Secrets of Slumber

Secrets of Slumber I'm Lauren Dean a baby and infant sleep coach, for Newborns to 4 year olds I'm Lauren Dean, baby and infant sleep coach for newborns to 4 year olds.

I use an holistic and responsive approach to transform sleep for all the family. To find out more about how we can help you, we offer a free 15 minute introduction call, booked via our website.

I’ve been hesitating to post this. Part of me worries about saying the wrong thing or triggering someone still in the th...
18/06/2025

I’ve been hesitating to post this.

Part of me worries about saying the wrong thing or triggering someone still in the thick of it.

But I’m sharing it because if you’re feeling stuck right now, waiting, surviving - dreading the next nap or bedtime, not living life fully - I want you to know there is hope! And there is help. I hope this post brings you some comfort that things can get better.

If sleep is what’s holding life back, I’m here to help you press play again.

Not sure where to start?
DM me and let’s book a free 15-minute discovery call to chat about how I can support you.

What should your little one wear to sleep? 😴 you might want to save this one 👆🏻Summer’s here - and whether you’re enjoyi...
17/06/2025

What should your little one wear to sleep? 😴 you might want to save this one 👆🏻

Summer’s here - and whether you’re enjoying sunny days at home or heading off on a hot holiday, keeping your little one comfortable at nighttime is key for their safety and better sleep. Babies sleep best when their bedroom is at 16-20°C, but we know that’s not always possible when a heatwave arrives. So here are my tips:

🌙 Use a baby sleeping bag with a lighter tog and dress little one in fewer layers
🌙 Feel their chest or back of their neck to check if they’re too hot - rather than hands and feet as they are usually cooler
🌙 Keep the bedroom door open and open a window if it’s safe to do so. Once I know my girls are in a deep sleep, I open their bedroom doors to help with air flow. If it’s cooled down by the time I go to sleep, I close the doors again to keep their sleeping space dark
🌙 Use a fan to cool the room - avoid pointing it directly at them
🌙 Keep curtains closed in the day to stop the room heating up

Every baby is different, so it’s all about finding what works for yours and go with your gut 💛

Loved working with this lovely family and hearing all the amazing benefits they’re now enjoying 🙌🏻🙋🏻‍♀️ I have to say, g...
05/06/2025

Loved working with this lovely family and hearing all the amazing benefits they’re now enjoying 🙌🏻

🙋🏻‍♀️ I have to say, getting my evenings back and having time to reconnect with my husband was one of the things I valued most after sleep coaching Maeve.

When your little one sleeps well, everything shifts. You suddenly feel more like you again. And then wonder why you didn’t do it sooner!

If you’re ready to invest in sleep coaching, reclaim your identity and reconnect with your partner, DM me - let’s get started! 💛

If you’re feeling the toll of broken nights, shattered and unsure where to start - drop me a DM and I’ll send you the li...
22/05/2025

If you’re feeling the toll of broken nights, shattered and unsure where to start - drop me a DM and I’ll send you the link to book in a free intro call.

Let’s get you feeling like yourself again 💫

Thinking about dropping to 1 nap? 😴 If your toddler is between 12-18 months and naps are starting to feel like a battle,...
15/05/2025

Thinking about dropping to 1 nap? 😴

If your toddler is between 12-18 months and naps are starting to feel like a battle, it might be time to go from 2 naps to 1.

Nap transitions can take a few weeks to settle, so my biggest tip? Take it slow. Some days might still be a 2-nap day (especially on weekends when they’re not in childcare), and that’s OK.

Good luck - you’ve got this!

DMs are always open if you’ve got a nap question or two 💤💫

Hitting the 4-month sleep regression? You’re not alone.This phase can feel tough. But it’s also an ideal time to start l...
07/05/2025

Hitting the 4-month sleep regression? You’re not alone.

This phase can feel tough. But it’s also an ideal time to start laying the foundation for better sleep.

The key is self-settling. When your baby can fall asleep on their own, they’re more likely to resettle between sleep cycles - no more waking every 40 minutes needing to be rocked, fed, or bounced back to sleep again.

You don’t have to navigate this alone.

In my 121 sleep coaching consultation, I’ll walk you through exactly what to do to help babe fall asleep independently and self settle. So that you can really start to build good sleep habits early, and all enjoy predictable, restorative sleep.

❔Got a question about the 4 month sleep regression, pop it below or my DMs are open

⏰On Sunday 30th March, the clocks spring forward by an hour. Above are my tips to help you prepare.💫Bonus: It’s Mother’s...
23/03/2025

⏰On Sunday 30th March, the clocks spring forward by an hour. Above are my tips to help you prepare.

💫Bonus: It’s Mother’s Day too — perfect excuse to ask your partner for a lie-in and catch up on that lost hour! And if you are a solo parent, I see you and I’m thinking of you.

☀️With lighter mornings and evenings back, now’s also a good time to check if your little one’s room is dark enough. We have a blackout blind from which I’d highly recommend. My youngest has a stick-on blind which also does the job and good for travel too.

