21/10/2026
Let’s talk about why this matters at sleep time.
Sleep is a transition, not an instruction.
Unlike handing your baby another toy or changing their position, we can’t simply “make” sleep happen for them.
Sometimes that transition brings frustration, tiredness, uncertainty or big feelings. And when we’re used to having a generally content baby, those feelings can feel especially confronting.
So we might find ourselves doing ALL the things.
Another feed. More rocking. More bouncing. Changing positions. Trying something different.
Sometimes our baby genuinely needs that extra support. And sometimes, if we get curious, we might notice that we’re responding from our own urgency to make the discomfort stop or maybe we’re trying to get back to sleep ourselves in record time! 🤪
Because we’re human.
We live in a society that teaches us to fix, solve, distract and make difficult feelings disappear. Then we become parents, supporting a little human whose emotions we can’t always control or resolve.
Of course that can feel hard, especially when we’re exhausted and desperately need sleep ourselves, I get it so please bring some compassion and kindness to this.
This isn’t about doing anything wrong. It’s simply an invitation to pause and gently notice what might be happening for you in those moments.
Because every day I witness parents moving more into responsive without always being reactive.
This also isn’t about forcing your baby to become independent, withholding comfort or expecting them to manage emotions they’re not developmentally ready to handle alone.
It’s about noticing the intention behind our response.
Do they need more support right now? Or can we pause and give them a little time to respond?
Are they working something out? Can we stay close and curious before changing the plan?
Sometimes our role isn’t to make every feeling disappear. It’s to help our babies feel safe and supported as they move through it.
And maybe, in the process, we start learning how to do that for ourselves, too. Because sleep support should never come at the expense of emotional safety.
Not your baby’s. And not yours.
Jen xx