Presented by Dorothy Waide | 15 July 2026

Sleep deprivation is something almost every new parent experiences. In our recent Buy Kiwi Mums & Bubs Club Webinar, we had the pleasure of hearing from sleep & nutrition consultant, Dorothy Waide from Baby Help.

Dorothy shared practical, gentle advice to help parents better understand their baby's sleep, feeding and settling patterns.

With decades of experience working with newborns and families, Dorothy's message was simple:

Every baby is different, but understanding your baby's cues is the key to better sleep and happier feeding.

Crying is Communication

One of Dorothy's biggest messages throughout the webinar was that crying is your baby's way of communicating.

Rather than letting babies "cry it out," she encourages parents to:

• Stop
• Listen
• Respond

Gentle, responsive parenting helps babies feel secure while still giving them opportunities to develop settling skills.

Follow Your Baby's Natural Rhythm

Instead of watching the clock, Dorothy recommends watching your baby.

Newborn routines naturally follow a simple cycle:

• Feed
• Nappy change
• Burp
• Short awake time
• Sleep

As babies grow, their awake windows gradually become longer, helping create predictable nap and feeding patterns.

Sleep and Feeding Work Together

A well-rested baby usually feeds better—and a well-fed baby generally sleeps better.

Rather than sticking rigidly to scheduled feeds, Dorothy explains that naps often determine when babies become hungry.

Her advice is to work with your baby's natural rhythm instead of forcing strict feeding intervals.

Gentle Sleep Habits Build Over Time

One of Dorothy's strongest messages was consistency.

She recommends:

• Keeping bedtime routines predictable
• Using the same settling approach during both day and night sleeps
• Allowing around 10 days whenever introducing a new sleep habit

Small, consistent changes are often more successful than expecting overnight results.

Safe Swaddling and Transitioning

Swaddling can be incredibly helpful for young babies—but only when done safely.

Dorothy recommends:

• Allowing babies room to move their hips and legs
• Transitioning out of swaddles once babies begin rolling or their startle reflex settles
• Moving gradually to a sleeping bag over several stages

Create a Comfortable Sleep Environment

A calm sleep environment can make settling much easier.

Dorothy discussed:

• Using an appropriately rated sleeping bag for the season
• Dressing babies in breathable layers
• Keeping bedrooms comfortably warm during winter
• Using white noise at a gentle volume if it helps
• Darkening the room to encourage sleep

Dummies Can Be Helpful

Dorothy explained that dummies can provide comfort for many babies and may even help reduce the risk of SIDS when used appropriately.

Like everything else, it's about using them thoughtfully rather than automatically whenever a baby becomes unsettled.

The Four-Month Sleep "Regression"

Rather than seeing four months as a regression, Dorothy describes it as an important developmental milestone.

Around this age babies:

• Develop more mature sleep cycles
• Stay awake for longer periods
• May begin showing signs they're ready for solids. As per the guidelines from Ministry of Health (and Plunket), the recommended age is between 4 to 6 months

It's a period of growth—not necessarily a setback.

 

If you need in-depth expert advice, Dorothy offers a great range of services and resources. 

Learn More Here

 

Dorothy's Product Recommendations

During the webinar, Dorothy shared several products and items she recommends to support healthy sleep and feeding.

✔️ Lightweight Sleeping Bags

• Breathable sleeping bags without sleeves
• Choose the correct TOG rating for the season
• Layer clothing underneath rather than using blankets

✔️ Blackout Window Covers

Creating a darker sleep environment may help babies settle more easily during naps and overnight.

✔️ White Noise Machine

If using white noise:

• Keep volume relatively low (around 50 decibels)
• Avoid excessively loud settings

✔️ Room Thermometer & Heater

Keeping the nursery from becoming too cold overnight can help babies sleep more comfortably.

✔️ Floor Beds (for older babies and toddlers)

For families transitioning away from bed-sharing, Dorothy discussed low floor beds as a gentle alternative.

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Every Baby is Unique

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the webinar is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

Responsive parenting, consistency, patience and learning your baby's individual cues will always be more valuable than following a rigid schedule.

If something isn't working, don't be afraid to ask for support—sometimes a few small changes can make a big difference for the whole family.

Watch the Webinar Recording

If you missed the session — or would like to rewatch it — you can access the webinar recording here:

Webinar Recording