Charlotte Hillyard TGOS

✨Wednesday weekly sleep tips✨

Thank you to everyone who sent me topics to cover this week, Sleep Regressions won by an absolute landslide!

I’ve tried to summarise the main points here, but as always if you need some help that’s a little more personal, please just drop me a DM ❤️

Also - If you have a topic you would like me to cover next week, comment below or head over to the Sleepy Mummas Facebook group. I’m currently running a poll in the group to capture the areas of sleep we are finding the hardest right now, so I can start creating the content to help 🫶🏻

✨Wednesday weekly sleep tips✨

Thank you to everyone that sent me topics to cover this week for babies. Naps was top of the list, so I’ve pulled some things to together to try and help 🫶🏻

As with most sleep challenges, there are always more things to explore (especially with short naps), but I hope this helps as a starting point 🥰

As always, feel free to drop me a DM if you need a hand 🙌🏻

This is for all the mummas that have said to me “I’ve made a rod for my own back”…. And my response is always always always…. “No you haven’t”.

You’ve followed your Mumma gut and instincts and you’ve responded to your baby. That makes you an amazing mummy ❤️

What would you say to a mum who says “I’ve made a rod for my own back?”. Comment below 👇🏻

MUMS YOU MATTER 🫶🏻

This week I was back with the wonderful Mums Matter ladies to talk all things sleep and maternal mental health. It’s been a huge privilege to be a part of the Mums Matter extended family for the last 2 years 🫶🏻
hbdmind is an amazing service, dedicated to empowering mums to take control of their health and well-being.

It’s an 8 week course where you can self refer, or be referred to by local professionals and it’s completely free to join. There is also a crèche service too, with the most amazing ladies looking after your baby, so you can take the time to focus on your mental health. Josh loved it there today 😍

And the best bit, it was designed BY mums FOR mums.

Thank you so much for having me ❤️

✨Wednesday weekly sleep tips✨

Thank you to everyone that voted on the poll this week and sent me messages with topics to cover. Toddler sleep just about nudged it, with babies really close behind (baby mummas I got you covered for next week 😉).

There are so many more things we can explore with Toddler sleep, and I hope to cover these as the weeks go on 🥰

As always, feel free to drop me a DM if you need a hand 🙌🏻

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Two week mini package review AND our first donation to GOSH

I’ve just finished a mini package with the wonderful Katie, who was my first package sale since coming back in September and I’m so proud of how far Katie has come in such a short amount of time. It’s truly been a privilege to be a part of your motherhood journey ❤️

This also marks our first donation to GOSH. I really hope over time as things grow, I can make a real difference with these donations.

I know first hand how these donations help children, just like my Jess, have a better chance at childhood.

Thank you for choosing me to support you and thank you to everyone who shares my posts, refers me on and is helping me fulfil my pledge in the fight against childhood cancer🎗️

✨Wednesday Weekly Tips✨

This week we are focusing on Awake Windows. These can feel like a bit of a buzz word at the minute and quite often many mums have an understanding of what they are, but perhaps not quite how to optimise them to their little ones full potential.

Comment the word ‘Awake Window’ below and I’ll send you through my handout which includes a table of how they evolve in the first year❤️

There seems to be SO much mum guilt attached to asking for help. Especially around sleep. So often, we don’t want to reach out for help for fear of judgement, or perhaps we feel like we can juggle it all. Especially on so little sleep.

But know that if you feel like you are struggling right now, it’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to want to make some changes and it’s okay to feel scared or anxious whilst doing this.

Change is hard for everyone at first, but with the right support, anything is possible 🫶🏻

✨Wednesday Weekly Tips✨

This week we are focusing on the transition from cot to toddler bed.

Toddler sleep challenges are totally different to babies and quite often the mums I talk to, ask whether transitioning to a bigger bed will resolve them.

If you already are facing some sleep challenges, then rarely will transitioning them resolve it. It’s always best to tackle what may be going on first, then transition afterwards. The only exception here would be if they have climbed out.

What age did you transition your little one?

✨Wednesday weekly tips✨

This weeks tips are focused on Early Wakings.

