Sanity Nanny Questions

I work with busy, professional parents in their 30s and 40s who want to give their child the best possible start in life. Many have different challenges to face – some have experienced baby or child loss, others IVF or adoption. Most find me through recommendation, group talks or my website.

My holistic approach combines intuition, tools and techniques developed from over 25 years of childcare experience – from newborn babies to teenagers – and nine years of personal development training. I hold a Montessori Teaching certificate and am trained in postnatal depression and paediatric first aid.

My aim is always the same – to get results in a way that suits my clients’ lifestyle or work commitments, in the shortest possible time. Depending on the circumstances and the level of service you opt for, you can see results in as little as 24 to 48 hours. All programmes come with a guaranteed outcome.

I have over 30 years of experience working as a live-in and day care nanny for newborn babies and upwards. I’m NAMCW, Montessori, PND and early baby care trained, a certified MasterCoach and a published author.

I started working as the Sanity Nanny 15 years ago. Since then, my tried and tested parenting methods have transformed the lives of over 100’s of families in Gloucestershire, London and beyond. I’ve worked with many well-known celebrities and high-profile parents, so discretion is guaranteed.

I don’t advocate controlled crying. It can worsen the situation and have a lifelong impact on your child’s emotional and psychological development. The only time I would recommend that a parent uses controlled crying is out of desperation for fear they may harm their child.

Baby Sleep Questions

This is a common problem that can last for some time if it isn’t dealt with quickly. By focusing on settling techniques and making gradual, consistent changes, many parents see positive results within a day or so.

Crying is your baby’s way of communicating. There are many reasons he or she may be crying, other than wanting food or needing to be changed. Most often your baby simply wants comfort and cuddles, but they may have wind or could be in pain. Always speak to your GP or health visitor if you suspect the latter.

I don’t recommend controlled crying for either a young baby or a child of any age. Try different soothing techniques, reassure your child, then stay close by until he or she falls asleep.

This is a common issue that’s often nothing to do with sleep and more often related to boundaries and building confidence. Introduce a reward chart if your child is old enough to understand and give clear messages.

A good sleep pattern can be achieved by having a good daytime routine and resettling your child until you get closer to your chosen wake-up time, it is possible.

Many parents fall into this trap and end up getting no sleep themselves, either from being kicked by their restless child, or through worry that he or she may fall out of bed! Try to resettle your child in his own room and avoid picking him up unless he’s either teething or ill.

This can be tricky. Naps are important as they can affect the quality of sleep your toddler gets at night. Aim for at least one long nap during the day often after lunch. Try to make sure your child doesn’t cat nap in the car and plan your day around normal nap times. Get in touch if you need help establishing a routine.

The best way to handle this is to keep him calm before putting him into the cot. Perhaps read a story, rub his back and provide plenty of reassurance until he begins to relax and settle down.

It varies, though most babies and toddlers will sleep longer if they have a good routine from an early age. Newborn babies sleep for between 10 and 20 hours, dropping to 14/15 hours by six months and 13/14 hours by age one or two. Four to six year olds need 11 to 12 hours.

Even the smallest thing can trigger these night wakings. Gently talk to your child and give her plenty of reassurance at bedtime. If the issue persists, get in touch.

So-called night terrors can happen because your toddler has seen something scary on TV or in a book. Remove any offending items and don’t engage in conversation – instead, just soothe and calm your child with comfort and cuddles and things should soon settle down.

Babies aged around seven to nine months often experience a period of separation anxiety, and it can be hard for a toddler to understand why you can’t play as much as before. Try finding a quiet activity, such as reading, where you can all sit down together so your toddler doesn’t feel left out. Get in touch if the situation continues.

Food and Feeding Questions

Infant babies need regular feeds and it’s normal to feed frequently in the first couple of months when your baby only has a small stomach. It takes time for your body to build up milk supply, but feeds will space out by month two or three, and things will become easier.

It’s common for toddlers to go through fussy phases. Keep offering a variety of colours and textures and try not to make too much fuss about it. You may find making funny faces out of fruit and vegetables helps to make them more attractive.

Smoothies can be high in sugar and should be offered in moderation. It’s better to make food fun by offering fresh fruit and vegetables with different tastes and textures.

Read my FAQs and still need help?

There’s an effective solution to every parenting problem and it’s often easier than you think.

Don’t let things develop to the point where you’re stressed, exhausted and desperate. If you’re finding things hard, get in touch.

What’s the next step?

I’ll start by sending you an enquiry form so you can tell me about your family situation and the things you need help with. After returning your completed form you can book a confidential consultation.

Once I have the information I need, I’ll tailor a plan to help you achieve lasting results, and you can choose the level of service you want, depending on your preferences and budget.

Book An Appointment

Book a free consultation or get in touch to find out more.