep deprivation making you super sensitive? You’ll never sleep again (cue evil laugh) Everyone teases new parents about the myth that they'll never sleep again (yes, that...
Sleep and Special Needs Children
I have a passion for working with sleep and special needs children, because I too am parenting one of those children. And parenting can be tough in this case, believe me. But it’s even tougher if you have a child who is not sleeping. What do I mean by a...
Does the brain rest during sleep?
Does the brain rest during sleep? The answer may surprise you. The brain actually works harder during sleep than you may think. Each night, when our bodies lie down and rest, the brain starts a rather complex journey. During this journey, the brain employs an array...
The 5 S’s for settling newborn babies
The 5 S’s for settling newborn babies is something every new parent should know. I spend a lot of my time telling parents not to fear their baby’s crying. It is their only form of communication at a young age, and all babies cry. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy to...
Is your newborn sleeping safely?
When you’re a new parent, there is so much to take in, it can be overwhelming. But one thing that is important to be aware of, are the safe sleep guidelines for your new baby. Is your newborn sleeping safely? Safe Sleep guidelines are updated when new...
8 steps to managing bedtime anxiety with co-regulation
Bedtime anxiety is something I come across frequently in my role. Whether it be due to past trauma (like the Christchurch earthquakes), fears due to imagination kicking in, or simply freaking out from not having a good strategy to fall asleep. There are ways to...
Will cereal in your baby’s bottle improve sleep?
As an infant sleep expert, I often see well-meaning opinion making the rounds as solid sleep advice. One of these is that putting cereal into your baby’s bottle will help them sleep better. So, will cereal in your baby’s bottle improve sleep? Maybe you’ve heard...
Are sleep-deprived mothers at higher risk of road crashes?
I’ve previously mentioned that driving when sleep deprived is like driving drunk, but are sleep-deprived mothers at higher risk of road crashes? Let’s look at what a recent Australian study (1) found when they looked at driving behaviour in mothers with infants who...
Why I recommend working on sleep early
Why I recommend working on sleep early When you think of baby sleep, what comes to mind? Is it smiling down at a sleeping baby who is slumbering away peacefully and getting the rest they need? Or does it bring up scenes of pacing the hall with a crying baby, or...
The Significance of Sleep for Your Well-being
The Significance of Sleep for Your Well-being We all know that getting a good night’s sleep can see us bouncing out of bed ready to tackle the day ahead with gusto. But the other side of the coin is far too common. Even one poor night of sleep can leave you feeling...
Cracking the Code of Newborn Day-Night Confusion
Newborn day-night confusion led me into the world of sleep right at the newborn stage, and I can’t believe it took me this long to get a blog out about it – I recall gazing adoringly at our new bundle of joy during the wee hours of the morning, wondering, "Why is...
Do you have sleep perfectionism? Practical Tips for Easing Anxiety
Do you have sleep perfectionism? It’s out there, the myth of perfect baby sleep. But is “perfect” really attainable? Sleep perfectionism has a way of sneaking into a new mum’s life. And that can cause even more anxiety than normal. As a sleep specialist I want to...
The key to surviving behaviour change & extinction bursts
If you want to improve your child’s sleep, often things have to change. That makes sense, right? But here’s the thing, change isn’t always easy. And when we’re talking about baby sleep, I want you to be prepared for an...
Do screens at bedtime really affect sleep?
Good sleep hygiene says you should NOT use screens for AT LEAST an hour before bed (ideally two hours). But do screens at bedtime really affect sleep? Let’s see… It's mainly to do with melatonin release Melatonin is known as our "sleepy hormone". It is released in...
5 reasons your sleep training efforts failed
5 reasons your sleep training efforts failed As parents we all know that sleep is beneficial, if not vital, for the wellbeing of our children. And when it’s not going well, it’s tempting to start sleep training your baby yourself. Because, well, how hard can it...
5 steps to solve the parental preference trap
When it comes to parenting there are some common traps we all fall into. When we’re talking toddlerhood one common issue is the “favourite parent”. Whether you’ve hit this milestone moment where your child has a parental preference, or you want to be...
6 must knows about sleep after 12 months of age
6 must knows about sleep after 12 months of age What should you expect with sleep AFTER the first year? I’ve previously written about the nap changes that happen in baby’s first year, but then what? Here are 6 must knows about sleep after 12 months of age. The...
5 tips to avoid sleep sabotage these holidays
If you’ve been working hard to teach your baby independent sleep skills and they’re finally sleeping through the night, then I just want to warn you. This Christmas, even though it is a wonderful time to celebrate and spend time with the people you love, it can also be an absolute minefield of potential sleep sabotage.
Adjusting for daylight saving is easier than you think
Adjusting for daylight saving is easier than you think This weekend we’re more likely to see a spike in car crashes, strokes, heart attacks, depressive episodes and even IBS. This happens every time daylight saving starts due to the sleep deprivation brought on by...
The Truth about Dummy use
The Truth about Dummy use Here’s the Truth about Dummy use. Dummies are a controversial topic and just another example of parenting choice you need to make up your own mind about. You may already know that sleep can be complex, but there’s also more complexity...
Fall back tips for surviving the daylight saving change
Fall back tips for surviving the daylight saving change Daylight saving ends each autumn and it can really help to have some fall back tips for surviving the daylight saving change. And while gaining an hour is much more acceptable than losing one, it can be just...
Wilding Books
Wilding books help our young ones (and parents) navigate those big emotions, in a kid-friendly way.
Awesome Inc
Awesome Inc has a gorgeous range of kids, teen, and adult, gratitude journals and toolkits to enhance well-being using the principles of positive psychology.
