1: Sleep can regulate your child's appetite. Toddlers may become less picky eaters when they are less tired, and older babies may have better feeding habits, whether it's from a bottle or breast.

2: Getting enough rest is crucial for children's well-being. A good night's sleep makes them happier, more cheerful, and less prone to tantrums compared to their sleep-deprived peers, regardless of their age. We all know how grumpy we feel with less than four hours of sleep, and the same goes for babies and toddlers. Unfortunately, they can't have a 4 pm coffee to perk them up.

3: Better communication is key; tired children may grizzle instead of speaking or using sign language. However, once they are well-rested, their speech and language skills will improve.

4: You'll notice a decrease in your child's separation anxiety, and their ability to handle small separations will improve. I'm not suggesting you take a trip to Tokyo, but you should be able to step away for a moment, such as popping out to do laundry, without your child having a meltdown.

5: When a baby is over tired, they may wake up crying, but if they are well-rested and comfortable in their cot, they should wake up happy and content to wait for their parents, as long as they are not hungry.

6: Increase in growth because babies grow during sleep; clients report improved weight gain after previous concerns.

7: To better understand your child and communicate with them effectively, it's important to pay attention to their subtle signs. This will help you identify when they're tired, hungry or simply need a cuddle. By doing so, you'll be less tired and more patient, which will make parenting easier and more enjoyable for both you and your child.

8: Getting enough sleep is crucial for your mental well-being. All healthcare professionals agree that sleep deprivation is difficult to cope with, and prolonged sleep deprivation is one of the leading factors that can trigger postnatal depression (PND). A good night's sleep can greatly improve your perspective and help you deal with daily challenges more effectively.

9: My marriage is better. Hey I am not claiming to be a marriage counselor, but a common factor when I read intake forms is “my marriage is in threads, or my marriage can’t cope”. Prolonged sleep deprivation and stress, 2 great factors to really test a marriage. So many couples feel there marriages are better and stronger for having taught their baby to sleep, and actually being able to priorities themselves as a couple in the evening again.

10: It's possible that your family might grow! I'm not talking about the obvious point mentioned above (see point 8). The months or even years of sleep deprivation can make some people doubt their abilities as parents, and reconsider their desire for more children, or even change their minds about having more children. It's heartwarming to hear from parents that once their child starts sleeping better, the idea of having a second or third child becomes appealing again!

Emma Purdue

Emma is the owner and founder of Baby Sleep Consultant, she is a certified infant and child sleep consultant, Happiest Baby on the Block educator, has a Bachelor of Science, and Diploma in Education.

Emma is a mother to 3 children, and loves writing when she isn't working with tired clients and cheering on her team helping thousands of mums just like you.