FAQs about Sleep Consultants & Children’s Sleep

Most parents who come to us at Millpond tell us they have already “tried everything,” read every book, and asked everyone they know for advice.

What makes our approach different is that all of our sleep consultants are trained health professionals and parents themselves. With over 30 years of experience supporting families with children’s sleep problems, both at Millpond and within the NHS, we bring empathy, expertise, and an evidence-based perspective to every family we work with.

Because we are health professionals, we take a truly holistic approach to your child’s sleep. Sleep challenges are rarely isolated. They are often linked to other factors such as developmental changes, behaviour, feeding, or emotional well-being.

As health visitors, we have an in-depth understanding of child development and we remain up to date with the latest research through our work training NHS professionals. We also consider the role of sleep genetics and how parental sleep patterns can influence a child’s sleep.

We support families with babies right through to teenagers, tailoring our approach to your child’s age and stage. We always take time to understand the full picture before creating a personalised sleep plan that suits your family. If needed, we may suggest speaking to your GP to explore medical issues such as reflux or eczema before starting the plan.

Our clients often tell us that the most valuable part of working with Millpond is having someone who understands, listens, and guides them through each step. With professional knowledge and genuine care, we give you the confidence to make lasting changes.

We don’t usually need to see your child in person. As your personal sleep consultant, we work closely with you as parents, supporting and guiding you remotely until your child’s sleep has improved and you feel confident moving forward.

We gather all the information we need through detailed conversations with you, alongside sleep diaries and questionnaires. Our years of experience have shown us that we can fully understand and support a child’s sleep without needing to observe them directly.

For school-aged children and teenagers, we often recommend involving them in some of the calls once their sleep programme has started. Children are often curious about their sleep and enjoy having their own sleep coach to talk to. Involving them in the process can help them feel listened to, motivated, and more engaged in making positive changes.

Most of our consultations take place over Teams video calls, so if your little one happens to be awake during the session, we’re always delighted to say hello.

At every stage, our goal is to support your whole family in a way that feels manageable, respectful, and effective.

We’ve been offering virtual consultations since 2000, and families consistently tell us how effective and convenient they are.

Virtual consultations allow you to speak with your sleep consultant from the comfort of your own home, at a time that suits your family, without the need to travel or rearrange childcare. Many parents find it easier to talk openly in a familiar setting, and it’s often more practical for managing daily routines, especially with young children.

Most of our consultations are held via Microsoft Teams video calls, which means we can still meet face-to-face, get to know you and your child, and offer the same level of care and guidance you would receive in person.

Our experience over many years has shown that virtual consultations work exceptionally well and allow us to support families across the UK and beyond with flexibility, warmth, and personal attention.

For your convenience, some of our sleep consultants offer consultations in the evening to fit around busy family schedules.

Our approach is designed to give you the skills and confidence to manage your child’s sleep plan yourself. This not only builds your confidence but also helps improve your child’s behaviour during the day, as they see you calmly and consistently taking control of the situation.

We believe it’s important for your child to see their parents confidently guiding them through these changes. After all, who better to teach them such an essential life skill than you?

If sleep problems arise again in the future, for example, after an illness or holiday, the knowledge and strategies you gain while working with us will help you quickly get back on track.

No, you will  NEVER be asked to leave your child to cry alone!

At Millpond, we only use gentle, child-focused sleep strategies that are tailored to your child’s age, temperament, and your parenting style. We understand how distressing it can feel to let your child cry without comfort, and we would never ask you to use any method that feels wrong for your family.

Our approach is grounded in empathy, child development, and evidence-based research. We work with you to build secure, loving routines that support your child to fall asleep calmly and confidently — without tears, trauma, or fear.

We take time to talk through the options with you, explain the reasoning behind any strategy we suggest, and guide you step by step with ongoing support. Many families tell us they are surprised at how gentle, manageable, and effective our approach is.

You can feel confident that your child’s emotional well-being is always our top priority.

