Lauren, Phil and Mark's Story

Here, mother of three, Lauren, shares her story on parenting a new baby through COVID-19 and how the SleepWellBaby App has helped!

 

Lauren is a stay at home Mum.  She was originally a primary school teacher before having children.  Lauren was used to support from her in-laws and at least twice a week they would babysit or call in but that’s all stopped since the COVID-19 restrictions and she misses the regular contact with them and the family support.  Lauren has chosen to keep her middle child home from Preschool based on the recommendations and she is home-schooling Vanessa, who is in kindergarten and also at home. 

The timing of the COVID-19 has affected her family. She says ‘The kids in particular have really missed spending time with their grandparents, our family are very close and this has been hard’.  She added ‘My husband and I are used to having ‘time out’ away from our kids and we haven’t been able to do that, even trying to plan shopping trips has been a challenge as there’s an extra level of organisation with these restrictions because my husband works 6 days a week’.  She’s found it’s been difficult spending so much time at home with three young children and not being able to catch up with friends at Mother’s Group and Playgroup. ‘We’re all trying to keep in touch through Facetime, but it’s a very stressful time for everyone’ she said.

Lauren downloaded the SleepWellBaby App when Mark was 4 months because it had been over 3 years since her last child was a baby and she felt she’d forgotten some things.  Things like settling Mark and what to look out for at different times of day.  She’s found the App particularly helpful, especially with a houseful of kids keeping her busy! 

For Lauren, the most useful part of the App has been keeping track of Mark’s sleep.  She says ‘It’s helped her understand the tired signs and gauge his mood and it’s been very assuring even though he’s a third child!  She added, ‘It’s also helped me get into good habits and a more predictable routine which is important because when he sleeps, we all sleep!”

Lauren said the best part of the App program is that it changes through the different stages of your baby’s development so it’s always relevant and age-appropriate.

 To download the SleepWellBaby App or find out more Click Here.