The blog.
Long-form notes from Lisa on sleep, feeding, and the first five years. Evidence where there is some — and honesty where there isn’t. An archive of 101 articles, new pieces twice a month.
Why I created The Dubai Nanny Training Programme (and why it's long overdue)
Let me tell you something that comes up, without fail, in almost every conversation I have with Dubai mums.
The danger in your DMs: Who exactly is putting your baby to sleep?
Unlicensed sleep coaches are giving advice that contradicts NHS safe-sleep guidance. Here's how to spot the red flags before they reach yo…
Are we doing the right thing? A Dubai Mum's honest thoughts
A note I wrote at 5 a.m. about the question almost every mum I see is quietly carrying — and the honest answer I give them.
So you left Dubai. Who's looking after you and your baby?
England is 5,000 health visitors short and home-visit lactation help is rare. What the postnatal safety net actually looks like — before y…
You packed a bag. You didn't pack your village.
For every Dubai mum living with uncertainty right now — whether you've left, you're thinking about it, or you're staying put. From me, to …
Why antenatal classes in Dubai are different (and why generic online courses won't prepare you for birth here)
Generic online courses won't prepare you for an obstetrician casually mentioning induction at 39 weeks. What Dubai pregnancy actually look…
The first 48 hours: What happens after birth that no one warned you about
Everyone preps for labour. Almost no one preps for the 48 hours between 'congratulations' and 'off you go home, good luck'.
What actually happens in labour: A midwife and lactation consultant answer the questions you're too embarrassed to ask
What contractions actually feel like, what the staff aren't telling you, and the questions every 34-week pregnant woman is googling at 2 a…
The questions that really help you decide if a nursery is right for your family
The questions that really help you decide if a nursery is right for your family
What every parent should look for in childcare in 2026
Choosing childcare in 2026 looks very different to five years ago. The questions to ask now — beyond the glossy marketing.
Mums’ WhatsApp groups: The good, the bad, the ugly (and the downright unsafe)
If you're a Dubai mum, you're in at least one WhatsApp group you never actively joined. How to tell the helpful ones from the harmful.
The KHDA school cut-off age changes: what options do you have?
The KHDA cut-off changes affect more families than people realise. What your options actually are — and why nurseries matter more, not less.
New Dubai school admissions age rules 2025–26: What the KHDA cut-off change really means for parents
New Dubai school admissions age rules 2025–26: what the KHDA cut-off change actually means (without the panic).
Returning to work after having a baby in Dubai: The honest guide I wish I’d had
Counting the days until you're back at the desk while still figuring out newborn sleep? The honest guide I wish someone had given me.
Skin-to-skin and the golden hour: the quiet magic of those first moments
What skin-to-skin and the golden hour after birth actually do for breastfeeding, bonding, and recovery — and how to advocate for them.
Why won’t my newborn baby latch? Looking at the reasons behind latch challenges
If you’ve just had your baby and breastfeeding isn’t going to plan, you’re not alone—and you’re certainly not doing anything wrong.
Are maternity systems failing parents? A look at gaps in postnatal care and community support
What happens when families fall through the cracks: A local and global perspective on perinatal support.
Your baby’s wellbeing: A holistic approach to health and happiness
There's no shortage of baby advice from Dr Google. A calmer take on what actually matters for the first few years.
Breast Is best — or Is It? Reframing the feeding conversation for 2025
Few topics carry more guilt than how we feed our babies. An honest look at breastfeeding, formula, and what mums actually need to hear in …
From birth plans to birth preferences: Why flexibility matters more than control
Are modern birth plans setting parents up for disappointment? Read on for an honest look at birth expectations, and why they matter.
Nanny or Nursery? An honest guide for Dubai parents thinking about childcare options
Nanny or nursery? An honest, no-marketing breakdown for Dubai families — and the question that usually settles it.
Babies before bottom lines: Why investing in breastfeeding means investing in the future
Why investing in breastfeeding is one of the most impactful things a society can do — written for World Breastfeeding Week.
