Durham University to launch new NHS kit to support parents and babies with sleep

Sleep can be a little bit of a crazy word for parents, and especially parents of new babies. At times, doing the right thing can feel like a minefield, especially as it is common to receive plenty of outdated and unsolicited advice from people who mean well – even though the last time they tried to deal with a bedtime meltdown was in 1985!

Luckily, there is new support on the way for parents. Durham University’s Infancy and Sleep Centre will be working with the NHS to deliver a help kit for professionals, which in turn will be used to support families with babies who are struggling with sleep.

The new guidance, which will be named Sleep, Baby and You, is inspired by the Australian Programme Possums. The package has helped parents in managing their expectations of what baby sleep looks like, and reduced negative thinking around sleep.