Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Sleep

Join our Sleep forum for tips on creating a sleep routine for your baby or toddler. Need more advice on your childs development? Sign up to our Ages and Stages newsletter here.

Original poster

Sleep consultant - yes or no?

20 replies

Honeygoldcaramel · 26/12/2021 12:01

My DS sleep isn’t great and I’m finding it a bit exhausting and stressful.

I’m worried it we spend a lot of money on a sleep consultant and it has minimal or no impact DH will moan!

So just wondering if anyone could share their experiences?

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 26/12/2021 12:03

How old is he? What’s your definition of “not great”?

CoastalWave · 26/12/2021 12:06

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Original poster
Honeygoldcaramel · 26/12/2021 12:09

@PotteringAlong

How old is he? What’s your definition of “not great”?
He is twelve months.

He goes to sleep reasonably easily most of the time but wakes two - three hours later. It generally takes about an hour to get him back in his cot.

Then he wakes another two to three hours later and it takes about 60-120 minutes to get him back in his cot.

So he doesn’t get a decent chunk of uninterrupted sleep - and neither do I. I’d love to minimise the night wakings down to one.

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 26/12/2021 12:09

I’m not sure that buying controlled drugs off the internet to give to your children without the input of a dr is the best advice to give…

Original poster
Honeygoldcaramel · 26/12/2021 12:11

Please just ignore that post: I’ve no intention of drugging my son and have reported it.

OP posts:
CoastalWave · 26/12/2021 12:12

@PotteringAlong

I’m not sure that buying controlled drugs off the internet to give to your children without the input of a dr is the best advice to give…
Melatonin is simply what your body releases to induce sleep

Do some research before putting a daft reply to me!

PotteringAlong · 26/12/2021 12:12

I have to say @Honeygoldcaramel that, based on my 3, that sounds completely normal. Tough. Back breaking. But not abnormal.

I didn’t use a sleep consultant or even sleep train mine (I tried with DS1 at about 14 months, it made his sleep worse, and I didn’t try with the other 2) but I can reassure you that it’s not unusual and also sympathise: i have never felt worse than at the height of sleep deprivation.

CoastalWave · 26/12/2021 12:13

You're going to report a post about melatonin??!

World is going mad.

Melatonin is a hormone made by the pineal gland. That's a pea-sized gland found just above the middle of your brain. It helps your body know when it's time to sleep and wake up.

Normally, your body makes more melatonin at night. Levels usually start to go up in the evening once the sun sets. They drop in the morning when the sun goes up. The amount of light you get each day plus your own body clock set how much your body makes.

You can also buy melatonin supplements. They come in pills, liquids, and chewables.

But sure yes, pay out for a sleep consultant!!!!

Original poster
Honeygoldcaramel · 26/12/2021 12:14

Thanks - I’m sure it’s normal, I just don’t know if there’s anything I might be able to do to help him sleep a bit better. Even if it’s just getting him back down a bit faster or minimising the wake ups to one. It’s hard because I never get to deep sleep.

Thinking of a second but I genuinely don’t think I could at the moment with DS sleep.

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 26/12/2021 12:15

@CoastalWave but the NHS website also says it’s available in the U.K. on prescription only.

I don’t think that pointing out that buying prescription drugs on the internet and giving them to your children without the advice of a dr might not be a great idea is a daft reply.

www.nhs.uk/medicines/melatonin/

CoastalWave · 26/12/2021 12:15

I've just seen your reply about how old he is...

You're right - melatonin isn't the answer for a BABY!!

I presumed from your post you were talking about an older child.

Who sends a baby to a sleep consultant?!

WasgijGods · 26/12/2021 12:19

Co-sleep.

Waking twice isn't unusual for a 1yo. It's the time that it takes to settle that is the problem, isn't it? Co-sleeping will help him settle easier.

Get the sleep pattern established while co-sleeping then you can move him into a cot when older, knowing he can sleep through.

thekingfisher · 26/12/2021 12:19

I used One when ds was 29 months I was back at work and husband had a new job where he was away for big chunks of time so no sharing the exhaustion!
I used millpond and they were excellent and was worth the money a 100x over. They worked with me to work out the best method that I could cope with and was prepared to do. It took a fairly pain free week and honestly his sleeping was transformed!.

Ds now 18 and sleeps for England Grin

CoastalWave · 26/12/2021 12:21

[quote PotteringAlong]@CoastalWave but the NHS website also says it’s available in the U.K. on prescription only.

I don’t think that pointing out that buying prescription drugs on the internet and giving them to your children without the advice of a dr might not be a great idea is a daft reply.

www.nhs.uk/medicines/melatonin/[/quote]
As I said, son's consultant is well aware we use it. He was impressed we had managed to find it. The ONLY reason it's not prescribed here in the UK is due to the ridiculous COST (what I buy for about £11 costs the NHS about £80) Where did I say I was using it without the advice of a doctor?!

That is the genuine reason it is prescription only. From the mouth of a senior consultant!

I found the website I use from a Danish friend who is a Doctor. It's only the UK it's prescription only. in It's a very very safe drug to use.

Happy for it to be deleted off here as it is NOT APPROPRIATE for this poster to use it on her baby (totally normal for babies not to sleep) but it my post helps even just one adult then that's a good thing.

Original poster
Honeygoldcaramel · 26/12/2021 12:25

I really want to get out of the habit of co sleeping. He has been coming in with me at the 2am wake-up - it might be co sleeping for him but it’s no-sleeping for me. And it isn’t very safe. He fell out of bed a couple of weeks ago and knocked his head.

I know that there are lots of poor sleepers out there but ideally he should be getting longer than 2-3 hour stretches of sleep.

OP posts:
Original poster
Honeygoldcaramel · 26/12/2021 12:28

@CoastalWave sigh. I’d really appreciate it if you could stop posting on this thread. I am seeking advice.

As for who uses a sleep consultant for a baby - well, um, most people who use a sleep consultant go with an under two year old, I think.

And you posted that peculiar link without knowing how old DS was - and to be honest I’m not sure ANYONE should be buying meds online for babies or children.

Back to the thread anyway.

OP posts:
wavecatcher · 26/12/2021 14:50

I know a great sleep team, have helped lots of my mum friends. I used ones years ago as my baby was a horrendous sleeper. It was life changing!
The team my friends have used are lovely so much cheaper than what I paid years ago, £50 when some charger hundreds. I really would recommend using one. I'm not sure how to message you, but can send the details.

coraka · 26/12/2021 22:04

We used one at 9 months and it was a life-changing, brilliant, amazing decision. We got a recommendation from a friend of ours who had a baby the same age. You should be able to chat with them over the phone and find out if you're happy with their methods.

sleepnightnanny · 27/12/2021 12:50

@Honeygoldcaramel

My DS sleep isn’t great and I’m finding it a bit exhausting and stressful.

I’m worried it we spend a lot of money on a sleep consultant and it has minimal or no impact DH will moan!

So just wondering if anyone could share their experiences?

What does your sons daytime routine look like? Can you give a run through of his day, wake times, nap times, feed times, bedtime, how he goes to sleep for naps and bedtime and what the night looks like?
seaborgium · 27/12/2021 13:15

Mattress on the floor in a babyproofed room? That’s what I do when DS is teething and doesn’t want to sleep in his cot.

Is he keeping you awake by moving around too much in his sleep?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread