Tis’ the season of family gatherings, parties, fun traditions, and more. It really is my favorite time of year. For some parents, it’s an extremely stressful time especially if you’re balancing all of the holiday fun while running on empty. Let’s talk about the holidays and your child’s sleep. If your kiddo is not a great sleeper, I can help. If you’ve got the sleep thing down, I’ll share tips on keeping it intact while during this season of joy.
Daylight Savings Time starts next month on Sunday, November 3rd, and for many parents, this can feel like a daunting day. While setting back clocks may only take a moment, it often takes longer for our little ones to adjust to the new schedule. If it takes adults a week to feel normal again, it’s no surprise that children, who thrive on structured routines, experience the effects of the time change more intensely. So, how can you best handle the "fall back" transition?
As a mom who's been through the ups and downs of babyhood, toddlerhood, and everything in between, I know firsthand how much you rely on that trusty bottle to get through the day (and sometimes night!). A common question as a sleep consultant is, “When should we start saying goodbye to the bottle?” It's a milestone that’s both exciting and a little daunting. But don’t worry—making this change doesn’t have to be stressful! With a little understanding of when and why to do it, you can help your little one transition smoothly while supporting their overall health and development.
If you're a parent, you've likely encountered what I call a "false start." This isn’t industry jargon; it's a term that describes a common sleep issue many families face. Picture this: you’ve lovingly settled your little one down for the night. They drift off, only to wake up again 20-30 minutes later. Frustrating, right? Let’s dive more into what false starts are and how to address them effectively.
The baby industry is loaded with sleep aids, from the latest swaddles and pacifiers to high-tech bassinets. In the world of sleep consulting, we often refer to these items as "sleep props," but you might also hear them called "crutches" or "sleep associations." But do these props actually contribute to better sleep, or could they be hindering it?
Motherhood is full of joy, excitement, and love. While these feelings are undeniably present, the journey is also marked by periods of exhaustion, loneliness, and overwhelming challenges—emotions that can be startlingly unexpected. The anxiety that accompanies sleepless nights, the frustration of an inconsolable baby, and the guilt that follows these intense feelings are seldom discussed openly.
“I’ve tried everything to get my baby to sleep and nothing has worked.” This is a sentence I hear in nearly every call I have with tired moms. These moms are desperate for answers, reading books, scrolling the internet and social media, asking friends for their secrets and even buying “one size fits all” sleep training programs. It can be extremely overwhelming to have contradictory information coming from all sides. How do you know who to trust?
How do you know if your baby is waking from hunger at night? Take a peek at this checklist to help you figure out if your little one still needs a night feed or is ready to sleep longer stretches at night. Often times a baby is simply accustomed to a feed to help get back to sleep. Once you know if this is the case or not, you can move forward more confidently.
Welcoming a newborn into your family is an exhilarating experience, filled with moments of joy and wonder. However, it's no secret that those early days and nights can also be quite challenging, especially when it comes to establishing a consistent bedtime routine. A calming bedtime routine is not only beneficial for your newborn's well-being but can also contribute to a more restful night for the entire family. I have some easy-to-follow suggestions for establishing a calming bedtime routine for your little one.
