George Clooney and Jessica Alba's A-List Nanny Connie reveals the three essential secrets to getting your baby to sleep - burp, bottle and a clean bum! | The Sun

THEY may have every parenting resource at their beck and call, but it turns out that even A-List celebrities struggle to get their babies to sleep.

Writing exclusively for Fabulous Online, celebrity nanny Connie Simpson has revealed her top tips for soothing your baby to sleep - and don't forget to burp, bottle and make sure you little one has a clean bum!

Connie Simpson has helped Jessica Alba establish a nightly routine with her baby son HayesCredit: Milk and Honey PR

"Like food and water, sleep is an absolute necessity; if you don’t sleep, you cannot function.

It only takes a few days of heavily disturbed sleep for sleep deprivation to set in, which is where things can start to unravel.

A key point that many parents don’t realise is that exhaustion can change their whole demeanour and attitude.

How they deal with their baby, how they talk to their partner, and how they relate to their family and friends.

The celebrity nanny has written a book advising parents on the first four months of parenthoodCredit: Milk and Honey PR

The Nanny Connie Way: Secrets to Mastering the First Four Months of Parenthood, £13.36 from Amazon - buy now

Nanny Connie, aka Connie Simpson, recommended to the royal couple by their wedding guests Amal and George Clooney

Lack of sleep can affect even the most stable of relationships between partners and their wider network.

For the majority of new parents, sleep deprivation is so bad (and common) they can’t even articulate how tired they are.

As a new parent, this can also trigger depression because you are upset from being tired all the time, causing an inability to cope with simple life functions.

The simplest challenge can trigger a snowball of anger and frustration all because you need to sleep.I have five top tips for new parents to keep sleep deprivation at bay and get through the night:

American actress Jessica Alba recommends the Smart Sock baby monitor to Nanny ConnieCredit: Milk and Honey PR

1. Sleep when the baby sleeps

I know naps are a foreign concept to many parents but, especially with a new baby, they are necessary.

Even if you can’t sleep, simply lying down whilst the baby sleeps can be very restorative.

2. Make a sleep journal

Consider making a sleep journal for the first couple of months.

I know it sounds silly, but it will help you keep track of how much sleep you and your little one are truly getting.

The A-List nanny also counts mum-of-two Emily Blunt among her clientsCredit: Instagram

This will also help your support network see when and where you need their help.

It’s easy to forget something as simple as sleep, especially when you don’t have help and you are in the thick of things.

3. Allow yourself peace of mind

Most parents who make it through the feeding, changing, and even getting their little one down to sleep still do not sleep themselves.

The reason they aren’t sleeping is because they are hovering - constantly checking on their little one while they’re sleeping.

As a parent you react to every little whimper, breath, and movement, so I recommended the Owlet Smart Sock as a parent must-have.

This Jessica Alba-approved device works to monitor your baby's heart rate or oxygen levels and alert parents if they are outside the preset zonesCredit: Milk and Honey PR

Owlet Smart Sock, £269 from Owlet - buy now

It provides parents with a peace of mind that their little one is ok by notifying them if their heart rate or oxygen levels are outside of preset zones.

Offering parents that peace of mind is key to making sure they are getting quality sleep that allows their mind and body to relax.

I first learnt about the product from Jessica Alba!

Nannie Connie helped Justin Timberlake and Jessica Alba settle into a parenting routineCredit: INSTAGRAM/NANNY CONNIE

Connie has also helped George and Amal Clooney establish a nightly routine for twins, Alexander and EllaCredit: Rex Features

4. Establish and stick to a routine

This starts from day one! Babies are extremely smart and love routines.

You have to train your baby, so that each step eventually leads to slumber.

This starts with your naptime and night-time routine.

At night, I always give the baby a warm bath, a massage, jammies, and a little reading.

Whether it's nap time or night-time, just before you put them down make sure they have a good bottle, a nice burp, clean diaper, and good swaddle.

A good burp is a must, a gassy baby will not make for a sleepy baby.

A good burp is a must, a gassy baby will not make for a sleepy baby
Connie Simpson

5. Set the mood

Whether it’s naptime or night-time, setting the mood is key.

That starts with low lighting, and soft music. They will begin to relate the dim light and soothing music as their sign that it is time to relax and go to sleep.

The music is not for you, it is for the baby. They need calm spa or classical music.

Whether it is naptime or night time you want your baby to learn that dim lights + soothing music + feeding = sleep time.

Burp, bottle and clean bums are among Nanny Connie's top tricksCredit: Milk and Honey PR

Trust me your baby is smarter than you think!

Sleep is essential for both you and the baby. Taking care of a newborn is both beautiful and tough. Try my top tips to help you get the rest you deserve."