About Teach Sleep
Nancy Foreman
Certified Baby Sleep Consultant
Welcome, I'm so glad you're here! I'm Nancy - primary teacher of 12 years and mum to toddler Iris and baby Olive.
I have worked in schools for the last 12 years, both in London and then Bristol, teaching from Reception up to Year 8, so I have plenty of experience working with children and collaborating with their parents to reach the best outcomes. I have seen first hand how sleep directly impacts learning and development in children. I had my first daughter, Iris, nearly 3 years ago and have since become fascinated in early child development and sleep, leaving teaching to start my own business in baby sleep. I help parents find solutions to sleep problems in an holistic and supportive manner, to suit the whole family.
In my roles as both teacher and mother, I have seen how important sleep is for the social and emotional well-being of our little ones, and for the health of the whole family. A lack of sleep takes a huge toll on families. It puts parents and marriages under strain and can make the simplest daily tasks seem overwhelming and unmanageable. I am here for you.
When I became a parent myself, I was inspired by friends' stories (both positive and negative!) and determined not to let a lack of sleep ruin my life. With Iris, I went on my own sleep journey and was quite shocked at how under-prepared I was. I had done NCT classes, hypno-birthing, learn about how to breastfeed a baby, but NOT been taught anything about a baby's sleep needs, what to expect a day and night to look like in terms of sleep, and how and when to start introducing a routine.
I became obsessed with sleep and decided to start nudging Iris into a routine from 6 weeks, as well as gently teaching her how to fall asleep independently. She began sleeping for long 8-9 hour stretches at night and then slept through the night at 6 months old. I was inspired to become a qualified sleep consultant myself, completing my OCN Level 5 Sleep Practitioner training between having my two children. I feel really strongly that becoming a parent does not have to mean losing your sleep and your sanity. Sleep is everyone's right and achieving a good night's sleep should not be difficult; in fact it is quite a simple formula!
Olive's sleep followed a similar journey to Iris' and I was able to use my experience and knowledge as a sleep consultant to put everything I help coach in other parents into practice. I always allowed Olive to settle to sleep happily in her own sleep space, followed awake windows and planned an age-appropriate routine, extending her long nap in the middle of the day and encouraging long stretches of sleep overnight. She slept through the night from 7pm-7am at 5 months old and we haven't looked back. I believe passionately that you don't have to put up with endless sleepless nights and you don't have to spend hours listening to your baby cry as you 'sleep train' your baby. With my practical, family-centered and common-sense approach, I will look for simple solutions to improve on your little one's sleep, setting realistic goals and coaching you through the steps towards reaching your sleep goals in a kind and supportive manner.
Whether you're struggling to get your little one into a routine that works for your family, can't get your baby taking decent-length naps in their cot, are juggling multiple night wakes or you start the day at 5am every morning - I am here for you. Start by booking a free intro call and we can discuss how best I can help you and your whole family.
Nancy xxx
