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As parents, ensuring that our babies get the right amount of sleep is essential for their healthy development. However, recognising when your baby is overtired can be challenging. The signs can be subtle, and often, we miss the cues, leading to overtiredness, which can significantly affect your baby’s sleep quality and overall well-being.
I thought it would be helpful using the feedback from my parents but also include some research-backed indicators of overtiredness and how to manage it effectively.

The Science Behind Overtiredness

From birth our babies' nervous systems are still developing, making them especially susceptible to overstimulation and stress. When a baby remains awake for too long, their body releases stress hormones, particularly cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones provide a temporary energy boost but make it significantly harder for your baby to settle down and fall asleep. A study published in the Journal of Sleep Research highlights how prolonged...

Understanding the Benefits of Sleep Coaching

One of the many questions, Julie and the team at Nurture 2 Sleep are asked is “When would be the right time to start sleep coaching with my baby?”

Thankfully we are now becoming more aware of the benefits of sleep, although we still have a long way to go to truly understand the true complexities of sleep.

Sleep is a crucial part of your baby’s development, and establishing healthy sleep habits early on can make a significant difference in their overall well-being (and yours). The answer lies in understanding both the developmental milestones of your baby and the concept of "sleep shaping."

Sleep Shaping vs. Sleep Coaching

I think it is important to recognise the difference in Sleep Shaping and Sleep Coaching. Sleep coaching typically refers to methods used to help your baby learn how to sleep independently, but before moving into formal sleep coaching, I  recommend that parents can begin with "sleep shaping" from...

[Dubai, Thursday 14 March, 2024] Mindful of the environmental effects of design on your child's sleep, Nurture 2 Sleep, the Dubai-based expert in healthy sleep practices, has teamed up with Dubai-based interior design professionals, Chopard Design Studio to deliver a bespoke nursery and bedroom design service.

Today, on World Sleep Day the announcement of the new collaboration, brings two companies together to combine their expertise to provide a full concept room design package, with guidance to support you on the health, safety and design aspects of the room, while ensuring optimal sleep.

Nurture 2 Sleep is a premium UAE-based parenting company, specialising in maternity, infant, toddler and child-related services.

The concept design package includes a two-hour visit from Nurture 2 Sleep founder Julie Mallon, a former UK-registered nurse and qualified gentle sleep coach, and Delphine Chopard, founder and interior designer at Chopard Design Studio. 

The duo will provide an...

We are now starting to understand the positive impact of quality sleep on overall health, mood, and cognitive function, not only for us as adults but even more importantly for our children.

The research also supports how important it is to Involve the entire family in establishing a consistent bedtime routine that prioritizes winding down routine and most importantly one that does not include screens.

Such research includes that of the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) whose recommendations suggest avoiding screens at least an hour before bedtime for young children and two hours if they are two years or under.

The main reason for this recommendation is due to evidence on Blue Light and how exposure to screens emits blue light which then affects melatonin production in young children, impacting their sleep, by disrupting their internal biological clock.

Living in the Digital World where trying to avoid the screen is getting harder but I would suggest, to support better sleep...

[Dubai, UAE: Tuesday 28 November, 2023] The Sleepless in Dubai Podcast is an engaging and informative podcast that delves into the fascinating world of sleep, wellness, and lifestyle. Get ready to upgrade your playlists from Thursday 30 November 2023.

Co-hosted by Julie Mallon, founder of Nurture 2 sleep - recognised as the Middle East’s Leading Sleep Expert and Laura Buckwell, international MCEE and journalist extraordinaire, the podcast promises listeners a series of captivating episodes with leaders in healthcare, education, key influencers in the region to some of Dubai’s very own “A” listers including DJ Bliss, Fozaza and My Fash Diary.

The excitement builds with the release of episode one featuring the esteemed Medical Director of MyPediaClinic, Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban. In this thought-provoking discussion Julie and Laura explore the intersection of Sleep and Pediatrics, offering valuable insights into common sleep issues and Dr. Medhat's inspiring...

