Marta Gardner Sleep Consultant

31/03/2022

"...expecting a human baby to sleep alone, and for prolonged periods, is unrealistic and can be harmful. The mismatch in what today’s parents might expect or desire regarding infant sleep, and their baby’s biological abilities regarding sleep, can lead to some unnecessary conflicts."

https://www.basisonline.org.uk/infant-sleep-in-history-and-around-the-world/

Baby Sleep Information Source

29/03/2022

Yesterday I announced I am offering a £50 discount to 5 parents per month.

It is the least I can do and I only wish I could do more!

I am thinking of other ways I can help and will keep you posted!

Meanwhile, I want you to know, if you are struggling financially and sleep deprived, you are in my thoughts. I hope you can catch up on sleep soon x

Send me a DM today, let's get you some sleep x

!

28/03/2022

If you are sleep deprived but can't afford a Sleep Consultant, read on. This one is for you.

We are all feeling the pinch, but you are worried about money on no sleep! 🤯

I have been mulling over how I can help.
I think you will like it!

For the foreseeable future, I am offering 5 consultations a month for £80. That is a £50 discount! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This isn't a publicity stunt, this is just me, doing what I can to help my fellow parents.

For more details and to book please send me a DM.
Strictly confidential.

Please share with your sleepy friends. They will literally love you forever! 🙏

27/03/2022

I hope you can catch a nap😂

26/03/2022

When the clocks change, my inbox becomes full with questions from worried parents.
Tell you tell you what I tell them.
Don't worry!
It will take a few days for your little one to adjust to the new time, but they will!

Phew, one last thing to worry about!

25/03/2022

This is me with baby number three. In love and complete.
Also anxious and depressed.

You are not alone.

I see you. We all do! 😘

Have you helped a friend going through postnatal depression?

25/03/2022

The answers is ABSOLUTELY! But it's still worth a read 😴🌟😴

With gentle sleep techniques, we can turn bedtime into a calm, comforting time during which your child will drift off feeling safe and secure.

18/03/2022

Hello! There re a few spaces left on my next Sleep Masterclass on Saturday the 26th.

Tickets are £20 and I can guarantee you will gain sooooo much from attending.

See you there! x

Want to help your newborn love sleep as much as you do? Book now and become confident helping your baby fall asleep without tears

28/02/2022

I love an analogy and comparing learning to fall asleep in the cot to riding a bike shows how old fashioned sleep methods like Cry it Out simple don't work.

Imagine this...

You take your tot to the park, for the first time with their bike.
You pop them on and push.
They fall and cry.
You pop them back on.
Again and again.
Doesn't matter how much they cry.

Or, same scenario, but this time
You pop them on their shiny new bike
They fall and you wait 3 minutes before putting them on again and pushing them.
Then you wait 5 minutes and so on.

Meanwhile, don't look them in the eye ❌ 👀
Afterall, they are fine, you have fed them and they are potty trained.
What more could they possibly want??

See where I am going with this? 😤

Learning to fall asleep independently is brand new to your toddler, just like the bike!

His brain simply does not have all the information it needs yet.
It is your job to pop it in there

⭐Learning to fall asleep in the cot IS learning⭐

25/02/2022

It's so tempting to say

👧You're a big girl now

👧You sleep in your big girl bed

Here is the thing my sleepy friends!

🤯She doesn't want to be your big girl, she wants to be your baby! That has been her identity so far and letting go of it is sooooo scary

If having two or more children is causing you sleepless nights, let me help!
Together, we can find a schedule and routine that suits all the children.

Book a FREE initial consultation today

24/02/2022

One bedtime, my then one and half year old would not settle. I had no idea why until he said one of his first words, something he had never said before...

👑QUEENY 👑

I knew exactly what that mean and it was a real light bulb moment that I now share with all my clients
👇🤓👇
Every night, before popping him in his cot, we went around his room saying Sleepy Time to things in the room.
That bedtime, I forgot Queeny on his alphabet print!
I had missed an integral part of his ritual and he told me!
Once we said Sleepy Time to the Queen, he relaxed and fell asleep.

