Slug Dad & Monster Mum (Kips Guide to Bedtime)

Early morning waking can be exhausting for families.

Some children just seem programmed to wake up early and are full of energy – not like Mum and Dad! This is a book to help you manage a child who keeps waking before 6am.

When you are ready to tackle early morning waking, read this book with your child to help them appreciate what early waking does to you. A great way to help progress is using good rewards (stickers, stamps, etc) if your child can stay in their room until at least 6am.

And make sure you are not ‘rewarding’ your child for waking up early by letting them watch TV or use a computer, so that you can get more sleep. These activities can reinforce early morning waking, even if it seems like a good idea at the time!

Hi, I'm Professor Harriet Hiscock, a paediatrician and senior researcher at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia, where I have led two decades of research into baby and child sleep.

Along with my team, I have conducted world-first trials of parent-led strategies to improve infant sleep, sleep in children and sleep in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. My team has followed babies and children over time, demonstrating that these sleep strategies not only improve sleep in children but can also improve parent sleep and mental health.

My work provides evidence that these strategies are safe for children. Sleep with Kip brings together two decades of internationally renowned work to provide evidence-based support for children and families.