"I think it's really important for parents to know that support is available and that they don’t have to navigate sleep struggles alone," says Liadhán Collins, founder of CulaBaby.
"Yes, having children naturally comes with some sleepless nights, but it shouldn’t feel like a constant battle or get to the point where it impacts your mental health."
A sleep and wellness brand, CulaBaby offers personalised sleep consultations for children aged four months to six years, as well as breathwork classes for mums and dads who are feeling overwhelmed.
The idea for both these offerings, says Liadhán, came from first-hand experience.
A mother of three, the Dublin woman had a successful career in the corporate world, but says that entering motherhood nine years ago changed her life completely.
"Sleep was literally ripped from me overnight," she reflects. "And I'll always say that I was ready to have kids. I always wanted a big family - I come from a family of six - but I don't think anything can really prepare you."
Over the course of two years, the new mum normalised the exhaustion she experienced and "just got on with it". Eventually, though, the sleep deprivation caught up with her.
"I'm very independent, so I don't really ask for help when I should," she admits. "I finally reached out to a sleep consultant for help, and it was the best thing I could have done."
Learning about the science of sleep, Liadhán managed to get nights with her little one on track, but her second and third babies followed soon after, leading her back to square one.
"I think my third threw me," she laughs. "And again, it took me another two years to ask for help. With her, I felt like, surely I should know what I'm doing, she's my third!"
Trying to climb the corporate ladder while severely sleep-deprived, Liadhán realised that the thing she most wanted to focus on was finding answers for both herself and other parents in similar positions.
Having studied to become a sleep consultant, she has learned that although parenthood inevitably comes with some sleepless nights, it doesn't have to be something you dread every day.
As well as offering one-to-one consultations that range from a 60-minute troubleshoot phone call to a four-week full sleep support package, CulaBaby has online guides, webinars, and a range of products to help little ones nod off.
As well as focusing on getting the little ones to settle, though, Liadhán wanted to help parents find techniques to help them through stressful periods.
"Again, this was from personal experience," she explains. "I found that I was getting quite overwhelmed, quite anxious. Life was so busy and chaotic, I found I was always 'on'."
This constant feeling of stress led her to train with Níall Ó Murchú at the Blissful Breath Academy, where she became an advanced breathwork teacher.
Since then, she has implemented guided breathwork into her work at CulaBaby, creating videos that children (and grown-ups) can listen to when sleep becomes an issue.
Although every situation is different, Liadhán says that the most common challenges families face are bedtime resistance, night wakings, early risings and false starts. All of which, she insists, can be tackled with the right tools.
While some children may be more resistant to sleep, or some parents may be less sure of routines, she says that progress can often be seen within just a few days.
"It can take a couple of days, but I would always say give it two weeks," she adds. "You have to be consistent."
To learn more about CulaBaby or to book a free 15-minute assessment, visit CulaBaby.com
