Libby Sleep Consultancy

31/10/2024

🍬🍫 If you’re worried about trick or treating and the impact sugary sweets may have on sleep—

1) moderate how much they have

2) think about what else they are eating!

Eating proteins aid your body to produce more orexin, a hormone that regulates appetite and sleep, and help counteract a spike in blood sugar. Meanwhile, healthy fats can slow down the release of sugar into your blood stream ✅

3) burn off excess energy (we love a dance party)🕺🏼

4) consistent bedtime routine 💤

Who’s heading out tonight for some spooky trick or treating? 💀👻🎃

Follow for more tips xx

21/10/2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “A solid routine that has helped our little one thrive!”

It’s transformations like these that make what I do so rewarding! Helping families teach their babies to sleep is truly rewarding. 💖 If your little one is struggling with sleep, there’s hope! Give me a call x 📞

14/10/2024

💯 🎖️TRANSFORMATIONAL POST 🌟✨

✨ Little 6m Clara had such an amazing sleep training journey with me and I loved working with her parents.

✨ Clara struggled to get to sleep without the feeding bond and had unpredictable daytime naps. We worked really hard at teaching her the skills to self settling, starting with overnight and then focussing on daytime naps.

✨ Within 10 days she was settling to sleep at 7pm and sleeping through to 6.30/7am waking up refreshed and full of energy. Her daytime became more predictable with 2x long naps + 1 catnap in the daytime.

We joked as I was constantly in receipt of a msg daily saying ‘in cot and starfished’ which I LOVED ⭐️

✨ Clara’s parents were so dedicated and committed to the process and were thrilled with the solid sleep foundation we developed over the short period of working together.

✨ If you have unpredictability when it comes to your baby’s sleep and you want to enforce a consistent routine (strict or flexible) get in touch! Xx

13/10/2024

🦩✨ Sleep deprivation is real—and it can have a huge impact on mental health. Just like flamingos lose their vibrant pink colour when they become parents due to the energy and stress of raising their young, many of us lose parts of ourselves when we don’t get the rest we need. I definitely felt that. 😴💔

When you’re running on empty, it’s easy to feel disconnected from your own emotions, overwhelmed, and not quite “you.” It’s like the world becomes dull, and that brightness you once had fades. campaign speaks to that beautifully.

But here’s what changed for me: gentle sleep training. 💤 Through a gradual, supportive approach, I learned how to create healthier sleep habits for my little ones without guilt or frustration. In return, I got my own rest back—slowly, I started to feel like myself again. It also encouraged me to become a Certified Infant & Baby Sleep Consultant to help other families improve their sleep 💗

My energy returned, my mood lifted, and I felt mentally clearer. I’m more present, more patient, and just overall happier. I’m also able to take a break and recharge with my best friends (a welcome spicy margarita and good company 🌶️). Taking care of myself means I can better take care of my family, too.

To all the tired parents out there, you deserve to get your pink back. Don’t underestimate the power of sleep for your mental health! 🌸🦩💖💕

09/10/2024

TW: Miscarriage……

This , I want to take a moment to acknowledge a part of my journey that has shaped who I am today. Before I had my three beautiful children, I experienced the heartbreak of a missed miscarriage. It took 8 weeks to actually complete and hung over us like an unwanted visitor for such a long time.

The loss was heavy, and at times, it felt like an unbearable silence.

This photo was taken at Camber Sands the week after it had finally passed and it felt like I was now able to start to emotionally build myself back up again day by day.

It felt like I was one of the first in my friendship group to be experiencing it but in truth, it wasn’t spoken about much therefore who was I to really know everyone’s story. I lent on my dearest friends who also hadn’t navigated something like this, but we got though it together 💛. I was open about the experience and how I was feeling hoping that if anyone else was going through something similar they knew they weren’t alone. Sadly, this is an increasing number of people that I love and hold close.

To anyone who has experienced this kind of loss—you are not alone. Your grief is valid, your baby is remembered, and your story matters. Sending love and light to all those touched by baby loss this week and always. 🕯️💖

03/10/2024

Am I ready to sleep train? 😬

💫 There’s no perfect age for sleep training. Babies can be developmentally ready to sleep train as early as 5 months and I work with families through to 5 years old.

💫 The best age for sleep training is when YOU decide it’s right for your family. If the current sleep set up is working for you, great! But if you want to make changes and don’t know where to start, I can help you.

💫 Families often ask if they should delay sleep training because of developmental progressions, leaps, or sleep regressions. Apart from the 4m regression (where they are developing their sleep cycles), there’s no reason to delay.

💫The consistency that sleep training provides can actually support healthy sleep and development.

💫However things like illness, moving house, a new sibling can be a factor to consider. I recently finished with a family who has a new baby coming in 4 months time and they wanted to improve their son’s sleep before the new one comes along well in advance 🤗

💫The “right” time for sleep training is truly when you’re ready.