Wondering whether to have your baby in Dubai or 'back home'?
Weighing up where to welcome your baby: Home country vs Dubai? Read on for all the pros and cons.
Language development in multicultural families: Strategies for raising bilingual children in Dubai
Dubai is home to 200+ nationalities and most kids hear two or three languages a day. How to actually support bilingual development without…
Maternity leave in the UAE: What every working mum needs to know
Going back full-time, finding flex, or planning a business of your own — what UAE maternity rights actually entitle you to.
Beating the heat: How to survive the Dubai summer with a baby
How to actually survive a Dubai summer with a baby — small planning, the right gear, and the community that gets it.
Gentle night weaning: A loving approach to ending breastfeeding at night
If you're ready to claim your nights back, there's a gentler way to stop overnight feeds — one that still leaves your child feeling safe.
Embracing your new identity: Growing into motherhood
Becoming a mother can feel like a complete unraveling of the self you knew. A note on the part of motherhood no one really warns you about.
High lipase in breastmilk: What it is & how to prevent that soapy taste
If your stored milk smells soapy or metallic, it's probably high lipase. Why it happens, how to prevent it, and how to use what you've alr…
The role of nutrition in sleep
How does nutrition affect you child's sleep patterns? Read on to find out, and how to incorporate sleepy foods into your little one's diet.
Improving your baby’s wellbeing: A holistic approach to health and happiness
A holistic take on baby and child health — small, mindful choices over perfection. Written for World Health Day.
Navigating motherhood in Dubai: Finding your village of support, connection & compassion
You weren't meant to mother in isolation. Whether you've just landed in Dubai or you're a few babies in, a note on finding your people.
Empowering your nanny: The benefits of professional training for nannies in Dubai
Most Dubai nannies have no formal childcare training. Why that matters more than 'years of experience' — and what changes when they're pro…
Let's talk about postpartum rage
Postpartum rage is real, often overlooked, and frequently coexists with PPD or anxiety. The signs, and where to start asking for help.
Boosting milk supply: Effective strategies for nursing mothers in Dubai
Practical, evidence-based ways to support milk supply for nursing mums in Dubai — what actually moves the needle, and what doesn't.
Establishing successful breastfeeding: A guide for new mothers in dubai
A practical breastfeeding guide for new Dubai mums — what to learn antenatally, and the early-day signs that mean you need extra support.
The value of antenatal class education: Preparing for Birth and Beyond in Dubai
What the Birth & Beyond Masterclass covers — and why generic online prep doesn't cut it for first-time parents in Dubai.
Why does nobody speak about post-breastfeeding depression?
Breastfeeding is often described as one of the most intimate and rewarding aspects of motherhood. But what happens when it ends?
The benefits of baby massage
Beyond the cute photos: how baby massage actually supports sleep, digestion, and the kind of bond that's harder to articulate.
How to manage sleep and feeding schedules as a working mum
A practical guide to feeding, sleep, and dividing the load once you're back at work — without losing your evenings or your supply.
10 common breastfeeding challenges and how to manage them
Tongue tie, latch problems, supply ups and downs — the ten issues I see most, and what to actually do about each one.
Why prenatal breastfeeding education is essential for expectant parents
Why I run prenatal breastfeeding workshops in Dubai — and what to learn before the baby arrives, so you're not figuring it out at 3 a.m.
The essential guide to hand expressing: benefits, techniques, and when it’s most useful
A practical guide to hand expressing — what it's actually for, when it helps, and the technique most people get slightly wrong.
Milk blebs: Causes, treatment, and prevention
Milk blebs (or nipple blisters) — a small, painful problem with a few practical fixes. What causes them, what helps, and how to prevent th…
What to eat while breastfeeding: Nutrition for mums
What to focus on, what to leave alone, and the foods that genuinely support milk supply — without turning every meal into a research proje…
Nighttime breastfeeding: Tips for tired mums
Managing the challenges of frequent overnight breastfeeding: practical tips to make nighttime breastfeeding more manageable for tired mums.
