Sleep support for children and families
If your child is having trouble sleeping, you are not alone. We are here to support you and answer any questions you may have.
Tailored advice and guidance that works for you and your child
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all “sleep training”, and we will never recommend “cry-it-out” (CIO) or similar methods. Instead, we use gentle, step-by-step strategies to build healthy sleep habits and behaviours that support your child’s sleep as they grow into adulthood.
Sleep support for children and families in Scotland
Our Scottish Sleep Support Line is available to families with children and young people living in Scotland at no cost, thanks to grant funding.
We work with families in many different situations, including those with children awaiting assessment or diagnosis.
Better sleep for children and families outside of Scotland
While our support line is only available in Scotland, you can still access expert guidance to help your child sleep better wherever you are.
Better sleep is possible. View our tips and guidance and help your child get a good night’s rest.
Sleep tips for children under 18 months
A child’s sleep changes at different stages of development. Our guidance is for children aged 18 months and older, and it is not suitable for babies.
For helpful information, we recommend visiting the following organisation:
Stacey
Parent of 7 year old daughter
Stacey's story
Why Stacey contacted Sleep Action
- Stacey wanted strategies to manage and reduce her 7-year-old daughter, Melanie’s night wakenings
- Melanie was falling asleep in class or missing whole days of school, and her teachers were concerned
- Melanie had a diagnosis of autism – her paediatrics team had tried melatonin, but her sleep was still disrupted
- Stacey’s health was suffering because of the broken nights, having knock-on effects on her own disability
How we helped Stacey
Stacey received ongoing support from a Sleep Counsellor for four months, who helped her identify patterns in Melanie’s sleep disruption and cut out triggers. The Counsellor broke down any changes into small steps that were manageable for Stacey and Melanie and easy to implement. The Sleep Counsellor and Stacey worked together to identify strategies that Melanie liked and helped her to resettle through the night.
Melanie’s night wakings were reduced to no more than once every 2-3 weeks. She was able to resettle quickly without waking her mum.