Are you ready? Keep your eyes peeled for something very exciting launching next week to give you a helping hand in making these important decisions….👀

PS you always want to make sure they are well/ have no underlying health issues 👩🏼‍⚕️

23/09/2024

🌙 Bathtime Not Working for Your Bedtime Routine? That’s OK! 🌙

As parents, we often hear that bathtime MUST be part of the bedtime routine. Tonight I did triple bedtime solo and l’d managed to get them all in the tub, whereby one promptly 💩 so out they all came.

It just wasn’t happening today.

But let’s face it – some nights, it’s just not practical. Or sustainable. Or Maybe your little one gets overstimulated by water, or perhaps you’re simply short on time (I get it!).

Here’s the good news: bathtime isn’t a *must* for winding down before sleep.

The real key is creating **consistent ‘sleepy cues’** and a calm bedtime routine that works for you, that signal it’s time to relax and settle down. These cues help your baby’s body understand it’s time to switch off. 📉

My favourite bedtime routine is c45-60mins
Split feed
Bath
Split feed
Books/songs
Bed (put down awake 😜)

If it’s a non bath night, I would still take your little one into the bathroom to wash their face or quick wipe down, brush teeth etc and then crack on with your bedtime. 💤

Remember, it’s not ALL about the bath – it’s about creating a peaceful transition into dreamland. 🌙💤

17/09/2024

06/09/2024

🌙 NIGHTMARES V NIGHT TERRORS: What’s the Difference? 💤

🧡 A number of my friends and clients are experiencing nightmares and night terrors with our little ones. These can be quite common when something significant is going on e.g. House move, new sibling et cetera or indeed a major developmental milestone like going to school! We have been experiencing quite a few recently without eldest age, it is important to know the differences between the two and how to deal with them.

💛 NIGHTMARES
🔹 Typically occur in the second half of the night during REM sleep.
🔹 Your child may wake up frightened and seek comfort.
🔹 They can recall the bad dream the next day.

How to handle nightmares:
- Reassure & Comfort: Hold and soothe your child with calming words.
- Keep in their safe sleep space ie in their bedroom
- Reduce Anxiety: Limit exposure to scary TV and practice relaxing activities before bed.

💙NIGHT TERRORS
🔹 Usually happen early in the night during deep, non-REM sleep.
🔹 Your child may scream, thrash, or appear awake—but they’re not.
🔹 They won’t remember the event the next day.

How to handle night terrors:
- Stay Calm: Avoid waking your child, as this could make them more confused or agitated.
- Keep Them Safe: Gently guide them back to bed, ensuring they aren’t hurt by thrashing.
- Stay Nearby: Stay close by until the episode passes, and let them return to sleep naturally.
- Preventative Measures: Stick to a consistent bedtime routine, ensure they’re getting enough sleep, and reduce stress or overtiredness during the day. If you find it’s happening frequently, you could consider waking him 30 minutes before the terror occurs as it can rouse them to shift into a new sleep cycle.

💡 Key Difference:
Nightmares need comfort and reassurance, while night terrors are best handled with calm observation, ensuring your child’s safety. Consistency, observing wake windows/ sleep needs and a peaceful bedtime routine can help with both!

♥️ If your child is experiencing either of these frequently and you’d like some advice do get in touch xx

28/08/2024

SLEEP TRAINING ≠ ONLY COT NAPS 🛌

I’m often asked by parents if it is essential for babies to have all naps to be in the cot. My answer is absolutely NO.🛑

If your baby can only sleep in the car, it’s just as restrictive as it can only sleep in the pram or Car. ⛔️

The majority of the time, most parents are struggling to get their babies to sleep in the cot for any significant length of time. 💤

I usually encourage parents to do one nap per day in the cot and the others can be however best it suits their family set up. Attempting the cot for the first nap of the day is the best opportunity to practice these new skills – there will be residual melatonin in the body from the long sleep overnight whilst you also have enough energy to try and get to sleep as it’s the beginning of the day. 💤

Sleep training is not meant to be restrictive but instead, provide you with reassurance that your baby will have consistent, reliable sleep. ⏰

Many of the families I’ve worked with have chosen to focus on one cot nap a day and ensure their babies sleep needs are met through other types of naps such as contact, sling, pram, Car etc so that it works around other commitments or siblings or childcare that they might have. These other forms of naps can be really useful to ensure you have appropriate wake windows, optimise daytime sleep and avoid overtiredness. 💛

If you have a restrictive (or non existent) nap routine which you’d like help with, comment NAP below and I will DM you with an invitation to a Free Discovery Call AND a special discount offer! X😱

21/08/2024

Should I use White Noise for my baby’s sleep? ⚙️

What is White Noise? 🤔
White noise is a consistent, soothing sound that masks other noises, helping to create a calm environment for your baby to fall asleep in. It mimics the gentle whooshing sounds your baby heard in the womb, making it familiar and comforting.

When to Use It ⏰
Use white noise during naps and nighttime sleep to help your baby settle down and stay asleep. It’s especially helpful during transitions, like moving from crib to bed or traveling.

How to Use It ❓

• Set up a white noise machine or use a white noise app on a low volume.
• Place it across the room, not too close to the crib.
• Use a continuous loop, ensuring it plays throughout the sleep period.

