Patrice Gentle Little Sleepers’ Post

🌟 Tired of Endless Toddler Night Wakes? 🌟 🚫 Exhausted parents, I've been there... the endless night wakes, the drawn-out bedtimes, the constant worry about your little one's sleep. You thought you'd be getting more sleep now they've got past that first birthday milestone! But you still don't have any evening and you're still sharing your bed with your baby, rather than your partner... 💡 I understand your struggles, I’ve lived through them myself so I offer gentle sleep coaching services and parenting advice tailored to your family's needs. No cry-it-out, no controlled crying. Just practical, holistic solutions that work. 🛌 Say goodbye to the frustration of long bedtime routines and frequent night wakes. With my step by step approach and on-going support, you'll learn how to understand your child's unique sleep needs and create a bedtime routine that promotes restful sleep for the whole family. 👩👧👦 Join my community of like-minded parents who are all navigating the challenges of toddler sleep together. Say hello to easier bedtimes, fewer night wakes, and a happier, well-rested family. ⏰ Don't let exhaustion and overwhelm rule your life. Book a FREE call with me today and take the first step towards better sleep for you and your little one. You deserve it! #GentleSleep #ParentingSupport #BetterSleepTogether #toddlersleep #toddlrsleephelp #toddlerbedtimes

Tired of bedtime battles? 🛌🏻 Here are some common reasons why your toddler might be struggling to stay in bed: 1️⃣ 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Moving from a cot to a bed can be unsettling. 2️⃣ 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞: Ensure they're getting enough physical activity and screen-free time. 3️⃣ 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤: A night light or comforting routine can help. 4️⃣ 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫: A minor illness can disrupt sleep patterns. 5️⃣ 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐝𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞: A consistent routine signals to your child that it's time to wind down. Need more support? 💤 Book a free discovery call with Calm Nights Sleep Consultancy; visit https://lnkd.in/gQh4SZMA #calmnights #babysleep #sleepsolutions #toddlersleep #nightout #sleeptipsandtricks #childrensleep #sleeptraininghelp #babysleepexpert #sleeptrainer

Navigating early morning wakeups with your little one? It's easy to fall into these common pitfalls. Here are the missteps I made and what you can do instead: Delaying Bedtime: Pushing bedtime later might seem like a quick fix, but it often backfires. Reducing Daytime Sleep: Trimming naps might seem logical, but it can lead to overtiredness and earlier wakeups. Early risings, like around 5 am, are often a sign of overtiredness. Adjusting bedtime or nap schedules the wrong way can worsen the situation or even trigger nighttime disturbances. What to Do Instead: Understand Sleep Needs: How much daytime sleep is appropriate for your child's age? What's the maximum awake time your little one can handle without becoming overtired? If you're uncertain about your child's sleep needs, I've got an online baby and child sleep masterclass on the 13th May to help you out. Just DM or comment 'sleep' to get the link. Tag someone who could use this advice! #sleepnanny #sleepconsultant #Sleeptips #NorlandNanny #supportingparents #supportingsleep #earlymornings #Parentigsuk #Parents #tiredparents #tiredbaby #tiredtoddlers

Attention Working New Parents! Congratulations on your new arrival. How well did you sleep last night? Are you feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world today? Or, are you dragging yourself to work on the scant energy that seems to be your new sleep deprived 'normal' these days? Have you been told that this is just 'parenthood'? IT'S A MYTH! The secret to settled sleep is how you manage your baby's awake time, not what you do when you walk into the bedroom at sleep time. Imagine your baby falling asleep happily in their bed. Imagine yourself waking feeling RESTED. What difference would that make to your productivity, your relationships, your parenting and your weekends? Why wait? What do you have to lose? Overwhelm, anxiety and time...? You are one great day away from creating DELICIOUS NIGHT SLEEP, and I can show you how. Let's talk.

