Paediatric Sleep and Parenting Podcast with Rachael Wilson

Many parents don't want to have routine or a strict schedule because they don't like to feel chained to following it every day and some mums feel a little stressed thinking “gosh if baby needs to nap at 10am what happens if they don't, it's more relaxed to just go with the flow…we prefer to follow baby's cues...” While it is easier sometimes to go with the flow because of the sense of freedom, man...

Your baby has grown and it's time to transition out of the swaddle and into a sleep bag but how do you do it? What is the best way to do it and what sleep bag is best to use? In today's podcast I am going to give you some top tips on how to do this with ease and gently so as not to confuse your baby, stress you out or start having sudden wake ups in the night due to more space and freedom...

I often hear parents report that their baby is like Houdini and performs the most amazing escape act and they just don’t seem to like the swaddle so they stop using it, after many attempts and purchasing many different brands. My take on this is that often those swaddles are either not the right size or more often have not been wrapped correctly. If your baby can get out of it then it was too loos...

It may feel like you have been in a sleep deprived funk for 2 years and here we go again, your toddler is protesting at bedtime, stalling at every opportunity and then waking in the night calling, shouting “mummy, daddy” and not only that, they are ready for the day at 5am.  If any or all of this sounds familiar to you, then stick around as I am going to be explaining why this is all happening and...

Your child is going to go through many transitions from birth through to preschool years and there are a few fun “regressions” thrown in there just for fun!  It’s sometimes hard to know whether it is a regression or a new habit that is forming and going to stick, so in today's podcast I am going to give you the clues and the “need to know” info so you can get on the right side of peaceful nigh...

Reflux. It is something that many, many babies experience and in some cases suffer quiet harshly from. Today I speak with a reflux expert, Emma, from The Reflux Tummy Mummy. During her extensive training and own personal experience with her son who suffered from reflux she answers my questions and explains how to manage these times to make life easier for your and your baby and to get the answers...

No one wants to hear a baby cry least of all their parents so when it comes to sleep training many parents fear it, say it's not for them, think it is filled with forcing a baby to do something they just can't do and will cry endlessly. I am here to tell you something different in this weeks podcast. It is not any of this at all. Now I will caveat that with saying infants (0-5 months it is...

In this episode, I sit down with Montse, an extremly educated and experienced expert in women's pre and postnatal health, to explore the often-overlooked issue of postnatal depletion. Montse shares her deep insights into what causes postnatal depletion, how it impacts new mothers physically and emotionally, and most importantly, practical strategies for prevention and recovery. Whether you're a ne...

Where do you actually start choosing a school? Did you know the deadline in the UK for applications is January? Well strap on your boots and get ready for this one... It is a huge milestone starting school but how do you know what is the best school for your child and where do you even start with choosing..? In this weeks episode Tiffany Docking walks us through the questions you ask yourself on w...

Wow wee! This was an EPIC conversation today I had with the amazing Montserrat Corsino. Founder of Mana Integrative Health. She has a world of knowledge about pregnancy health and of course post pregnancy and in this first conversation we had she spoke in depth about nutrition for the breastfeeding mother. I was blown away by the information she shared, I had no idea about a lot of it and even tho...

A bonus episode pre series 7 of the podcast starts this week. I am talking with the amazing, extremely highly experienced Tiffany Docking, AKA Teacher Tiff! She is passionate about ensuring parents have a smooth and informed ride through the first few years of their children going to school. In this episode she talks us through how best to prepare your child for starting school and not just your c...

Mums found it hard but it was worth it…. Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of assisting numerous families in achieving peaceful and restful sleep routines within their homes. It's been evident that many mothers, and some fathers – but let's be honest here, primarily mothers - have harboured apprehensions about embarking sleep training programs. The thought of potential tears...

A different one for you this week! After I was listening to my meditation podcast last weekend I was inspired to do something similar that the host did... Follow me here....there is a website called "answer the public" and when you put in the search engine a topic it comes up with the most popular asked questions people are asking google, so I went ahead and punched in "sleep traini...

