ALL THINGS NEWBORN, BABY, & TODDLER SLEEP
The Blog
When is my baby ready to sleep through the night and sleep train? FAQs answered
As a parent, you’ve probably heard the advice, “Sleep when the baby sleeps,” but when your baby wakes up frequently during the night, those words can feel like wishful thinking. Many parents wonder when they’ll start to see longer stretches of sleep or even a full night’s rest, and they often ask, “How will I know when my baby is ready to sleep through the night?” and “When can I sleep train?”
The answer isn’t always straightforward, as each baby is unique and will reach this milestone in their own time. However, there are developmental cues that can indicate when your little one is ready to start sleeping longer at night, and knowing these can help ease the journey toward better sleep. In this FAQ guide, I’ll walk you through common questions about when babies can start sleeping through the night, signs that they’re ready, and gentle approaches to beginning sleep training when the time is right.
Why is my baby suddenly crying at sleep times?
As a pediatric sleep consultant, one question I frequently hear from parents is “Why is my baby suddenly crying at sleep times?!” It can be so confusing (and exhausting and frustrating) when your little one, who may have been settling well, suddenly starts protesting at naps and bedtime. Oftentimes it will feel like it comes out of nowhere and you’re left grasping at straws to try to figure out what happened.
First off, I want to make sure you know that it’s not a reflection on you. It doesn’t mean you’ve failed or that you’ve ruined your good sleeper. Please don’t take this sudden increase in crying and protest personally. It is not your fault. Babies go through all kinds of changes and developments and it’s completely normal to have ups and downs. Let’s talk through some common reasons this might be happening and how you can help your baby through it.
Daylight saving time (fall edition): Keep your baby’s sleep on track
As parents, we all know how precious sleep is—both for our babies and for ourselves! But just when you feel like you’ve finally nailed your baby’s sleep schedule, daylight saving time swoops in and threatens to throw everything off. Gaining an extra hour of sleep might sound like a dream come true, but for babies, it can be the start of earlier wake-ups and disrupted routines.
Don’t panic! With a little preparation and a few simple strategies, you can help your baby adjust smoothly to the shift in time. In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about navigating the fall time change, whether you decide to take a gradual, hands-on approach or a more laid back, go-with-the-flow approach. Plus, we’ll cover why handling mornings carefully is key to keeping your baby on track. With patience and consistency, you’ll be back to peaceful nights (and mornings!) in no time.
Signs you are nailing your baby’s wake windows
As a parent, figuring out your baby’s wake windows can feel like cracking a secret code. When should they nap? Are they awake too long? Not long enough? It’s easy to get caught up in the guessing game. But here’s the good news: when you’re nailing your baby’s wake windows, it shows—and your baby’s sleep will thank you for it!
Sound machines: Should you use white noise to support your child’s sleep?
As a parent, you've likely tried everything to help your little one sleep better—rocking, shushing, swaddling, even driving around the block late at night. But if you haven’t tried using white noise, you may be missing out on a simple, yet effective solution to support your child’s sleep. White noise machines have become a go-to tool for many sleep-deprived parents, but is it really the secret to peaceful nights and longer naps?
In this blog, we’ll break down exactly what white noise is, why it can help your child fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, and how it compares to other sounds like brown and pink noise. We’ll also cover practical tips for safely using white noise to ensure your child’s sleep environment is as restful as possible. Finally, we’ll answer the big question: when—and if—you should stop using white noise? If you’re curious about whether a sound machine could be the key to better sleep, keep reading to learn more!
Coping with sleep deprivation as a mom: 8 tips for self-care and recovery
Sleep deprivation is one of the toughest challenges moms face- as a mom of 4 kids under 4, I get it! But it doesn’t have to overwhelm you and there are absolutely things you can do to help ease some of the sleep deprivation. By incorporating my 8 go-to tips for sleep deprived moms, you can recover from sleepless nights, stay strong for your baby, and still feel like an actual human being. Keep reading for practical tips to help you cope with sleep deprivation while prioritizing your own well-being.
Surviving sick season: how to support your baby’s sleep
Sick season is never easy—especially when your little one is battling a cold or flu, and you're juggling sleepless nights and endless worry. As a parent, you may find yourself watching over your baby, wondering how to keep their sleep on track while they’re feeling under the weather. The good news? With a few adjustments, you can help your baby get the rest they need to heal, even during those sniffly, restless nights.
Why is my newborn so restless? A guide to active sleep
If you’ve ever watched your newborn sleep and wondered why they seem so restless, you’re not alone! One minute they’re peaceful, and the next, they’re twitching, grunting, or even moving their arms and legs. It can be confusing for new parents who expect sleep to look calm and still. But here’s the thing—your baby’s restlessness is often part of something called active sleep, a crucial part of their development.
