Sleep

You have followed your baby’s lead for a whole year (or more!) and there seems no sign that this child will ever sleep ‘all night’. You are wondering, ‘what have we done wrong?’ You are facing pressure from everyone, including your partner, that it’s time to make changes, even if that means tears (for you as well as your child). You can make…

Needing a published study to tell us a baby (or any one of us, for that matter) will be distressed if we shut him in a room alone and don't respond to his cries, is like needing research to tell us the grass will grow if it rains. While there is certainly a difference in physical safety between checking on a crying baby and shutting the door…

Whether from desperation or convenience, or because it's simply so delicious, two thirds of breastfeeding mothers do bedshare at some point. Yet one of the most intense messages new mothers hear is to never, never sleep with their babies in an adult bed. So they often feel guilty, worrying that they're sacrificing their baby's safety to get more…

I knew it was a bad day the day I realized I was dunking a rusk and the baby was sucking on my TimTam like he had just discovered the yummiest thing ever to go in his mouth (other than boobs). I asked the mums on my facebook page what was the craziest/dumbest thing they had ever done when they were suffering from ‘tired mummy brain’. If you have…

We all want a good night’s sleep but when it comes to where your baby sleeps you are certain to get bombarded with advice. If you dare admit to co-sleeping you will be an especially vulnerable target. Of course, wherever your baby sleeps is your choice and as long as you provide a safe sleeping environment, it’s nobody else’s business. This doesn’t…

Sleep deprivation can play havoc with your mind your body and your soul. You know that, right? You know this because you are the mum of a new baby or an older baby or a toddler or perhaps a baby and a toddler. So how exactly are you meant to get sleep when your kids don’t – sleep, that is? Baby sleep studies define ‘all night’ as five hours. Five…

“Our first baby was fairly easy going, we had a bit of trouble getting her to sleep when she was tiny, I think because we didn't realise how much sleep babies need or how quickly they get overtired, but it wasn't too much of a drama and she slept well at night, which made life much easier. She did wake at night (as you would completely expect), but…

Meaghan is angry. Her emotions have run a gamut over the past few months since her baby died – from shock and disbelief to contemplating suicide because her pain has been too much to bear. But right now, she is angry: angry at tactless people, angry at the way her baby’s death was handled by professionals but most of all, she is angry at…

Your toddler's delaying tactics at bedtime – needing a drink, one more kiss, a lost toy – are her way of saying, 'I really want you to stay with me.' From a toddler's perspective, it may be difficult to relax and fall asleep if she feels stressed about being left in her room alone, especially if she can hear adults having fun (talking, watching…

I put you in your cot at night waiting for your call, When you cry I rush to you, bolting through your door, Gently picking you up I cradle you, I'm secretly glad you called for me so I can squeeze in some more love, As if I want to sleep all night missing out on our precious time, Your head is cradled on my arm as I hold you close to…