Think you’re helping your baby get to sleep with these common tricks? Think again!
BABY sleep expert Natasha Cross reveals the one thing that might be stopping your baby or young child sleeping through the night - and it's going to genuinely surprise you.
A LEADING baby sleep expert has revealed what parents are doing wrong when trying to get their little darlings to doze off - or sleep through the night.
Natasha Cross, director of Baby Sleep Matters, has built a reputation for being able to get children to nod off, and stay sleeping soundly until the morning.
Speaking to The Sun Online, the 34-year-old revealed some of the basics she uses when helping parents at their wits' end with their child's sleeping pattern... or lack thereof.
She said: "The first thing I tell parents is to remove all sleep aids.
"Whether that's a mobile over their cot, rocking them to sleep or driving around the block with the baby strapped in to his or her car seat, it has to go."
Her advice is sure to stun exhausted parents who can only get their precious tot to nod off after several laps around the neighbourhood, or setting their cute motor-powered mobile off on another turn.
But she has more advice that again will raise eyebrows of worn-out mums, dads and carers.
She said: "The biggest myth for babies under 12 months is that having less sleep during the day will make them sleep better or longer at night.
"In actual fact the reverse is true and the more sleep they have in the day the better they will sleep at night."
Natasha also helps parents learn what their baby's crying means, as she believes that their wailing can fall under one of five distinct categories: hunger, overtired, lower bowel, upper bowel and discomfort.
The baby whisperer, who has two children of her own, claims to have helped scores of parents help get their child into a routine that works for them - and their baby.
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She said: "I see parents when they are literally desperate. They have tried everything under the sun and are not able to stick to one thing - but consistency is key when following my approach."
Citing the example of a two-year-old girl who couldn't sleep unless she was being rocked by her parents, Natasha claims that it took her just four days to get her from waking up "25 times a night to once".
Find out more about Natasha and Baby Sleep Matters .
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