Sleep stories

Men don’t always do things the way the books say. They don’t negotiate with the cradle bouncer for 20 minutes before turning it on. They don’t Google “best sleep routine for an 8-month-old” at 11 p.m. They simply find a solution — and surprisingly often, it works. June is the month of Father’s Day. And it’s the perfect opportunity to talk about something many families experience during the summer months: routines slip, the light never quite disappears, the heat makes everyone restless — and yet, somehow, things still work out.

There is a narrative about motherhood that says closeness can never be too much. That a child can never be held too tightly. That putting your baby down — even for ten minutes — is a failure. That narrative is not just unfair. It is inaccurate.

It’s three in the morning. Again. You’re standing by the cradle, warm hands resting on your baby’s chest, gently rocking back and forth. Your baby is no longer crying — but not sleeping either. In the darkness, you hear your partner turn over in bed. Neither of you says anything. There’s nothing left to say. This is everyday life for many parents of young children. It isn’t dramatic. It’s just… constant. Night after night. Week after week. And somewhere between you, a silence begins to grow — not a peaceful one, but the silence of two people who simply have nothing left to give.

Spring is beautiful. Brighter mornings. Greener days. A world waking up again. But ask a family with young children what spring really brings, and the answer is often the same: sleep becomes more unsettled. And that is not a coincidence. When days are filled with more light, more sounds, and a body in constant activity, a child’s nervous system works harder. Nothing is wrong. They are simply alive and curious. But the body does not always know when to slow down on its own — and that is when parents notice the impact.

There is a kind of tiredness that doesn’t disappear after one good night’s sleep. It settles into the body, the eyes, and the way thoughts begin to slow. For many expectant and new parents, it begins long before birth and peaks in the months that follow.

In Silke’s family, everyday life is full of energy with three children - an older brother aged 11, an older sister aged 8, and the family’s little latecomer, Sommer. With a background in trauma-informed body therapy, yin yoga, and somatic movement, Silke works with calm, the nervous system, and balance - both in her professional life and in her role as a mother.

So here you are again: it’s evening and your baby is dozing in your arms as you walk around the room, gently rocking as you go. You have given this a good twenty minutes - SURELY your precious bundle is now sound asleep? So you creep across the room towards the crib and hover over the crib for a minute before laying them down.

Summer holidays are just around the corner – and for most families, that means time off and travel. If your holiday is coming up, here are some simple tips to help create the best possible sleep environment for your little one – no matter where you’re heading.

Motor restlessness is becoming an increasingly well-known phenomenon. It’s a general term used to describe when a child seeks stimulation of their senses. Many children experience motor restlessness to varying degrees, and it can manifest in different ways – especially during phases when the child is learning new motor skills.