For many parents, baby sleep can feel like one of the most challenging and emotionally exhausting parts of early parenthood. For Claire Bonssou, her own experience of navigating sleep with her baby sparked a desire to help other families find a gentler way forward. Drawing on her professional background as a qualified childcare worker, nanny and Emotion and Behaviour coach, alongside her training as a certified sleep coach, she founded Sleep by Claire to offer personalised, responsive sleep support that puts the emotional wellbeing of both babies and parents first. Rejecting rigid, one-size-fits-all approaches, Claire works closely with families to create practical, compassionate sleep plans designed around their individual needs, helping parents feel more confident while supporting their little ones towards more peaceful nights.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
My passion for working with children is what originally led me to study childcare, eventually qualifying as a professional childcare worker. Driven to understand children on a deeper level, I expanded my expertise into Emotion and Behaviour coaching. I then spent years as a nanny, using these specialised skills to support families in their homes.
However, when I became a mother myself, I was surprised by just how complex baby sleep could be. Navigating that challenge inspired me to train as a certified sleep coach.
Today, nothing brings me more joy than partnering with parents. I love helping families thrive, working hand-in-hand with you so that both you and your children can achieve peaceful nights and wonderful milestones together.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
Before officially launching Sleep by Claire, I wanted to ensure my methods were as safe, reliable and effective as possible. I began by coaching friends and family, while simultaneously working with volunteer families under a strict professional mentorship. This rigorous hands-on experience allowed me to craft highly individualised, safe and trusted sleep plans.
As word of these successes spread, demand grew entirely through word-of-mouth and glowing recommendations. Seeing the profound impact this advice had on tired parents, I knew I needed to share it on a larger scale. I built my website and social media platforms to get this vital information into the hands of families everywhere, officially launching Sleep by Claire to help parents and babies thrive together.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
The true breakthrough of Sleep by Claire lies in redefining baby sleep coaching for the modern parent. Traditionally, the industry has relied heavily on rigid, stressful ‘cry-it-out’ methods. My innovation is a responsive, heart-centred alternative that proves sleep training can be deeply loving, gentle and tear-free.
What truly sets this business apart is the unique fusion of professional expertise and real-world experience. By combining my background as a qualified childcare worker and professional nanny with my personal journey as a mother, I have created a highly approachable framework. I don’t just offer generic advice; I deliver customised, evidence-based solutions rooted in real-world empathy. This gentle, responsive approach has resonated deeply with mothers, sparking a word-of-mouth movement built on safety, trust and proven results.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Running a business while raising a young son requires a delicate, intentional balance. I structure my working hours primarily around my son’s schedule, utilising nap times and evenings to focus on my clients. Of course, motherhood is unpredictable, and there are days when a shared nap takes priority over my to-do list – and that is just part of the journey!
I am also incredibly fortunate to have a wonderful family support system. When I have time-sensitive tasks, like printing marketing materials or hosting live online consultations, my parents or husband steps in to help. I always make sure they are looked after with a hot cup of tea and plenty of snacks to keep them going. It truly takes a village, and leaning on family allows me to show up fully as both a dedicated mother and a trusted professional.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
My greatest hurdle has been reclaiming the title of ‘sleep consultant’. Unfortunately, the term often carries a negative association with rigid, traditional ‘cry-it-out’ tactics, like the Ferber method. Because my entire philosophy is fiercely against leaving a baby to cry, my daily mission is to break down these misconceptions.
I drive my business forward by educating parents on the reality of modern sleep coaching: that you can achieve restful nights using gentle, responsive methods that always put your baby’s emotional and physical needs first. Furthermore, I empower parents to protect their peace of mind by ensuring any advice they receive – from me or anyone else – strictly aligns with official NHS safe sleep guidelines. Overcoming this industry stigma and showing parents a kinder way forward is exactly what drives me every single day.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
Building your own business is an absolute blessing, but it undeniably comes with a unique set of highs and lows.
The pros: There is immense joy in absolute creative freedom. Being the sole voice behind the brand means every piece of content, every shared story and every client interaction is authentic, personal and deeply aligned with my core values.
The cons: Solo entrepreneurship can be incredibly isolating. In the early stages, you wear every single hat – content creator, marketer, strategist and coach. Without a colleague to share the load, the pressure to always be ‘on’ is constant. It is easy to feel a sense of guilt on days spent away from the screen, often leading to late nights at the desk just to make up for lost time. Finding the balance between growing the brand and protecting my own energy remains my biggest ongoing challenge.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
My ultimate hope is for Sleep by Claire to grow into a trusted household name that transforms family well-being through better sleep. My dream is to extend our reach to parents all over the UK and beyond, empowering families everywhere with the knowledge they need to enjoy restful nights.
However, scale will never replace intimacy. No matter how much we expand, my commitment is to remain entirely personable and deeply connected to every client. I refuse to offer generic, cookie-cutter advice; instead, I will always meet families exactly where they are. My mission is to continue delivering highly individualised plans tailored to each unique household, using the same gentle, loving and responsive methods that protect the emotional well-being of both parent and child.
Visit the Sleep by Claire website, and connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.
