Sleep Library

An important part of The Sleep Snug are the free resources here.

The Library will be updated regularly with blog posts providing sleep advice for everything from travel to toddler behaviour to the latest safe sleep information. Any advice is evidence based and referenced so you can be sure it is up to date.

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Quick Guides

This section of the Sleep Library will be updated regularly. All of the guides are free. When you enter your email address you will receive a link to your chosen guide.

Leah Barratt Leah Barratt

Sleep Safety for Twins and Multiples

Sleep advice for twins and multiples is the same in some instances but different in others. This post covers: safe sleep, sleep environment, schedules, sleepwear and additional resources relating to twins and multiples.

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Leah Barratt Leah Barratt

Toddler Bedtime Routines Don’t Have To Be Stressful

Toddlers typically require about 11 to 14 hours of sleep each day, including naps. This sleep is crucial not only for their physical growth but also for cognitive development and emotional regulation. However, parents often face challenges such as bedtime refusal, night waking, and early rising during these years. So what do we do about it?

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Leah Barratt Leah Barratt

Honouring Attachment Parenting: Gentle Sleep Methods Without the Tears

Does the idea of “sleep training” fill you with dread? Just the term itself has so many negative connotations with the more traditional, extreme methods. What if I told you that you could help your baby or child sleep well, without leaving them to cry and without moving away from the core beliefs of attachment parenting? Read the blog to find out more.

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Leah Barratt Leah Barratt

Survivor's Bias and Baby Sleep: Why "It Worked for Us" Can Be Dangerous

The idea of what is safe in the sleep industry is an ever evolving topic. Taking advice from older generations (or choosing not to) can often cause issues. This blog explores the idea of why “it worked for us” can be dangerous - as what was safe a few years ago might not be anymore.

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Leah Barratt Leah Barratt

Why ‘Cry It Out’ Wasn’t for Me…

When you first become a parent, or even for the second or third time, sleep training is something you are constantly asked about. At parent and baby groups you are asked “how are they sleeping?”, “have you tried sleep training yet?” and my personal favourite: “are they a good baby?”. That last one particularly irritated me, I always wanted to respond with: “no she’s terrible, evil in fact, I think she may be planning my demise.”

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Leah Barratt Leah Barratt

Where do I start when it comes to improving sleep?

Understanding where to start when improving sleep can be half the battle…

I’ve gone through the key areas (sleep habits, routine, bedtime routine, night wakings and feeds) that you need to get right to see improvements.

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Leah Barratt Leah Barratt

Teething and Sleep

Is your baby teething and sleep has gone out of the window? It’s normal to worry that introducing new sleep habits might mean undoing your baby’s ability settle well without them. This post offer reassurance and practical advice on how to manage teething and sleep.

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Leah Barratt Leah Barratt

Travel, Sleep and Babies

Does baby jetlag put you off travelling with your baby or toddler? I explain how babies and toddlers sleep and how you can use this knowledge to travel stress free with your children.

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Leah Barratt Leah Barratt

Do you feel judged for how well your baby sleeps?

Do you worry that how well your baby sleeps is a direct result of your ability as a parent? Do you go to baby groups and worry you will be judged by other mums for nap routines, night waking, feeding and more?

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Leah Barratt Leah Barratt

Top 3 Tips for Spring Clock Change

Is the daylight savings clock change stressing you out? Are you worried that it will throw your baby’s routine off completely? Read my Top 3 Tips for the Spring Clock Change to manage this change with confidence.

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Leah Barratt Leah Barratt

Phoebe’s Sleep Journey: 18 Months - 2 Years 9 Months

If your baby or toddler gets really upset at bedtime because they only want one particular parent (read: usually mummy) to do it or if they scream the house down when they wake in the night and it’s not that same parent that responds, it’s likely they have parental preference. This is completely normal and very common behaviour. Does that mean it’s easy to deal with? No.

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Leah Barratt Leah Barratt

How to deal with parental preference at bedtime

If your baby or toddler gets really upset at bedtime because they only want one particular parent (read: usually mummy) to do it or if they scream the house down when they wake in the night and it’s not that same parent that responds, it’s likely they have parental preference. This is completely normal and very common behaviour. Does that mean it’s easy to deal with? No.

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Leah Barratt Leah Barratt

My Top 5 Tips For An Optimal Sleep Environment

Did you know that your baby’s sleep environment is one of the key pillars that could be impacting their sleep? Do you know what an “optimal” sleep environment looks like? Let’s look at the five key areas to help you build the perfect sleep space for your baby or child. We will also discuss what you absolutely don’t need, too!

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Leah Barratt Leah Barratt

Phoebe’s Sleep Journey Part III: 12-18 Months

By the time Phoebe was 12 months old she had been on two naps for a while. At 14 months, we had an early waking problem. She was consistently waking up at 5am and struggling to get back to sleep. This happened for about 2 weeks before I decided it was time to cut down or remove the morning nap.

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Leah Barratt Leah Barratt

What is the difference between ‘sleep training’ and ‘gentle, holistic sleep support’?

Recently, I was asked this question: what is the difference between sleep training and what you offer? I provide gentle and attachment-focused sleep support. But what does that mean? The sleep industry is full of confusing and misleading information about baby sleep. I think it would be helpful to look at both sides of the argument (because let’s be honest, it is one) and explain why I don’t offer the more traditional sleep training methods and what I offer as an alternative.

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Leah Barratt Leah Barratt

Phoebe’s Sleep Journey: 5-12 Months

My daughter’s sleep journey - part 2.

5-12 Months stage covers: 4 month sleep regression, introducing a routine, cot practise and moving to her own room.

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Leah Barratt Leah Barratt

Phoebe’s Sleep Journey

In the first couple of nights after being born, Phoebe just wanted to be held (completely normal). So, Chris and I took shifts between feeds to sit up with her.

We then started putting her down in her co-sleeper cot next to the bed after feeding when she was already asleep. She was in a Tommee Tippee Grobag swaddle, which she loved. She would then sleep for a couple of hours at a time in the cot, and when she woke, I would feed her, and she would then go back to sleep…

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Leah Barratt Leah Barratt

Managing Your Baby/Child’s Sleep When They’re Ill: A Compassionate Approach

Why does it feel like every week our little ones come home from childcare/school with yet another virus? The last few weeks have been relentless. It can be a bit overwhelming when your child is sick and you don’t know what to do about their sleep. Do we just let them sleep all day? Will it undo your hard work on getting them to sleep in their crib if you let them sleep in your bed for a few nights? I want to explore this and give you some advice around how to manage sleep. Rest assured, the focus is on compassion and flexibility.

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Leah Barratt Leah Barratt

How to Manage Your Child’s Sleep When Staying With Family at Christmas

Welcome to the holiday season, a time of year filled with festive cheer and family gatherings. However, when you have a baby or toddler, the jolly celebrations can also bring some challenges and anxiety, especially when it comes to managing their sleep schedule. You may feel worried about going off track, how your little one (and you!) will manage. I have some practical strategies for ensuring your child gets the rest they need while still enjoying the holiday festivities with your loved ones.

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Leah Barratt Leah Barratt

Night Feeds: Time to Readdress the Balance?

When I was pregnant I did a hypnobirthing course. It also covered what to do when the baby arrives i.e. how to actually look after a baby, what to expect in terms of feeding and sleep. This was great as my husband and I were clueless. We decided from the beginning that I would try to breastfeed and just see how we go. Fast-forward to week two as parents and the night feeds were really affecting my mental health. Luckily, as we had done the course together, he knew how to help and stepped up. We shared the night feeds going forward. This saved my breastfeeding journey and also my mental wellbeing.

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