So often, many mums feel conflicted on what the right thing to do is….

It’s a balance of not wanting to reinforce the early start, but equally, knowing how to handle the day.

If you have a topic you would like me to cover next week, pop a comment below or send me a DM 🫶🏻

……Everything else is just background noise.

If you are happy, then you keep doing exactly what you are doing 🫶🏻

However, if you are struggling then this is your safe space to explore what change COULD look like for you and your little one.

There is help, there are people and there is hope 🫶🏻

✨Wednesday weekly tips✨

I’ve been talking to mums recently about the roles of temperament and personality and how this impacts sleep.

Quite often, mums come to me and feel deflated because their little one isn’t sleeping how their friends baby is.

They feel they are doing something wrong, because they aren’t following ‘x routine’.

But every baby is different and that’s the beauty of life.

We are all different and finding what works for your baby, will likely be different to your friends.

When we are struggling with our baby’s sleep, we often don’t want to share the full picture of how things are.

This could be due to feelings of fear, judgement or perhaps even failure. I know I felt like if I couldn’t get my baby to sleep, then I must be failing as a mum.

But I remember the sheer relief when other mums would say to me how hard it is, how tired they felt and ultimately how some days can be hard to function.

I felt seen. I felt connected and most importantly I didn’t feel alone anymore.

Their bravery and compassion eased SO much of my anxiety and I felt like I was doing a good job again. I felt that it was okay to ask for help because I was struggling.

🫶🏻If you can and feel brave enough tomorrow, share not only the highs of your littles ones sleep, but also the lows. This could have a domino effect and you could help another Mumma feel less alone🫶🏻

A milestone like no other 💛

Forever grateful to the universe we get to have this special day….. go get them baby girl 😘😘😘

🌙 Does starting nursery affect sleep?

Well if you have been watching my stories, the answer is ABSO-BLOODY-LUTLY 😅

🙃But rest assured, it’s all normal and things will typically settle down in time on their own, once your little one has adjusted to the new setting.

But until then…. Here’s some things you can try:

1️⃣ Provide some familiar items…. Think comforter, sleeping bag, or something they are attached too. This can really help settle them, but just make sure you have more than 1 😬

2️⃣ Offer earlier bedtimes…. We’ve been going for 6pm bedtimes this week (except for tonight). They can really help them not build up too much sleep debt.

3️⃣1-2-1 with you…. This is SO important. Typically separation anxiety can peak when your little one starts nursery, which can have an impact on sleep. Lots of special time between you and your little one, can really ease this. Double bonus if you can also spend some time with them in their bedroom too.

4️⃣Adjusting their nap schedule…. If it’s possible, try to adjust their nap schedule so they can fit into the nursery’s schedule. This may not always be possible, but if it is, it can really help.

Just like anything that’s new, give them time to adjust. It’s all so exciting and stimulating at nursery, but once it starts to feel more familiar, sleep usually settles down.

I know it can bring feelings of anxiety on if they don’t nap or only nap for a short period of time, but just remember…. it’s completely out of your control. You can always get back on track the next day at home with you 🫶🏻

How was it when your little one started nursery/childcare?

🎤 It feels so so SO good writing this and actually saying it out loud after the last 17 months, but I AM BACK! I’m back….

❤️ AND I’m here offering EVERYTHING….. yep that’s Sleep Clinics, Sleep Support Packages, Sleep Analysis, WhatsApp/email support… hey if you need it…. I’ve got it for you!

✨My daytime availability is every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday…. 9.30-2pm✨

🌙Evenings are completely flexible🌙

☕️ I’ll be back at baby classes and events too

💻 I’ve revamped the website, updated it with my certifications, we’ve now got Trust pilot too (early days with that) and I’m currently supporting other companies with blogs which will be published shortly.

🎗️The Gift Of Sleep has evolved and raising awareness for childhood cancer is now a big driving force (our logo is yellow in September) as with the need to give back.

🫶🏻But what hasn’t changed is our focus on supporting YOU, YOUR baby and YOUR motherhood journey.