Firstly What Is A Dream Feed? A dream feed is a method used by some parents to offer a late-night feeding, usually between 10 and 11pm, initiated by you just before you may be going to bed yourself. The idea is to feed your baby while they are still sleepy and not fully awake, however, it's important to note that not all babies will benefit from a dream feed which I explain in this podcast. I...

WOW! This episode was something else, so powerful and full of knowledge I really wish I had know 9 years ago when I had my first baby. Let's be clear now, I knew nothing about functional medicine or what it really meant however after talking with Montse from Mana Intergrative Health I was bowled over by the intricacies of it and how it REALLY can help us fatigued, exhausted and busy mums. Mons...

The bedtime routine is often something parents look forward to because hey, it’s the end of the day and they know once baby is on bed it’s time for Netflix or sleep yourself… or perhaps you just dread it…because the bedtime battles start and they can go on for ages… In today’s podcast I am going to talk you through what bedtime routine ideally should look like for your toddler, how long it should...

Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of assisting numerous families in achieving peaceful and restful sleep routines within their homes. It's been evident that many mothers and some fathers – but let's be honest here, primarily mothers - have harboured apprehensions about embarking sleep training programs. The thought of potential tears and the idea of adjustments to current sl...

💥 3 ways to stop night feeds! There comes a point in parenthood that you start to wonder “is my baby ready to drop night feeds and if so how do I do it”.  You may be a sleep wreaked parent reading this, broken from waking up to 10 times a night and finding yourself feeding baby back to sleep because it is the only way your baby will go back to sleep, you may be that parent who has an 18 month old...

As new parents, the journey from birth to 16 weeks can pass super quickly but for some it can go slowly, be really hard and exhausting. It is filled with joy, many questions every day and night and, of course that goes with a few sleepless nights to boot! Sleep is a crucial aspect of your baby's development and as I explain in my Newborn Workshops , it is all about supporting that sleep, NOT s...

As parents, we all strive to ensure our little ones get the essential sleep they need for optimal growth and development and of course to feel rested the following day so they are alert and no meltdown by 9am..! While techniques like sleep training, establishing nap schedules, and bedtime routines are often discussed and implemented, the influence of nutrition on a baby's sleep is frequently o...

You asked so you got! Join me on this weeks bonus podcast on what really is 'Cry It Out" and is it right for your child? This podcast dives deep into the heart of parenting's timeless debate. I explore the world of 'Cry It Out' – decoding its myths, unveiling its benefits, and navigating the emotional terrain of this controversial sleep-training method. Tune in as we unravel t...

Regardless of whether you have plans to travel this Christmas or not, I know that it's an incredibly thrilling time of year, especially for the children. After all, Christmas tends to revolve around them the most. However, amidst all the excitement, it's essential to consider the impact on their sleep. Excited toddlers may want to stay up later, hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa. Addition...

Becoming a parent, whether for the first or fifth time, is a challenging but wonderful experience filled with anticipation and, for some, anxiety. It signifies a major life change, particularly in terms of sleep, which will likely be disrupted for a while to come yet... The common phrase "slept like a baby" doesn't accurately describe how newborns sleep, as they can be quite restless...

So you have dreams that your children will share a bedroom one day and they will have happy memories of chatting to each other in the middle of the night and giggles at bedtimes, maybe even share a bed and fall asleep hugging each other…but then reality comes and you just wonder if it is the right thing to do and then when is the right time to do it. You may have no choice and your children have t...

Newborns are easily overstimulated, which can make it difficult for them to nap. Their sleep is unpredictable and sleep patterns are all over the place. Your new baby will need frequent naps in the day but sometimes those naps can be hard to achieve. It can be challenging, frustrating and overwhelming sometimes. Often the phrase “sleep like a baby” does not even make sense when referring to a baby...