Katie Allan
Holistic Sleep Consultant – The Sleep Nanny
Katie explains why sleep is foundational to every part of family life, why your child isn't giving you a hard time—they're having a hard time—and why gentle, responsive support creates the most lasting change. She also shares her approach to older children and neurodivergent families.
What is something you wish all parents knew?
I wish every parent knew just how essential sleep is for their child's overall development—not just physically, but emotionally, mentally, and even socially.
Sleep is when the brain processes learning, stores memories, regulates emotions, and supports immune function. It's not just “rest”—it's growth and repair.
And when our children sleep well, everything else—mealtimes, behaviour, focus, emotional regulation—becomes so much easier. It's not selfish to prioritise your child's sleep or your own. It's foundational to a thriving family life.
What topic or question do you get asked the most from your clients?
“Why is my child not sleeping well? My friend's baby sleeps great!”
Whether it's short naps, bedtime battles, or early morning wakes, families come to me feeling like they've tried everything. And what I help them realise is that sleep isn't just about what happens at bedtime—it's about what's happening in the whole day.
- Sleep pressure and wake windows
- Emotional connection throughout the day
- Nutrition and activity levels
- Outside time and how a child winds down before bed
When we zoom out and look at the full picture, things start to make sense.
Are there any common myths or misconceptions you'd love to bust?
You Don't Have to Choose
“Sleep support always means leaving your child to cry alone”
That's just not true. Katie uses holistic, gentle, responsive approaches that help your child feel safe and secure while still learning to fall asleep independently.
You don't have to choose between supporting your child emotionally and helping them sleep—you can do both.
When a baby cries, they're communicating—and those cues should be listened to, not ignored. That doesn't mean we jump in at every sound, but it does mean we're present, supportive, and tuned in to what's going on for them. The goal isn't to “train” a baby to stop crying—it's to help them feel secure and gently guide them towards better sleep with confidence and connection.
With a holistic approach, we look at everything—not just what happens at bedtime. That includes their daily rhythm, feeding, environment, temperament, developmental stage, and of course, how you feel as a parent. From there, we build a plan that feels respectful to your baby and sustainable for your family.
“I always look at the situation from my view as a mum as well as a sleep coach. Is it something I would do with my own children? If the answer is no, then I don't recommend it to the families I work with. That's why I don't recommend ‘cry it out’—it's not in my beliefs, so I won't recommend it to my parents.”
What's a simple tip, trick, or mindset shift that often helps your clients the most?
They're Not Giving You a Hard Time
Your child isn't giving you a hard time—they're having a hard time.
Whether it's resisting bedtime or waking through the night, there's often an underlying reason. When we see sleep struggles as communication, not defiance, it changes everything.
Suddenly we're working with our child, not against them.
Why is your work so important to you and how do you see it making a difference in families' lives?
Because I've Been There
This role means everything to me because I know what it's like to feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do next. I've been there as a mum of three, and I know how hard it is when sleep isn't going well.
Helping families get to that place changes the whole dynamic—it brings more patience, more laughter, more connection. It's not just about sleep. It's about giving families the space to thrive.
But I also know the joy and peace that come when things start to fall into place—when your child sleeps well and you start to feel like yourself again.
Supporting Older Children
It's less about routine tweaks and more about the emotional and psychological side as children get older. With babies and toddlers, we're often looking at sleep foundations, routines, and biology. But with children aged 5 and up, especially those closer to 10 or 11, it's usually much more layered.
By that age, their brains are buzzing with thoughts, worries, and imagination. There's often more anxiety, habit-building, and resistance wrapped up in their sleep challenges—so yes, it can take more time and patience, and sometimes more trust-building too. They need to feel really safe, seen, and part of the process. It's not just about getting them to sleep—it's helping them understand why their sleep matters and involving them in the journey.
With the rise in neurodivergence—which I see more now than a few years back in the families I support—sleep can feel even more complex. Every child is so unique.
For neurodivergent children, it's about tuning into their world—understanding how sensory sensitivities, emotional regulation, and transitions affect them. What works for one child might be completely wrong for another. So it's even more about slowing down, being flexible, and finding gentle, respectful strategies that work for them.
60%
Under 7 years old
Growing
Older children (7+) as parents realise sleep struggles don't just go away
I actually love supporting this older age group—it can be so rewarding to help them rebuild trust with sleep and feel more confident in themselves again.
A Word on Co-sleeping
There's a lingering stigma around co-sleeping, especially in Western cultures where independence is often prioritised early on. But in reality, many families co-sleep and find it a really beautiful, bonding experience.
My approach is always about helping families feel confident in whatever sleep setup works best for them—whether that's co-sleeping safely or supporting a child to sleep in their own space. I'm happy that people are still okay seeking support for this even though there is a stigma attached.
Sleep Science Meets Emotional Well-being
Katie works with families of babies, toddlers, and older children—including neurodivergent families—using a holistic approach rooted in sleep science and responsive parenting. Every plan is built around your child's unique temperament, developmental stage, and your family's values.
No cry-it-out. No judgement. Just clear, gentle guidance that helps the whole family thrive.
