ALL THINGS NEWBORN, BABY, & TODDLER SLEEP
The Blog
How to use an okay to wake clock
If you have a toddler and you’re struggling with early wakings, you’ve probably had someone suggest that you get an okay to wake clock! I find that people fall into 1 of 2 camps when they talk about these tools. They either swear by them and think they are the greatest invention OR they dislike them because the okay to wake clock “didn’t work.” But can I tell you a secret? Those in the second camp often feel like the clocks don’t work because they aren’t using them correctly.
As someone in camp 1 who is obsessed with my okay to wake clock, I put together step by step instructions for exactly how to use an okay to wake clock so that it works for you as any sleep tool should. Keep reading to learn how to teach your toddler to stay in their room until their clock light turns on and it’s actually wake up time.
Your roadmap to the 2 to 1 nap transition
Nap transitions can be really confusing. You may be unsure if it’s time to drop from 2 to 1 nap. You may be wondering if there is a right or wrong time to do it? Some days your toddler may be taking 2 naps just fine while other days seem to be a trainwreck. But the thought of removing the morning nap can feel impossible.
Transitioning from two naps to one is the biggest nap transition you will go through. It can be a challenging transition for your toddler so knowing the best way to approach this transition as well as being patient during the process is key. In this blog, I'll walk you through the signs indicating it's time to make the switch, strategies for a smooth transition, and practical tips to ease the adjustment.
How to drop the swaddle for sleep
If you know me, then you know I love me a good swaddle! Swaddling can make such a difference for a newborn’s sleep. But, there’s also a time and place to stop swaddling. And that can feel big and scary. Perhaps you’ve just finally gotten to a place with your baby’s sleep where things are leveling out. If that’s the case, the idea of now dropping the swaddle and throwing sleep back into chaos can feel like the worst decision you could make. Or maybe sleep has really never gotten better for you and the thought of now making it potentially worse by dropping the swaddle almost seems like too much to bear.
Whether you and your baby are getting good sleep or not, transitioning away from the swaddle just never seems like a fun option. But I promise, it doesn’t have to be such a scary transition. Dropping the swaddle is simply an adjustment that your baby will make and within about a week, sleep will be back to normal!
Managing the witching hour with your newborn
Ohhh the witching hour. Not much is more frightening during the newborn stage than this period of time each day where your baby absolutely loses their mind! And who named it the witching “hour” anyway? In most cases, it’s “hours”- plural.
If you’re ready to read up on this phenomena and gather all the tools necessary to get through it, then you’re in the right place. In this blog I’ll walk you through what the witching hour is, when you should expect, what could be causing it, and my best tips for getting you through it with your sanity intact.
Transitioning from nap to quiet time
Is your toddler starting to fight nap time? If they are, it’s possible you are freaking out right now. Naptime is sacred time for moms and the thought of losing that daily time can feel kind of depressing. I get it. As a mom of 3, 3 and under, I want to hold onto naptime as long as I possibly can. Not only is it for my sanity, but it also helps hold off the meltdowns with my toddler too!
So, before you go cry into your pillow, let me walk you through everything you need to know for this transition away from napping. We’ll get into what age you can expect this, when your toddler is actually tricking you about being done with naptime, the real signs to look out for, and how you can drop the nap but still keep a daily rest time (also known as quiet time) for you and your toddler.
5 signs that it's time to drop a nap
One of the exciting parts about watching your baby grow up is that they are always learning new things and changing. Sometimes it can feel like every day brings something new! However, this can also be a bit frustrating because it means their sleep schedule and sleep needs are ever changing too. Just when you feel like you've gotten into a good groove, you find it's time to increase wake windows and drop a nap. But luckily you're here, reading this blog, and I'm going to share all about how to determine if it's time for a nap transition, including the 5 key signs to be on the lookout for.
How to manage your baby’s sleep regressions like a pro
As a pediatric sleep consultant, it’s not uncommon for me to receive messages like this: “My baby suddenly isn’t sleeping! Is there a sleep regression at 12 months?” In fact, I get this question all the time, for every different age imaginable. Sleep disruptions can be so frustrating and confusing and it often makes us feel just a little better if we can blame it on a sleep regression!
So let’s jump into this topic of sleep regressions. We’ll tackle what a sleep regression is, how long it can last, and what ages you should expect sleep regressions to happen.
The dream feed: what it is and how to do it
Are you struggling with night wakings? Perhaps someone has suggested that you should try a dream feed with your baby? But what is a dream feed anyways? And is it the right choice for your sleep situation? I’m so glad you’re here because in this blog I’m going to break down what the dream feed is, who it’s for, and how to do it! Keep reading to learn more.
Ready for a toddler bed? 4 things you need to know before transitioning from crib to bed
When your child is ready to be done with the crib, it can be such an exciting time! It can also feel a little scary because you have no idea how your child will respond to this big change. As a mom I’ve been through this transition before. I’ve also had the privilege to help other families as they move their toddler from crib to bed. From this experience, I’d say there are 4 big things you need to know before you even begin transitioning. I don’t want you to rush into things feeling unprepared so I’ve put together this blog post to help guide you!
Transitioning from 3 to 2 naps with your baby
Transitioning from three naps to two is a milestone that can bring a mix of anticipation and apprehension for parents. The process requires patience, consistency, and a keen eye for your baby's cues. In this blog, I'll walk you through the signs indicating it's time to make the switch, strategies for a smooth transition, and practical tips to ease the adjustment.
Tips For Baby Sleep During Travel
Traveling with your babies can be such a fun and exciting adventure! But I’d be lying if I didn’t share that many parents worry about their children’s sleep while traveling. And oftentimes it can feel like sleep (or lack thereof) can literally make or break a good family trip! However, as a mom of 3, 3 and under, I’m here to encourage you and share that you can travel and still get sleep with your babies! I’m including all my best sleep tips below so read on!
Rolling Into Dreamland: Expert Baby Sleep Tips for the Rolling Phase
Babies rolling from back to tummy is a common developmental milestone that signifies their increasing mobility and strength. Around 4-6 months of age, many infants start mastering the art of rolling over. This newfound skill can bring mixed emotions for parents, as it showcases their baby’s growing independence but may also raise concerns about sleep safety. Not to mention the ways in which it can disrupt your baby’s sleep too!