Genius!

AND, even better...
👇🤓👇
From then on, when he woke up in the night upset, I would turn on a very dim lamp and we would say Sleepy Time to a few things in the room (including Queeny!).

It worked every time and it's a little ritual I share with all my parents.

I have seen it work wonders for toddlers with all sorts of sleep issues.

Try it and let me know how it goes!

Sleepy Time xx

23/02/2022

More and more parents tell me they have tried Sleep Training Apps and Programs before working with me.

I totally understand the attraction AND I have worked with parents who absolutely hit the ground running after using an app or going through a program.

But here is the thing 🤓

👉You won't have any support if the advice doesn't work

👉The advice will be generic, based on averages

👉It can cause confusion for you and your little one

👉You might end up feeling like you failed (you haven't!!)

⭐😍Working with me you can expect ⭐😍

⭐A sleep plan just for you and your little one

⭐Daily Support (can you imagine! I will literally be at the other end of the phone for as long as you need)

⭐To access all my knowledge and experience both as a mother as an experienced Sleep Consultant

I believe in connection and working in partnership. That is why I only ever work 3 couples at a time.

If you are ready to get some sleep get in touch today!

22/02/2022

If you're planning to help your baby become a confident sleeper without tears you need to read this!

How?
Firstly, assess your baby's sleep. You want to check if the schedule and the sleep environment are just right for your baby.

Secondly, make a note of:
A. Where you are now, for example, you have to feed or rock your baby to sleep

B. Where you want to be, for example, you would your baby to fall asleep in the cot

Next, make a note of how can you can from A to B. If it’s too big a jump, your baby will need you to bridge the gap.

When?
The most important factor in gentle sleep training is that you stay consistent. And to stay consistent, you have to choose the right time for you, when you are ready.
In my case, I wasn't ready to fully commit until my baby was around 18 months.
It is never (ever!) too late. Ever.

Take care yourself sleepy parents and let me know how you get on!

21/02/2022

Smells fast track memories.

Associating a smell with your lovely bedtime routine is a great way to help babies quickly associate feeling all loved up with sleep

Your natural scent will be the most
reassuring smell for your little one.

From 12 weeks, you can also help your child associate sleep with the scent of an essential oil.

Research shows that lavender has
a powerful effect on both adults’
and childrens’ cortisol levels. Try
adding 1-3 drops of essential oil to
bathwater or a carrier oil for a
nightly massage. You can also
scent a cotton ball and keep it near
you when cuddling or feeding
before bed to help them associate
the smell with love and comfort.

Aromatherapy diffusers are also a
worthy investment for nighttime. Leave it on from
bedtime until they fall asleep to
scent the room for the rest of the
night. The humming sound may
also help!

Just remember to check for allergies
before using essential oils. It’s
recommended to consult your GP
beforehand and if you feel
concerned, don’t use them or start
with a 1 drop.

17/02/2022

😍😍😍

I see you.
⠀
Oh how I see you.
⠀
Changing nappies, making bottles, giving piggy back rides.
⠀
Finding sippy cups, reading stories, falling asleep next to them.
⠀
Playing hide and seek, brushing hair, being their clown.
⠀
And in darkness I see you too.
⠀
In fact, I see you most then.
⠀
I have such deep need for you during those hours.

To help me, to hold my hand, to bring me into the sunlight for them, even when I’m not ready.
⠀
I see you tending to them, being there for me, adding to your tired tomorrow.⠀
It means so much.
⠀
Encouraging me to go to bed earlier, checking on me at night, reaching out for me when I return to bed.
Being who I need when I need it most.
⠀
Waking with thoughts about work, sometimes leaving before we wake, and returning after they are in bed.
I know you are doing this all for us.
⠀
But I also know you must feel invisible some days.
⠀
I forget to tell you what I see.
⠀
I’m just so busy catching my own tail. Being caught up in them. Doing what I can to mother them well.
⠀
And as we move through many of our days doing nothing other than getting through to the next, I miss you.
⠀
Oh how I miss you.
⠀
Even though you are right there.
⠀
Even though we have never been more of a team.
⠀
Even though there’s no where else I’d rather be than in this with you, for them.
⠀
I wonder if you feel it too - That constant longing to reconnect, in the face of the strongest sense of connection we will ever face: them.

