What Types of Sleep Issues Can I Help With?

No two babies are the same — and neither are their sleep struggles. Some fight bedtime with everything they’ve got, others wake frequently, every few hours overnight, and some refuse to nap unless they’re in your arms. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

Every week, I work with families facing all kinds of sleep challenges — and together, we gently guide their little ones toward calm, consistent rest.

Here’s a look at the most common issues I help with, and real examples of how families have turned things around.

Bedtime Battles

If bedtime feels like a marathon of crying, standing in the cot, or endless rocking, you’re not the only one. Babies often resist sleep because they’re overtired, overstimulated, or unsure what’s expected at bedtime.

Take Sam and Amy’s 11-month-old daughter, Ella. Each evening, she’d stand in her cot screaming the moment they tried to leave the room. Within three nights of setting up a calmer bedtime routine and clear settling approach, Ella was lying down peacefully and asleep within 12 minutes.

Now, bedtime is the quietest part of their day.

Frequent Night Wakings

One of the biggest reasons parents reach out is frequent night waking. Some babies wake for comfort, while others rely on rocking or feeding to fall back asleep between cycles.

Mark and Jess’s 9-month-old son, Harry, woke every 90 minutes overnight and would only drift off while feeding. After teaching him gentle self-settling skills, he started sleeping six-hour stretches by the third night — and by the end of week one, he was sleeping through the night.

Jess told me, “I can’t believe we’re actually getting sleep again. I’d forgotten what it felt like to wake up rested.”

Early Morning Wake-Ups

If your baby starts their day before the sun does, you know how exhausting those 4:30 am wake-ups can be. Early rising can be from overtiredness, too much day sleep, hunger, or even light creeping into the room.

Sophia’s 10-month-old, Mila, was up every morning before 5:00 am. With a few small changes to her nap timing and room setup, she began sleeping until 6:30 am — giving her whole family an extra 90 minutes of rest each morning.

Short or Unpredictable Naps

Catnapping is common, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. When naps are short, it’s often due to needing a routine change, overtiredness, or sleep associations.

Tom and Lucy’s 7-month-old, Noah, would only nap for 30 minutes unless held. Once we adjusted his wake windows and created a clear nap routine, his naps stretched to 90 minutes within days. Lucy said, “I can finally have lunch and a hot cup of tea — it feels life-changing.”

Transitioning from Co-Sleeping or Contact Naps

Many families end up co-sleeping or holding their baby for naps simply to survive — especially after sickness or regressions. When the time feels right to move your baby back to their cot, we can do it gently and confidently.

Olivia’s 8-month-old, Ava, had been co-sleeping since a bout of illness months earlier. We worked through a gradual transition that kept Ava feeling safe and connected. By the end of two weeks, Ava was sleeping all night in her cot — and Olivia could finally stretch out in bed again!

Routine Changes and Nap Transitions

As babies grow, their sleep needs evolve. The two-to-one nap transition, for example, can throw the whole day off schedule.

Ben and Chloe’s 13-month-old, Leo, was fighting his afternoon nap and taking forever to fall asleep at night. We shifted his schedule to one nap, adjusted bedtime slightly earlier, and within days he was sleeping through again.

Knowing when and how to make these transitions can make all the difference.

Regressions, Illness, and Big Transitions

Even the best sleepers have setbacks — teething, travel, or starting childcare can all disrupt sleep. These phases can feel discouraging, but with gentle consistency, it’s easy to get back on track.

Hannah’s 15-month-old, Zoe, had been sleeping beautifully for months until a family trip overseas. Jet lag and teething threw everything off. Within a week of returning, we worked together to reset her sleep routine, and Zoe was back to sleeping through the night.

A Personalised, Gentle Approach

No matter what the challenge looks like, the approach is always the same: gentle, responsive, and tailored to your baby. There’s no “one-size-fits-all” sleep plan here — just clear, supportive guidance that works with your baby’s personality and your family’s values.

Because better sleep isn’t just about longer nights — it’s about calmer days, more confidence, and a happier home.

Ready to Begin?

If you’re feeling exhausted and unsure where to start, you don’t have to do this alone. My two-week Baby Sleep Program is designed to help you understand your baby’s sleep needs, build healthy habits, and see real progress — often within just a few nights.

Together, we’ll take the guesswork out of sleep and help your whole family rest easier.