A GREATVINE PARENTING GUIDE

Child Sleep

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How can I get my

child to sleep?

There must be someone who can help...

If you struggle with your childs night time routine, it can leave you feeling desperate, exhausted and frustrated.
Not getting enough shut-eye doesnt just affect how your child feels and behaves, but also how the rest of the family copes. If everyones tired day after day it can put a real strain on almost every aspect of life. Thats why this Greatvine booklet is jam-packed with invaluable advice and expert tips on how to encourage your child to sleep, from setting a calming bedtime routine; to how to get active toddlers to take afternoon naps; and how to get your child to fall asleep in their cot or bed rather than in your arms. The specialists featured have many years of experience helping parents through the challenges of getting their children to sleep. Ranging from experienced and respected child sleep experts to child psychologists, best-selling child sleep authors, parent coaches, nannies and health visitors, their gentle and supportive methods can really make the difference to you and your child. If this booklet helps you, remember that the child sleep specialists over the next few pages are just a small part of Greatvine .To speak to an expert, go to Greatvine.com and see how we can make a difference to your life. The experts are ready to talk whenever you need.

In this edition
4 6 8 Meet the child sleep experts Expert Q&A with Jo Tantum Top tips for a better bedtime 10 Next steps for more advice

child sleep experts

Jo Tantum
Author of Baby Secrets and the sleep expert for Prima Baby magazine, Jo knows that every parent can help their baby have a peaceful, happy night-time without resorting to an ultrastrict routine. She understands that when a baby cant sleep it can bring chaos and despair to family life, and have negative effects on the whole household. Her research means shes developed her own technique, known as Spaced Soothing. Not only does this teach babies to enjoy their sleep but it also helps parents understand their children better, and puts them

Meet the

Talk with a top child sleep specialist, whenever you need

back in control of their lives. Jos presented an expert slot on GMTV and has also appeared at the UK Baby Shows. Having studied hundreds of sleeping patterns over the years, shes seen first hand that every baby has their own, sometimes mysterious, way of letting their parents know what they really want and need. Talk with Jo on 0906 400 6222 - 1.50/min*. greatvine.com/jo-tantum

Linda Russell
A sleep specialist and parent coach, Linda believes that sleep is the foundation to successful parenting. Without it, confidence disappears and relationships often become strained. She takes parents back to

when sleep first became an issue, then focuses on moving forwards. Linda is the founder and director of her own sleep clinic based in Edinburgh and writes regularly for newspapers and magazines. Having trained as a nanny at the prestigious Norland College, Lindas background is in nursery nursing and so her expertise comes from years of hands-on experience. Some of her areas of expertise include: baby reflux; silent reflux; toddler night-time battles; bed hopping; new baby routines and constant night feeding. Talk with Linda on 0906 400 6216 - 1.50/min*. greatvine.com/linda-russell

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Brenda Hart
With over 30 years of experience as a day nanny, night nanny and a sleep specialist, Brenda prides herself on being as enthusiastic about her work now as she was when she qualified in 1979. She knows from her experience with her own sons sleep difficulties the difference that the right approach can make. Thats why shes passionate about helping other families, and guarantees that if a child has sleep issues shell be able to get them sleeping through the night. Her guidance is straightforward, nonfussy, clear and concise. Talk with Brenda on 0905 675 4620 - 1.20 per/min*. greatvine.com/brenda-hart

private practice in 1999, Andrea has established herself as one of the countrys leading baby and childrens sleep experts, and her work is recognised by paediatricians, child health practitioners and health journalists. Arrange to talk with Andrea at: greatvine.com/ andrea-grace

sleep routines to help settle babies into sleep. Arrange to talk with Tizzie at: greatvine.com/tizzie-hall

Chireal Shallow
Chireal is a psychologist and sleep expert. Shes also a mum of four, and decided to study sleep techniques after the challenges she faced with her own children. Founder of the Naturally Nurturing Childrens Sleep Clinic, Chireal doesnt believe children should be left to cry themselves to sleep. She now trains other experts in her gentle methods. Underpinning her work is the belief that every child has a right to receive comfort, every parent has a right to demonstrate love, and everyone has a right to a night of uninterrupted sleep! Chireal has appeared as an expert in Mother & Baby magazine. Arrange to talk with Chireal at: greatvine.com/chireal-shallow
* from a BT landline. Calls from other networks and mobiles may vary. 18+.