And as we face yet another day together but at arms length,
Know that I’m still here.

I’ll always be here, even when you don’t see me,
Just as you have been for me.

Know that I see you.
I miss you.
And I love you.

Oh how I love you.
And not just still.⠀
But even more than before.

I hope you see that too.
⠀
Words: Words of Emma Heaphy
Art: Amanda Oleander Art

Words of Emma Heaphy

☀️🌻 For support in your gentle parenting journey, pick up a copy of our beautiful bumper summer issue with gorgeous free Baby's First Year Journal. Grab your copy from supermarkets throughout NZ and newsagents throughout Australia! To find your local stockist, or to subscribe, visit https://linktr.ee/TheNaturalParentMagazine ☀️🌻

07/02/2022

Pop your questions below. I will answer as many as I can throughout the day! 😎

04/02/2022

Our family was finally complete. I had everything to be happy. I was...but I was also suffering from Postnatal Depression. Badly!

Little Ernie was an absolute dream boat.
He was also the kind of baby I parents describe to be every single day👇

⭐Intense
⭐Super observant
⭐Determined
⭐Loooooved cuddle
⭐Boob obsessed
⭐Very physical
⭐Cried ALOT

Sadly, he also had the world's largest tonsils and pretty severe Sleep Apnea as a result 😞

This meant that the nights were horrendous.
He woke up constantly due to his Sleep Apnea.

It nearly broke me. I was exhausted from running around a toddler all day and being awake all night.

It took all the strength I had to ask for help, commit to weekly therapy and put all my energy into helping baby Ernie to be able to return to sleep by himself as often as possible.

He carried on waking until his operation when he was 3 years!
During a sleep study at , the nurses and ENT doctors said his sleep apnea was one of the worse they had ever seen and were really surprised he was able to actually return to sleep as often as he did.

Little Ernie has helped me become a stronger person, a stronger mum. And for that I am so grateful.

I help many parents who are struggling with their mental health. As well as parents who's children have a disability or health issues.
It's not easy, but together, with a personalised plan , we can find solutions.

If you would like to have a chat about how you are feeling, send me a message.
You are not alone x

04/02/2022

"A recent survey carried out by The Lullaby Trust shows 59% of parents with babies under 1 year old say their baby sleeps for less than 4 hours at a stretch"

How do you cope with sleep deprivation?

https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/coping-with-sleep-deprivation-as-a-new-parent/

Coping with sleep deprivation as a new parent can be very challenging. It might seem like everyone else’s babies sleep more than your

03/02/2022

Managing two children at bedtime can be soooo tricky! Specially when you're flying solo

Here are some ideas I share with my parents:

👉Wind down after supper

👉Give each child a little one to one
If you don't have much time, make every minute count. Focus on eye to eye and physical contact

👉Decide whether it is better to divide and conquer or help both children at the same time

👉If possible, keep the children in separate rooms until their bedtimes go smoothly

👉Use white noise to block out noises

I would love to hear your tips! How do you manage bedtime with two? x

03/02/2022

Start building strong sleep foundations right from the start!

This is a perfect opportunity for parents keen to help their babies become confident sleepers without tears

⭐First 5 parents to book will have a FREE 15min call with me

⭐All parents will receive FREE guides:
How to create your baby’s schedule
How to help your baby love their cot

⭐10% One to One Consultations

02/02/2022

Do you enjoy bedtime? For a long while I didn't! 🤫
Try doing bedtime for 20 years and still look forward to it! 😂😂
So here are my personal bedtime hacks
🌜Check if you're hungry
🌜Take a cuppa
🌜Put on your pjs first
🌜Pop a little lavender on your wrists
🌜Avoid engaging with thoughts about what is in the diary for tomorrow
🌜Choose a wind down activity and a story you will both enjoy
🌜While you're waiting for sleepy time to come, take deep breaths
🌜Hold their little hands. Remind yourself, they will only be this little for a while longer

Taking care of ourselves is not a luxury, it's really smart! 😎

01/02/2022

As a sleep training method, should babies be left crying for a few minutes? 🧐

It depends!
Some babies will have a final little winge before sleep - their inbuild white noise!
If you jump in and help them sleep, they won't have the opportunity to try for themselves.