❔Got a question about the clock change then drop it below or DM me.

I’m on a mission to help companies support YOU - and your family - with better sleep. But I need your help! Please share...
13/03/2025

I’m on a mission to help companies support YOU - and your family - with better sleep. But I need your help!

Please share, tag or start the conversation with your employer - maybe your Manager, HR Business Partner or Reward team. Or even better, stare their details with me and I’ll do the hard bit for you.

Let’s face it, everything begins with good sleep.

Better sleep = better work, better more fulfilling life!

And if your employer invest in better sleep for you, financially it’s one less thing for you to budget for.

Thank you 🙏🏻

Sometimes you just don’t know until you try! This little guy went from feeding to sleep and co-sleeping, to self-settlin...
12/03/2025

Sometimes you just don’t know until you try!

This little guy went from feeding to sleep and co-sleeping, to self-settling like a pro, ready for Mum to return to work on better sleep 🙌🏻

Honestly this is why I love sleep coaching, as it not only helps improve sleep for your little one, but the whole family experience the incredible benefits of restful nights. So happy for them!

If you’re ready to be guided step by step to better nights and more predictable days, get in touch. It will be one of the best things you invest in, I promise ☺️

Secrets of Slumber is one 🎂 (a little belated celebration) It’s been just over a year since I took the leap and launched...
12/02/2025

Secrets of Slumber is one 🎂 (a little belated celebration)

It’s been just over a year since I took the leap and launched Secrets of Slumber. Starting SoS has been both exciting and daunting, but I can honestly say it’s the most rewarding job I’ve ever done.

Of course, running your own business has its ups and downs, and you have to be a jack of all trades (huge thanks to my husband for being my in-house IT support!). I’ve had moments of imposter syndrome - but I’ve now found my confidence, my purpose, and a career I truly LOVE!

And the best part? The flexibility to be there for my own little family while also helping others live their best life! 🤍

So even though this celebration is a little late, I wanted to share this milestone as I feel so excited for what’s ahead.

I can’t wait to keep learning, growing, and helping more families feel the power of better sleep!

Here’s to year two! 🎉

Let’s talk toddler sleep clocks ⏰ 💤A toddler sleep clock is a visual aid (using lights or sun/moon) to help your little ...
04/02/2025

Let’s talk toddler sleep clocks ⏰ 💤

A toddler sleep clock is a visual aid (using lights or sun/moon) to help your little one understand when it’s time for bed 🌙and when it’s morning and Okay to get out of bed ☀️

🪄No magic fix
They are great if you are struggling with early mornings or your little one is getting out of bed at night, but not always a magic fix. If your child is waking early due to other factors (maybe environmental or overtiredness), addressing those underlying reasons first is key.

💤 I’m a big fan of toddler sleep clocks and believe they can make a real difference. So here are my top tips for introducing one successfully:

✨Understanding
Sleep clocks tend to be most effective from around 2 years old onwards when toddlers can grasp the concept that the “sun coming out” means it’s morning time.

✨Involve your toddler
Explain how the clock works and let them choose the colour of the light. Avoid blue light as it can suppress melatonin (the hormone that helps us sleep). Opt for warm-coloured lights like red or amber instead.

✨Build confidence gradually
Set the wake-up time earlier (like 6am) then gradually move it later to your ideal wake-up time

✨Keep it out of reach
So they aren’t tempted to play with it.

I recommend the I Code Sun and Moon Alarm Clock, which also plays white noise.

Do get in touch if you need any help with your toddler’s sleep.

Navigating sleep coaching after loss: A journey of love and growthBecoming parents was not an easy road for us. It was l...
21/01/2025

Navigating sleep coaching after loss: A journey of love and growth

Becoming parents was not an easy road for us. It was long, filled with heartbreak, and marked by challenges we wouldn’t wish on anyone. Both our girls are true miracles - little IVF warriors who came into our lives after so much waiting and hoping. They are our everything, and I still pinch myself daily that they are ours.

But that journey made sleep coaching Maeve so much harder for me. There’s something about the experience of loss, combined with the overwhelming sense of gratitude, that adds an extra layer of complexity to sleep coaching. When you’ve wanted your little one for so long, the thought of letting them cry, even for a short moment, can feel incredibly uncomfortable.

Although deep down I knew that helping Maeve learn to sleep was a gift not just for her, but for our whole family. It wasn’t easy, but I’m so glad we did it.

Maeve’s ability to sleep better gave her the rest she needed to grow and thrive, and it gave me the energy to enjoy motherhood fully, rather than simply surviving it.

To anyone walking this path after loss, I see you. I know how deeply fortunate you feel, yet exhausted and overwhelmed. I also know that it’s okay to prioritise what’s best for you and your family, even when it feels hard.

And that’s the main reason I offer my free intro call. It’s an opportunity for you to ask questions about sleep coaching and explore whether it’s the right fit for you. My DMs are always open too if you ever want to chat about sleep coaching after loss 🫶🏻

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Horsham
West

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