Little Loves Infant & Child Sleep Consultant

Motherhood has taught me so much.

Not just about sleep, but about myself.

It’s taught me that some days survival is enough.

That routines matter, but flexibility matters too.

That every child is different.

That asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.

And that tired mums carry far more than most people realise.

Lately life has felt a little fuller than usual, and it’s been a reminder that we’re all doing the best we can with the season we’re in.

If you’re in a season that feels messy, overwhelming or exhausting right now, you’re not alone 🤍

“But I’ve tried everything…”

It’s one of the most common things parents say to me before we start working together.

And honestly, I get it.

When you’re exhausted, you’ll try anything to get more sleep.

Earlier bedtimes.
Later bedtimes.
Different naps.
Different routines.
Different settling approaches.

But sometimes the issue isn’t that you’re not trying hard enough. It’s that you’re focusing on the symptom instead of the cause.

Because sleep is rarely just one thing.

That’s why I spend so much time looking at the bigger picture and understanding the why behind the sleep struggles before recommending a plan.

Have you ever found yourself thinking, “I’ve tried everything”? 🤍

Save this for later and follow Jess Hughes | Certified Infant & Child Sleep Consultant for realistic, holistic sleep support.

One of the biggest misconceptions about sleep support is that it starts with sleep training.

For me, it doesn’t.

Before I ever suggest a sleep strategy, I want to understand the bigger picture.

🍎 Nutrition
⏰ Schedule
🔍 Underlying causes

Because frequent wakes, short naps and bedtime struggles are often symptoms rather than the root problem.

When we understand the why, we can create a plan that feels realistic, supportive and tailored to your child.

Sleep isn’t just about sleep 🤍

Save this for later and follow Jess Hughes | Certified Infant & Child Sleep Consultant for realistic, holistic sleep support.

Sleep isn’t just about getting through the next day 🤍

A recent long-term study found that children with persistently shorter sleep across childhood were at a higher risk of experiencing long-term depressive symptoms later in life.

Importantly, the researchers stressed that poor sleep is common in childhood. This wasn’t about the occasional rough night, sleep regression, illness or difficult season.

Instead, it highlights the important role sleep plays in supporting children’s emotional wellbeing, learning, development and overall health over time.

Not because perfection is the goal.

But because sleep matters 🤍

Save this for later and follow Jess Hughes | Certified Infant & Child Sleep Consultant for realistic, holistic sleep support and advice.

A mum recently told me:

“My first baby was such a good sleeper. I never expected to struggle like this.”

And honestly?

That’s often what makes it harder.

Because when your first baby slept well, you assume you’ll know exactly what you’re doing the second time around.

Then suddenly you’re waking every 1-2 hours overnight and wondering what changed.

The truth is, babies are different.

What worked for one child won’t always work for another.

And struggling with sleep doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong 🤍

Have your children had completely different sleep personalities? Tell me in the comments 👇🏽

I think somewhere along the way, so many mums start believing that exhaustion is just part of motherhood.

That broken sleep is something they should simply push through while still parenting, working, functioning and carrying everything else too.

And while yes, seasons of disrupted sleep are normal…

Feeling completely depleted doesn’t have to be your permanent normal 🤍

Sometimes small changes, support, reassurance and understanding what’s actually going on can make such a huge difference.

I think one of the hardest parts of motherhood is how isolating sleep struggles can feel.

You can be completely exhausted, questioning everything, and still feel like everyone else is coping better than you are.

But behind closed doors, so many mums are navigating broken sleep, early mornings, short naps, bedtime battles and trying to function through it all.

You are not the only one finding it hard 🤍

And you don’t have to just “wait it out” or keep running on empty either.