Tizzie Hall
Tizzie was given the nickname The Baby Whisperer when local parents were amazed at her ability to get their children to sleep. Soon, all the mothers in her neighbourhood sought her out when they couldnt calm or comfort their crying babies. Very quickly she learned to read little ones body language and cries. A successful baby coach, Tizzies book Save Our Sleep has been translated into four languages. Shes also led sold-out parenting workshops, and makes expert appearances on TV. Tizzie offers a collection of tried-and-tested solutions and tips based on many years of experience with babies and young children. She prefers not to use the controlled crying approach, but instead has devised set feeding, play and

Andrea Grace
Health visitor and author of Teach Yourself Baby Sleep, Andrea has a 97% success rate in helping parents get their children to sleep. Shes appeared as an expert on ITVs This Morning, and in Mother & Baby magazine. She specialises in gentle, childcentred techniques, which respect the values and parenting styles of each family. Having a medical background and training, she treats babies and childrens sleep problems in a safe and holistic way and takes into account a childs nutritional, health and developmental status plus any family factors. Since leaving the NHS to set up a

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A GREATVINE PARENTING GUIDE CHILD SLEEP

Expert Q & A
My one-year-old only sleeps if I rock her or lie on the bed with her. She also wakes several times during the night. Its exhausting what can I do?
Your daughter thinks that the only way she can fall asleep is with your help, so youre actually reinforcing this belief. You need to help her have the confidence to get to sleep alone. The easiest way to do this is to start with her daytime nap, as itll give her several chances to learn to fall asleep on her own before bedtime. Wait until shes tired, but not overtired. Then take her upstairs where theres soothing music playing and place her in her cot. Say, Have a good nap! then leave the room. If she gets upset, wait for five minutes before you go in, listening for quiet gaps. When you go in, gently say Ssshh, stroke her head, and put your

Author of the best-selling book Baby Secrets sleep specialist Jo , Tantum answers your questions

with Jo Tantum
hand on her chest. Do this for one to two minutes and then leave the room. Continue this every five minutes. Dont leave your baby for longer than 10 minutes before going in to soothe her. If she doesnt settle after 30 minutes, get her up and try again later.

My two-year-old son sleeps well at night, but refuses to sleep during the day and is often tired and cranky by late afternoon. How can I persuade him to have an afternoon nap?
It can be hard to get an active toddler to have an afternoon nap, so set up a reward system. Each day he has a nap he gets a sticker on his chart, and if he does it four days out of five, he gets a small gift. When its nap-time, read a story then snuggle him down and remind him about the sticker or

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When she was born three weeks ago, my baby slept anywhere. Now she doesnt seem to sleep at all and when I try and settle her at night she screams for hours. Im so tired. What can I do?
When your baby was first born she was happy to sleep all the time. But now shes started to take an interest in the world. You need to put her down for naps somewhere quiet she can switch off. Use her nursery for daytime naps to get her used to the room. Close the curtains, swaddle her to stop the startle reflex and leave her to sleep. Shell only be able to stay awake for about an hour before she starts getting tired, so make sure you put her down as soon as you see any signs of tiredness like a short cry, staring into space or yawning.

gift. Tell him youre just going to do something and youll be back in five minutes to see if hes doing well. Return five minutes later for a look. Continue this reward system for at least two weeks and youll soon be reaping the benefits.

After my 14-month-old sons bath, he comes downstairs to have milk in front of the TV. But then he runs around and doesnt seem tired at all. When he wears himself out he has a cuddle with us on the sofa and falls asleep. Later on we put him in his cot, but he wakes up at 2am and doesnt go back to sleep. Can you help?
Your little boy is overtired and overstimulated by the TV. Thats why he runs around the room hes tired but doesnt know how to switch off. A bedtime routine will help him wind down and understand its time to go to sleep. Start at the same time every night. After his bath, get him ready for bed in his room, with low lights and soothing music. Give him his milk while reading a story, then settle him in his cot. If he wakes up during the night, go in and reassure him all is OK, then give him time to resettle himself.

