Stories

It’s no surprise that exercise routines top New Year’s resolutions lists every year—and for good reason. But there’s one important habit that often gets overlooked: a healthy sleep routine. Many people underestimate how crucial sleep is for overall well-being, influencing everything from stress and mental health to physical fitness and weight management. Without quality sleep, even the most dedicated workout plans or diets fall short. Despite its importance, many people struggle to prioritise sleep—a surprising reality considering that nearly one-third of adults’ grapple with insufficient rest, and 22.6% of children report significant sleep-related difficulties. These challenges are especially evident within families, where establishing consistent sleep routines can feel like an uphill battle. Why Sleep Routines Matter for Families Think about ‘jungle hour’—kids stalling bedtime or begging for another story. And when it’s time for adults to wind down, many of us end up scrolling through social media right up until we turn off the lights. Many people don’t realise how much this habit disrupts bedtime routines by exposing us to blue light from screens, which interferes with the production of melatonin—the hormone that regulates sleep. Blue Light exposure before bedtime can make it harder for kids to fall asleep. But by making the simple change of eliminating screens an hour before bed and replacing them with calming activities—like reading or listening to guided meditations—you will see a significant improvement in sleep quality.   The Science of Better Sleep Quality sleep doesn’t just happen—it’s the result of a deliberate routine that calms the mind and body. Stress hormones like cortisol can keep us wired at night, making relaxation a challenge. That’s why creating a smooth transition from the day’s activities into a state of calm is so important. Guided meditations and soothing sounds can play a vital role in this process, helping to ease the mind and signal the body that it’s time to rest. Research shows that meditation can lower stress, reduce heart rate, and prepare the brain for deeper sleep. Similarly, consistent exposure to calming bedtime rituals can help kids fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Sleep routines, supported by tools like Morphée, make it easier to reap these benefits. This is where Morphée makes a difference—a simple, effective solution that transforms bedtime routines into enjoyable, stress-free moments. Whether you’re a busy parent aiming to create a calming bedtime atmosphere for your little Sprouts or someone seeking relief from sleep struggles, Morphée offers something for everyone. FAQs About Morphée and Sleep Routines Q: What is Morphée?A: Morphée is a sleep aid device to help adults fall asleep quicker and easier. Q: How does Morphée work?A: Morphée uses pre-recorded, screen-free meditations and calming sounds to guide users into relaxation, helping to lower stress levels and prepare the body for deep, restorative sleep. Q: Is Morphée suitable for kids?A: Yes! The Little Morphée is designed for children ages 3 and up, offering tailored meditations and stories to help them unwind and build healthy sleep habits. Practical Tips for Using Morphée EffectivelyReady to integrate Morphée into your family’s bedtime routine? Here’s how: Set a consistent schedule: Aim to go to bed and wake up at a similar time each day. Create a relaxing environment: Dim the lights, reduce noise, and eliminate screens at least an hour before bed (reducing screen time before bed really does help and is supported by research). Incorporate Morphée into the routine: Let kids pick a meditation or story from the Little Morphée to wind down. For adults, use Morphée’s guided meditations to de-stress and quiet the mind. Be patient: Like any habit, a good sleep routine takes time to develop. Stick with it, and you’ll soon see the results. A Healthier New Year Begins with Better Sleep This year, make your well-being the priority it deserves. Transform your nights with the Little Morphée for kids and Morphée for adults—specially designed to help your family drift into peaceful, rejuvenating sleep. Visit the Morphée page to discover how better sleep can improve your life. Written by Jacqui Mills.  

