Sleep Boutique Sleep Consultant

20/11/2025

Solids before four months are generally discouraged due to the baby's immature digestive system, underdeveloped immune system, kidney function, and chewing abilities.
At around 6 months breastmilk/formula alone is no longer enough to meet the needs of a baby's energy and nutrients, so introducing solids helps to fill the gap.
According to the WHO (World Health Organisation), a baby should be at least 17 weeks old but not older than 6 months before starting solids and be able to sit unsupported, showing an interest in food while mimicking chewing movements. They've also lost the tongue extrusion reflex and can move food to the back of their mouth and swallow.
It's essential to remember that before the age of 8 months, milk should always be offered first and take priority over food. Introducing solids too quickly can lead to displaced milk feeds, and babies need those calorie-rich milk feeds!
If solids are taking priority too early (before 8 months), it can disrupt sleep patterns due to inadequate milk intake.

A rough guide to introducing solids is:

💫lunch at 6 months
💫dinner by 7 months
💫breakfast by 8 months

Other sleep disruptions from solids can happen for a few reasons:

Introducing too much solid food too quickly can lead to a sore tummy, this is due to the digestive system adjusting, new enzymes kicking in, fibre being introduced, and changes in gut bacteria.
Foods such as onion, cabbage, broccoli and legumes (to name a few) can cause wind and affect sleep.

Certain foods help to promote and support sleep so it's important to include them in your little one's diet.

* Protein
* Tryptophan
* Low Gl carbs
* Zinc
* Iron
* Magnesium
* Vitamin A & C
* Omega 3

Tip- You can offer cooled boiled water at meal times from the age of 6 months.

If you need help navigating this part of your child's development contact me to get started.

Laura xx

19/11/2025

Nightmares and night terrors can be distressing to children (and parents!) They are often mistaken to be the same thing but they are different and happen at different stages of sleep.

Nightmares - nightmares are a frightening dream and
normally happens in the second half of sleep. It is not uncommon for a child to wake from a nightmare, appearing scared and may need your physical appearance and reassurance. Occasional nightmares are a normal part of childhood however, if they become more frequent we don't normally class this as being in the realm of normal.
Nightmares typically happen around the age of 2-4 years old 10-50% of children will experience nightmares between the ages of 3-6 years and it is around this age that they will start to describe their dreams.

Night terrors - a night terror can appear at any age but typically around the age of 4-12 years. It presents as a child partly waking abruptly from their sleep, wide-eyed, anxious along with confusion and unable to communicate. They may show signs of being frightened while projecting a piercing scream or cry. A night terror usually presents anywhere from 1-4 hours after the child falls asleep and can pass quite quickly after occurring, with a child lying down and falling back asleep with no awareness the following morning that it even occurred.

If you need support to help deal with nightmares or night terrors contact me to get started

Laura 💫

18/11/2025

Home visits are the best

Last week I attended a home visit and got to meet this little cutie. 🥰

This is an existing family that I helped support a few months ago. I love being able to meet clients face-to-face, and this lovely family only lives a few minutes away.

This little man has learnt to love his cot, is on a set nap structure, whilst mastering nighttime sleep and is learning to settle and self-settle.

When they say to you "I'm so glad I chose you, Laura, it's been more like a friendship" you know you're doing something right and that means the world 😊❤️

Follow me for more help and advice around sleep and parenting 💫

Laura xx

17/11/2025

13/11/2025

11/11/2025

Moving your child to a big bed can be just as exciting to them as it is to you; however, I recommend this transition around the age of 3 years.
Providing it is still safe for them to remain sleeping in a cot. Of course, if they were trying to climb out or had outgrown the cot then you would need to transition earlier.

My top 3 tips would be:

1. The room can become a cot, by simply placing a stairgate at their bedroom door, ensuring there are no hazardous objects that could cause injury to your little one.

2. If they take a midnight stroll to your room support them by using the guided return strategy, which involves returning them to their own bed every time they come to yours, and ideally you would want to do this with minimal engagement.