My son is 11 weeks old. He goes to sleep fine at 7.30pm but wakes for good at 2.30am. Ive now resorted to going to bed at 8.30pm, but I dont see my partner at all. Can we do anything to help the situation?
Put your baby to bed as usual, but then at 11pm get your partner to change his nappy, which will wake the baby from sleep. He can then feed him a bottle, also known as a dream feed. This is also a perfect time for dad to have some bonding time with his son. As youll be able to time your long sleep with your babys long sleep, this means you can stay up a little later to spend time with your partner.

Talk with Jo

0906 400 6222

1.50/min from a BT landline. Calls from other networks and mobiles may vary. 18+.

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A GREATVINE PARENTING GUIDE CHILD SLEEP

better bedtime

Top tips for a

Your child only has sleep issues if theyre

not getting enough sleep. Dont compare their sleep patterns or habits to your friends children. -Linda Russell

2 3

Be reasonable with
your expectations. You

wont be able to turn your childs sleeping habits around in a night! It takes longer than that, so have patience. -Linda Russell

When planning

to put a sleep routine in place, aim for consistency. Start and end your childs day at the same time. -Linda Russell

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4 5 6 7

Dont let your child

fall asleep on the sofa or on your bed, only to transfer them to their bed later on. If you do this they might wake up and panic. You may think theyre having a nightmare, but theyre not theyre alarmed because theyve woken in a strange place. -Andrea Grace

If youre starting a new sleep routine,

write a sleep diary for your child a week beforehand. Keep the diary going while you try to improve your nights. This will help you see where the problem times are, and how to set sensible benchmarks. -Linda Russell

You want your child to be tired,

but not overtired. If theyre beginning to drop their nap but not able to make it to bedtime, dont be tempted to give them a late afternoon catnap. Instead, bring bedtime forward or allow a short teatime nap but put them to bed later. -Andrea Grace

Try not to rock

or feed your child to sleep. Instead, its best to give them a cuddle until theyre calm then put them in their cot awake but drowsy. -Jo Tantum

9 10

Catnapping can be caused by hunger,

coldness or too little awake time. If you put your baby to bed at the first sign of tiredness they might be tired enough to nap, but not tired enough to sleep. -Tizzie Hall

Once you go through for

11 12 13

Always feed your baby until theyre full.

Never restrict the amount of breast or formula milk you give them. -Tizzie Hall

Dont change your babys nappy in the

night after 11pm unless its dirty. It will wake them up too much, and make it harder for them to resettle. -Jo Tantum

Make sure your babys warm

bath time, dont come back into the living area. Your routine should be bath, pyjamas, stories, feed, then into bed. -Linda Russell

enough to sleep safely and well. Too little bedding can cause an older child to roll to the unsafe sleeping position of their tummy. -Tizzie Hall

Start a simple bedtime routine as

soon as possible. A bath, a massage and a feed in the bedroom will help relax them. -Jo Tantum

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A GREATVINE PARENTING GUIDE CHILD SLEEP

Next steps for

When your child wont sleep, it can affect every member of the family. Thats why its good to know where you can get one-to-one help and support you can trust.
Greatvine lets you talk on the phone with the countrys best experts, whenever you need. Choose from leading specialists in over 80 topics covering all aspects of pregnancy, childbirth and parenting from breastfeeding and baby sleep to postnatal depression and child nutrition.

more advice
The team includes midwives, breastfeeding specialists, paediatricians, practice nurses, parenting coaches, child nutritionists, child psychologists, counsellors and more. With an average of five qualifications each the experts offer advice you can trust. Friendly and understanding, theyre here to help. Many also contribute to TV, radio and to leading magazines & newspapers. Simply browse the experts profiles, choose a specialist and talk whenever you need.

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