Indie – From Bedtime Battles to Calm, Independent Sleep

When I first connected with Indie’s family, they were feeling completely stuck. At 2.5 years old, Indie had developed a strong habit of needing Mum or Dad to sit beside her until she fell asleep—a process that could take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours every night.

The evenings were long and draining, and once Indie was finally asleep, her parents had barely any time left for themselves. But it didn’t end there. Indie was also waking overnight, calling out, and refusing to settle again unless someone came in to sit with her. Understandably, everyone was exhausted.

What was clear right away was that Indie wasn’t trying to be difficult - she simply didn’t know how to fall asleep without company. Like many toddlers, she'd developed a deep reliance on a parent’s presence to feel safe and calm enough to drift off.

What We Did

I worked closely with Indie’s parents to create a plan that felt supportive and respectful, while still setting some loving, consistent boundaries. We introduced a clear bedtime routine and gradually reduced the level of presence required, moving from sitting beside the bed to sitting further away, step by step, until Indie learned that it was safe to fall asleep on her own.

We also put strategies in place to help her resettle overnight without needing a parent in the room, using simple cues and comfort items that supported her sense of security.

Just as importantly, I supported Mum and Dad with daily follow-ups, reassurance techniques, and mindset shifts, so they could respond calmly and confidently, even in those tougher moments.

What happened?

Within two weeks, bedtime went from a two-hour process to a calm, predictable 15–20 minutes. Indie was falling asleep on her own, without anyone sitting in the room, and she was staying asleep all night.

Her parents now have their evenings back, and more importantly, they feel proud and empowered. Indie is still the same spirited little girl, but now with the skills and confidence to sleep independently.

Testimonial from Indie's Parents:

"We honestly didn’t think it was possible. Indie had needed us with her every single night for months, and we were just so tired. Leanne gave us the tools and the confidence to make gentle changes, and the difference has been incredible. Indie now goes to bed happily and sleeps through the night. We feel like ourselves again."