Wakey wakey

What he needed was a clear-cut, calm, cosy routine and a mother who could resist the pull to his side after more than five minutes of wailing.

So we did the programme

Alex had bath, bottle and a story at the same time as his big brother – and then went to bed, awake, as and when his brother did. Once he started crying his daddy (no milk vending machine associations) would check on him after a few minutes, tuck him in firmly, saying very little and then go again.

And the next time, after a few more minutes had elapsed, the same would occur. Throughout the night, the parent who could be the dullest (in baby terms – no milk, no cuddles, no stories – just reassurance and departure) was the only one who’d show.

After three nights, Alex simply dropped off out of sheer boredom. That was two years ago, and we’ve been normal(ish) people ever since…

We were lucky – some parents suffer a lot more, as Jasia Beaumont can confirm. She’s a Specialist Nurse for Children’s Sleep Disorders with the Southampton Community Trust Sleep Clinic team.