Sleep Sorted

04/09/2026

🌙 Does your baby fall asleep beautifully… only to wake again 30–60 minutes later?

You finally get them settled, think bedtime is done… and suddenly they’re awake again. 😩

This is sometimes called a “false start”, and there can be several reasons behind it.

Your baby may be:

💤 Transitioning between sleep stages and struggling to settle into the next one.

⏰ Overtired or undertired at bedtime. The balance between daytime sleep, awake time and bedtime can make a big difference.

🤍 Uncomfortable from things like trapped wind or reflux.

The important thing is not to assume that every wake automatically means hunger. Sometimes your baby may simply need a little reassurance and help settling again.

But—and this is important—if your baby is showing hunger cues or you’re unsure whether they’re hungry, feed them. 🍼❤️

✨ False starts don’t necessarily mean you’re doing anything wrong. Sometimes a small adjustment to your baby’s daytime routine or bedtime timing is all that’s needed.

📌 SAVE this post for the next time your baby wakes shortly after bedtime—you’ll want to come back to these 3 possibilities.

❤️ And FOLLOW Sleep Sorted because we’re building this series one sleep problem at a time. If Facebook suggested this post to you, following means you’re much more likely to find the next Sleep Sorted Snippet again.

🎧 Want the bigger picture?

My audiobook, How to Teach Your Baby to Sleep Through the Night From 4 Months, Gently, takes you through my gentle, step-by-step approach to longer stretches of sleep while continuing to respond to your baby’s needs.

Available at Sleep Sorted⁠ 🌙

💬 Does your baby ever wake 30–60 minutes after bedtime? Tell me their age and roughly how long after bedtime they wake—I may use the most common answers for a future Sleep Sorted Snippet. 👇

02/08/2026

🌙 How do you know when it’s the right time to reduce night feeds?

One of the biggest mistakes I see parents make is trying to reduce night feeds before their baby is truly ready.

The goal isn’t to stop feeding as early as possible—it’s to make sure your baby is developmentally ready, growing well, and still getting the nutrition they need.

In today’s Sleep Sorted Snippet, I’ve shared a few signs that can help you recognise when it’s not the right time to reduce night feeds, and a few signs that may suggest your baby is getting closer.

💛 Remember:
Every baby develops at their own pace. There is no prize for dropping night feeds first.

If you’re ever unsure whether your baby is genuinely hungry…
Feed your baby. You can always work on sleep later.

📖 Want to know how I gently reduce night feeds—without cry-it-out?

That’s exactly what I teach in my audiobook,
How to Teach Your Baby to Sleep Through the Night From 4 Months, Gently.

Inside, I explain my gentle, step-by-step approach to encouraging longer stretches of sleep while continuing to respond to your baby’s needs.

🎧 Available now at www.sleepsorted.co.uk

💬 Question for parents:
How old is your baby, and are they still having night feeds? I’d love to hear in the comments! 👇

⭐ Save this post so you can come back to it when your baby reaches 4–6 months.

❤️ Follow Sleep Sorted because Part 2 is coming soon:
“How I Gently Reduce Night Feeds Without Cry-It-Out.” You won’t want to miss it!

27/07/2026

🌙 How do you handle night wakings without accidentally turning every wake into a habit?

Night waking is completely normal for babies. They may wake because they’re hungry, uncomfortable, need reassurance, or simply because they’ve moved between sleep cycles.

The aim isn’t to stop your baby from waking. It’s to respond calmly and consistently while helping them gradually learn that nighttime is for sleep. 💛

When your baby wakes:

🤫 Keep things calm and quiet.
Keep the lights low, your voice soft and stimulation to a minimum.

🤍 Try gentle settling when appropriate.
Patting, shushing, a reassuring touch or a cuddle may be all your baby needs to drift back to sleep.

🍼 Feed when your baby is hungry.
A baby who takes a good, purposeful feed and settles afterwards may genuinely need those calories. If you’re unsure whether your baby is hungry, feed them—there is no need to rush night-feed reduction.

🌙 Keep nighttime boring—in the nicest possible way!
Feed, change and comfort when needed, but avoid bright lights, play and unnecessary stimulation. This helps your baby begin to recognise the difference between night and day.

And remember, better nights often begin during the day:

✨ Keep bedtime calm and predictable
✨ Support age-appropriate naps
✨ Watch your baby’s wake windows and sleepy cues
✨ Try to avoid overtiredness
✨ Be patient and consistent

You don’t need to change everything at once. Small, consistent changes are often enough. And if your baby is unwell, distressed, feeding poorly or simply needs extra comfort, respond to them. Gentle sleep support should always remain responsive. 💕

🎧 Want more step-by-step guidance?

This is one of the topics I cover in my audiobook, How to Teach Your Baby to Sleep Through the Night From 4 Months, Gently.

Inside, I explain how to recognise different types of night waking, support longer stretches of sleep, and use my gentle Stretch to 12 approach—without cry-it-out or abruptly taking away feeds.

Available now at Sleep Sorted⁠ 🌙🎧

💬 What usually works when your baby wakes at night—feeding, cuddling, patting, shushing, or something else? Tell me below. 👇

15/07/2026

😴 Is your baby overtired?

