Vicky Scott- Independent Health Visitor

Vicky Scott- Independent Health Visitor Health visitor, children's nurse and expert Sleep Consultant for children.

I trained at Great Ormond St hospital and love their motto "Children first and always"

27/08/2026

When night waking might NOT just be about sleep 🌙

When your baby starts waking more often, it's tempting to immediately ask:

“What do I need to change about their sleep?”

But sometimes the better first question is:

“Is there something else going on?”

Teething, being too hot or cold, itchy or uncomfortable skin, hunger where age-appropriate, illness, and big developmental changes can all affect how settled a baby is overnight.

And remember — night waking itself can be completely normal. The aim isn't to find a “problem” behind every wake-up.

It's about noticing when something is different for your baby.

❤️ Don't just count the wakings. Look at your baby.

If your baby seems unwell, is having difficulty breathing, isn't feeding as they normally would, is unusually sleepy or difficult to wake, or you are worried about them, seek appropriate medical advice. **Trust your instincts — you know when your baby isn't themselves.

Save this for one of those nights when sleep suddenly seems to have gone completely off-piste. 🌙

NewParents ParentingSupport

26/08/2026

Dressing a wriggling, crawling 10–12 month old is basically an Olympic sport! 😂👶

Add Dad’s questionable colour combinations and fashion choices… and you’ve got a whole new level of parenting chaos! 🤣💙

Does Dad get it right when it comes to baby fashion? 😂 Tell me in the comments!

25/08/2026

Baby won't settle for Dad? ❤️

It can be very tempting to think, “They just want Mum”— particularly when Mum can settle baby using the familiar rock, cuddle or routine that usually works.

But Dad doesn't necessarily need to copy Mum.

He may hold baby differently.
Walk instead of rock.
Talk instead of sing.

And baby may need a little time to get used to that.

When one parent has spent more time caring for baby, they've naturally had more opportunities to learn those little cues — what that wriggle means, which cuddle works, when baby needs a change of scene.

Dad needs those opportunities too.

So if baby is safe and Dad is coping, sometimes the most helpful thing Mum can do is resist the urge to immediately step back in.

Different doesn't automatically mean wrong.

Dad and baby can find **their own rhythm**.

And Mum might even make it all the way to yoga. 😄

Dad's not babysitting. He's parenting. ❤️

👇 **Dads — what do you do differently that works brilliantly for YOUR baby?**

And Mums — what's something Dad does that you've discovered works just as well… even though you'd never have done it that way? 😄

24/08/2026

Anyone else given the **5-minute warning… the 2-minute warning… AND one last go on the slide** — only for leaving the playground to become a full-scale negotiation? 🙋‍♀️

Transitions can be genuinely difficult for young children.

They may understand perfectly well that it's time to go, while still finding it hard to **stop something they're enjoying and shift to what needs to happen next**.

That's where developing skills such as impulse control, flexibility and emotional regulation come in.

A warning can help — but it doesn't guarantee your child will be happy about leaving.

When things start going pear-shaped, try:

• Get close rather than calling instructions from across the playground.
• Keep your language short and clear.
• Acknowledge the feeling: *“I know you want to stay.”*
• Hold the boundary: *“And it's time to go.”*
• Avoid repeatedly renegotiating once you've said you're leaving.
• If your child needs your help to leave safely, calmly help them.

And remember:

**A child being unhappy with your boundary doesn't necessarily mean it was the wrong boundary.**

You don't have to make every difficult feeling disappear.

Sometimes your job is simply to stay steady while they move through it.

And yes… sometimes seven minutes later they're absolutely fine while **you're** still recovering from the Great Playground Crisis. 😅

**What's the transition your child finds hardest at the moment?**

22/08/2026

Anyone else said "Stop it!" approximately 400 times this summer holiday?
Well, this literally happened to me last week and the kids thought it hilarious 🫣
Not dangerous, but their behaviour tests you doesn't it?
If you're tired it completely tests your patience!
So... what are YOU saying "Stop!" to on repeat this summer? - I may make the next reel yours 👇

21/08/2026

3AM Dad Duties

Dad can't breastfeed… so what exactly is his job at 3am? 😂

Quite a lot, actually! 👇

🤍 Bring baby to Mum
🤍 Change baby's nappy
🤍 Settle baby after a feed
🤍 Make sure Mum has water
🤍 Keep an eye on the clock
🤍 And most importantly… support Mum!

Because while Dad might not be able to do the feeding, he can absolutely share the load.

Sometimes the best thing he can do is make sure Mum doesn't feel like she's doing the night shift alone. ❤️

Tag a Dad who needs to know his 3am job! 😂

19/08/2026

“Why will my baby settle for Mum but not Dad?” 👶💜
It’s incredibly common — and it doesn’t mean your baby prefers Mum or that Dad is doing anything wrong.
Baby may settle more easily with Mum because they’re familiar with her voice, smell, touch and the way she holds and comforts them. If Mum breastfeeds, her smell can also be strongly associated with feeding and comfort.
But Dad can absolutely build his own special way of settling baby.
The key is time, consistency and giving baby the opportunity to experience Dad as a source of comfort too.
Sometimes Dad just needs the chance to find his way of soothing baby — it doesn’t have to look exactly like Mum’s. ❤️
Have you found your baby settles differently for Mum and Dad?

18/08/2026

Does your toddler suddenly become a completely different child at bedtime? 😴

The stalling, the “one more story”, another drink, another cuddle… and suddenly bedtime has turned into a battle.

Toddlers are becoming more independent, developing BIG emotions and testing boundaries — all while still needing plenty of reassurance and connection.

A calm, predictable bedtime routine can help your toddler know what to expect and feel secure enough to settle.

If bedtime has become a daily struggle, you don’t have to keep battling through it. 💜

17/08/2026

Why does my toddler fight bedtime? 🌙

Bedtime battles can leave everyone feeling exhausted — but your toddler isn't necessarily fighting sleep because they don't want to sleep.

There could be a few things going on…

💜 They may be overtired and finding it harder to switch off.
💜 They may not have enough sleep pressure yet.
💜 They may be testing boundaries and wanting more control.
💜 They may be struggling with separation from you.
💜 Or their bedtime routine may simply need a little adjustment.

Toddlers are developing rapidly, becoming more independent and discovering that “one more story” is a very effective negotiation tactic! 😂

The key is to understand why your toddler is resisting bedtime rather than simply trying to make them go to sleep.

If bedtime has become a battle in your house, I can help you work out what’s really going on and create a calmer approach that works for your family. 💜

What is your toddler’s favourite bedtime delay tactic? 👇

16/08/2026

🌅 Is your toddler waking at 5am?

Those early starts can be so exhausting — especially when you feel like you’ve tried everything.

But early waking isn’t always simply a case of “they’re an early riser”. Their daytime sleep, bedtime, sleep environment, routine and even how they respond when they wake can all play a part.

💜 Small changes can sometimes make a big difference.

If your toddler is regularly waking earlier than you’d like, send me a DM and let’s look at what might be behind those early mornings.

✨ You don’t have to start every day at 5am!

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Bisley
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