Gentle sleep training is about helping your child develop better sleep habits in a calm, supportive, and responsive way. It does not involve leaving your child to cry alone or using rigid, one-size-fits-all routines.

At Millpond, we use only kind, evidence-based techniques that are tailored to your child’s age, temperament, and your family’s needs. Our focus is on building secure, lasting sleep habits by guiding your child step by step, at a pace that feels manageable for you both.

We believe that sleep support should be respectful, nurturing, and based on science. That’s why we work closely with parents, offering personalised plans and gentle approaches that help everyone feel more confident and rested.

Learn more about our approach on our homepage.

There is no single “right” age to seek help with your child’s sleep. At Millpond, we support families with babies from around six months of age, right through to toddlers, school-aged children, and teenagers.

Some parents come to us during the early months to understand what normal sleep looks like and how to build healthy habits. Others reach out later, when sleep has become more challenging and is affecting their child’s wellbeing or family life.

The best time to get support is whenever you feel you need it, whether you’re looking for reassurance, practical strategies, or a clear plan to follow. We’re here to help you feel more confident and better rested, no matter where you are in your sleep journey.

Learn more about our work on our homepage.

Your consultation is the first step in understanding your child’s sleep in a deeper and more personalised way. We begin by talking with you in detail about your child’s sleep patterns, daily routine, and any challenges you are facing — whether that’s bedtime battles, night waking, early rising, or general sleep disruption.

As trained health professionals, we also consider other factors that may be affecting your child’s sleep. These might include feeding, diet, medical conditions, developmental stages, sibling dynamics, and the wider family routine. Sleep is rarely about just one thing, and our holistic approach helps uncover what’s really going on.

From there, we create a personalised sleep plan tailored to your child’s age, needs, and your parenting style. We explain everything clearly so you feel confident, and we guide you step by step as you put the plan into action.

You’ll also receive ongoing one-to-one support to answer your questions, adjust the plan if needed, and keep you on track as you make progress.

See what’s included in our sleep packages.

Sleep challenges are common at every age, and the reasons behind them often change as your child grows.

For babies, sleep disruption is often linked to feeding patterns, short sleep cycles, or needing help to fall back asleep between sleep stages. Toddlers may resist bedtime, wake early, or rely on routines that are no longer working. School-age children can develop fears, anxieties, or struggle with boundaries and screen use. Teenagers often have a natural shift in their body clock, which makes it hard for them to fall asleep early or wake up in time for school.

Understanding the underlying cause — whether it’s behavioural, emotional, developmental, or environmental- is the first step to improving your child’s sleep.

We offer tailored advice and sleep support based on age and stage.

Visit our dedicated pages to learn more about your child’s needs and how we can help:
Babies | Toddlers | School-age children | Teenagers

Choosing the right sleep consultant for your family is a big decision. With so many different methods, philosophies, and qualifications — and with the profession currently unregulated — it can be difficult to know who to trust.

Anyone can call themselves a sleep consultant or sleep coach, even without formal training or experience. That’s why it is so important to look for someone with a medical or health-related background — someone who truly understands the science of sleep, child development, emotional wellbeing, and how to support families in a compassionate and safe way.

At Millpond, all of our sleep consultants are qualified health professionals with many years of NHS experience as health visitors, midwives, and nurses. We have been supporting families for over 30 years and also train NHS staff, which means we stay up to date with the latest evidence and research. Our team takes a holistic view, considering everything that might be affecting your child’s sleep — including feeding, development, medical conditions, family routines, and emotional factors.

It’s also essential to choose someone who will really listen to you, respect your parenting values, and create a plan that’s tailored to your child and your family. Look for a consultant who uses gentle, evidence-based techniques, offers ongoing support, and empowers you with the skills and confidence to manage your child’s sleep now and in the future.

We’re proud to be one of the most experienced and trusted teams in the UK. You can learn more about our approach and meet our team on the about us page.

Every child and family is different, and while many sleep issues are resolved within the support included in our sleep packages, it’s completely normal for some families to want a little more time, reassurance, or flexibility along the way.

