Helping your little one sleep better – so you can too
Jenna Wilson set up the multi award winning Little Dreams Consulting 9 years ago, following 12 years working as a solicitor, and was joined by the author of this article Fay Smith (a mental health social worker) just a year later. Both have trained with Sleep Sense™ and The Sleep Charity (UK) and have attended a multitude of courses, including with the NSPCC and The Lullaby Trust. They franchised Little Dreams in December 2021 and, to date, the Little Dreams network have helped almost 2000 families get a better night’s sleep.
We’re so grateful to be joining the wonderful team at Mothering Minds to share some support for mums who might be finding sleep – and the impact it has on their wellbeing – especially tough right now. At Little Dreams Consulting, we work with families and children aged 4 months to 10 years, to help everyone get a better night sleep. We know how deeply sleep deprivation can affect your emotional health, sense of self, and day-to-day coping. You are not alone, and support is always available.
Today, we’d love to offer some simple, gentle guidance that may help your little one sleep more restfully – and hopefully help you feel a little more rested and hopeful too.
One of the questions we hear most often is: “How can I help my baby sleep better?”
Sleep is essential for both parents and children, but it’s also something babies learn over time. If your little one’s current sleep pattern works for your family, there’s absolutely no need to change anything – even if it doesn’t fit what books or experts say is “supposed” to happen.
But if you’re finding the lack of sleep really hard to cope with, please know there are things you can try – and you’re not failing!
Understanding how sleep works
Newborn sleep is very different from older babies. Newborns move frequently between deep sleep and dream (REM) sleep, and structured sleep strategies generally don’t work for them just yet.
Sleep challenges often begin around 12-16 weeks, when babies start developing adult-like sleep cycles (commonly known as the 4-month sleep regression). These cycles last around 45-60 minutes and include light sleep, deep sleep, and dream sleep. What we often see in families who are struggling at this stage is that their baby relies on something external – like feeding, rocking, patting, or a dummy – to fall asleep. Then, when they reach the lighter part of their sleep cycle, they notice something has changed and need that same support again to get back to sleep.
It’s a bit like falling asleep in your cosy bed, and then waking suddenly on the kitchen floor – you’d be confused too and disorientated too!
Some babies will still need a feed or two overnight, which is completely normal. But if your little one wakes fully after every sleep cycle, it can affect their rest, their development, and your wellbeing too.
Mini-wakings are normal for everyone, but if they’re turning into full wake-ups every time, the following tips may help.
Our gentle tips for better sleep
1. Reduce reliance on “sleep props” where you can.
If your baby needs something external to fall asleep, they may struggle to self-settle during the night. There’s no pressure to change anything that currently works for you – but if it’s becoming too much, this is often a helpful place to start.
2. Consistency really matters.
Whatever approach you choose, try to keep it predictable. Babies and children feel safe with boundaries, and too much variation can become confusing for them.
3. Keep an eye on awake windows.
Follow age-appropriate wake times to avoid overtiredness, which can make settling far more difficult. Some babies show tired cues only once they’re already overtired, so wake windows can be a helpful guide.
4. Keep bedtime routines short and familiar.
Aim for a routine that lasts 20-30 minutes and stays the same each night. Longer routines can overstimulate little ones and lead to that “second wind.”
5. Protect nap times.
It’s a common belief that keeping babies awake longer will improve night sleep, but the opposite is usually true. Children under 2½–3 years still need naps to avoid overtiredness. Better naps often lead to better nights.
We hope this helps you and your family to achieve a better night’s rest. If you’re struggling, please remember that sleep challenges are incredibly common – and they are not a reflection of your parenting. You deserve support, and help is available.
.
If you need any help with sleep, please do get in touch with the Little Dreams team to find out more!
The little Dreams Consulting family is growing and is looking for franchisees across the UK to join their successful team of sleep experts. To find out more, pop them an email at franchising@littledreamsconsulting.com for a (no obligation) chat.