Tired of the bedtime battle? 8 tips to help your toddler stay in bed
Is bedtime in your house starting to feel more like a battlefield than a peaceful end to the day? You’re not alone! Many parents struggle with toddlers who resist staying in bed, constantly calling out for “just one more” story, hug, or drink of water. It can be exhausting and frustrating, especially when you know they need the rest (and so do you!).
But don’t worry, you don’t have to keep fighting the same bedtime battles night after night. With the right strategies, you can help your toddler stay in bed and make bedtime a smoother, more enjoyable experience for everyone.
Sibling sleep challenges: how to mange shared bedrooms
Sharing a bedroom can be a beautiful bonding experience for siblings, but it often comes with its fair share of challenges—especially when it comes to sleep. If you’ve found yourself tiptoeing around the house, fearing that one child’s stirring will wake the other, you’re not alone! Many parents struggle to find the balance between fostering sibling closeness and ensuring everyone gets the sleep they need. But the good news? With some thoughtful planning and realistic expectations, you can create a sleep environment that works for both of your little ones.
Addressing sleep associations
Is your baby waking up multiple times a night, needing to be rocked, fed, or held back to sleep? You might be dealing with sleep associations, a common challenge that many parents face but don’t always realize. Sleep associations are the habits and cues that your baby relies on to fall asleep—and while some are helpful, others can become obstacles that keep everyone from getting the rest they need.
Sleep myths debunked: Common misconceptions about infant and toddler sleep
When it comes to getting your baby or toddler to sleep well, advice is never in short supply. From well-meaning relatives to online forums, everyone seems to have a “tried and true” tip that promises longer stretches of sleep. But what if some of this advice is actually working against you? Common sleep myths like feeding your baby cereal before bed, keeping them up late so they’ll sleep in, or never waking a sleeping baby have been passed down for generations—but they might be doing more harm than good.
Overcoming your child's separation anxiety at sleep times
Separation anxiety at sleep time can turn bedtime into a struggle, leaving both parents and children feeling overwhelmed. If your once peaceful bedtime routine has become a nightly challenge, you're not alone. Separation anxiety is a common developmental phase, but that doesn't make it any easier to navigate. The good news? With the right strategies, you can help your child overcome their fears and make sleep time a comforting experience once again.
Breaking the pacifier habit: How to help your child sleep without it
Is it time to say goodbye to the pacifier? While pacifiers can be a lifesaver for soothing your baby, there comes a point when it’s best to let them go. The process of weaning off the pacifier can seem daunting, but with the right approach, it can be a smooth transition for both you and your little one. In this blog, we’ll discuss the signs that it’s time to drop the pacifier, share tips for using it less during the newborn phase, outline steps for helping your baby give up the pacifier, and provide strategies for ditching the pacifier with your toddler. Ready to help your child develop healthier sleep habits? Let’s dive in and make this transition as easy and stress-free as possible!
Understanding the 12 month sleep regression
Is your once peaceful sleeper suddenly waking at all hours of the night and refusing their naps? Welcome to the 12-month baby sleep regression, a phase that can leave even the most experienced parents feeling frazzled. You're not alone in this sleep chaos but understanding what’s happening can make all the difference.
In this post, I’ll explore the telltale signs of the 12-month sleep regression, how long you can expect it to last, and the reasons behind this perplexing phase. Plus, I’ll share two quick and effective tips to help you and your little one navigate this challenging time. Keep reading if you’re ready to reclaim your sleep and help your baby through this sleep regression.
How to handle your toddler being afraid of the dark
Toddler sleep can be so tricky! Not only do you have the crib to bed transition, dropping naps, and potential new siblings, but you also have night time fears popping up as well. As a parent, it can feel so disheartening when your child suddenly develops fears at nighttime. You know how much they still need sleep and it can be frustrating to see fears come out of nowhere.
As I’ve worked with families through these nighttime fears, I find most parents just feel so caught off guard by nighttime fears. They tend to throw all their skills and sleep expectations out the window when a blip like this pops up. I decided to put together my tips for helping your child navigate their nighttime fears so you don’t feel like lost if you ever go through this phase.
Fixing your baby’s split nights
Is your baby waking at night for extended periods of time? Split nights can literally feel like the worst thing when you’re desperate for a full night of sleep. You may even be reading this blog as you sit up overnight waiting for your baby to finally go back to sleep. These marathon waking sessions are often frustrating and confusing. Aren’t babies supposed to sleep at night? Why does my baby think she’s nocturnal? Lucky for you, I’m here to share the 3 main causes of split nights and give you tools to tackle this issue so you can get back to sleeping all night!
Contact naps in the newborn stage
I walk you through what you can expect from your newborn’s naps, how to navigate contact naps, and offer you no-judgment solutions so you don’t waste a bunch of time feeling bad about your current sleep situation. As a mom of 4 under 4, trust me, I’ve been here and I want to share all my best tips for navigating these tough newborn days.
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.