CASE STUDIES
​I believe every child and every family is unique, which is why my approach to sleep support is fully personalised and tailored to each family’s needs. My guidance is designed to be both supportive and achievable, helping children build healthy sleep habits while respecting family values and routines.
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The case studies below showcase real examples of my work with families, demonstrating how thoughtful, evidence-based strategies can resolve sleep challenges in a way that honours each child’s individuality.
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Please note: all names have been changed to protect the privacy of the children and families involved.
Helping a 6-Year-Old Overcome Anxiety-Related Night Wakings
The Challenge
G, a confident 6-year-old, had previously slept well, but after starting school and experiencing distressing fire and burglar alarm incidents, his sleep deteriorated:
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Waking 3–10 times per night in distress
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Early mornings around 5am
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Needing a parent present to fall asleep and resettle
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Bedtime resistance and delaying tactics
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Signs of separation and nighttime anxiety
His parents wanted support that addressed both sleep and anxiety, without harsh methods.
The Approach I created a bespoke, anxiety-aware sleep plan, tailored to G’s temperament, triggers, routines, and family values. The plan included: •Calming his nervous system before introducing gentle sleep coaching •Gradually building independence at bedtime •Providing age-appropriate choice and control •Teaching practical coping and relaxation strategies •Supporting independent resettling while maintaining reassurance The Outcome With consistent implementation: •G became confident falling asleep and resettling independently •Night wakings stopped •Bedtime became calm and predictable •Early mornings shifted from 5am to around 7am •The whole family experienced more restorative sleep Why This Worked Sleep challenges in older children are often linked to anxiety and life transitions. Addressing these challenges requires developmentally appropriate, emotionally responsive, and individualised support, focusing on long-term confidence rather than quick fixes.
Helping 4-Year-Old Twins Sleep Independently
The Challenge:
F and P, 4-year-old twins, were struggling with night wakings and needed parental presence to settle. They were:
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Moving between their own bedroom and their parents’ bed
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Waking around 5:30am
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Expressing anxiety around darkness and bedtime
These disruptions affected the whole household, including their older sibling.
The Approach I created a tailored twin sleep plan to suit each child’s temperament, routines, and sibling dynamics: •Replacing parental presence with independent sleep associations •Using a modified gradual retreat to build confidence •Addressing fears of darkness and bedtime anxiety •Supporting consistency across the night without overwhelming the household •Introducing bedtime passes as a calm backup for night-time visits The Outcome With consistent implementation: •F and P learned to fall asleep independently •Night wakings stopped •Both girls stayed in their own beds all night •Morning wake-ups became later and more consistent •The household experienced calmer nights Why This Worked Twin sleep challenges require personalised, temperament-led strategies that consider individual sleep needs, individual temperaments, shared rooms, and family dynamics, while building lifelong sleep skills without compromising emotional security.
Supporting a 22-Month-Old to Sleep Independently
The Challenge
J, 1 year 10 months, had begun waking multiple times a night after moving into his own bedroom. He struggled to resettle independently and relied on parental intervention. Night-time disruptions led to occasional daytime tiredness, especially after nursery days. Previous strategies had limited success.
The Approach I created a bespoke toddler sleep plan, focused on gradually replacing negative sleep associations with positive, independent sleep habits: •Gently removing night feeding as a sleep association •Adjusting bedtime routines for calmer nights after nursery •Encouraging independent resettling with comfort objects •Gradual progression to sleep coaching (in plan in case needed) •Providing clear, consistent reassurance to build confidence The Outcome With consistent implementation: •J became confident settling himself to sleep •Night wakings reduced and eventually stopped •Sleep became unbroken and restorative •Bedtime and overnight routines became calmer and predictable •Temper tantrums reduced Why This Worked Toddlers benefit from temperament-led, gradual approaches that build confidence without distress. This case reflects my approach as a child sleep consultant: responsive, personalised support that works with the child, creating sustainable improvements in sleep and family wellbeing.
Responsive Sleep Support for a 7-Month-Old Baby
The Challenge
A, a 7-month-old, was waking frequently at night, crying to sleep, and relying on feeds. Naps were unpredictable, and parents were concerned about emotional wellbeing. They wanted a gentle, responsive approach that respected attachment.
The Approach After a full sleep assessment, I created a personalised plan tailored to temperament, feeding needs, sleep environments, and family routines: •Replacing feed-to-sleep associations with independent sleep skills •Supporting healthy nap structure •Using an adapted Sleep Wave method with added reassurance •Improving bedtime routines and environment •Promoting attachment and daytime separation confidence The Outcome With consistency: •Bedtime became calm and predictable •She no longer cried herself to sleep •Settled independently with confidence •Night sleep improved with a dream feed and otherwise uninterrupted sleep Why This Worked Baby sleep solutions are most effective when responsive, developmentally appropriate, and tailored. This reflects my approach as a baby sleep consultant, creating lasting sleep habits without compromising attachment.