📚 With evidence based solutions, up to date research and ensuring you have a CHOICE in how you do things, we.are.here.for.you.

📱Get in touch to book your FREE call today

💛September is childhood cancer awareness month

💛Childhood cancer isn’t sadly rare.

💛Around 1,800 new cases are diagnosed each year in the UK.

💛This means that one child in every 450 are diagnosed with some form of cancer before they are 14.

💛Please help spread awareness by sharing this post and if possible wearing a gold ribbon in September.

💛Because we never think we’ll be that 1, until we are 😥.

🎗️For Jess, always for you darling 🎗️

Meet Carla the MOST kindest, loving and nuturing woman you could ever meet ❤️

When Jess was diagnosed with cancer at GOSH back in May 2023, I called Carla and I just sobbed. I remember asking her vividly ‘what do I do’ and she just listened and held so much space for me and said ‘we’ll get through it together’. At a time when everything was falling apart, she was there, listening.

Her support and love was (and still is a lifeline).

If you are pregnant, Carla is your woman. She will nuture you through pregnancy and beyond ❤️

She will help you build a village of mummas that will become your friends. Those friends that you can message at midnight, 5am, 1pm…. Whatever time of day. Those mums will be your ride or die in the early days (and beyond).

So go check out her classes and find your wonderful village with

🚨COMPETITION TIME🚨

To celebrate The Gift of Sleep’s relaunch in September, we have partnered up with some incredible businesses to gift one lucky mum the ultimate treat.

The lucky winner will receive:

✨A SnoozeShade Original, the perfect product to keep your little one snoozing safely on the go.

✨A prize bundle of a Lunch Bag, Lunch Box Set & Drinks bottle in the winners choice of design from

✨A mystery box from , which the winner can personalise.

✨The bestselling Nourish gift box.

✨A £15 store credit to spend with the lovely

✨And finally a mini sleep package, with me ❤️

To enter simply:
1️⃣follow all the accounts
2️⃣like this post
3️⃣tag 3 friends so they can enter too!

This giveaway is for UK and Ireland residents only.

✨✨✨For a bonus entry, share to your stories as well✨✨✨

This giveaway is for UK and Ireland residents only. This competition ends on 29th August at 11:59pm GMT.

One winner will be selected at random and announced on the stories the following day.

This giveaway is not sponsored or endorsed by Instagram. By entering, you are confirming you are 18+ years of age, release Instagram from any responsibility and agree to the terms and conditions of Instagrams use.

✨June Sleep Clinics✨

Due to popular demand, I’ve added some extra slots for my Sleep Clinics this month and below are the times I have left on those days 😬

Not sure if the Sleep Clinics are for you? Here’s some more info below 🥰

The Sleep Clinics are your safe space to open up, lighten the load and feel confident to start making some loving changes to your little ones sleep.

There is no cry it out bs here. It’s real, evidence based and most importantly, loving changes that can and will help you with your little ones sleep.

So whether you want to chat about your newborn, your gorgeous little bubba or perhaps your bigger bubba, these sessions will be the perfect choice 🫶🏻

📅 Saturday 15th June
🕰️ 1pm and 2pm (30mins or 60mins slots available)
💴 £15 for 30mins and £30 for 60mins
☎️ or video calls available

📅 Saturday 22nd June (morning only)
🕰️ 9am and 10am (30mins or 60mins slots available)
💴 £15 for 30mins and £30 for 60mins
☎️ or video calls available

🫶🏻And remember, everyone’s version of ‘okay’ is different…. What some have to cope with (me included) is different to others. Your feelings are valid….. every.single.time.

I hope you know that however you are, wherever you are in your motherhood journey, whatever feelings you are feeling, I’m so glad you are here ❤️

Sleep deprivation, tiredness, not feeling good enough, not enjoying it enough….. whatever it is, I’m so glad you choose to keep going and that you’re here today.

And I really hope that this little nook of the internet always feels safe, understanding and full of support ❤️

❤️Sleep clinic feedback❤️

I always feel so incredibly lucky when mums choose to book on with me. It’s a very personal thing (I think) to open up to someone when you are exhausted, emotional and perhaps even vulnerable.