This year has been one of connection, growth and shared learning for parents raising little Sprouts. Through our Mom Talk series, we’ve celebrated the wisdom of parenting experts and the honest, unfiltered experiences of real moms navigating family life. Mom Talk has become a trusted space for parenting advice, comfort and encouragement, helping families build routines, find balance and embrace the chaos of raising little Sprouts. As we close this chapter, we honour the stories that shaped our year and pay tribute to the inspiring women who uplift and empower our parenting community. 1. Lindi Koekemoer: Wisdom for Healthy Bedtime Routines Lindi Koekemoer, part of the nurturing trio behind Brave Little Baby, is a child sleep consultant specialising in healthy bedtime routines. In celebration of World Sleep Day, Lindi shared her expertise on establishing consistent sleep schedules while balancing motherhood and her entrepreneurial journey. Her practical sleep strategies continue to inspire parents striving for peaceful nights and restful sleep for their children. 2. Vicki Sleet: Embracing Change and Cultivating Connection Vicki Sleet, editor and co-founder of Luckybird Content Agency, shared her journey of reinvention after the closure of Good Housekeeping. Offering parenting tips on streamlining routines, meal planning and finding joy in everyday challenges, Vicki’s story highlights creativity and adaptability. Her advice empowers families to embrace change and find confidence in the chaos. 3. Rachel Maroudas: Integrating Speech Therapy into Everyday Parenting As a paediatric speech therapist, Rachel Maroudas blends professional expertise with motherhood to support language development. She encourages parents to turn everyday routines into opportunities for building communication skills. Rachel’s simple, actionable advice empowers parents to foster speech growth in natural, stress-free ways. 4. Juliette Liberty: Embracing the Toddler Phase with Presence Juliette Liberty, a digital creator and mom, shared her tips for surviving and thriving during the toddler years. By focusing on presence, slowing down and engaging toddlers in daily activities, she inspires parents to find joy in the mess and chaos of this stage. Her advice helps moms avoid comparison pitfalls while cherishing small wins. 5. Nicolle Grosskopf: Advocating for Preemie Families Founder of NESTLING, Nicolle Grosskopf turned her challenging experience with a NICU stay into a compassionate mission. Her brand creates products for preemies, offering specialised care and comfort. In honour of World Prematurity Day, Nicolle advocates for the unique needs of premature babies and provides valuable resources for families navigating this journey. 6. Danielle Luwes: Embracing Balance and Mindful Living As a full-time tax practitioner and part-time content creator, Danielle Luwes shared her struggles with mom guilt and tips for achieving work-life balance. Her practical advice includes time management strategies, releasing perfectionism and creating a nurturing home. Danielle’s approach to mindful living helps parents find harmony amidst their busy lives. Looking Ahead As we reflect on 2024, we’re incredibly grateful for the voices that made Mom Talk so special. These stories have offered valuable parenting advice, honest reflections and practical tips to support our Sprout families in their parenting journeys. In the year ahead, we look forward to sharing more real stories, expert insights and moments of connection. Join the conversation and find more Mom Talk stories in our newsletters and on Instagram. Written by Jacqui Mills

With World Prematurity Day coming up on Sunday, we chatted with Nicolle Grosskopf, owner of NESTLING—a brand dedicated to supporting premature babies and their families. From NICU challenges to redefining “preemie-friendly” products, she’s on a mission to ensure that every preemie mom feels seen, supported, and empowered. Join us as we explore her heartfelt story and celebrate the resilience of preemie families everywhere. Tell us a bit about yourself and your family.   I'm a mother of two boys with a BEd in Foundation Phase teaching, though I’m not currently teaching. I solo-parent frequently as my husband works abroad. I have a deep passion for children, teaching, and learning, which I bring into my work and life as a mom. I love the outdoors and spending time with my family, which brings balance and joy to my journey. My experiences as a mother, including a challenging pregnancy and a NICU stay with my first child, have greatly shaped who I am and how I connect with other moms through my business, NESTLING.   What inspired you to start a range specifically for premature babies, and how did your own experience as a mom of a preemie influence this decision? The idea for NESTLING came from my own experience as a preemie mom. When I had my first child prematurely, I faced challenges I hadn't anticipated, from finding the right products to understanding his specific needs. I wanted to create a space that offered beautiful, practical products for mothers like me. NESTLING is my way of supporting preemie moms with locally sourced and handmade items designed for the comfort and well-being of both mother and baby.   Can you share some of the biggest challenges you faced as a mom of a premature baby, and how did those experiences shape the products you offer?   One of the biggest challenges was being prepared for the unexpected. Between the NICU stay, learning to care for a tiny baby, and adjusting to a new reality, I often felt isolated and overwhelmed. This experience influenced the products I chose to include in my product offering, including practical feeding tools and sensory items that ease a preemie's transition. Every product is designed to support the unique needs of preemie mothers and babies.   What are some common misconceptions about caring for premature babies that you'd like to address, especially from your perspective as both a mom and a business owner in this space?   A common misconception is that preemies are simply "smaller newborns," when in fact they often face unique developmental and health challenges requiring specialised care and tools. Many companies label products as "prem" or "preemie-friendly" without truly understanding preemies' specific needs, often overlooking essential design elements for their comfort and development. I ensure our products are carefully selected or crafted to genuinely support preemies' developmental needs. There's also the assumption that life returns to normal after the NICU, which isn’t true. I aim to raise awareness about preemies' unique needs and offer products that address these challenges.   What advice would you give to new moms who are navigating the journey of having a premature baby, and how can they best find the support they need?   My advice is to take it one day at a time and be gentle with yourself. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed and to ask for help. Connect with other preemie moms through online communities or local support groups; having that support can make a big difference. My platform is here as both a resource and a support system for moms looking for products tailored to their unique journey.   What does World Prematurity Day mean to you personally?   World Prematurity Day is deeply personal for me, as it honours the journey my family and I experienced with premature birth. It brings back memories of our own challenges, from an unexpected early delivery to the long NICU days. This day highlights the resilience of preemie parents, the strength of these tiny fighters, and the incredible work of healthcare professionals who support us. For me, it’s a day to advocate for awareness, share support with other families, and celebrate the milestones of all babies who begin life so bravely. Every year, Nicolle donates care packs to NICU wards in support of World Prematurity Day. Sprout has contributed Difrax Pinky Pacifiers and 1-2-3 XS teats to these care packs, and we commend Nicolle for the incredible work she does. For more preemie tips, advice and product information, following Nicolle's page here.  

