With over 24 years of knowledge and experience, Jo has seen it all. She has worked with nearly 600 babies, nearly as many parents their siblings, grandparents as well as working closely with GP's, midwives, paediatricians and health visitors.

“Becoming a parent for the first time can be very exciting, but it can also be daunting. It seems that all the preparation before your baby is born, all the classes and the books you read, advice from family, friends and even strangers can never prepare you for the massive impact this gorgeous little person will have on your life.

Before your baby arrives you usually have an idea of how you want to parent. Some mums choose to have their baby sleeping in their bed, and demand feed. Some Mums decide that they would prefer a routine and some mum’s just wait and see. All these parenting options are up to the individual family, and all should be supported in the way they choose to bring up their baby. And Mums should empower and encourage

one another on their long journey throughout motherhood.

Sometimes what happens, is you decide a method you want to parent by, and your baby may have other ideas! You may have a vision of you snuggling in bed with your baby, when in reality your baby’s keeps you awake by kicking and poking your eyes. You may be a strict routine mum who plots her day to the minute, but then your baby doesn't stick to the plan! Some Mums start demand feeding and co- sleeping and then decide for whatever reason that they actually want a routine.

When I decided to use all my notes and research to write my book Baby Secrets, I wanted it to be a flexible routine based on babies natural feeding and sleeping patterns. To support mums if they wanted to breastfeed, but also not to judge when a mum wanted to, or had to, bottle feed.

You see not all the babies are the same; we can't put them all in the same routine. Pushing them into a routine that doesn't fit them isn't fair, and they will let you know. So what I tell all my parents to do is write down their baby's natural feeding and sleeping patterns, how long they sleep and feed for and where they sleep .This way you can work out a routine based upon their natural patterns. I can see why their baby isn’t happy and not sleeping. With help and support parents teach their baby how to love sleeping and be a confident sleeper, which will continue throughout their toddlerhood and beyond.

Although not one routine will fit all babies, they do follow a pattern of how long they can be awake before getting tired, and how often they feed. For example a newborn - up to 4 weeks old- will naturally be hungry around every 2 1/2-3 hours and be tired after every hour. And at 6 months most babies will be tired after being awake for 2 hours and need a feed every 4 hours. I suggest that you write a log and then you can watch for your babies tired signs, and hunger signs and then write them their own personal routine, just for them.

Also it is really important when you are setting up your baby's routine that you are flexible , for example if your baby wakes early from one nap then the next nap needs to be brought forward so that they aren't overtired. Some babies are born great sleepers, but some babies have to be gently and lovingly taught.

Jo Tantum will be on stage everyday sharing her tips on sleep everyday at The Baby Show NEC 18th-20th May. To book tickets log on to www.thebabyshow.co.uk.

To buy Jo’s book, her range of natural baby toiletries or to seek a consultation log on to www.babysecretsltd.com.

Win Baby Show Tickets & Nearly £400 Worth of Tommee Tippee Goodies

Buy Baby Secrets by Jo Tantum Here

May 2012

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