Sleep - Parent Consultation case study (7 month old baby)
written by claire burgess, family consultant
This family came to us for a 1:1 parent consultation because sleep deprivation from their 7 month old not sleeping was affecting the whole family. Dad was in the spare room to make sure they weren’t both exhausted all day, their older child wasn’t getting the attention they wanted to give her, mum was exhausted and dreading naps and night-time and little one was grumpy and fractious.
First of all they outlined what was going on:
Sleep had always been tricky with no two nights ever the same.
Baby would wake frequently in the night, but might easily re-settle.
Other wakes could be up to 2-3 hours and no re-settling methods worked or there might be frequent wakes and baby wouldn’t settle for 30-45 minutes.
Naps were also challenging and met lots of resistance.
Techniques that the parents tried (hit and miss if they would work) included cuddling, bottom patting, rocking, co-sleeping, picking up and putting down.
First steps:
Moving little one from their side sleeper to a cot (they were getting too big for the crib) and then moving into their own room (they were over 6 months old and showing signs of being ready to move).
Spending time in baby’s nursery - playing in there during the day so that baby started to get used to it before going to bed. Making it a positive place they can relax and see as their own space.
Starting naps in the cot initially before properly moving in for night-times too.
Putting in place a predictable nap* and bedtime routine which worked for the family (incorporating school runs etc).
*The naptime routine:
This takes 5-10 mins and helps transition baby from daytime to knowing that it is sleep time:
Blackout curtains drawn and dim light on.
Music playing - same song each time and plays quietly while doing nappy change etc.
Change nappy and put on sleeping bag.
Music off, white noise on.
Having a cuddle while singing a verse of a song (this is the same bedtime song which is sung each time baby goes to sleep).
Into bed with family’s chosen sleep phrase such as “Love you, night night”
Naps first
For the first couple of days the parent stayed in the nursery and provided reassurance to baby if needed (hand on tummy / back and shushing) and left once baby was asleep. By day 3 baby was settling for naps and not needing any reassurance (this can take longer for some babies - they are all individual)
Once we had allowed time for little one to adjust and feel comfortable with naps, it was time to move them into the cot for night times too.
And here’s what happened once baby was in their cot:
Night 1: Settled to sleep well, 3 wake ups where parent went in, reassured and little one settled - a great improvement already!
Night 2: Settled well (6.45pm slightly earlier bed due to waking earlier from afternoon nap), 1 wake up for 20-30 mins but not upset just awake and chatting, parent watched on the monitor but didn’t go in, Little one fell back to sleep and woke happy around 6.15am
Night 3: Settled at bedtime with a few wriggles, but not upset. Slept through until 6.20am.
Night 4: A little more unsettled in the night with 2 wakes - parent went in to offer reassurance and little one went back to sleep.
Night 5: 1 wake up but short and went back to sleep.
Practice makes perfect
Sleep is not linear - it is completely natural and normal for us all to stir and wake through the night. It can just take our little ones time and practice along with our support and reassurance.
This little one is still practicing but they are now sleeping well for naps and at night which has had a real positive impact on them and the whole family!
You can find information about our 1:1 parent consultations here. You might also be interested in ‘Your Guide to Sleep’ - a step-by-step downloadable video guide as well as our sleep blogs.
We also have a podcast - ‘Newborn to teen and Everything in Between’– listen here.