Written by Claire Burgess, Family Consultant.  Early waking is a very common challenge for families, especially as mornings start to get lighter. For many babies and young children, this can signal that it’s time to start the day.

Some children, however, wake early all year round, and this can become an established pattern that feels difficult to change.

Written by Hannah. Sometimes I drive past the hospital where my first daughter was born, and I shudder. The experience was awful. The birth was traumatic. The care felt neglectful. Birth trauma is something I lived through and for a period of my life, it consumed me. It was exhausting. I was anxious and irritable. I became flaky with friends. Large groups of people felt overwhelming. I withdrew from relationships and developed separation anxiety from both my husband and my daughter. I poured every bit of energy I had into my daughter and into trying to be a good mother.

Written by Claire Burgess, Family Consultant. Very often I am contacted by parents, panicked by a sudden change in their child’s sleep – whether it’s nighttime sleep or naps. It’s usually when things have been going really well: sleep routines are established, bedtimes are smooth, and then suddenly – it all seems to go off track. The worry creeps in because no one wants to go back to broken nights, early starts, or an overtired little one who’s refusing to nap.

If this sounds familiar, take a deep breath. It’s more common than you think – and the good news is, in most cases, it’s just a temporary blip.

Written by Natasha Kitson, Maternity Mentor. Returning to work after having a baby is a journey marked by challenges, adjustments and a whole new perspective on what work-life balance truly means. I don’t believe it truly gets the recognition it deserves, and employers often expect us to work as if we haven’t just had time out to birth and raise a small human.  For many new mums, this period involves navigating a complex mix of excitement and apprehension as they step back into the professional world while balancing the (often wholly demanding) needs of their new family.

Written by Claire Burgess, Family Consultant. Navigating life with a toddler after a C-section can be challenging, especially when it comes to helping them understand your recovery. Here are some practical tips to make the transition smoother for both you and your little one.

Written by Claire Burgess, Family Consultant. In the busy lives we lead, establishing a consistent bedtime routine can often take a back seat. However, the bedtime routine is not just another task to check off the list; it's a powerful tool that can transform those bedtime battles and prepare our little ones for a good night’s sleep! So, let's delve into the importance of a good bedtime routine!

Written by Lucy Oladapo, Family Consultant. This family came to us for a parent consultation, not because they were having any major difficulties but because Mum wanted some support in putting a routine in place for baby. The catch was that it needed to fit in around their 3 year old’s daily routine including nursery drop offs and pick ups.

Written by Claire Burgess, Family Consultant. This family came to us for a 1:1 parent consultation because sleep deprivation from their 7 month old not sleeping was affecting the whole family. Dad was in the spare room to make sure they weren’t both exhausted all day, their older child wasn’t getting the attention they wanted to give her, mum was exhausted and dreading naps and night-time and little one was grumpy and fractious.

Written by Claire Burgess, Family Consultant. When planning a holiday abroad we often have to consider jet lag and how this might affect our children.  For some families the idea of jet lagged children can put them off wanting to travel at all, but try to not let it put you off as there are a few things you can do to help!

Written by Claire Burgess, Family Consultant. This is a phrase that I hear a lot from parents when looking at sleep and it can be something which puts parents off working on naps with their little ones. 

So, what do I mean by ‘nap trapped’?

Napped trapped is when parents and carers can feel that they are ‘trapped’ at home because their little one needs to be in their cot for their naps and/or due to the timings of the naps it can mean that they are having to miss out of things such as classes, groups or going for a coffee with a friend etc.