Parenting

Genius mum sets up ‘virtual summer’s day walks’ for her ‘clingy’ baby and it sends him to sleep in minutes


A FIRST time mum has come up with a genius hack to send her ‘clingy’ baby to sleep in minutes – sending him on a virtual ‘summer’s day walk in the park’ without leaving her home.

Nicole Jackson, 28, of Basildon, Essex, sets up her son Louie Jackson’s buggy in front of the television and plays a video of a sunny park walk – and the 18-month-old nods off in a few minutes without fail.

Nicole Jackson has set up virtual walks in the park for her son Louie - and says that it sends him right off to sleep

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Nicole Jackson has set up virtual walks in the park for her son Louie – and says that it sends him right off to sleepCredit: Kennedy News and Media
The first time mum says that her son was so "clingy" she was struggling to get anything done

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The first time mum says that her son was so “clingy” she was struggling to get anything doneCredit: Kennedy News and Media

The children’s photographer came up with the idea last month after getting Louie to settle for his mid-morning nap became a daily ‘nightmare’.

With little Louie going through a phase of demanding Nicole’s constant and undivided attention, the mum was struggling to do housework, get dressed, or even find time to shower.

On the tot’s more mischievous days, Nicole faced such a “battle” to get them both ready and out of the house that the sun would have started to set and Louie would sleep through their outing.

Determined to find a solution, Nicole decided to try sending Louie on a virtual walk in the park and was left stunned when he fell asleep almost immediately – giving her time to shower, get dressed and even blow dry her hair.

Desperate to take a shower, Nicole one day found a "walk in the park" video on YouTube and found that Louie drifted off to sleep in minutes

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Desperate to take a shower, Nicole one day found a “walk in the park” video on YouTube and found that Louie drifted off to sleep in minutesCredit: Kennedy News and Media
Nicole says that because Louie has already napped by the time they go out, they can really enjoy their day together

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Nicole says that because Louie has already napped by the time they go out, they can really enjoy their day togetherCredit: Kennedy News and Media

Since then the mum has incorporated her inventive hack into her and Louie’s daily routine and she claims it has completely changed their lives.

Not only does Nicole now have time for herself and the housework but Louie gets his nap and then stays awake to enjoy his outings with his mum.

Nicole said: “Louie is so clingy, he’s a nightmare. I cannot get anything done.

“I have got no idea how these Instagram mums do it. They’ve showered, done their hair and makeup, got dressed, got their kid dressed and are out by 11am.

“Some days I can’t get out the house at all and other days by the time I do get out the house, the sun is going in and Louie is fast asleep so has no idea we’ve even been out.

Nicole, who works as a photographer, says that she is even able to pursue her career again thanks to her trick

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Nicole, who works as a photographer, says that she is even able to pursue her career again thanks to her trickCredit: Kennedy News and Media

“I have this constant battle trying to get ready. I love Mrs Hinch and I would watch her and think ‘how has she got her herself clean, her baby clean and her house clean?’.

“I just couldn’t get the balance so one day I decided ‘it’s not going to be like this anymore’ and I got up and got in the shower.

“But I ended up with the TV remote, a fire engine and my slippers thrown in the shower with me thanks to Louie. It is awful, he just doesn’t leave me alone.

“I got out the shower and decided ‘right you’re going for a nap’.

“The weather was miserable and Louie won’t nap in his cot so I wheeled his new buggy into the living room and searched ‘sunny walk in the park’ on YouTube.

Nicole and Louie have been enjoying more walks in the park together

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Nicole and Louie have been enjoying more walks in the park togetherCredit: Kennedy News and Media

“I found this video of a nice slow walk around the park, got it on the TV and put Louie in his buggy. Summer vibes for him and a virtual walk in the park.

“I went and made a cup of tea and by the time I came back, he was asleep. I couldn’t believe it. It felt like I had discovered this miracle.

“I went and had a proper shower, blow dried my hair and by the time I was ready, Louie was awake and we went for a nice day out together.

“We do it every day now, it’s how he goes down for his nap. It’s our little routine.”

“Brilliant” baby boy Louie used to go down for his naps with ease but since he started walking, all he wants to do is run around and play with him mum non-stop.

While Nicole adores showering her little one with love and attention, the mum says her new trick to balance playtime and cuddles with day-to-day tasks has been a big help.

She says it has been hugely helpful to balance playtime and cuddles with nap time

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She says it has been hugely helpful to balance playtime and cuddles with nap timeCredit: Kennedy News and Media
Nicole says that she feels like she is "getting her life back on track"

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Nicole says that she feels like she is “getting her life back on track”Credit: Kennedy News and Media

Louie watches the same video every day to help him drift off but his mum thinks it would work with any video of a gentle stroll on a nice day.

While some people might wonder why Nicole doesn’t just take Louie for a real walk around the park to get him to sleep, the mum says this tactic means her baby boy can nap and then actually enjoy his outings.

Since using her naptime hack, Nicole and Louie haven’t only been going for more actual walks in the park but they’ve also joined more playgroups as they can finally make it out of the house in time.

And the hack has even helped with Nicole’s photography business as she can now get her shoots done while Louie is having his nap.

Nicole said: “I absolutely love being a mum. It’s brilliant and Louie is brilliant. He’s doing really good.

“He wants to play all the time and run around. And he wants me all the time. He’s always on the go. If I try to do anything while he’s awake, there’s no chance.

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“Being a first-time mum you do wonder how you are going to cope and get through all the things that need to be done in a day but having this little trick is helping.

“People might wonder why not actually go for a walk in the park but we do go out to the park and now he’s actually awake to enjoy it and play.

“We’ve managed to join loads of playgroups too. It’s really benefiting him. Plus when we get home now, he’s actually tired for the evening.

“Before my mother-in-law would have to come over if I had any photo shoots but now I’m managing to get through a whole client and Louie is still sound asleep.

“It’s helping my business and it’s given me some of my life back.”

In other parenting news, this mum photoshopped cockroaches onto a photo of her son to convince him to take a bath.

And this mum took a Nerf gun to hospital in case her husband fell asleep during labour.

Plus this mum of boys shared her shaving foam tip for “removing urine smell” around the toilet.

Our Mum Of The Year competition is back and we need your help to find our winner





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