A Journey to Sleep Through Love and Loss: Emma's Story

Hello and welcome – I’m Emma, the face behind The Slumber Works, and if you’ve found yourself here bleary-eyed at 3 a.m. with a baby who thinks sleep is optional… you’re in exactly the right place.

Before I became an Infant Sleep Consultant, I was a researcher in molecular microbiology. Yes, really – I spent my days in a lab peering down microscopes, growing bacteria, and wrangling with things that can’t be seen with the naked eye. It was fascinating and fulfilling work, but let’s just say the unpredictable hours, weekend experiments, and the general “science never sleeps” vibe didn’t exactly mesh with the unpredictable chaos of parenthood.

My path to becoming a mum was far from straightforward. I experienced baby loss and later a traumatic birth with my first child. It was a journey that left me with PTSD and a very real understanding of how fragile, overwhelming – and fiercely beautiful – early parenthood can be.

My first little boy arrived with a sensitive soul and a strong opinion on sleep: namely, that it should only ever happen in my arms while being gently rocked for hours on end. I became a human mattress. A very tired, slightly frayed, lovingly determined mattress.

And then, one day, even that didn’t work anymore.

So I did what any former scientist might do—I put my metaphorical lab coat back on and began researching infant sleep. Not just the “let them cry” approaches that felt too harsh for us, but gentle, developmentally appropriate ways to help babies learn to sleep in a way that supports both them and their parents. What I found changed everything. Within a few months, my little one was falling asleep happily in his cot, napping well during the day, and – the miracle of miracles – sleeping through the night. It was quite literally life-changing.

That’s when I knew I wanted to help other families experience this kind of transformation too. I retrained as an Infant Sleep Consultant with the London School of Childcare Studies and launched The Slumber Works – sleep solutions crafted with care. Now, I specialise in supporting families of infants and toddlers, especially those who’ve walked a rockier road to parenthood or whose mental health needs a bit of extra TLC. My approach is rooted in empathy, evidence, and realism (because babies will be babies, after all).

I know what it’s like to feel touched-out, sleep-deprived, and unsure where to turn. I also know that sleep – real, restful, predictable sleep – is possible. It just takes the right support, a bit of gentle structure, and someone to walk the path with you.

If you’re ready to feel like yourself again (and maybe even drink a cup of tea while it’s still warm), I’d love to help.

With warmth and understanding,

Emma Cousins

Infant Sleep Consultant | The Slumber Works