From Contact Naps to Cot Naps: The Gentle, Heart-Led Way I Helped a Mum Find Space Again

If your baby will only nap on your chest and you’re starting to feel touched out, overstimulated, and just a tiny bit lost in yourself… this post might feel like someone finally understands you.

Because I see mums in this season every single week.

And I want to say this right at the beginning:

You’re not doing anything wrong.
Your baby isn’t “behind.”
And you don’t need to sleep train to create change.

Let me tell you a real story from a family I supported recently one that so many mums message me about afterwards saying,
"This feels exactly like us."

A Real Story From A Family Like Yours

When I arrived at this family's home, Mum looked exhausted in that way only someone living on contact naps truly understands.

Her little one would only sleep on her chest.
Every nap.
Every day.

She whispered, “I love holding him… but I’m not okay. I need some space, and I feel guilty even saying that.”

You could see it in her body the tension, the overstimulation, the feeling of being “on” all the time.

So we took it gently.
Slowly.
Step by step — so her baby still felt held, just in a new way.

Here’s how we started:

• She placed him in the cot while holding his hand
  Her voice soft, rhythmic, reassuring.

• Then we practiced letting her voice do the regulating
  A simple phrase, said slowly enough for his little body to follow:

  “Close your eyes… it’s sleep time… I’m right here.”

• Then we added a little space
  Just a small shift. Mum still close, still present but giving him the chance to feel safe without constant touch.

And do you know what happened?

He responded.
Not with panic. Not with stress. But with curiosity… then trust… then sleep.

A few days later, she messaged me:

“He’s still asleep.

Do I wake him?

How long is too long for a nap?!”

And honestly… that message always makes me smile because I’ve been there.
That beautiful, surreal moment when your baby naps on their own and you’re standing in the kitchen thinking,
“What do I… do… now?”

Why Your Voice Is One of the Strongest Sleep Tools You Have

Babies are wired to tune in to your emotional state.
Your tone of voice.
Your breathing.
Your rhythm.

This is the root of responsive sleep, co-regulation, and all the gentle approaches I use with families — whether I’m there in person or supporting online.

Your voice can:

• Steady your baby's nervous system

• Replace the need for constant touch

• Guide your baby into calm

• Make nap transitions feel safe instead of scary

When mums ask me, “How do I help my baby sleep without crying, without sleep training, without losing connection?”

This is the answer.

Your tone.
Your rhythm.
Your presence.

Not perfection.
Not routines that leave you exhausted.
Not rigid sleep schedules that don’t match real life.

Just connection in a way that also gives you some breathing space back.

If You’re Feeling Touched Out Right Now… You’re Not Alone

I work with so many mums who are:

• Struggling to put their baby down in the cot

• Lost in constant contact naps

• Feeling overstimulated, touched out, and guilty about it

• Searching “how to stop contact naps gently” at 2am

• Trying to hold everyone together while quietly falling apart themselves

And in every home, every message, every story…
I see the same thing:

You’re not failing.
You just need support that meets you where you are.

You deserve help that feels gentle.
That feels human.
That feels like someone sitting beside you saying,
"Let’s do this together, one nap at a time."

Want to Chat About Your Baby’s Sleep?

If this story feels like your story, I’d love to support you.

Whether you want in-person nap support or a gentle plan that fits your family, I’m here no pressure, no judgement, just practical, loving help.

Ready to find out how I can support your family = book a call here
or send me a whatsapp that simply says: Can you help us with naps?

We’ll talk through what’s happening, what you need, and what support could look like in a way that feels light, safe, and kind.

You don’t have to do this alone.
And you definitely don’t have to choose between your baby’s needs and your own.

There is a gentle middle ground and I’d love to guide you there.