So here goes -
It’s a gentle, step-by-step approach that I’ve developed over more than 30 years of supporting babies and their families and refined in the last six years since I have been working full time as live- in 24-hour maternity nurse.
The “It’s as easy as 1,2,3” method is built around three simple foundations- which relate primarily to the baby’s feeds and sleep - that help parents understand and anticipate their baby’s needs and create a calm, predictable rhythm from the very beginning. My 123 method follows NHS guidelines and is developmentally appropriate.
My ‘It’s as easy as 1 2 3’ method is based on following 8 repeatable cycles throughout the day/ night in those early days , (evolving later as the baby matures), so that if one cycle goes off track, with a tricky feed or a missed nap, then it’s easy to get back on track at the next cycle without feeling like the whole day is disaster or something similar.
One of my recent clients said of my ‘It’s as easy as 1 2 3’ method - ‘It’s brilliantly simple and simply brilliant’!
The 12-Week Plan then builds on those foundations, which have been established by the implementation of the 123 method, and week by week, by introducing developmentally appropriate steps at the right time, in the right order, your baby finds a consistent, predictable rhythm.
I often compare it to building a house.
First, you lay the foundations.
Then, week by week, you add the bricks.
Each stage builds on the one before it until, over time, you have a baby who is happy, settled, naps well during the day and can sleep for longer stretches at night.
Each week focussing on a small achievable goal/ skill for baby and parents to master but when put all together, the results are huge.
Most importantly, parents feel confident because they understand WHY they’re doing what they’re doing.
My approach is always gentle, responsive and baby-led, but with a focus and a goal in mind each week. Always building on and reinforcing skills that the baby has learnt the week before.
No rigid schedules.
No cry-it-out.
No expecting babies to do things they aren’t developmentally ready for.
And absolutely no sleep training!
Although my 12-week plan and ‘It’s as easy as 1 2 3’ method are tried and tested programs, through the weekly consultation with me, the plan is bespoke and tailored to your baby and your family’s needs. It is not a ‘one size fits all’, generic plan.
The other thing that seems to concern people is the dreaded ‘sleep regression’ at 4/5 months old.
Of course the babies that I look after go through these inevitable sleep developments at 4/5 months but because together with the baby’s parents, we have supported the babies to learn how to self settle and link sleep cycles before their sleep changes- the sleep development is hardly noticeable in most cases. Babies don’t just ‘forget’ the skills that they have learnt along the way before their sleep changes. Their sleep needs do change as they grow older and they will naturally need less daytime sleep to keep the nights more consistent. This happens quite organically though and just becomes the new normal.
But of course a three month old will need to have a different amount of daytime sleep sleep to a nine month for example. So if the nights are disrupted and baby is waking, play around with cutting down the day sleeps until you find what works for your baby.
While many parents experience a disruption to their baby’s sleep around 4-5 months, I’ve found that babies who have gradually developed settling skills and learnt to link sleep cycles often navigate this stage more smoothly.
Going back to my method and my plan - It is thoughtful guidance, realistic expectations and consistent support.
A trusted voice through those precious first 12 weeks.
Finding a lovely, calm rhythm is the initial goal, but the bonus with this is that babies naturally sleep longer and longer periods at night. It’s not forced upon them, it’s a natural progression.
I believe ‘If you look after the days, the nights look after themselves’.
The ‘It’s as easy as 1 2 3’ method = The foundations.
The 12-week plan = Building the house.
It’s all about helping new parents enjoy a calm and confident start to parenthood.