The Sleep Works was established as Child Sleep Works in 2010 by Maryanne Taylor, a qualified Child Sleep Consultant.
While there are many books and websites available about children’s sleep, Maryanne felt that there were very limited resources available for parents who wanted a gentler approach to sleep coaching instead of ‘cry it out’ or ‘controlled crying’ methods. We believe that helping your child learn to sleep well is an important and essential life skill. In fact, we believe it is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give to their child – and indeed to themselves! Each family’s preferences and requirements are different when it comes to sleep coaching, not least because all children are unique and sleep problems can be caused by any number of issues at any stage of childhood (and beyond). Through understanding, support and gentle methods, we work with parents in a completely non-judgmental manner and at a pace that feels comfortable to them, to help their child – and the whole family – get the sleep they all need.
After many requests to help adults too, Maryanne discovered that there are also limited resources and services available for adults who suffer from sleep problems that are not directly connected to a diagnosed sleep disorder. Therefore, in 2015 Child Sleep Works became The Sleep Works to incorporate both child and adult sleep services.
About Maryanne Taylor
Originally from Ireland, I now live in North London with my husband and 3 children.
My first baby was not a great sleeper. Because I lived abroad at the time and didn’t have a support system in place, I found it difficult to cope with a non-sleeping child and the effects of sleep deprivation. My second baby had silent reflux, which in turn caused significant sleep problems, and it was at this point that I started to develop a keen interest in sleep issues in children. Eventually, I decided that my career path lay in helping other tired families get the sleep they need. I truly understand first-hand how a lack of sleep can impact on the whole family. (Incidentally, my third child has been a great sleeper since day 1!)
I became a ‘Gentle Sleep Coach’, training under Kim West (The Sleep Lady®) in the US. This intense training programme involved over 50 hours of learning and hands-on practical experience. I then completed an advanced training course with the International Maternity Institute.
I have helped hundreds of parents with their children’s sleep problems, and I continue to take great pleasure in every incredulous email or text from my clients of “OMG, he slept through the night!”
As a young adult, I suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome, which had a huge impact on my health, career and social life. At the time there was very limited information available, which meant I had to try to find ways to help myself in order to continue functioning on a day-to-day basis.
Following my own issues with sleep and my extensive work with parents, as well as having been asked on many occasions if I also worked with adults, in 2015 I decided to expand my work to adult sleep too.
I have completed a comprehensive Integrative Adult Sleep Coach Certification programme and I get great satisfaction from educating, supporting and motivating adults to improve their sleep.
Public Profile
As well as seeing clients, I deliver many talks and workshops about children’s sleep for postnatal groups, private groups and corporate organisations. I have written numerous articles on the subject for various parenting publications and I’ve also run open sleep clinics through a number of social media platforms.
I am the resident sleep expert for the pregnancy and parenting advice site Bounty, have a regular slot on a BBC Radio phone-in show answering questions from the public on children’s sleep, and have appeared in Channel 4’s Born Naughty show, which aired in 2015 (see clip below). I am a member of the British Sleep Society and the International Association for Sleep Consultants.