Frequently Asked Questions

This is one of the biggest worries parents share with me. The short answer is no. At Little Yawns Sleep Co, there isn’t just one approach to sleep. Some families prefer very gentle, responsive methods where you stay close and support your baby while they learn to settle. Others feel ready for something a little more structured. We talk through what feels right for you and choose an approach that fits your parenting style. You are always supported through the process, and your baby is never left without guidance or comfort.

It’s a really common question, especially for parents with newborns. For babies under 12 weeks, we’re not doing formal sleep training. Instead, we focus on building healthy sleep foundations — things like understanding awake windows, reading tired cues, creating a calming sleep environment, and gently shaping routines. These early steps can make a huge difference later on and often help prevent bigger sleep struggles down the track.

Breastfeeding and healthy sleep habits can absolutely go hand in hand. Many breastfed babies wake overnight for feeds, and that can be completely normal depending on their age. My role isn’t to remove feeding if your baby genuinely needs it — it’s to help make sure sleep and feeding are working together in a way that supports both you and your baby. Many breastfeeding mums I work with are simply looking for longer stretches of sleep or easier settling, and we can absolutely work towards that.

Night feeds can be very normal, especially for younger babies. When we work together, we look at your baby’s age, growth, feeding patterns and sleep habits. If night feeds are still appropriate, we simply work around them and support your baby to sleep well between feeds. Sleep support isn’t about forcing babies to drop feeds before they’re ready — it’s about helping everyone get more rest in a developmentally appropriate way.

If you’re constantly wondering “is this normal?”, you’re not alone. Some signs that sleep may need a little support include bedtime taking a long time, frequent overnight waking, very short naps, early morning waking, or feeling like your baby can only fall asleep one very specific way. Sometimes the changes needed are actually quite small — things like adjusting timing or routines can make a big difference.

This is exactly why I don’t give generic sleep advice. Every baby is different — their temperament, personality, sleep needs and family environment all matter. Your sleep plan is created specifically for your baby and your family. If something doesn’t feel right or isn’t working as expected, we adjust it. Sleep support is never a rigid formula.

Not at all. Honestly, most parents I work with have used these strategies at some point — because when you’re exhausted, you do whatever works in the moment. There is absolutely no judgement here. My role isn’t to criticise what you’ve been doing — it’s simply to help if those habits have stopped working for your family.

Every baby is different, but many families start to notice small changes within the first few days. For more established sleep habits, improvements often happen over the first one to two weeks as your baby begins to learn new sleep skills. The key thing to remember is that sleep is a learning process — and just like any new skill, it takes a little time and consistency.

Dummies are very common and something I see all the time. Depending on your goals, we can either work towards teaching your baby to replace the dummy themselves, or gradually reduce reliance on it if it’s causing frequent waking. There’s no one “right” answer — it simply depends on what works best for your family.

This is a really understandable concern. Research consistently shows that responsive sleep support does not harm the bond between parents and their babies. In fact, when parents start getting better sleep, they often feel more patient, present and emotionally available during the day. Your baby still receives love, comfort and reassurance — we’re simply helping them learn the skill of falling asleep.

Catnapping is extremely common, especially for babies under six months . Short naps are often related to developmental stages, sleep cycles, or awake window timing. Sometimes babies simply need a little support learning how to transition between sleep cycles. Many babies grow out of catnapping with the right guidance and time.

The process starts with a detailed intake form so I can really understand your baby’s current sleep patterns, feeding, environment and routines. From there, you’ll receive a personalised sleep plan that walks you through the steps to improve your baby’s sleep + a 45 minute phone call to go through everything very clearly. Depending on the package you choose, you’ll also receive ongoing support while implementing the plan so you never feel like you’re navigating sleep challenges alone.

This is more common than you might think. Sometimes partners or family members simply need reassurance that the plan is safe, supportive and appropriate for your baby. Your sleep plan is designed to be clear and simple so anyone helping care for your baby can follow it.

Life with babies is rarely predictable, so strict schedules aren’t always realistic. Instead, we focus on age-appropriate awake windows and flexible routines that work around your baby’s natural rhythms. This approach allows structure without making you feel trapped by the clock.

Little Yawns Sleep Co takes a very personalised approach. There is no one-size-fits-all method here. Every family is different, every baby is different, and your sleep plan should reflect that. My goal is always to provide guidance that feels supportive, realistic and achievable in your real everyday life. I’m also internationally certified for 0 - 5 years of age.

Not at all. Little Yawns Sleep Co supports families from newborns right through to around five years old. Sleep challenges can look very different at each stage — from newborn rhythms to toddler bedtime battles. No matter your child’s age, there are strategies that can help improve sleep.

Usually not. Most families are already doing many things well. Often it’s just a few small adjustments — things like timing, sleep environment or settling techniques — that make the biggest difference. The goal is to build on what you’re already doing rather than completely start from scratch.

Some babies are naturally more sensitive or strong-willed, and that’s completely okay. Your baby’s temperament plays a big role in how we approach sleep support.  Strategies are always tailored to suit their personality so the process feels manageable for both of you.

Babies go through lots of changes — illness, teething, travel, developmental leaps. Sleep progress doesn’t have to be perfect. If things get off track, we simply adjust and get back on track once things settle again.

This happens more often than people realise. Sometimes previous attempts didn’t work because the method wasn’t quite right for that baby, or the timing wasn’t ideal. A personalised approach often helps identify the missing pieces.

If you’re unsure where to begin, you can start with The First Yawn, a short call where we talk through your baby’s sleep challenges. From there, we can determine which package will best support your family.

Crying can be one of the hardest parts of parenting. Babies cry for many reasons — tiredness, frustration while learning something new, or simply because they are adjusting to change. During sleep support, your baby is never left unsupported. The approach we use always includes guidance for how you can comfort and reassure your baby while they learn new sleep skills. And importantly, we move at a pace that feels manageable for you.