Breastfeeding in hot weather: Do babies need water?
Babies under six months don't need water, even in 45-degree heat. Here's the science, and how to tell if your supply is keeping up.
Managing breast engorgement and sore nipples
Engorgement and sore nipples in the first weeks are common — but you don't have to white-knuckle through them. What helps, and when to cal…
What is colostrum harvesting, why and when is it advised?
If you'd like to know what colostrum harvesting is, why and when to do it, keep reading for all you need to know.
Is my baby getting enough breastmilk?
The question I'm asked most by new mums in Dubai — and the signs to look for instead of the ones that send you down a Google spiral.
How to choose the right breast pump as a new mum
Considering pumping or expressing breast milk? Read on for everything you need to know about choosing the right breast pump for your needs.
Do I need a Lactation Consultant?
When you actually need a lactation consultant — and what they do that GPs, midwives, and peer supporters can't.
Clogged ducts and mastitis: A guide for mums
Mastitis and clogged ducts — words that strike fear in every breastfeeding mother. What to do at the first sign, and when to escalate.
Breast milk pumping essentials for working mums: What you need to know
What you need to know about breastmilk pumping when returning to work.
Building your breast milk stash: A guide for working mums
Worried your baby won't take a bottle when you go back to work? How to build a freezer stash without wrecking your supply.
The benefits of Power Pumping for low breastmilk supply
Power pumping for low supply — what it is, when it actually helps, and the schedule that works without burning you out.
Understanding parenting styles and how they influence sleep coaching and breastfeeding
How your parenting style shapes both sleep and feeding — and why naming yours makes the next decision easier.
Navigating sleep coaching for children with epilepsy
Spotlighting epilepsy and its impact on sleep in babies and children.
Children's mental health, and why it matters
For Mental Health Awareness Month: children's mental health is the part of the conversation we still overlook the most.
The sleep-mental health connection: nurturing children's well-being
In the world of childhood development, sleep emerges as a vital thread, woven in with mental health and overall well-being.
Matrescence: Navigating the journey of motherhood with awareness and understanding
Let's look at what matrescence is, how it impacts maternal mental health, and why acknowledging this transition is crucial for women's wel…
The importance of maternal mental health
For Maternal Mental Health Month: the gap between the talk and the walk, and what genuinely supportive care looks like.
How do I wean my baby or child from the breast?
Weaning your baby or child from breastfeeding marks a significant transition for both you and your baby, so how do you start?
Tandem feeding: Loving and growing two babies, one boob at a time
What tandem feeding actually looks like — feeding two children at the breast, the realities, and how to know if it's right for you.
Does traditional sleep coaching work in children with autism?
Sleep for children with autism rarely fits the textbook. What I do differently — and why the standard approaches need rethinking.
Marking Parental Mental Health Week
For Parental Mental Health Week: the partner's experience that almost no one talks about, and the conversations that protect it.
Guest Blog: Nikki Steele-Osborne on Parental Mental Health Awareness Week
Guest piece from Nikki Steele-Osborne: an honest look at the partner's experience after a new baby, for Parental Mental Health Awareness W…
Why is sleep important for mothers? Understanding the vital role of quality rest
Maternal sleep deprivation isn't a badge of honour. Why your sleep matters as much as your baby's — and what changes when it improves.
How to find the best sleep consultant for your family's needs
How do you find the best sleep consultant for your family? Read on to find out.
Natural sleep cues part 3 - secret baby sleep cues you may be missing
A sleep coach's guide to the subtle baby sleep cues that are easy to miss.
Natural sleep cues part 2 - Learning your baby's early sleep cues
Learning your baby's sleep cues to know the best time for naps.
Understanding and embracing natural sleep cues - Part 1, the baby sleep mantra
What is a 'sleep mantra'? How does it help your little one get to sleep?
Lactose intolerance in baby sleep coaching
Reflux, CMPA, lactose intolerance — and why gentle, holistic sleep coaching can still work for babies dealing with any of them.
