Gareth Rees

Transparency Programme Lead & Programmer | @mysociety / @whatdotheyknow / @cardiffrb / @_buildingbeauty 20/21

[Gareth Rees @_gareth]

@AndrewWarner Thanks, and glad to hear its working wonders for you too! Currently in a bit of a regression but on the whole similar experience – snuggles in as soon as we start the bedtime routine and 10 minutes later she's in her cot sleeping ☺️

[Gareth Rees @_gareth]

@AndrewWarner p.s. came here to find this post I saw just as I found out we were expecting our first https://t.co/96bf3P5Tb0 – Cherish such a good recommendation (for sleep and preparing in general) – Thanks for posting that!

[Andrew Warner @AndrewWarner]

My wife and I had our 3rd baby recently.

People keep asking, “getting enough sleep?”

Yes! I am.

Because I’m super-systemized about this stage of a kid’s life. I want to enjoy it.

Here’s a list of non-obvious things that helped me with all my babies’ sleep and my general enjoyment of this time of their lives.

1. SLEEP TRAINING

I start sleep training the FIRST DAY the newborn gets home.

If your baby doesn’t sleep through the night you’ll hate life, parenting, your spouse, etc. And the baby will be in agony.

I follow the book Cherish the First 6 Weeks because I like its schedule for feeding, sleeping, etc. I used it on all 3 boys. My current baby is less than 1 month old and only wakes up once (at about 2am) for a feeding.

But use ANY book or method you like. The important thing is to work on sleep early. Don’t end up like some of my friends who have 5-year-olds who don’t sleep properly.

https://t.co/fXJNXwAO8u

2. SNOO

This is a new addition. I helped my first 2 kids sleep at night by gently rocking them in my arms. When they were quiet, I stopped rocking and held them. When they cried, I got back to rocking. Eventually, when they were nearly asleep, I put them in their bassinetts.

That exercise could easily last for over an hour some nights.

The Snoo does all that automatically. It listens. It rocks when they cry. And it works through the night.

https://t.co/NAT7UhtvoR

3. SIMPLE SWADDLE

Last night, my baby was crying. I swaddled him. He instantly stopped.

It doesn’t usually work that fast, but wrapping a baby in a blanket keeps their arms from flailing around, which calms them. It also helps them stay asleep by softening the Moro/startle reflex.

Hospital swaddles and those frilly things people buy you are a pain to use, esp when you’re tired. I have a set from aden + anais. It uses velcro. I could use it in under 10 seconds, in the middle of the night. But get ANY swaddle you like and that you can use blindfolded.

https://t.co/w4akYRpJ7n

4. ACTION CAMERA

The best moments in your child’s life don’t happen after you take your phone out. They’re random. Action cameras can capture them. I can keep my action camera running for an hour or two while hanging with the kids. If something good happens, I save the footage. If not, I delete.

I captured my kids learning to ride bikes, swim, etc. But the less monumental times are equally important, like fun conversations on long car rides.

I’m currently using the Insta360 Go 3, because it’s so versatile, but I also love the DJI Action line. (Avoid GoPro. It’s unreliable and chews batteries.)

https://t.co/WSkQlNNxLh

5. CARRIER

I hate strollers.

They feel like lugging a wheelie bag through a city. I prefer backpacks when I travel.

That’s why I also prefer carriers to strollers. I strap the kid on my body and move around more easily. Plus I find it makes me closer to my kid.

I’ve bought many Beco Gemini Baby Carriers for myself and my friends, but get anything that feels comfortable to you.

https://t.co/mzQ6NQ9Kw6

[Gareth Rees @_gareth]

@AndrewWarner Did you shift your bedtime earlier to make up for the early start?

[Gareth Rees @_gareth]

@usgraphics @FrameworkPuter 1:1 ☝️https://t.co/brOl0uzInP

[Campaign for Freedom of Information @CampaignFoI]

If you’re a journalist, campaigner or someone who simply wants to learn more about FOI, why not consider our upcoming zoom course for requesters?

When: Thursday 16th October from 10am to 4pm

Sign up details via this link: https://t.co/14x8WZ83Nw

[Campaign for Freedom of Information @CampaignFoI]

🚨Reminder: CFOI invites both beginners and experienced requesters to our next online training course on Thursday 16th October 2025.

