Sam’s Gentle Journey to Better Sleep – No Cry-It-Out Needed
When Sam’s mum, Lucie first reached out to me, she was completely exhausted. After months of co-sleeping and three months of virtually no sleep, she was desperate for a change but deeply sceptical about sleep coaching.
“I thought sleep coaching was just ‘cry-it-out’ with a fancy name,” Lucie admitted. “But after an intro call with Harriet, I decided to take a chance. Boy, am I glad I did.”
The Challenge: Sleepless Nights and Feeding Dependency
Six-month-old Sam was waking every 1.5–3 hours through the night, only settling with a feed. Naps were inconsistent, and bedtime was a nightly ordeal, taking up to three hours to get him to sleep.
“I had become his sole source of comfort, even co-sleeping wasn’t working anymore. I was losing my independence and my energy, but the idea of moving him to his own room or changing our routine felt overwhelming. I didn’t want him to cry endlessly or feel abandoned.”
The Turning Point: A Gentle, Personalised Plan
Together, we created a tailored sleep plan that respected Sam’s temperament and his parents’ wish to avoid any cry-it-out methods. The plan focused on:
Gradually transitioning Sam to his own room.
Establishing a predictable and soothing bedtime routine.
Introducing gentle settling techniques to help Sam learn to sleep independently.
“Harriet became so much more than a sleep coach, she was our cheerleader, agony aunt, sounding board, and voice of reason. Her WhatsApp support during tough moments was absolutely invaluable.”
The Results: Restful Nights and Renewed Confidence
In just a few weeks, Sam’s sleep habits transformed. He moved from co-sleeping to sleeping in his own room, and his parents established a bedtime routine that gave them their evenings back. Sam began settling to sleep without needing to be fed, relieving his mum of the constant burden and helping her regain her independence.
“I was so anxious about moving him to his own room, but Harriet’s plan made the transition smooth and manageable. The change has been incredible. We no longer spend hours settling him, and while he’s not quite sleeping through the night yet—he’s still our little FOMO baby!—life is so much more manageable. I feel confident now about handling regressions or changes without a single cry-it-out moment.”
Life After Sleepless Nights
For Sam’s parents, the impact of better sleep has been life-changing. With nights that actually allow for sleep and peaceful evenings, they’ve regained time to reconnect with each other, enjoy hobbies, and unwind at the end of the day.
“I finally feel like myself again. I can wake up with energy, focus on work during the day, and still have time for me in the evening. It’s given us our lives back.”
The confidence they’ve gained from working through Sam’s sleep challenges has also equipped them for the future.
“We’re no longer worried about the next regression or change in his routine because we have the tools and knowledge to handle it.”
Why Gentle Sleep Coaching Works
Sam’s story shows that effective sleep coaching doesn’t have to involve tears or guilt. With a personalised, no-cry-it-out approach, his family regained their rest, their evenings, and their sense of balance.
If you’re feeling stuck in a cycle of sleepless nights and are hesitant about cry-it-out, know there’s another way.
Ready to create your own sleep success story? Let’s chat.
