Lighten the Load Sleep Consultant
Hi, I’m Emma, mum of two, dog lover, and the founder of Lighten the Load Sleep Consultancy. I am a trained and accredited Sleep Consultant through The Sleep Consultant Academy, a leading provider of professional sleep consultant training.
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I know first hand how relentless early motherhood can feel. The feeding, the washing, and the constant picking things up off the floor, all while trying to hold everything together. When my daughter Sofia was born, I wanted to do everything right. I tracked naps, read every book, and powered through sleepless nights because I thought that was simply what mums did. By the time my son Austin arrived, I realised it was not just the broken sleep that was exhausting me. It was the invisible mental load that came with trying to do it all.
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When I returned to work, that weight grew heavier. I was juggling deadlines, nursery runs, meal planning, and endless to do lists, and I remember thinking that I could not keep running on empty. That experience shaped everything about how I now support other mums.
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Alongside my lived experience as a working mum, I am also a trained and accredited Sleep Consultant through The Sleep Consultant Academy. My training is grounded in evidence based, responsive sleep approaches. This allows me to create structured, gentle sleep plans that prioritise both a child’s emotional security and a parent’s wellbeing.
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Outside of my work, I am happiest walking my dog with friends, playing netball, or doing a quick YouTube stretch to ease my back after a day of carrying little ones and tidying up toys. Evenings for me are simple. A decaf tea, a bit of chocolate, and a few quiet moments once the house is still. I love a good charity shop find, believe in reusing and reducing waste, and get genuine joy from passing on my children’s clothes and toys to others who need them.
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I know how heavy the mental load can feel, especially when you are trying to be everything to everyone.
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My mission is to help mums find calm, structure, and rest that fits into real life, so you can feel lighter, more confident, and more like you again.
My
Story
Am I the right sleep consultant for you?
Choosing someone to support your child’s sleep, particularly as you prepare to return to work, is a big decision. You are trusting them with your child’s rest, your own wellbeing, and the limited time and energy you have. I approach that responsibility with care, structure, and clarity.
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What I Believe
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Sleep support should be tailored and realistic. There is no one size fits all approach. Every child and family is different, and your sleep plan should reflect your child and your working life, including childcare, commuting, partners, and real schedules.
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Sleep plans must work around employment. If a plan only works when you’re at home all day, it isn’t sustainable. I design routines that fit around nursery drop-offs, early starts, meetings and siblings, so progress holds once you’re back at work.
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Parents’ wellbeing matters. Sleep deprivation affects focus, confidence, and emotional resilience, all of which are critical when returning to work. Supporting your child’s sleep should reduce your mental load, not add to it.
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Clear structure with emotional reassurance. My work is grounded in Comforting Through Change™, a gentle, structured approach using clear routines, gradual withdrawal of support, and consistent boundaries. This allows children to develop independent sleep skills while feeling safe and supported.
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No judgement. No extremes. We don’t wait and hope sleep improves on its own, and we don’t rush into approaches that don’t feel right. I focus on calm, practical steps and sustainable progress.
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If you’re looking for structured, evidence based sleep support designed for working parents, especially those returning to work, we’re likely a good fit.