Nurturing Breastfeeding Etiquette: A Guide for Sleep-Deprived Mums
Nursing aversion? Toddler gaining bad habits when breastfeeding? Read on for some tips to help.
Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) in baby sleep coaching & sleep training
Part 2 of the reflux series: signs, symptoms, and how gentle sleep coaching can work alongside a CMPA diagnosis.
Reflux in baby sleep coaching & sleep training
Part 1 of the reflux series: what gastro-oesophageal reflux looks like in babies, and how sleep coaching can still work around it.
Is a floor bed right for your family? The ins and outs of floor beds for toddlers
Should I move my little one to a floor bed? What are the advantage and disadvantages of floor beds for my child?
What are false starts and how can you fix them?
Your baby falls asleep, then wakes 20 minutes later. Every time. Why false starts happen, and how to gently fix them.
Helping Your Baby Sleep Better: Understanding Reverse Cycling & Sleep Aversions
What is reverse cycling, and how does this relate to sleep aversion?
Do you have to night wean to sleep train?
Do you have to night-wean before sleep training? When it helps, when it doesn't, and how to know which applies to you.
Why do parents give up on sleep coaching?
Five honest reasons sleep coaching falls apart — and why generic Facebook-forum advice rarely fits your specific child.
What does your baby's crying mean?
Hunger, tiredness, pain, overstimulation — what the different cries actually sound like, and how that should shape your response.
Why is my baby waking up for hours at night?
Is your baby awake for hours overnight? Read on to find out why and some sleep training tips to help you resolve it!
How does your parenting style affect sleep coaching?
Authoritarian, permissive, attachment — your parenting style shapes which sleep approaches will actually work for your family.
Understanding Child Cot Aversion During Sleep Training and Coaching
What to do when your baby or toddler suffers from cot aversion and how to help them feel safe, secure and happy in their sleep environment.
The Power of Micro-Steps in Sleep Coaching for Infants and Toddlers
Learn how micro-steps in sleep coaching can help improve your child’s sleep patterns and create a happier, healthier household.
Smooth Moves: Transitioning to a big bed
Cot to big bed — when to make the switch, how to introduce it, and the bits of the transition no one mentions.
What is 'reverse cycling'?
Tiredness, irritability and difficulty sleeping are all signs of reverse cycling... but just what is it and what can we do about it?
6 Beliefs That Influence Lullabies Sleep Coaching
Want to know my core beliefs and ethics that govern how I practice sleep coaching? Read on to find out if we align!
Spring forward - adjusting your child's sleep for the clock change.
What's the best way to cope with the dreaded clock change? I've got some tips to help.
Just why are naps so important?
Sleep is a big part of your child's overall health. For young kids to get enough of it, most need some daytime sleep.
How to choose the right sleep trainer for your child
Read my blog for the questions to ask your potential sleep coach!
So just what is sleep coaching or sleep training?!
Sleep coaching, sleep training, gentle methods, cry-it-out — a plain-English explanation of what each one actually involves.
The Sweet Spot: Unlocking the Right Time to Sleep Coach Your Little One
When's the right time to start sleep coaching? There's no single answer — but there is a way to know if it's right for you.
Travelling with your child
Travelling with your little one this holiday season? Here are my top tips and coping strategies!
Nap transitions
Nap transitions are stressful, exhausting, and rarely talked about properly. My top tips for getting through each one.
Early risings
Early waking is usually the last sleep puzzle piece to slot in. A few ways to convince your little one to sleep a little later.
Sleep Coaching Methods
From cry-it-out to baby-led — a plain breakdown of the sleep coaching methods you may have found mid-3 a.m. Google.
Why sleep coaching hasn't worked so far
If you've tried sleep coaching and it didn't stick, there's usually a reason — and it's almost never that you didn't try hard enough.
Safe sleep for your baby
The short, evidence-based list of what reduces SIDS risk — and what isn't on it, despite what Instagram tells you.
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