The Sleep Mums

A to Zzz: N for Nanny

Our letter this week is N, which is not for nappies, nursery or nipples, it’s for Nanny and the nanny of the moment, Nanny Louenna. Like Sarah, Louenna is a Norland Nanny, (the nannies the royal family use) and she has developed a brilliant app, nicknamed Nanny in My Pocket, that has been a lifesaver for many parents, particularly in the last year.

She is really passionate about supporting parents to enjoy their parenting journey, sharing all that she knows and helping babies and children to thrive. She also has the most wonderful laugh!                   

In this brand-new episode, we talk to Louenna about her app, how parenting and nannying has changed since she graduated from the world-famous Norland College and her number one piece of advice, when it comes to babies.

Pregnancy Sleep

Pregnancy Insomnia is, unfortunately, really common. At a time when you want to be banking more sleep than ever, it’s a nightmare that kip seems to be so elusive. We care about ALL parents getting better sleep and that includes mamas-to-be.

 

In this episode we’ll chat through the main reasons you can’t sleep and share the things that will hopefully help you get a few more Zzz before baby arrives.

 

We’ll also answer a question from our listener Ava about pregnancy bedtime routines.

 

1 – Why Can’t I Sleep?  2 – Heartburn  3 – Congestion  4 – Restless Leg  5 – Anxiety

A to Zzz: G for GP

The doctor will see you now!

Our brand new series The Sleep Mums: A to Zzz is everything you ever wanted to know about parenthood, from allergies to getting more Zzz. In our first episode we talk to NHS GP Dr Punam Krishan, she talks candidly about life postpartum, her highs, her lows, and the many reasons she sees new parents in her practise.

We know that the alphabet doesn’t begin with G but like parenting in general, things don’t always happen in the order you expect them to!

The Sleep Mums: A to Zzz

Everything you ever wanted to know about parenthood, from allergies to getting more Zzz, via deja poos, niplash and Velcro babies. Funny, irreverent and always useful. Cat and Sarah from The Sleep Mums podcast and a range of experts and people talk everything and anything that will help you get through the long nights and short years.

 

Each episode will focus on five tips from a different professional, sharing their own experience and expertise.

Sleep Myths (Part 2)

If you’ve already listened to Baby Sleep Myths (Pt1) you probably thought there couldn’t possibly be any more sleep myths. There was no way there was that much whack info floating about the parent-sphere. Well, the bad news is, there is… the good, we’re going to bust it for you.

 

In this episode we’ll dispel some madness about five bits of regularly heard sleep advice, that may have been keeping you up at night. It’s not going to be pretty but it will be really satisfying and hopefully by the end of it you’ll understand more about baby sleep and how we can all get more of it.

 

1 –Baby Will Sleep Better When… 2 – Sleep When the Baby Sleeps 3 – Baby only wakes because they’re hungry 4 – Breastfed Babies Don’t Sleep Through 5 – It’s Just A Bit of Colic

Weaning from Night Feeds

You’ve been up with your baby through the night since they were born but now they’re getting (a wee bit) bigger are they ready to start weaning off night feeds?

It’s totally normal for babies to start to no longer need the midnight (and 3 and 4 am) snacks as they get bigger and their tummies hold more. Does it happen on it’s own? Sometimes. 

More often, though, they need a little help. In this episode we’ll talk about when and how to wean your baby from night feeds and some tips to help you and your baby through.

We’ll also answer our listener Lynn’s question about whether she can night wean her baby when they are still sharing a room.

 

1 – Be realistic 2 – Stop, Look, Listen 3 – Look at your day 4 – A gentle stretch

5 – Night Weaning Hacks

How to Ditch Parent Guilt

Parent guilt is this gross, uncomfortable ache that lodges itself in your heart and creeps into your head, often in the middle of the night. It can keep you from sleeping, almost as much as a newborn, and that’s why we think it’s really important to talk about it.

 

This episode is five ways to help try to lessen that horrible feeling of parent guilt. We care about finding ways to help everyone sleep better and that includes parents as well as babies.

 

1 – Try not to compare 2 – Ask for help 3 – Change one thing 4 – Be your own best mate

5 – Let S*it Go

Christmas Baby Sleep Guide

In our bonus Christmas episode we’ll share 5 tips to get you through the holidays, well, at least where baby sleep is concerned. A wee sherry and mince pie might need to do the rest!

 

December can be an exciting time but it can also be really exhausting and if you’re already parent-level tired, the overwhelm of making it through can make it feel a lot less merry and bright.

 

We’ll talk about why and how the holidays can be tough, with some tips on how to manage them and, at the very least, we hope to bring you a wee bit of festive cheer (we have new theme music!).

 

As always, we hope to give you the gift of better baby sleep.

 

1 – Pack Your Sack 2 – Home Comforts 3 – Festive Naps 4 – Selection Box of Treats 5  – Just one day

Solids & Sleep

This episode shares how to make sure that once you start feeding your baby solid food you still get some solid sleep. Around six months, breast or formula milk alone no longer supplies enough nutrients for baby’s growth and development.

Proper food is an exciting milestone for baby but it can feel daunting as a parent. And there’s just no getting away from the fact it’s messy!

We’ll share tips to help you start baby with  solid food, talk through how the food they eat can affect their sleep and why weaning and sleep are so closely matched.

An we'll help listener Nathan's with some advice about getting his baby to eat from a spoon.

1 – When to start  2 – Different types of weaning 3 – How to start  4 – How weaning and sleep are linked 5 – Full feeds and the 3:2

Baby Sleep Hacks

This episode might be the only Sleep Mums you ever have to listen to… kidding, listen to them all, they’re awesome. But this is your cheat sheet. The fast track baby hacks to better sleep.

 

Parenthood has required way more in the way of fast and creative thinking than we ever imagined - fashioning a baby grow out of a scarf after a poonami, not a problem! However, as well as these naturally acquired skills it’s also good to fill your bag with some decent baby hacks too, just leave room for the wet wipes!

 

As with all our pods, we’ll shar five practical and useful tips and tricks. They might not all be quick fixes but if you stick with them, you and your baby will get more sleep.

 

1 – Breakfast o’ Clock 2 – Bedtime alarm  3 – Baby Suppers 4 – Another Kind of Baby Bottle 5 – All change at night?