Sleepy Times
a sleep blog
Many parents might be turned off by the bad reputation attachment parenting gets. But attachment and attunement can work together to build greater trust and confidence in your child, even when it comes to sleep!
If you've been needing a confidence boost to help your child develop more independence, read this guest post by Senior Sleep Consultant Meg Meadows.
Pacifiers can be a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, they can be soothing and even help to prevent SIDS during the first 6 months of a baby’s life. But on the other hand, they can wreak havoc on a child’s sleep — and that affects everything. Sleep Squad Consultant Stacey Mademann has the tips you need for recognizing when it’s time to get rid of the pacifier and the ways to make it happen.
Children’s imaginations can run wild — and for good reason! They’re starting to develop abstract thought. But when fantastical thoughts start to affect bedtime, you need a plan for how to help your child through it. Read this guest blog by Sleep Squad member Marian van Noppen for her tips on how to befriend the bedtime scaries.
Don’t you feel like one of the hardest things to do as a parent is to watch your child feel discomfort when they’re sick? It can be especially challenging, I know, when you’re in the midst of sleep training.
It’s a mixed bag of emotions — you want (and should) comfort your kiddo and help them heal, and at the same time, you also want them to maintain the independent sleep skills they have worked so hard to achieve.
Fortunately with a little guidance, you can treat your child while maintaining their healthy sleep habits — or at very least, set them up for success to continue those habits once the sickness has passed. Check out this blogpost for what I advise my clients to do when their child is under the weather.
Handling bedtime for multiples can be daunting. But handling bedtime for multiples when you’re flying solo for the weekend can be even more stressful. With her husband having to travel for work, Master Sleep Consultant Jade LiManni has learned how to navigate this process like a pro. She shares her tips and tricks in this blog post so you can, too!
Naps can be challenging all on their own, but throw sleep training into the mix, and they can become a completely different beast. Allow me to explain the science behind what’s going on behind phenomenon, and explain some helpful tips to help turn your little one from a nap protestor to a nap enthusiast! (Or at least a nap taker!)
You know your baby is too tired when they can't sleep. Unlike adults, babies sleep worse when they have been kept awake too long. This is because of an overproduction of cortisol in their system. Allow me to explain what's going on behind this phenomenon in this blog post and what you can do to get your child back to sleep.
Let’s face it: daycare naps just aren’t as good as at-home naps. Or at least, that’s what the masses will tell you. But I’m on a mission to turn this around! That’s why I’m sharing my top six tips for how to keep the sleep while you transition your kiddo back to daycare. Let’s make daycare naps the new black.
New Year’s Resolution: To Give My Child Better Sleep. Sound like you? With most of us still in isolation and with the cold temperatures keeping us cooped up, there’s no better time to hunker down and sleep train your child for the New Year. In this blog post, I give you my Top 3 Tips for Improving Your Child’s Sleep to get your child’s sleep in tip-top shape for 2021.
“My toddler was the BEST sleeper — what happened!?” Each week, I hear from families whose toddlers have taken a turn for the worse with their sleep. Although each family’s circumstances may be a little different, the root cause of the sleep issues is usually one of two simple reasons. In this post, I tell you what those are and exactly what to do to nip them in the bud.
With the holidays upon us, I have received a ton of questions from clients this week about how they should handle those situations where they have no choice but to keep their kiddo up past their bedtime. We’ve all been there -- you want to participate in the fun but you’re not sure how to minimize the consequences. Today, I'm not only going to share my tips for surviving the night but also how to get your child back on track the next day.
One of the most common questions I get from new parents is -- will a pacifier improve my baby's sleep? I know that I asked myself this same question when I was a new mom and to my dismay, neither one of my babies would take a pacifier no matter how hard I tried… And let me tell you, I tried.
I tried every brand, every shape, every type, every color and honestly, if someone had told me if I stood on my head and gave my baby a pacifier that they would be more likely to take it, I would've tried that too. But no such luck -- it just didn’t work for me.
Little did I know, the pacifier likely wasn't the answer to our sleep prayers, and actually it would have likely caused even more difficulties overnight.
“Pack” has always been a four-letter word in my book.
I am forever struggling with the former girl scout in me who likes to “always be prepared” and my desire to pack light in order to avoid the dreaded baggage claim.
Now that I have children the struggle is even more real. Especially when it comes to packing “all the things” needed to replicate their home sleep environment while we are away to help them catch their zzzs.
Because if they aren’t sleeping well, I am not sleeping well and that’s not fun for anyone.
To help ensure that “no lovey is left behind”, I have created a packing list that covers the essentials needed to create a comfy and cozy sleep environment for your children. It also includes some of my favorite travel-friendly sleep related products too!
Moving your toddler from a crib to a bed can be a very exciting time. Who doesn’t love picking out new bedroom furniture and bedding? I know I sure do! As exciting as this time may be, it is important that the transition is handled with care so that your toddler’s (and your) sleep isn’t negatively impacted. As as a sleep consultant, I talk to parents weekly who unknowingly rushed into the move and then find themselves dealing with bedtime battles and/or night wakings
Don’t worry! This milestone can be and will be a positive experience for your family if timed correctly. And, I want nothing more than for this to be a joyous occasion for your family. Today, I am going to share my “Big Kid Bed Readiness Checklist” so that you can make sure your kiddo is equipped to handle this big change.
It is Amazon Prime Day - Hip, Hip, Hooray! If you love good deals and sleeping, then you are in luck. I have searched the site for the best deals on all my favorite sleep-inducing products. I will continue to update the list for the next 36 hours so check back frequently! Happy shopping and sleeping. :)
Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE a good deal. That is why July 11th has quickly become one of my favorite shopping days as it is when Amazon offers amazing deals for its Prime Members. I have spent a good portion of the day scouring the site for goodies, so I thought that I would share some of my favorite sleep inducing deals with you. Here you go....
Browse the latest articles on sleep tips for babies, toddlers and big kids. Here are some of our latest posts…
Struggling to get your child’s sleep back on track after the holidays? Late nights, skipped naps, and too much excitement can disrupt their healthy sleep habits. This post-holiday recovery plan will help you reset bedtime routines, repay sleep debt with earlier bedtimes, and re-establish firm sleep rules. Follow these simple, actionable tips to restore peaceful nights and happier days for your family!
Wondering what to put on your baby registry or what to gift that expectant parent in your life? You need this list! These are the best products for baby sleep that every new parent should have. Read this first-hand account from Master Sleep Consultant McKenna Linford, who has tried all the products out there and has honed in on the top five you need.
This holiday season, don’t let these three items hold you back from keeping your child’s sleep in tact. This is your plan to go in prepared for whatever challenges you face this holiday season regarding travel, family, and room sharing, so you can ensure your child gets the sleep they need. Take a look inside!
