Written by Fanny Di Domenicantonio,Director, Fox & Cubs Nanny & Private Staff Agency.
This article is inspired by a guide to early childhood sleep from Statera Baby Sleep Coaching, written in collaboration with Fox & Cubs, and looks at the topic from the point of view of a family working with a nanny.
Nanny and baby sleep is one of the first things families want to get right when a new nanny joins the household. Sleep shapes the mood, the routine and the energy of the whole home, so it deserves a proper conversation before the first morning, not a hurried one at the door.
How baby sleep works in the early years
Statera Baby Sleep Coaching explains why sleep can feel so unpredictable by describing two clocks running side by side. The first is sleep pressure, which builds from the moment a child wakes and grows with everything they do, from play to new sights and sounds. The second is the body clock, a 24 hour rhythm that tells the body when to feel sleepy and when to feel alert. Naps respond mostly to sleep pressure, while night sleep follows the body clock more closely.
Newborns are not born with a settled body clock. It develops slowly over the first few months, which is why daylight during the day, a clear difference between day and night, and steady routines all help. A nanny who understands this can watch your child’s tired cues rather than the clock alone, and keep the day predictable, from meals to time outdoors.
Nanny and baby sleep: what changes at each stage
In the first six months, the priority is helping a newborn adjust to the world, not building a perfect routine, and it is entirely normal for babies to want to be close. Safe sleep guidance from The Lullaby Trust should be shared with every caregiver and followed without exception.
Around three to six months, sleep cycles mature and babies can become unsettled. Statera notes that many holistic sleep coaches prefer the term sleep progression to regression, because this stage comes with big developmental leaps.
Between six and eighteen months, most babies still wake one to three times a night. New skills such as crawling can also disturb sleep, so plenty of daytime practice helps. A nanny who gives your baby time to practise those skills while awake is supporting night-time sleep as well.
In the preschool years, bedtime can become a battle after big changes such as potty training, starting school or a new sibling. Statera recommends social stories, short picture stories that walk a child through the evening, and a nanny can prepare these as easily as a parent.
Five things to tell your nanny about your child’s sleep
In our experience, five things make the biggest difference when briefing a nanny. First, share your child’s usual wake times, nap pattern and the tired cues you watch for. Second, write the routine down in order, so the same steps happen whoever is in charge. Third, explain how you respond at night and how you feel about sleep associations such as feeding or rocking to sleep, so any change is agreed rather than improvised. Fourth, share the safe sleep guidance you follow. Fifth, agree how you will exchange updates, whether a short daily message or a handover note, so a rough night or a skipped nap never comes as a surprise.
Helping your child settle with a new nanny
Statera reminds us that babies and young children cannot yet calm themselves and need help to do so. One reliable, responsive caregiver is enough to help a child feel secure, and children can learn to settle with more than one trusted adult. When nanny and baby sleep routines match what parents do, that security grows.
This is why the first weeks of a placement matter. At Fox & Cubs, we encourage families to complete a first-day guide covering routines, nap times and bedtime preferences before the nanny starts, so that a nanny placed through our London nanny agency arrives knowing what is expected. For families with a newborn, a maternity nurse can help establish early routines, and our guide on how to choose a maternity nurse explains what to look for. For more on why shared rules help, read our piece on consistent rules between parents and nannies.
Frequently asked questions
When should a nanny start following a sleep routine?
From the first day. Share the routine in writing before she starts, and adapt it to your child’s age.
Is it normal for a baby to wake at night after six months?
Yes, most babies between six and eighteen months still wake one to three times a night. If you are worried, speak to your health visitor or GP.
Should my nanny use the same sleep associations as I do?
Agree this in advance. Sleep associations are a normal part of parenting, and any change should be gradual and gentle.
How do I brief a new nanny on safe sleep?
Share current guidance from The Lullaby Trust and ask her to follow it without exception.
Can a nanny help with sleep difficulties?
A nanny can support consistent routines, but persistent difficulties are best discussed with a professional such as a sleep coach.
Fox & Cubs Insight
“The families whose children settle best with a new nanny are the ones who describe their child’s sleep honestly: the good nights, the difficult ones and what they actually do about both. A nanny can only be consistent with a routine she has been given.”
Fanny Di Domenicantonio, Director, Fox & Cubs.
Read the Full Article
Original article published by Pelin Karanfil, Holistic Sleep Coach and Founder of Statera Baby Sleep Coaching.
Pelin specialises in evidence-based, attachment-focused sleep coaching for the early years, supporting families with a compassionate, responsive approach that considers each child’s development and emotional wellbeing.
Read the full article here: Understanding Sleep in Early Childhood: A Holistic Approach