Navigating Sleep Deprivation: When Fun and Exhaustion Collide This weekend, my daughter had a sleepover with her auntie and cousin. Her cousin is one of her best friends, so as you can imagine, they stayed up late laughing, playing, and chatting. It was a night full of joy—but little sleep. By Sunday, the lack of rest started to catch up with her. She was completely overwhelmed, deregulated, and struggling to manage her emotions. As a parent, I felt the strain too, especially as we had to make the tough decision to reduce sensory input for the rest of the day. The Heartbreaking Moment It was particularly hard because reducing stimulation meant she missed out on festive activities with her cousin, including visiting Santa. By the time Santa came out, she had fallen asleep, completely exhausted. Watching her miss out on something we had been so excited about was heartbreaking, but in that moment, her rest and regulation had to come first. How We Coped Managing a sleep-deprived child (and parent!) can feel overwhelming, but here’s what helped us navigate the day: 1. Prioritising Rest: Keeping the environment quiet and calm gave her a chance to recharge, even if it meant missing out on some activities. 2. Simplifying the Day: I kept the schedule light, with no expectations beyond making her feel safe and supported. 3. Recognising Emotional Needs: She needed lots of cuddles, reassurance, and patience—because tiredness amplifies everything. 4. Taking Time for Myself: When possible, I stepped away briefly to catch my breath and reset. Parenting while exhausted is no easy task! Moments like these are tough. As parents, we want to give our children every opportunity for joy, but sometimes their needs (and ours) require a different path. I remind myself that the missed moments are temporary, but the love and connection we build in these challenging times will last a lifetime. How do you handle these kinds of days when sleep deprivation takes its toll? I’d love to hear your tips or strategies! #Parenting #SleepDeprivation #NeurodiverseParenting #FestiveSeason #SelfCare

Does bedtime sometimes feel like it goes on for hours in your house? Has it become a time you dread or a moment in the day when everyone seems to lose it? The more you try and get everyone to sleep, the more you seem to be fighting an uphill battle? Bedtimes can be different. A few small changes can make a big difference to the dynamic. Adjust your expectations We are often hard on ourselves and our little ones and when a pattern starts to emerge of drawn-out or tantrummy bedtimes, we can get frustrated; this is eating into our time and they need to sleep. Taking a moment earlier in the day to adjust our expectations about how the evening will go and assuming it could be bumpy can help us manage the evening more calmly and come at it with more energy to find a solution that works for everyone. Check the routine If you’ve had a rigid bedtime routine for some time, it might be a good moment to think it through- does it work at your child’s current age? Is there a specific part of it that could be triggering the issues- be it the stories you’re reading or bathtime? Introduce play A bedtime routine can easily incorporate some elements of play which can shower your child with love and connection. As they climb into bed we can pretend their stomach is a pillow then jump, “Oops, that’s not my pillow”, then their feet and their teddy bear. A short playlistening game like this can diffuse things like teeth brushing and separation at lights out. I cover techniques like these in my Hand in Hand parenting courses, which I run regularly. If you’re curious about this approach or are thinking of joining a course (they’re online), then drop me a DM and I’ll let you know the next start date.

Things you dont ever get to see within a neurodiverse house! Sleep: Honestly you dont get to see the bedtimes, the waking up all night, midnight panics because something doesn't feel right or there is a bug! You dont get to see the lack of sleep on a parent and the absolute exhaustion of needing to have awareness and be ready to wake up to a meltdown at 4am! Space: No space is just yours, It is always an open invite for someone to have company or to come to you for support, your space is always shared and open as you know the second you relax and close the door someone will want you. Going outside: ok so yes, we do go outside but you dont see the routines, the considerations and the meltdowns behind going out that door, you dont see people coming home early from holidays in the middle of the night because you are once again getting no sleep in an unusual place. You also dont see the absolute joy, humour and connection that comes with understanding and openness. You also dont see the way one occasional hug can make a whole year You also dont see the way that you lean on each other when the world feels to big! So much goes on behind closed doors that you cannot see! This was why I created my parenting support services, starting at £25 pcm drop a 😍 below and I will message you the details! What is hidden in your world that you wish others understood? #lifecoaching #parentsupport #mumssupportingmums