Please see this link to secure your space
https://t.co/14x8WZ83Nw

[Scottish Information Commissioner @FOIScotland]

🔔Final Call 🔔
Last chance to book in for our webinar tomorrow – “A guide to making successful freedom of information request”
Space is limited to first come first served, so if you haven’t yet booked your space make sure to book today!
🔗 Sign up now: https://t.co/in3Mu8I9GQ

[Scottish Information Commissioner @FOIScotland]

As part of the 20 year celebrations we are holding our first webinar of 2025. If you are a member of the public, a campaigner or just someone want to
access their information rights, this is the webinar for you.
🔗 Register now: https://t.co/in3Mu8I9GQ

[createstreets @createstreets]

THAT'S better. Adding height AND making London more gorgeous & interesting.

Bravo to our friend @FTerryArchitect & Finchatton for improving London. No rules of economics or physics stops us making our streets more lovely - only modish malevolence & the curious concept of "pastiche" which mysteriously only applies when evolving styles from pre 1930

[Martin Rosenbaum @rosenbaum6]

The first set of FOI stats for central govt since the general election has been published today and shows a similar pattern under Labour to the FOI performance of the Conservative govt - which is not surprising.

[mySociety @mySociety]

A charity donation makes a great Christmas gift, and if you care about democracy, transparency, community & climate, we'll put it to very good use. https://t.co/67QNjYLYNo #Thankyou

[Scottish Information Commissioner @FOIScotland]

Freedom of information doesn't just require public bodies to respond to the requests they receive - they also have to publish information, letting people access it directly.

Some examples below of news stories from across the UK which arose from published information. 👇

[Gareth Rees @_gareth]

Top tips on data visualisation! If you're interested in this, you might also like how you can use data visualisation from FOI data to tell some really compelling stories https://t.co/jr2jFilq07

[Claire Miller @clairemilleruk]

What are 4 Keys to Effective Data Visualisation:

1. Understand Your Audience
2. Choose the Right Visualisation Type
3. Keep it Simple
4. Use Colour Wisely

Learn more: https://t.co/CqzwLnlNQq

[George Greenwood @GeorgeGreenwood]

I’ve at last got around to setting up a blog to about UK transparency law.

It is a crucial democratic safeguard, but it is imperfect, treated with distain by many in government, and often badly enforced.

You can read all about it on Relight My FOIA

https://t.co/qZHTDYaIUX

[Gareth Rees @_gareth]

@jasonfried Have you come across PowerWash Simulator? Probably a bit too cartoony for what you're after, but fun vibe https://t.co/ZcThnu8Fw0

[Gareth Davies @Gareth_Davies09]

.@TBIJ is looking for a data journalist with in-depth experience of scraping to work on an ongoing investigation. If you're interested, or can suggest someone who might be, please drop me a DM

[Gareth Rees @_gareth]

@WhatDoTheyKnow If you're struggling to manage loads of FOIs, @whatdotheyknow and several of the international FOI sites have installed our latest pro features which help make it easier to send and manage larger investigations https://t.co/dFUDWphJSJ 3/3

[Gareth Rees @_gareth]

Really enjoyed how this podcast explored using FOI alongside other reporting tactics. A key idea is using existing requests to see how the data might be held and how to best phrase a request. Chuffed to see @whatdotheyknow mentioned – we've over 1m FOI requests published now! 1/3

[Bellingcat @bellingcat]

Last week we spoke to journalist @toledoluizf about investigating deforestation using open data sources. You can find the full podcast episode live now on streaming services under 'Stage Talks with Bellingcat' or listen back on our YouTube here: https://t.co/z5WlIcnDlv

[Gareth Rees @_gareth]

@WhatDoTheyKnow There's also a whole network of international partners who use our code to run their own FOI platform https://t.co/ewx1fkcdUu 2/3

[Joshi Herrmann @joshi]

Our friends at @TheBristolCable are 90% to their fundraising target, which will unlock a crucial bonus grant of £40,000.

They do a lot of valuable journalism - support them via this link.

https://t.co/LdYOJoy0Ls