About | The Nap Nurse - Shelby Oliver baby sleep specialist

Hello, I’m Shelby and I’m The Nap Nurse.

I live in Southern Tasmania with my husband, two daughters and our mischievous pup Murphy.
As well as being a certified Infant and Child Sleep Specialist, I’m also an Enrolled Nurse. I’ve been working within the community for several years providing care to vulnerable people.

As a nurse I have the knowledge and understanding of what sleep deprivation does to your body and mind. As a mum I’ve experienced it first hand. I have a passion for health and wellbeing, especially for first time mums.

Sleep is important – for everyone, but especially babies. Babies go through rapid growth and development both physically and mentally within the first few years of their lives and none more so than the first 12 months of life.

Every baby is unique and special. That’s what makes me different to other sleep consultants, I take that into account to provide a custom plan specifically for you and your baby so you don’t have to go searching for the answers. I’m here to help.

The Nap Nurse uses scientific researched and evidence based best practice to help your family get the sleep they need. I am well educated in all methods of sleep training and suggest which method would be best for your needs as a family. I do not prefer one method over another, nor will I suggest you chose a method that does not meet your personal philosophy.

You don’t have to spend hours rocking and patting your baby to sleep for all naps and overnight. Nor do you have to lay them in their cot, close the door and walk away to let them cry until morning. If something is not working for your or your family, things need to change but you don’t know where to start – The Nap Nurse will help you chose a method of sleep training and support you to implement it.

The term ‘Sleep Training’ often rubs people up the wrong the way. They think of it like training a dog to do tricks, to sit and stay. I look at it this way; when you play sport, you train to get the best at it you possible can. You run laps, do drills, read or research new skills and practice to improve your game. Sleep training is exactly that – giving parents the tools to put into practice to help their babies be able to fall asleep, stay asleep and wake up happy and rested. Who doesn’t want that?

The Nap Nurse does NOT make any guarantees. BUT, I do make promises. I promise to give you all the information and tools to be able to help you and your family and I promise that there is a light at the end of the tunnel – whichever way you chose to sleep train your baby, The Nap Nurse is right by your side.

"We first engaged Shelby when our son was four weeks old with the intention of implementing a routine and encouraging longer sleeps of a night. Shelby was able to provide us with a bespoke plan to assist us in implementing a feed / play / sleep routine for our son throughout the day, with a separate bedtime routine. Shelby provided resources that educated us on infant sleep and soothing techniques; this helped us to build a knowledge foundation we could adapt as required. Our son is now seven weeks old, and sleeping for approximately six hours a night. I would happily recommend Shelby to any prospective new clients, and am very happy with the services we received"

"Shelby, you have been absolutely amazing!!! Thank you so so so much! We are so grateful for all the help you have given us to assist with Maya and Zara’s sleep. The new routine you prepared for the girls is going really well. We can’t thank you enough for all that you have done for us. We were just so lost and exhausted and had no idea what to do anymore – your suggestions, patience, expertise and understanding has just been the best! Your check-in texts, emails and phone calls were always positive and upbeat, and we loved your supportive and encouraging communication with us. We highly recommend you"

"It has been so nice to work with you over the last few weeks to get Kiyana into a better sleep routine. Your initial plan for us was good, thorough and achievable. Your 48 hours check-ins gave us time to find out if things were working for us and you were always close by with suggestions when things didn't go to plan - as we know babies have their own ideas sometimes! You were able to adapt your plan for us on the fly as she was going through leaps and difficult moments and that was really appreciated. It really felt like we were working together and understood each other despite not being able to meet you. All in all, I enjoyed working with The Nap Nurse and would have no hesitation in recommending you to my sleep struggling mummy friends."

Shelby, the nap nurse, the sleep queen. I could give you so many titles but one keeps springing to mind and that is ‘my saviour!’. After 2 short weeks, your constant check ins and words of encouragement our lives have changed. We would highly recommend you to any parents who might be struggling with sleep deprivation like we were. After 3 years here with us, Stella can now sleep through the night with no wake ups! I am truly amazed. You saved our sleep! Stella even said thank you for her special clock, because it helps her know when she can get out of bed or if she needs to go back to sleep! Thank you thank you!

We had been struggling for a while, after already having a sleep consultant with someone else in the early days and following countless instagram sleep accounts which all had varied advice and left us feeling really confused and at a loss with what we should be doing. You came at just the right time for us, getting our baby into a good sleep routine. He has always been tricky with his day sleep, but we have a more consistent 2 nap approach now and most of the time, he can link sleep cycles for that second nap, which he struggled with previously for a long time. We know what his awake windows are now which is a huge relief for us. We also no longer have to pat him to sleep, which is a huge time saver for us. We have also implemented a comforter for him upon your suggestion and it seems to be working well. Last night he actually did not cry at all (which is rare). rather, he played with his comforter for a few minutes before calming going to sleep If this continues, it will be life changing for us and we have you to thank. So, thank you, thank you, thank you, you lovely sleep fairy.