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How to Handle Keeping Kids Out Past Their Bedtime This Holiday Season

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How to Handle Keeping Kids Out Past Their Bedtime This Holiday Season

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.

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Holiday Gift Guide for Better Sleep

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Holiday Gift Guide for Better Sleep

I may be biased, but giving the gift of sleep is the best gift of all. When you give the gift of sleep, you are giving your loved ones the ability to feel, look, and perform at their best.  

There is a good chance that someone on your holiday shopping list needs more sleep. According to a study by the CDC, 1 in 3 adults in America is not reaching the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep. The outlook is even more unfortunate for new parents. A study by Sleep Junkie discovered only 10% of new parents are sleeping 7+ hours a night.

Consider giving one of my favorite sleep-inducing products this year and you'll help to make the world a more well-rested and hence, happier place. 

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The Pacifier and Sleep - Friend or Foe?

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The Pacifier and Sleep - Friend or Foe?

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.


Why You Shouldn't Let Crying Hold You Back from Sleep Training

Why You Shouldn't Let Crying Hold You Back from Sleep Training

As a Pediatric Sleep Consultant, one of the most common questions I receive from parents is, "how much will my baby cry during sleep training?" I wish that I had a crystal ball that would allow me to answer this question as it would make it a lot easier for parents to decide if they would be able to commit to a sleep program. Unfortunately, the amount of crying is hard to predict. It depends on many factors, including: the baby's temperament, level of sleep deprivation, and if sleep training has been attempted in the past.

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5 Common Sleep Myths Debunked

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5 Common Sleep Myths Debunked

If you google "Baby Sleep Advice," approximately 210,000,000 articles appear (yikes!).  That certainly explains why so many mothers I talk to feel extremely confused on how to solve their children's sleep issues.  I remember feeling the exact same way when my own son wasn't sleeping well, and I was looking for a solution. The advice I found while searching the internet was often just anecdotal and conflicting. My searches resulted in greater confusion and increased frustration.


Since you are reading this article, it would be safe to say that you can relate.   To help ease your mind, I am going to put my training and experience to good use to squash some of the most popular sleep myths.


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Crush Your Goals this New Year by Making Sleep a Priority

Crush Your Goals this New Year by Making Sleep a Priority

Happy New Year!  I love turning the page on a new calendar year.  It is a great time to reflect on what went well (and not so well) last year and set a list of new goals and intentions for the year ahead.  If you are anything like me you have A LOT in store for this coming year, which can feel equal parts exhilarating and overwhelming.

The good news is that many of your goals can be accomplished by focusing on one thing.  And, that one thing is - sleep!

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How to Pack for Sweet Dreams When Traveling with Children

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How to Pack for Sweet Dreams When Traveling with Children

“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!

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Is My Toddler Ready for a Big Kid Bed?

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Is My Toddler Ready for a Big Kid Bed?

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.

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Top 4 Back to School Sleep Tips

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Top 4 Back to School Sleep Tips

You know just how important it is for your children to get enough sleep during the school year, both for your sanity and their ability to learn. Healthy sleep habits for school aged children have many benefits including:

  • Increased ability to cope with stress

  • Reduced irritability

  • Improved memory and concentration

  • Lessened risk of anxiety and depression

  • Improved motivation and problem solving abilities

  • Better relationships with others with peers, teachers and at home

If you’re worried about how you can get you children back on a healthy sleep schedule so they can shine like their brilliant selves when they get to class, I have a few tips for you!


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Amazon Prime Day: Best Deals on Sleep Products

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Amazon Prime Day: Best Deals on Sleep Products

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. :)

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Surviving the Infamous 4 Month Sleep Regression

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Surviving the Infamous 4 Month Sleep Regression

As a new parent, chances are that you have heard about the dreaded 4 Month Sleep Regression from a friend or family member or maybe you are currently going through it (I’m sorry!) with your babe.  The war stories usually sound like this….

“Up until around 16 weeks my baby would fall asleep peacefully in my arms while feeding and would wake up just a couple times to feed overnight and then would fall back to sleep quickly like a little angel baby.  Once my baby hit the 4 month mark, sleep became his enemy. Now he is up every hour wanting to party and it takes FOREVER for him to fall back to sleep.”


Sound familiar?  If you ever wondered why so many families share the same story, you are in luck.  I am going to shed some light on this phenomenon as well as share some surefire ways to get through it without losing too much sleep.

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Amazon Prime Day Sleep Picks!

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Amazon Prime Day Sleep Picks!

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....

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Summertime Sleep Tips - Top 5 Ways to Balance Your Child's Sleep Needs with Fun in the Sun!

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Summertime Sleep Tips - Top 5 Ways to Balance Your Child's Sleep Needs with Fun in the Sun!

Summer is a special time for children and parents alike.  It is the season in which the most cherised memories are made.  Summer means swimming pools, sprinklers, bare feet, ice cream and full-on sunshine at 8:00 PM.  It is no wonder why children want to stay up late this time of year and why it is so hard for us as parents to deny them their summer fun.  But remember, although the days are longer, the sleep needs of our children are still the same.  If they aren’t getting the proper amount of rest they will ultimately end up overtired and cranky.  As a result, they (and you) can’t fully enjoy all the simple pleasures of summer.  No es bueno!  

So, how do you ensure your child is getting enough sleep during this exciting time of year?  Here are my Top 5 Summertime Sleep Tips for Babies and Toddlers…..

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The Curse of the Early Riser: 3 Tips on How to Get Your Baby to Sleep Later

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The Curse of the Early Riser: 3 Tips on How to Get Your Baby to Sleep Later

I have always been an early riser.  Before having kids, I would love to wake-up early on weekends when most of of city is still asleep to go for a bike ride or run.  In those days I would get a lot of gratification out of getting more done by noon than most people get done in an entire day.  Back then, my definition of waking up early on the weekend was 8:00 AM and getting a lot done consisted of a work out, a mani/pedi and maybe a load of laundry.  Well, now that I am a parent, a LOT has changed.  Early morning bike rides have been replaced by early trips to the park, it’s a miracle if I am to squeeze in a shower before noon let alone a mani/pedi (have you seen my feet?) and now I consider 8:00 AM sleeping-in!  

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