OCN Infant Sleep Consultant & Registered Paediatric Nurse
My Story
Hello, I’m Shanaz Winslet…Paediatric Nurse, Early Years Educator, OCN certified infant sleep consultant & last but not least my most proudest title of all….Mummy.
I am passionate about all things baby sleep & I have worked with children from a very young age, spanning a career of 23 years. I began completing a 3 Year Diploma in Early Years Care & Education & gained 6 years of experience working within daycare/schools in the UK. I went on to work overseas in the USA for 2 years & then London as a private nanny/night maternity nurse for a number of years. I then graduated from University in London as a Paediatric Nurse after 3 years of working and training at the world renowned Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London. I also went on to run my own successful childminding business overseas on the Costa Blanca, Spain before returning to work part time as a Paediatric nurse.
My first daughter was born in 2015 and we slept, combination fed (I’m a huge advocate for this) & snuggled our way through the 4th trimester on an absolute high. I set healthy sleep habits from a young age and she fell into a great sleep routine of independent sleep with no sleep trainer ever needed. She also coped well out of routine if we were traveling, which we did with her from a very young age.
I was of course convinced that my childcare/paediatric nurse background and expertise were the reason for such a calm first year of plentiful sleep. Fast forward to 2021 and the arrival of our son & I soon realised how wrong I had been and actually the smooth early years of my daughter were probably down to her temperament/personality and nothing to do with my childcare experience at all…a hard pill to swallow but I will be forever grateful because I believe it as all led me to where I am and what I do today-helping parents with all things baby sleep.
My Son was born one month prematurely, I experienced a traumatic birth, PND/PNA (Post Natal Depression/Anxiety) & he also had silent reflux. The fourth trimester was definitely not the same high as first time around. I experienced first hand the dark depths of sleep deprivation, coupled with trying to recover from major abdominal surgery & a reflux baby, this all took its toll on not only me but the whole family too.
Once my son’s reflux settled at around 5 months, I did decide our co sleeping journey was over and I smoothly transitioned him to his cot. Fast forward to 11.5 months and he hit a huge developmental milestone (walking) and all sleep went out the window. We experienced split nights, night waking's and early wakes….it was all going on! Sleep deprivation some days crippled both me and my husband as we were both working & running on empty. I did not want to try the cry it out method, having decided personally it was not for me. I wanted to always be responsive to my baby's needs, to reassure and to comfort him.
Finally, after successfully managing to turn his sleep around using in room techniques I knew it was time to head back to the classroom to extend my knowledge on the science of sleep & what this would mean in terms of helping other Mums in the same situation. My love, passion & aim now is to help & support other families who are experiencing the same challenges by listening, educating & empowering you on the science of sleep, getting you on track to a better night’s sleep & more positive sleep experiences for the whole family.
My Approach
Rooted in a philosophy born from a nursing and childcare background, my approach seamlessly blends evidence-based practices with compassionate care and an innate understanding that every child is different….
My focus is to educate and empower parents on fostering healthy sleep habits and nurturing connections between parents and children.
In practice, you won't hear me advocating for leaving your little one to cry alone; instead, my approach is custom-tailored to align with your values, offering alternative methods that are both responsive and loving. Each child is seen as an individual, and I customize plans based on their unique temperament and personality.
I work at your pace, providing you with the tools for comfortable and effective changes. I firmly believe in supporting parents without judgment, recognizing that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting. By understanding your family's values and concerns, I provide personalized baby sleep solutions, fostering restful nights and a strong bond between parent and child.