There is so much wrapped up in Infant sleep. So many thoughts, feelings…. It can really shape your motherhood journey.

So when I receive feedback like this from the simply beautiful .xo. It honestly means the world.

Knowing that the Sleep Clinics sessions can change so much in you as parents and also in your little ones, in such a short space of time, really means so much.

As the saying goes ‘leave people better than when you found them’ and that’s what I believe the Sleep Clinics do.

‘After a few months of really struggling with Oscar’s sleep and feeling like we were at breaking point I reached out to Charlotte for some advice. We had a phone call and in just one hour I literally feel like the weight of the world had been lifted. Charlotte listened to us, validated our feelings, gave us some really helpful, practical advice (not just the promise of a quick fix!) but most importantly she didn’t make us feel like we were doing something wrong or we were terrible parents!

We have used Charlotte advice and in under a week we are already noticing MASSIVE changes in Oscar but also in ourselves! Thank you so much Charlotte for the sleep advice but also for being so kind and making a very tired, emotional Muma feel heard ❤️’

Mamas supporting Mamas 💜

One of my incredible mums said to me today “We are a community. Charlotte is your friend? That makes her our friend”.

Together we have so far raised £1,002.44 for Great Ormond Street Hospital and Children's Charity

Thank you.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Thank you to the businesses who so generously donated their prizes to allow us to have a raffle.

Thank you to Great Ormond Street for all the extraordinary incredible things they do.

Thank you Mamas for banding together in support of another Mama.

Today was about Jess, about Great Ormond Street and about opening up the dialogue about childhood cancer and showing the incredible support that’s been created by Walking Warriors.

Thank you so much.

Carla & Charlotte x

24th May 2023…. Hickman line, dome inserted in head for chemo and a lumbar puncture ….

What a few weeks it’s been… I know you are still trying to make sense of it all. You’ve seen so many specialists, so much information, so many forms have been signed for operations and treatments. So little time to process. You feel yourself beginning to shut off a little. Your mind can’t really process what’s happening.

You are learning fast now about childhood cancer. And you are googling a lot… you’ll keep googling, but please stop bloody googling!

Yesterday you had the lumbar puncture, Hickman line fitted and the dome fitted in Jess’s head ready for chemo (yes the chemo will be inserted in her head whilst she is awake) Another operation. Another time watching Jess be put to sleep. They don’t ever get easier, even a year on.

The results of the lumbar puncture are so important. You don’t know yet just how much is weighing on her CSF fluid (the fluid that circulates the brain and spine) being clear will have. It determines so much. It will determine if the cancer has spread.

You do believe that it will be clear of cancer. You will receive the results tomorrow at around 4.30pm, as you are rushing her to your local hospital for her back to be checked out (she’s walking a bit differently following the lumbar puncture).

You will receive that phone call from your consultant and you feel elation for a second. You will remember the feeling. This means Jess can have Proton Beam Therapy. It means the cancer hasn’t spread. It means a cure is possible!

There’ll be more lumbar punctures to come (and they will all be clear). The signs your angels are showing you are there, don’t ignore them.

But for now, you have to deal with the pressure fluid that’s leaking in Jess’s head. I’m sorry to say you’ll be back blue lighted to GOSH very very soon. More scary times ahead… more operations, more hospital stays. More traumatic events are coming….The intensity of May isn’t over yet.

TBC….

✨Bank holiday Sleep Clinics✨

Are back again! Following the success of the previous bank holiday Sleep Clinic sessions, I’m back running more on Monday 27th May.

These Sleep Clinics will be your safe space to open up, lighten the load and feel confident to start making some loving changes to your little ones sleep.

There is no cry it out bs here. It’s real, evidence based and most importantly, loving changes that can and will help you with your little ones sleep.

📅 Monday 27th May
🕰️ 9am - 4pm (30mins or 60mins slots available)
💴 £15 for 30mins and £30 for 60mins
☎️ or video calls available

🫶🏻And remember, everyone’s version of ‘okay’ is different…. What some have to cope with (me included) is different to others. Your feelings are valid….. every.single.time.