3. Think about applying a behaviour guidance strategy so they are aware of what is expected of them during this new transition. This could include them helping to make the rules, such as every night they get to choose 2 books to look at or by having a say in which pyjamas they are going to wear.

If you are struggling with this transition and need guidance contact me to learn more. 💫

Laura x

09/11/2025

For all the new Mums or mums-to-be 🥰

Witching hour is referred to as a period of time in the evening when your baby may be unsettled, agitated, not their usual self and hard to settle/soothe.
This typically occurs between 5:00 pm and 12:00 am. During this time they may be fussy around feeds, cry more and may show difficulty sleeping.

Witching hour normally shows up around week 2-3 of your little one being born and can hang around until the 3-4 month old mark.

The causes can relate to overtiredness, overstimulated or underlying issues.

You can help by mimicking the womb by using white noise, rocking, patting and swaddling.

It is important to note that whilst this period of unsettled behaviour is classed as normal, if you believe something is wrong then always trust your gut and seek medical advice. 💫

07/11/2025

⚠️New Package Alert ⚠️

Welcome to sleep talk 💫

Briet Summary:

If you need sleep answers now this may be the ideal package for you. This is a 30-to 40-minute express phone call, perfect for families who already have the sleep skills but need a quick hand to get their little one's sleep back on track and require guidance and support in specific areas. You are welcome to ask as many questions as you like during the call and take as many notes as you need.

This package is perfect for you if:

💫You need to tweak your current schedule
💫You have any burning sleep questions
💫You are trying to overcome bedtime battles
💫You are experiencing regressions
💫You need help with age-appropriate routines
💫You have worked with me before (but not essential)
💫You are dealing with early morning waking
💫Plus lots more

Important Notes:

This is a one-off 30-40-minute phone call, where I offer verbal advice. There is no follow-up support or sleep assessments included. An intake form will need to be completed before the call can commence.

DM me for further information or to book 💫

Laura xx

06/11/2025

05/11/2025

What happens if my child becomes sick during sleep training?

A question I was asked recently by a family who had undergone sleep training but their little one seemed off halfway through.

In cases like this, you know your child better than anyone and if you feel they are under the weather it is always a good idea to pause the sleep training and assist with settling and resettling them.
You may also find that they want to sleep longer and/or their nights/naps are disrupted, which is perfectly normal and okay to allow. The key is to offer them comfort when they need it.

You can always pick up where you left off once they are feeling better and back to their normal self 😊Remember to seek medical help if ever in doubt.

03/11/2025

☎️ The discovery call gives you an insight into my approach and expertise. This call isn't for free sleep advice, but rather an opportunity to determine which sleep package may suit you best and help you decide if I am the right fit for you and your family.
This is usually a friendly chat that always goes way over the 15-minute mark (and that's ok!)

I welcome you to share the problems you are experiencing and to discuss your sleep goals. I encourage you to ask me any questions you may have, and I will be happy to discuss how I can best support you.

There is no obligation to proceed with services following this 😊

31/10/2025

🎃 Happy Halloween 🎃

Halloween can be great fun for children but it can be painful for us parents, especially if you have little ones and you're worried that their bedtime may get disturbed.

Here are my top tips

👻 Consider leaving Halloween treats at the gate/door, so trick or treaters can serve themselves
👻 Place a "please don't knock, baby sleeping" sign on your gate or door
👻 Use white noise to drown out disturbances
👻 Keep outside lights off if you don't want to participate (in some countries this is a thing!)
👻 Delegate one person to deal with the trick or treaters whilst the other one focuses on routines and bedtime
👻 If you have older children you can explain what's happening in a way that they understand
👻 Use a baby monitor so you can keep an eye on them whilst you are handling the trick or treaters
👻 Don't stress if it doesn't go to plan
👻 Candy is a choking hazard, remember to keep it out of reach of little ones
👻 Adopt the stranger danger attitude