Sometimes, the reason your baby keeps waking at night isn’t hunger or a “bad sleeper”—it’s simply overtiredness.

When babies stay awake longer than they can comfortably manage, their bodies release stress hormones that can make it harder to fall asleep, stay asleep, and settle between sleep cycles. Sleep through the night.pdf

Some common signs of overtiredness include:
🌙 Fighting bedtime
😢 Becoming fussier than usual
👀 Rubbing their eyes or face
⏰ Waking 30–90 minutes after bedtime
💤 Taking short naps
🌅 Waking very early in the morning

💙 The good news? Small, gentle changes can make a big difference.

Instead of keeping your baby awake longer, try:
✨ Following age-appropriate wake windows
✨ Watching for sleepy cues
✨ Offering an earlier bedtime when needed
✨ Keeping bedtime calm and consistent

Remember, sleep encourages sleep. A well-rested baby often sleeps better at night.

📖 This tip is taken from my audiobook, How to Teach Your Baby to Sleep Through the Night From 4 Months, Gently. Inside, I explain my gentle Stretch to 12 method, how to recognise overtiredness, and practical, evidence-informed strategies to help your baby sleep for longer stretches—without cry-it-out.

🎧 Listen now at www.sleepsorted.co.uk

💬 Have you noticed a difference when your baby goes to bed a little earlier? I’d love to hear your experience in the comments! 👇

10/07/2026

😴 “I’ll just keep my baby awake a little longer so they’ll sleep better tonight.”

Sound familiar?

It’s one of the biggest bedtime myths—and one of the most common mistakes I see as a Maternity Nurse.

The truth is, babies don’t usually sleep better when they’re overtired.

When a baby stays awake beyond what they can comfortably manage, their body releases stress hormones that can make it harder to fall asleep, stay asleep, and settle between sleep cycles. Sleep through the night.pdf

Instead of sleeping longer, an overtired baby may:
🌙 Fight bedtime
🌙 Wake 30–90 minutes after falling asleep
🌙 Wake more often during the night
🌙 Be harder to settle

💙 The good news? Sometimes, a simple change—like putting your baby to bed a little earlier—can make a big difference. Every baby is unique, so watch your baby’s cues and wake windows rather than trying to keep them awake for longer.

📖 This tip is taken from my audiobook, How to Teach Your Baby to Sleep Through the Night From 4 Months, Gently. If you’d like to learn the complete gentle approach—including my Stretch to 12 method and practical, evidence-informed strategies to help your baby sleep for longer stretches without cry-it-out—you can listen now at www.sleepsorted.co.uk. 🎧

💬 Have you ever tried keeping your baby awake longer, hoping they’d sleep better? What happened? I’d love to hear your experience in the comments! 👇

06/07/2026

🤱 Hunger or Habit? 🌙

Not every night waking means your baby is hungry—but not every wake is simply a habit either.

One of the biggest questions I hear from parents is, “Should I feed my baby, or try to settle them first?”

The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

💛 A genuinely hungry baby will usually take a full feed and settle well afterwards.

💛 A habitual waking often happens at the same time each night, involves only a small feed (or comfort sucking), and your baby may settle with gentle reassurance.

If you’re ever unsure, feed your baby. Your baby’s nutritional needs and emotional security always come first. Gentle sleep support is about understanding your baby’s cues—not ignoring them.

📖 This tip is taken from my audiobook, How to Teach Your Baby to Sleep Through the Night From 4 Months, Gently. If you’d like to learn the complete gentle approach—including my Stretch to 12 method and practical, evidence-informed strategies to help your baby sleep for longer stretches without cry-it-out—you can listen now at www.sleepsorted.co.uk. 🎧

💬 Does your baby usually wake because they’re genuinely hungry, or do you think it’s become a habit? I’d love to hear your experience in the comments. 👇

03/07/2026

😴 Does your baby wake several times a night?

Many parents assume it’s always because their baby is hungry—but that’s not always the case.

Frequent night waking can also be linked to:
🌙 Overtiredness
🍼 Snack feeding during the day
🤍 Sleep associations
🛏️ A bedtime that’s too late
⏰ Habitual waking

The good news? Small, gentle changes can make a big difference. Better sleep doesn’t happen overnight, but understanding why your baby wakes is the first step towards calmer, more restful nights.

💾 Save this post so you can come back to it whenever you need a reminder.

🎧 Want to learn how to gently help your baby sleep through the night?
My audiobook, How to Teach Your Baby to Sleep Through the Night From 4 Months, Gently, is now available on www.sleepsorted.co.uk.

Inside, you’ll learn:
✨ The foundations of better sleep
✨ My gentle Stretch to 12 method
✨ How to reduce night wakings without cry-it-out
✨ Practical, evidence-informed advice you can confidently use at home

Whether you’re expecting a baby or already navigating sleepless nights, this guide is designed to help you and your little one get the rest you both deserve. 💙

💬 Which of these reasons do you think is affecting your baby the most? I’d love to hear in the comments!

05/05/2026