If the winge escalates, or, for your baby there is no winging, only crying, then nope!

Then, I would say, that there is no valid reason to leave a baby crying for a few minutes.
What for??

👉If we leave our babies crying in the cot for a few minutes, they are learning that 👇

🤓The cot isn't a safe place to be - because they feel stressed there

🤓When we pick them up, we reinforce that the cot isn't a safe place - we are rescuing them from a place they were stressed!

In fact, I would argue, it's much more effective to pick babies up ⭐before⭐ they escalate!

👉If we pick our babies before they escalate, we won't have to hold them for long before they are ready to go back in the cot

👉Our babies trust that we are always there when they need us. They feel heard!

Of course we can't always be by our baby's side when they cry. What I am focusing on here is purposely leaving babies crying as a method of sleeping training.

And, hey, no judgments here! I totally trust that parents know what is best for their babies.
Remember, some babies do winge to go to sleep. And YOU will know if that is your baby.

I would looooove your thoughts! Does your baby winge before falling asleep?
One of mine did, I had to tie my hands not to interfeer! 😆

31/01/2022

Is it time to ditch the afternoon naps?
Not necessarily!
If your baby's afternoon naps are tricky, and you're getting tired from spending your day getting your kiddo to sleep, try a buggy, car or sling nap!

⭐You will have a break and your baby will still have a rest.

⭐Having afternoon naps will mean your baby is not overtired by bedtime

Plus!

⭐You will be encouraging your baby to be a flexible napper

28/01/2022

The minute you think you've got it all worked out. Boom! Your bundle of joy discovers that being awake is way more fun than a nap!

If your baby could tell you...👶
Why don't I want to nap? Simple👇
A) You are amazing company and always laugh at my jokes
B) You seem to think it's acceptable to leave me alone in my room and some 'me time'
LADY! I don't think so!

😂👶😂👶😂

Right mammas, how about:
1. Checking if the schedule needs adjusting
2. Winding down before naptime
3. Jazzing up the naptime time routine making sure there is enough time for sweet sweet cuddles and a story or song

27/01/2022

Crying, just as laughing are expressions of human emotion. Yet, we are, understandably, far more comfortable with our children laughing than crying. I know I am!

But should our goal be to always stop our children from crying?
Or should we allow them the space to express their strong emotions and while we listen and offer comfort?

👉Allowing children to express themselves teaches them that every emotion is valid and that we listen to them no matter what they are feeling.

👉Being with your child, listening and offering all the cuddles they need is NOT the same, nor does it have the same effect as Controlled Crying!

I would love to hear your thoughts on this!

26/01/2022

Prof Darcia Narvaez talks about the importance of Connection 💕

"One of the most damaging...experiences for children today is disconnection."

No harm will ever come from holding our children. Enjoy those cudles 😍

Technical-industrial cultures do not meet the most basic need of children.

26/01/2022

When you're sleep deprived, it's pretty hard to feel confident you're doing the right thing.
I'm here to tell you that you are!

Your way IS the right way.
You baby will follow your lead and no one else's.

And if you need guidance, motivation encouragement, I will be by your side.

Not showing you my way but helping you see yours 😘

25/01/2022

Hello! I haven't showed my face in a while. Just wanted you to know that I'm here, I see how tired you are, how hard you're trying and how difficult it is.

You have got his, you don't need me, or anyone else giving you 10 word tips on how to raise your baby.

Close your eyes, take a deep breath in and blow away that piece of unsolicited advice circling in your head.

Allow your instincts, your voice, to become louder and louder.

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