How My Daughter’s Sleep Challenges Made Me a Better Consultant

As a sleep consultant, I’ve worked with many families, helping them navigate the challenges of getting their little ones to sleep. But when I became a mother myself, I experienced firsthand just how difficult sleep struggles can be. My daughter, Poppy, had her own set of sleep challenges that taught me more than any book or course ever could. These experiences not only deepened my understanding of sleep but also helped me refine my approach as a consultant.

In this blog, I’ll share some of the sleep struggles we faced with Poppy and how overcoming them made me a better sleep consultant and mum. I hope that by sharing these personal experiences, I can offer you the reassurance that even as a sleep expert, I understand the emotional and physical toll sleep struggles can take on a family.

The Beginning of the Struggle: Early Sleep Disruptions

When Poppy was born, I thought I had it all figured out. After all, I had years of experience as a Norland Nanny and sleep consultant. I knew all the techniques, the sleep patterns, and the signs to look for. But nothing could have prepared me for how different it would be when it was my child who was struggling with sleep.

Poppy’s early months were filled with sleepless nights, frequent night wakings, and difficulty settling. Despite my knowledge and experience, there was a part of me that still felt helpless, wondering why these struggles seemed so much more challenging when it was my own child. This was the first lesson I learned: even with expertise, parenting and sleep challenges can be emotionally overwhelming.

Sleep Regression and the Realisation of How Much It Affects Families

As Poppy grew, she went through a phase of sleep regression around 4 months. It was as if all the progress we had made in her sleep went out the window. She was waking up multiple times a night and fighting naps, leaving both of us exhausted. As a sleep consultant, I knew this was normal, but as a mum, it felt like I was back to square one.

This period of sleep disruption helped me understand something deeply important: sleep regressions are incredibly hard to navigate, no matter how experienced you are. It’s easy to feel like you’ve done something wrong, especially when you know so much about sleep and yet still face these challenges. This made me realise how critical it is to reassure parents that regressions are part of the process and that they are not failing.

When I worked with parents struggling with sleep regressions after that, I could empathise with their frustrations in a way I never could before. I could tell them with confidence that the regression would end, and give them the tools they needed to get through it, because I had been through it myself.

The Emotional Toll of Tiredness: A Lesson in Compassion

There was another sleep challenge I faced with Poppy that really affected me: her emotional responses to tiredness. When she didn’t get enough sleep, she would become incredibly emotional, frustrated, and clingy. She struggled to regulate her emotions, and I quickly realised how closely sleep and emotions are connected.

As a consultant, I always knew the importance of sleep for emotional regulation, but it wasn’t until I saw it play out in my own child that I truly grasped how profound an impact lack of sleep can have on a child’s behaviour and mood. This realisation made me even more compassionate when working with families facing similar struggles.

I became more attuned to the emotional side of sleep challenges. It’s not just about getting the child to sleep; it’s about the bigger picture—the stress it places on the family, the exhaustion, and the emotional toll on both the parents and the child. This personal experience made me more patient and understanding with clients, reminding them that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed and that they aren’t alone.

Overcoming the Challenges: Patience and Flexibility

Through all of Poppy’s sleep challenges, what helped me most was patience. As a sleep consultant, I had all the tools and techniques to help with sleep struggles, but it was also important for me to stay flexible and adapt as we navigated Poppy’s sleep journey. I learned that no two children are the same, and what works for one child might not work for another—even if they have the same age or temperament.

I had to trust in the process and be gentle with myself, something I tell all my clients now. It’s easy to get frustrated when sleep doesn’t improve immediately, but the key is to stay consistent and keep an open mind. Each day, each night, Poppy’s sleep improved little by little. Eventually, we found a rhythm that worked for us, and now, Poppy’s sleep is much more predictable.

This experience taught me that parents need both support and flexibility when facing sleep challenges. It's not about a "one-size-fits-all" solution; it’s about understanding the unique needs of the child and family, and being ready to adjust as things evolve.

Relating My Experience to My Work with Clients

As a sleep consultant, I now have a deeper understanding of what parents go through on a daily basis when dealing with sleep issues. My personal experience with Poppy’s sleep challenges has given me a new level of empathy, helping me connect with families on a more personal level. I can speak from experience when I say that even when it feels like nothing is working, it will get better.

I’m more compassionate when working with families who are exhausted, frustrated, or worried about their child’s sleep. I’ve been there myself, and I know how draining it can be. But I also know that with the right guidance, patience, and support, families can find a solution that works for them.

If you’re struggling with your child’s sleep, know that you’re not alone. As a sleep consultant and a mum, I’ve been through the sleepless nights, the regressions, and the emotional rollercoaster. And I’m here to help you through it too.

Conclusion:

Becoming a mother and experiencing my own child’s sleep struggles made me a better consultant. It gave me a level of empathy and understanding that I couldn’t have gained any other way. The challenges I faced with Poppy taught me that sleep isn’t just about techniques—it’s about patience, flexibility, and knowing that every family’s journey is different.

I hope my story reassures you that it’s okay to struggle with sleep, and that you don’t have to navigate it alone. I’m here to offer support, guidance, and reassurance as you work through your child’s sleep challenges. Together, we can make sure you and your little one get the rest you deserve.

Let’s Chat

If you’d like to learn more or talk through your baby’s sleep and settling challenges, I offer a free, no-obligation call. It’s a chance to share what’s happening and explore how I can support you and your family. Click here to book your free call today!

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