My child’s refusal to sleep made me feel like a failure as a mum

It’s a scene that will be familiar to most parents. The room is pitch black (‘you shouldn’t even be able to see your hand!’ you’ve been told) and in the background, white noise is creating the perfect aura of calm.  

You’re pacing, child firmly in your arms, as you cycle through the well-trodden routine. You ‘shh’ them, you bounce them, you sing to…