Sleep isn’t always linear — progress can come with ups and downs, especially when life throws in changes like illness, travel, or developmental leaps. That’s why we offer top-up consultations for families who would like continued guidance or to revisit their plan as things evolve.

This doesn’t mean anything has gone wrong. In fact, knowing when to check in and get tailored advice is one of the most empowering things you can do as a parent. We’re here for you for as long as you need us — with the same warm, personalised support throughout your journey.

A sleep consultant, or sleep coach, is someone who specialises in resolving baby and children’s sleep problems.

Sleep issues can feel overwhelming and complicated, and it’s often hard to know where to start. A sleep consultant helps you understand why your child is struggling with sleep, creates a personalised plan, and guides you step by step so your whole family can get the rest you need.

Our team of sleep consultants

While there is no official sleep consultant qualification, our team are all compassionate, fully qualified health professionals with years of experience working in the NHS. Each of our consultants has worked at Millpond for many years, supporting thousands of families. We are also parents ourselves, so we know firsthand what sleep deprivation feels like.

We understand that sleep issues can be complex, which is why our approach is always holistic and empathetic, drawing on the knowledge, skills, and experience we have built over decades.

Our approach

We use only gentle, evidence-based strategies tailored to your child and your family. Just as every child has their own unique personality, their sleep patterns and solutions are also unique to them.

We assess your child’s sleep using a detailed questionnaire and diary, then work with you to design a bespoke plan that fits your child’s needs and your parenting style. Throughout the process, we are here to support and guide you, empowering you with the skills and confidence to manage your child’s sleep now and in the future.

If you are struggling with your child’s sleep, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We are here to listen, understand, and help your family get the sleep you deserve.

The cost of a sleep consultant depends on the level of support you need and the type of package you choose.

At Millpond, we offer a range of flexible sleep packages designed to suit different families and situations. Each package includes a detailed assessment of your child’s sleep, a personalised plan tailored to your family, and ongoing one-to-one support as you put the plan into action.

Many families tell us that the investment is more than worthwhile. Not only does it help improve their child’s sleep, but it also gives them the skills and confidence to manage sleep now and in the future, even if challenges arise again due to illness, travel, or changes in routine.

For many families, working with a sleep consultant is genuinely life-changing. It can restore sleep to the whole household, reduce stress, and support your child’s wellbeing and development.

At Millpond, we bring over 30 years of specialist experience in children’s sleep and a strong medical background. Because we are trained health professionals, we take an objective view of your child’s sleep and can often identify issues that are influencing sleep but aren’t just about sleep itself — such as feeding, development, health conditions, or emotional needs.

A sleep consultant offers you clarity, a personalised plan, and the confidence to follow through. With our expert guidance and support, sleep problems are often resolved much more quickly and calmly than when trying to manage them alone.

You can read more in our case studies and get to know our team on the about us page.

If your baby’s sleep is causing you concern, such as frequent night waking, difficulty settling, short naps, or needing to be held to sleep, we can help from around six months of age onwards. At this point, babies are developmentally ready to learn independent sleep skills, and gentle changes can make a lasting difference.

But it is not only about solving problems. Many parents come to us simply because they want to understand more about how their infant sleeps and what realistic expectations might look like, especially during the early months when advice can feel confusing and overwhelming.

In the first few months of life, babies have developing and often unpredictable sleep patterns. Our consultants help you make sense of this stage — offering reassurance, clarity, and simple steps to support your baby’s natural rhythms. We can help you build good habits early on and feel more confident in your decisions as a parent.

Whenever you feel ready, we are here to guide and support you.
Learn more about our sleep help for babies

Sleep anxiety is when a child feels worried, fearful, or uneasy about going to sleep or being alone in bed. It’s a common issue and can appear as bedtime resistance, frequent calls for parents, or night waking, where a child is too anxious to fall back asleep on their own.