[Dubai, Thursday 23 November, 2023] In an exciting collaboration, the highly sought-after children's book of the year, "Where is Blue Bird?" by Julie Mallon and Raya Halet, has partnered with Mumz & Munchkinz to unveil an exclusive festive sensory set, creating a unique blend of literary and sensory experience for young minds.

Co-authored by Julie Mallon, the Middle East’s Leading Sleep Expert, and Parenting Coach, and Raya Halet, the visionary host of the beloved podcast "They Say it Takes a Village," this evidence-based book aims to revolutionize children's literature. With captivating illustrations by Suzanne Darkan, the book not only promotes sound sleep and cognitive development but also strengthens the parent-child bond.

Designed for babies aged 0-6 months, "Where is Blue Bird?" is now accompanied by a beautifully crafted sensory tray, courtesy of Mumz & Munchkinz. This one-of-a kind Sensory set is giving each child the opportunity to bring the book to life, as...

[Dubai, Thursday 12 October, 2023] The anticipation is now over, as pre-orders are available for the highly sought after children’s book of 2023, "Where is Blue Bird?" This remarkable book will be officially launched at the upcoming Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) next month.

This one-of-a-kind book is co-authored by Julie Mallon, the Middle East’s leading sleep expert and founder of Nurture 2 Sleep and Raya Halet, the visionary founder and host of “They Say it Takes a Village,” a locally grown podcast providing a directory of all things parenting.

"Where is Blue Bird?" is an evidence-based children’s book that promotes sound sleep, nurtures cognitive development, and strengthens the bond between parent and child. With charming illustrations by Suzanne Darkan, this beautifully designed book takes parents on a journey to understand how their interactions with their babies shape their little one's brain and promotes secure attachment.

Co-authored...

[Dubai, Thursday 18 May, 2023]  Julie Mallon, renowned sleep expert and founder of Nurture 2 Sleep, is heading to Ireland to take part in a ground-breaking children’s mental health symposium.

Julie has dedicated her career to children’s health and teaching good sleep hygiene. As a qualified health practitioner, nurse and sleep coach, the Dubai-based sleep expert has now been offering sleep advice, techniques and tools to a wide variety of global clients for nearly a decade. And now her wisdom is being called on to share with a global audience of senior children’s mental health care practitioners.

The high-level international symposium is spearheaded by the Global Wellness Institute’s (GWI’s) Global Wellness for Children Initiative in collaboration with Junior Genius.  Alongside Julie, the event features renowned speakers, surgeon, researchers and authors such as “First 1,000 Days” international advocate Sergio Pecorelli, and the...

[Dubai, Monday 10 April, 2023] Sleep expert and Founder of Nurture 2 Sleep, Julie Mallon, is set to discuss the critical role of sleep in good leadership at Armenia's Leadership School. Julie Mallon, who has been offering sleep advice, techniques, and tools to a global audience for almost a decade, will explain how sleep health affects performance management and how key global leaders prioritise sleep within the workplace.

The Leadership School, which aims to prepare young people to become global-minded leaders, recognises the importance of educating students on healthy sleep practices and has invited Julie Mallon to speak on the subject. Sleep deprivation can have serious consequences for businesses, and the American National Sleep Council estimates that sleepy employees cost $136 billion in lost productivity each year in the United States alone.

Mallon will discuss how adequate sleep is essential for maintaining focus, making good decisions, and achieving peak performance in the...

Nurture 2 Sleep Founder Julie Mallon to deliver talks, webinars and workshops on sleep and wellness

[Dubai, January 26, 2023] Dubai’s leading sleep expert, Julie Mallon, is partnering with wellness and health platform Viwell to deliver her expertise via the viwell.com website. 

Julie founded Nurture 2 Sleep in 2014 to support, encourage and empower families on their parenting journey. She advocates for evidence-based research encouraging parents to listen to their intuition, recognise their child’s important cues and behaviours, and gently create changes that promote connection, support and the wellbeing of their child and family as a whole.

Put more simply, Julie’s training, experience and techniques have helped thousands of parents in the UAE, the Middle East and across the globe, help get their children off  to sleep – and enjoy more rest themselves. 

Now, the expert is collaborating with the Viwell team to deliver her profound sleep...