How to Stop Using It 🛑
As your baby grows, you can gradually reduce the volume over a few weeks or use a timer to slowly shorten the duration. This way, your baby can learn to sleep without it naturally.

It can be a great tool to provide comfort and minimise disruption to your baby’s sleep however it can turn into a sleep association - something your baby cannot sleep without and there are other ways to encourage healthy sleep habits and self settling independently. 🌙

Get in touch if you want to learn more about improving your baby’s sleep with ME!

29/07/2024

20/07/2024

BEFORE & AFTER ✨

I loved working with Theo’s parents and seeing the transformation over a couple of weeks. 🌀

💪🏼They had worked incredibly hard on day and bedtime routines before we started, but found he was waking frequently in the night, often fed to sleep and unable to settle himself in the night. Naps were short and the unpredictability coupled with broken nights was clearly affecting their mental health.

🥰 I was SO impressed with their hard work and adjustment to minor tweaks in the schedule as well as their approach to gradual sleep coaching, we encouraged Theo to self settle in the night if he woke up. Ultimately he is a very happy and robust sleeper.

I received a fabulous message a month after finishing with them explaining that whilst sleep on holiday hadn’t been great (!) he reset straight back to his usual sleep patterns at home and this foundation makes all the hard work worth it.

If any of these ‘before’ Issues are concerning you and you need support, please get in touch by DM or click on my link.

I’d love to help.xx

06/06/2024

📞☎️CALLING ALL pregnant or new mamas 🤰🏼🤱🏽

and I are going LIVE next TUESDAY 11th JUNE at 7.30PM!!

is a pre and postnatal PT and has been training me for 3.5 years. We met through and supported one another through a tough lockdown with newborns!

I will be asking her all about postpartum health and fitness tips specifically for those first 6-8 weeks after giving birth and gentle advice on where to start and how to build up gradually. 🏋🏼‍♀️🏊🏼‍♀️🧘🏼‍♀️

I will also be on hand to talk about newborn sleep and how to optimise your baby’s sleep so if you have ANY QUESTIONS— do DM/comment below/watch out for comment box in stories!

Looking forward to the chat, come join us and bring your friends 👯👯‍♀️👯‍♂️🥰

29/05/2024

The 8️⃣ MONTH SLEEP REGRESSION 💤

A LOT is going on in your little one’s cognitive and physical development at this age. 🤯

They may be more clingy or upset when you move away due to separation anxiety kicking in- give them lots of reassurance and playing hide and seek/peekaboo games are really good for their understanding! 🙈👀

They are also becoming more physical, learning to crawl or pull themselves up to standing. This is such a fab development to witness- but you don’t necessarily want them doing it in their cot at bedtime or naps! Give them lots of opportunity to PRACTISE when they are awake and playing! 🪁🪀🧸

Finally, nap transition from 3 down to 2 often occurs around this age and you will want to adjust the timing of these, stretch wake windows so that you protect the last one before bedtime to avoid overtiredness 😴. Remember: it’s not linear so in this phase some days you may have 2, others back to 3 naps. Be flexible

Finally teething! Very common at this age so remember to give them soothing gels, medicine if needed and extra comfort 🦷

Finally- it’s a PHASE but also a major PROGRESSION! It can last a few days, some a few weeks. Reinforce consistency, bedtime routines will help your little one to transition more smoothly. ⏰

If you are having trouble with your little one’s sleep and it’s going on longer than a few weeks, get in touch I can help! Xx

28/05/2024

YOUR BABY'S SLEEP CYCLE 🌀💤

🌀This cycle visual is your babies sleep cycle aged 4 months plus 💤 Prior to this age babies have been sleeping in 2 states - Active & Quiet.

4️⃣The 4 month sleep regression is in fact a sleep progression and an important developmental milestone for your baby creating these sleep cycles.

😢When they wake briefly after each sleep cycle, they will seek out the same external comfort they initially went to sleep with e.g cuddles, patting, feeding to sleep. If they go to sleep in your arms but wake up in a cot they may be surprised (wouldn't you be?!).

💤Once your baby develops their sleep cycles, it's a great time to practice putting them to sleep awake in their cot (with external support like verbal or physical touch from you is absolutely fine, it's gradual!) and teach them to learn the art of self settling.

📩If you need advice on how to help your baby learn to connect sleep cycles - please get in touch xx

26/05/2024

THE 4️⃣ MONTH SLEEP REGRESSION 💤

😴Your baby has been sleeping for longer each night and you're getting into the rhythm of a bit more sleep and suddenly it feels like a complete 180 degrees. Your settled baby is now waking every 45-60 minutes and won't settle to sleep, seem more fussy and irritable when trying to get to sleep.

✅If you can see this phase as a progression not a regression it will help you to have a healthy mindset knowing it is a really important development milestone and ultimately will allow your baby to learn the skill of self settling when they naturally wake up after each sleep cycle.

⏰It typically lasts 1-2 weeks (can be a couple of days, can be 6 weeks!) so if you are finding your baby's sleep is disrupted for longer than this period, they may need some help learning how to self settle.

📩Get in touch if you want to talk about your babies sleep xx