Debs Richardson: Baby to Bed

03/03/2026

My autism sleep page is having a little rest for now…

I’d be doing families a disservice to try and work with them, with the level of support that autistic children need with their sleep. I know I can’t give daily support at the moment, and I admit that!

It will be back, though. I just need a little while to settle into the rhythm over here of having two foster babies x

02/03/2026

27/02/2026

Sleep training is a topic that brings up a lot of fear, especially around attachment

Please remember that I am a birth mum - who had PND after both my children, a foster mum to multiple babies with a ton of training on attachment, and sleep consultant

In 2023 a large real world study was done of over 2000 families and looked at what actually happened when parents use different behavioural sleep approaches at home.
The findings show that
- Some approaches led to longer more consolidated infant sleep
- No differences were found in parent infant bonding
- No increase in parental depression or mental health concerns

This doesn’t mean sleep training is for everyone.

But parents do deserve accurate information, not fear based messaging

If you do choose to sleep train, I can help with gentle responsive, evidence based support tailored to you and your baby

DM me today x
https://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(22)01000-9/abstract

19/02/2026

Sleep training isn’t my priority here…

I mean, would I like a full nights sleep again? Yes.
But we’re still getting to know this newest foster baby, plus he’s been ill, and moved house, and I’m not about to thrust sleep training upon him this soon!

However, whilst we wait and get to know him, we are still following some very simple steps which have automatically improved his day and night sleep anyway.

He’s in a new daily routine with us, a routine which gives him more day sleep than he was getting before. He’s fed at the same times each day, he never needs to go without food or sleep or attention - and it’s all helping to build his security and trust in us.

We get him up at the same time each morning, exposing him to natural day light as soon as we do.

He has a consistent bedtime routine and time each night too - no stress or confusion over what is happening, but the same set of steps each night so he knows what’s coming next… sleep!

I’m not hormonally charged (well, I am perimenopausal, but that’s a different story!) and so we can be naturally quite calm about the whole situation as he adapts to us.

Plus, we’ve now had 7 babies in our home, and we recognise that feeds and naps and play time can all go a bit skew-whiff some days. And that’s ok. We make up for it with a bigger feed or a longer nap later on. It’s not set in stone - these routines we have. Consistency is key to helping a child know their security and safety…but flexibility is key in keeping your cool when things don’t go to plan!

So there we have it. A few simple steps which have all helped the littlest baby improve his sleep naturally whilst he been with us. Hope this helps someone out there!! X

12/02/2026

Privilege to be doing life with a new baby, and living through the same sleep struggles that you all are!!

Have a little listen, though, because even though we’ve had to get to know this baby, and even though he’s been poorly already, and even though he’s four months old and could well be in sleep regression phase…we’ve done some things which have made him naturally take himself though the night (first night last night!)

You may find it useful!! X

29/01/2026

🚨 Big News 🚨

It’s been a little while since I’ve posted: life has been hectic over here as we’ve been waiting for the local authority to “do their thing” and make the decision to move a new baby in with us!

I really do think we’re at capacity now 😂😵‍💫

So, whilst our house adapts to four children, and we all get used to each other and settle, I’ll be taking a step back from the in-person events for now. I’ve been so thankful to .fourthvillage and and .sensory for the time and opportunities they’ve given me! And I’m not saying I won’t do them again… but for now, I’ll pause 😊

I’ll still be doing my 1:1 work with families - getting them better sleep and writing bespoke plans… so if you’d like to reach out - if your family needs some help with sleep - then send me message and we can get that ball rolling x

29/01/2026

🚨 Big News 🚨

It’s been a little while since I’ve posted: life has been hectic over here as we’ve been waiting for the local authority to “do their thing” and make the decision to move a new baby in with us!

I really do think we’re at capacity now 😂😵‍💫

So, whilst our house adapts to four children, and we all get used to each other and settle, I’ll be taking a step back from the in-person events for now. I’ve been so thankful to .fourthvillage and and .sensory for the time and opportunities they’ve given me! And I’m not saying I won’t do them again…but for now, I’ll pause 😊

I’ll still be doing my 1:1 work with families, getting them better sleep and writing bespoke plans… so if you’d like to reach out - if your family needs some help with sleep - then send me a message and we can get that ball rolling x

17/01/2026

Do you have one child waking the other?
Do your children share a room and you’re not sure what to do for the best?

Have a scroll through ➡️
And if you feel you need some support or help, just drop me a message 💕
Let’s see what we can do!

15/01/2026

Who wants to finally get some sleep?

‼️ constant night wakings
‼️ bedtime battles
‼️ unpredictable routines
Sound familiar?!

I’m looking for just 4 parents this month - to help simply get a better night’s sleep for the whole family without leaving their little one to cry it out alone.

I am SO passionate about helping parents like you get the sleep you and your family need. I know what sleep deprivation looks and feels like - l’ve been there, done that, and I never want anyone to suffer it. And so I want to help you get out of that and start to thrive more as a family; to feel alive every day you wake up after a full night’s sleep.

And yes, that is possible!

That’s why I would love to guide just 4 families this month to change their lives in a matter of days. So if you’re ready to finally get some sleep, DM me the word “READY” and I will get back to you with the details

13/01/2026

Calling all tired newborn parents!

Spaces are available for my February Newborn Sleep Session at The Hub

Knowing how newborn sleep works is essential when you’re a parent.

Maybe you’re a first time parent, an expectant parent, or you’ve done it all before and need a refresher… whatever your situation, if your baby is under 5 months old, get yourself booked on to one of my Sleep Sessions; giving parents the essential low down on:

🌟 ideal sleep space
🌟 the first few weeks of a newborn’s life
🌟 day/night rhythm
🌟 installing good sleep habits
🌟 a newborn routine
🌟 sleep amounts
🌟 signs of tiredness
🌟 wake windows
🌟 my top strategies for improving newborn sleep

You’ll get to meet other parents, pick my brain and ask any questions you have, enjoy snacks and chats, all in an informal setting. Oh, and you get to take the packs home with you to keep! All of this for just £50