✨ From Chaos to Calm: A Sleep Story for the Exhausted Parent's✨ “When we reached out to Donna, we were in survival mode. Our 5-month-old would only contact nap, co-sleep, and wake every 2 hours. We were utterly exhausted as a family and didn’t know where to start. Even naps were a struggle, lasting only 30–45 minutes. Donna saved us.” This beautiful family’s journey is one many of us can relate to—tired, overwhelmed, and unsure how to break the cycle. Together, we worked gently and patiently to create a sleep plan tailored to their little one’s needs. Fast forward to today: their baby now naps in her own room, sleeps soundly in her cot, and wakes only once or twice for a feed (as per their goals). And those dreaded 30-minute catnaps? They’re now full, restorative naps every single day. What made all the difference? A slow, child-focused approach that didn’t just help their baby sleep but also reassured and empowered Mum & Dad. This isn’t just about “fixing sleep”—it’s about supporting families, one gentle step at a time. If you’re feeling stuck in the thick of it, you don’t have to do this alone. Let’s turn your sleepless nights into peaceful ones. 🌙 Reach out today, and let’s create your family’s sleep transformation story. #Bub2Sleep #GentleParenting #SleepSupport #ExhaustedMums #TailoredSleepSolutions #BabySleep #theparentingcollective ##selfcareformums #HappyMamaHappyFamily #consciousparenting #perthmumsandbubs #perthmums #perthdads #parentingsupport #parentingsupport #parentingtips #breathedeep #mumlife #aussiemumbloggers #motherlove #motherlife #mother

Early this morning, our clocks went back one hour. Daylight Savings affects not only children’s sleep patterns but adults too. It can take all of us a week or so to adjust to the change and settle back into routine. Children tend to be much more structured with going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning. So what is the best way to handle it? This morning, I hope you got up at your usual time. After breakfast and coffee, then go around changing the clocks. Then, split the difference... Toddlers: If your little one usually takes a nap around midday, move nap time to 11:30am. It will feel like 12:30pm which isn’t too much of a difference so it won’t derail the sleep schedule. Let’s say your child usually goes to bed at 7pm. I recommend putting that child to bed at 6:30pm for the first 2-3 nights after the clock change. This will FEEL like 7:30pm to your child on the first night or so. Again, not too much of a change to warrant a reaction. To make things as easy as possible, keep the morning up time the same. This means, keeping the expectation of when up time is the same. If you have a toddler that is using a digital clock and ‘Super 7’ is the time they can get out of bed (or leave their room), don’t change this expectation. With the clocks going back, you may have some early wakings on the first few mornings - keep the rules the same! On the 4th night, get in line with the new time. Adjust naps to the usual time on day 4 as well. If you have a young baby: If your baby’s nap schedule is based on awake times, simply stick to the relevant awake times throughout the day. If your bub wakes early for a few mornings, try to hang back and get bub up as close to 7am as possible. It will all even out over time. As the awake times with young babies are a constant moving target as your baby grows, those timings are the only times you need to be concerned with. #daylightsavings #fallback #clockschange #sleeptip #splitthedifference #gentlesleepsolutions #sleepcoach #sleepconsultant #certifiedsleepconsultantgeelong

🌅 Parents, are you tired of feeling like a ZOMBIE before surise? As a sleep consultant, I've discovered some surprising facts about infant and toddler sleep patterns that might just change your mornings: 1️⃣ Early Morning Wakes aren't just your problem - they're one of the most common sleep challenges for parents of young children. 2️⃣ The culprits behind those pre-dawn wake-ups? Often it's a trifecta of light, food, and external stimulation. Even the slightest environmental change can trigger your little one's internal alarm clock. 3️⃣ Here's a counterintuitive truth: pushing bedtime later doesn't lead to later mornings. In fact, it often results in even earlier wake-ups! 😲 If you're nodding along, feeling heard, or just desperate for a solution, I've got good news. I've compiled all my expertise into a FREE Guide with 7 Baby STEPS to Tackle Early Morning Wakes. 👉 Sign up to download it here: https://lnkd.in/exeCzDJb Let's work together to transform your mornings from exhausting to energizing! Your well-rested future self will thank you! 🙏 #ParentingTips #SleepSolutions #BabySleep #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #WorkingParents #EarlyWakes #BabySleepConsultant