It’s always exciting to watch your little sprouts grow and develop new skills, and the sippy cup phase is one of the most important milestones. It marks the start of their journey towards independence as they begin learning to drink on their own. Straw cups are ideal for supporting speech development and strengthening oral muscles, but before babies are ready for a straw cup, getting them used to a soft spout sippy cup is an important first step. Most babies love them, and they also help minimise spills while your baby practices drinking independently. According to speech therapist and Mum of two Rachel Maroudas, who we recently interviewed as part of our Mom Talk series, when babies learn to drink from a straw, they develop their oral motor skills as they strengthen the muscles in and around their mouths and learn to coordinate their tongue and mouth movements. This helps with everyday mouth movements, such as feeding and later speech production. At Sprout, we believe that every type of sippy cup plays an important role at each stage of development. By the time your baby has started cutting teeth, they’ll be ready for a straw cup, and sippy cups act as the perfect stepping stone towards that goal. While babies under 12 months are typically too young to drink through a straw, soft spout cups give them the skills they need to transition smoothly when the time is right. In other words, a 360-degree cup helps children practice drinking from an open cup, while the sippy cup is a great beginner option for babies starting their weaning journey. Difrax Non-Spill Sippy Cup (250ml) Perfect for babies aged 6 to 9 months, the Difrax Non-Spill Sippy Cup helps your baby move from bottle feeding to drinking from a cup for the first time. With its adjustable two-position valve, you can control the flow, which is handy for babies still getting used to a cup. The anti-spill spout is a lifesaver, preventing leaks and making it ideal for when you’re on the go. Its conical design ensures that the liquid flows towards the spout without your baby needing to tilt their head back too far, reducing any strain on their neck. The soft spout and anti-spill features ensure a comfortable, mess-free experience, and the detachable handles are easy for little hands to grip. Plus, with input from medical experts, this cup is uniquely designed to enhance your baby’s drinking experience. Difrax Non-Spill 360-Degree Cup (250ml) This toddler cup is perfect for helping your child transition from a sippy cup to an open cup. The Difrax Non-Spill 360-Degree Cup has a sealing cap to prevent spills, making it a great option for travel or on-the-go adventures. Its innovative 360-degree rim allows your toddler to drink from any side of the cup, cutting down on mess. Designed for children 9 months and older, this cup supports healthy oral muscle development, making it a key stage in their development. The liquid only flows when your child sucks on the rim, so they won’t need to tilt their head back to take a sip. The slim, ergonomic design is easy for small hands to hold, and if your child already uses the Difrax Non-Spill Sippy Cup, you can attach its handle to this cup too, for added convenience. Designed with speech therapists, it’s very easy to clean and dishwasher safe. Difrax Non-Spill Cup with Straw (250ml) The Difrax Non-Spill Cup with Straw is a great next step for toddlers who have mastered the 360-degree cup and are ready for a traditional training cup. Its soft straw with an anti-leak system only releases liquid when your child drinks, making it mess-free and easy to use. Perfect for toddlers from 12 months, the Straw Cup not only supports healthy mouth development but is also easy to clean, as it can be fully disassembled to prevent bacteria buildup. Developed with medical experts, it balances safety and practicality. With a spill-proof straw, BPA-free materials, and a dishwasher-safe design, this cup is a favourite for parents. Just be sure to supervise your little one if they tend to bite the straw and replace it if you notice any signs of wear. Final Thoughts As your baby grows and becomes more independent, choosing the right cup for each developmental stage is key to supporting their progress. From soft spouts that mimic bottle-feeding to 360-degree cups and straws that encourage open-cup drinking, Difrax offers a range of solutions for every phase of your little sprout’s journey. Each step in the process not only helps your child master new drinking techniques but also promotes healthy muscle development in their mouth, setting them up for success as they transition from one stage to the next.