Sleep
Sleep is a hot topic among parents of young babies. Whatever your concern, we will help you understand your baby's sleep pattern and any difficulties, and settle into sleeping arrangements that suit you all.
We recommend a check from your doctor or paediatrician to exclude any underlying problem and ensure development is on track. It's important to consider feeding patterns and reflux, which are closely linked with sleeping.
Your doctor may suggest specific diagnostic tests if these are needed. If allergies interfere with sleep, you may wish to visit our paediatric allergist, Dr Adam Fox.
Our family therapist Ann Herreboudt, who has been advising parents for many years in personal consultations and through sleep clinics, can offer advice on safe and comfortable sleeping, including bed sharing ('co-sleeping'), and answer any queries you have about potential allergens (e.g. dust mites) that might interfere with sleep, or common issues such as reflux and colic. We can also advise on growth spurts and feeding as well as ways to help your baby relax gently at the end of a day.
Complementary therapies can help your baby relax by reducing tension in your baby's nervous system. The roots of tension may range from pressure during birth to digestive discomfort, anxiety or excessive stimulation. Many parents who use Cranial osteopathy tell us their baby's sleep improves; and babies often respond to homeopathic remedies.
Massage has been used across the world for thousands of years. Soothing and developmental baby massage is taught in regular classes - including special 'dads only' classes .
Emotional support may be valuable for your whole family and will be combined with practical tips to help you make a transition from 'a family with a sleep problem' to a family who adapts and sleeps well. Babies are very sensitive to the emotions of their parents and other family members, and we have some of London's finest experts on supporting families. You may wish to meet a family therapist to assist with your family's unique needs. Your baby is welcome to join the consultations.
Babiesknow workshops, postnatal groups and parenting support groups provide additional opportunities to discuss sleep issues, and learn from experts as well as other parents.
Did you know?
Newborn babies have a stomach the size of a ping pong ball and need to feed every 2-3 hours so short sleep periods are completely normal. There is a natural cycle where babies to surface from deep sleep into light sleep, and into wakefulness, frequently, and then fall asleep again. Parents who share a bed with their baby have more hours of sleep as they are often not fully disturbed during breastfeeding or in the light sleep phase of the cycle.
Bedsharing can be delicious for baby, and for parents, and is safe provided
- parents have not taken alcohol
- parents have not taken drugs
- parents have not smoked cigarettes
- parents are not exhasted
- parents are sleeping on a flat secure mattress and not on a couch
- there is no risk of your baby falling off the bed or between or beneath cushions