The causes of sleep anxiety can vary. It might start with a specific trigger such as a nightmare, illness, change in routine, or a stressful event — or it may come from common developmental fears like fear of the dark or separation from parents. Even an overactive imagination can lead to bedtime worries.

If not addressed, sleep anxiety can persist for months or even years. Often, the original reason it started has long been forgotten, but the child remains anxious about the idea of sleep itself. The connection between bed and sleep becomes replaced with anxiety and struggle. This is something we see frequently, especially in school-aged children, where the pattern has become deeply ingrained.

The good news is that sleep anxiety can be successfully managed. With the right support, children can learn to feel safe, confident, and in control at bedtime again. Our gentle, structured approach helps rebuild a positive connection with sleep — without pressure, fear, or leaving your child to cope alone.

Learn more about how we support children with anxiety and sleep.

Sleep problems are extremely common in teenagers — around 65 to 70 %of teens are not getting the sleep they need. This is often due to a combination of biological and lifestyle factors. During adolescence, the body clock naturally shifts, meaning teens start to feel sleepy later at night and struggle to wake early in the morning.

On top of this, many teenagers are dealing with academic pressure, exam stress, social expectations, and a constant sense of connection through phones and social media — all of which can interfere with their ability to switch off and relax before bed.

One of the most helpful things parents can do is to maintain a consistent wake time, even on weekends. This helps to stabilise the body clock and makes it easier to fall asleep at night. Supporting your teen with a predictable routine, encouraging screen-free wind-down time, and making their bedroom a restful space can also make a big difference.

But perhaps even more important is talking with your teen about sleep — helping them understand why they might be struggling and reassuring them that it’s not their fault. Sleep difficulties at this age are common and manageable with the right support.

At Millpond, we take time to talk directly with teenagers, explain how their sleep works, and involve them in creating simple changes that lead to better rest. Empowering teens with this knowledge can help them feel more in control, less anxious, and more motivated to make positive choices around their sleep.

Find out more on our sleep help for teenagers page.

Yes — it’s very common. In fact, research shows that around 65 to 70% of teenagers are not getting the recommended amount of sleep, which can affect everything from their mood and concentration to academic performance and mental health.

During puberty, teenagers experience a natural shift in their circadian rhythm — their internal body clock — that makes them feel sleepy later in the evening and want to sleep in later in the morning. This biological change, known as “sleep phase delay”, is well documented by sleep researchers like Dr Michael Gradisar.

Gradisar’s work also highlights that this shift is often made worse by evening screen use, light exposure, and lifestyle pressures like homework, revision, part-time work, and social media. As a result, many teenagers end up with a growing sleep debt — and find it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up feeling refreshed.

While these sleep patterns are normal from a biological perspective, it doesn’t mean poor sleep should be ignored. With the right support, teenagers can learn to understand their sleep, reset their body clocks, and develop habits that help them feel more alert, calm, and in control.

At Millpond, we take time to talk with teenagers directly. We explain the science behind their sleep, involve them in setting achievable goals, and support them to make small changes that lead to better rest.

Find out more on our sleep help for teenagers page.

If your teenager is struggling to fall asleep or lying awake feeling frustrated, it’s important to respond with calm and understanding.

You’re not alone — difficulties getting to sleep are extremely common in teens and often linked to natural changes in their body clock, increased screen use, academic stress, and emotional pressures.

Dr Michael Gradisar’s research shows that when teenagers stay in bed while wide awake and anxious, they can start to associate their bed with frustration instead of relaxation. One helpful strategy is to gently encourage them to get up and do something low-stimulus in dim light — like reading a physical book or doing a quiet task — then return to bed when they feel sleepy again.

Alongside this, helping your teen build consistent routines — especially keeping a regular wake time, even on weekends — can help reset their body clock. Supporting them to reduce screen use before bed, manage stress levels, and understand how sleep works can also be empowering.

At Millpond, we work directly with teenagers to help them understand their sleep and take small, achievable steps to improve it. You don’t have to manage it alone — we’re here to guide you both with practical, evidence-based strategies.

Find more support on our sleep help for teenagers page.