Bedtime battles are exhausting, but they’re also solvable. Learn gentle, evidence-based strategies to reduce resistance, support regulation, and create calmer evenings (without cry-it-out).

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking “I’m so anxious about bedtime that I can’t even enjoy the evening”   you’re not alone. As a baby and child sleep consultant in Bristol , supporting families across Bath, Somerset and Gloucestershire  (and worldwide virtually ), I see this pattern all the time: a child’s sleep becomes tricky, a parent’s nervous system goes into overdrive, and suddenly bedtime feels like a daily test you’re bracing for. The important thing to know is this:

If Valentine’s Day feels like another thing to do  when you’re already running on empty, you’re not alone. When you’re parenting through broken nights, “self-care” can start to sound like a luxury you don’t have time for. This is why I love a 7-day sleep challenge  approach for parents: it’s short, realistic, and focused on small shifts that calm your nervous system so nights feel less relentless. This blog is written from the perspective of a sleep consultant who supports fa