Sarah Ockwell-Smith

Sarah Ockwell-Smith established herself as a leading parenting expert in 2011, leveraging her Honors degree in Psychology from the University of Greenwich and extensive prior experience as a prenatal teacher, birth and postnatal doula, and pediatric homeopath. She swiftly began shaping the discourse around child development with the release of her debut book, ‘BabyCalm’ in 2012, followed by ‘ToddlerCalm’ in 2013. These early works laid the foundation for her accessible, evidence-based approach, emphasizing gentle parenting principles across various developmental stages. Ockwell-Smith’s influence grew significantly with her subsequent publications.

Further expanding her comprehensive guidance, Ockwell-Smith released ‘The Gentle Discipline Book’ and ‘The Gentle Potty Training Book’ in 2017, followed by ‘The Gentle Eating Book’ in 2018. Her later works include ‘The Second Baby Book’ (2019) and ‘The Starting School Book’ (2020), which address crucial stages of child and family development. Beyond her written contributions, Ockwell-Smith maintains a substantial online presence, including her blog which attracts approximately two million readers annually, and as a co-founder of GentleParenting.com. Her expertise is frequently sought by major media outlets; she has appeared on television programs such as Channel 5 News and Good Morning Britain to discuss topical parenting issues, and was interviewed by Sky News regarding significant events like the birth of Prince George.

She has also contributed to radio discussions, including BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour. Sarah Ockwell-Smith continues to be a prominent voice in contemporary parenting discourse, offering guidance on topics ranging from sleep and discipline to potty training and navigating the early school years, empowering parents globally to follow their instincts.