When we think about helping kids sleep well, we usually focus on bedtime routines, an ideal sleep environment, or sticking to a schedule. But there’s one important piece that often gets missed: iron.
More and more research shows that low iron levels — especially something called iron deficiency anemia (IDA) — can affect how babies and young children sleep.
Read MoreCortisol, often called the "stress hormone," is essential for regulating our sleep-wake cycles, metabolism, and immune system. Its levels naturally rise in the morning to promote wakefulness and drop in the evening to encourage sleep.
Read MoreSleep disruptions in toddlers are common, but they are usually temporary if you stay consistent with your routines and boundaries. Understanding the causes and implementing a few simple strategies can help you and your toddler get the rest you need.
Read MoreOne effective approach to help kids build and develop a sense of responsibility and accountability is through the concept of natural consequences. These are the outcomes that naturally result from a child's actions, providing them with real-world learning experiences.
Read MoreAs a parent, one of the most anticipated times of the day is when your little one takes a nap. It’s a time to get some household tasks done, tend to your other children or have some time to yourself. However, sometimes these naps are ending before you can finish your coffee or even think about taking a shower.
Read MoreWhen it comes to sleep, there are so many factors that might be impeding your little one’s ability to just fall asleep easily when they’re tired. Their hormone levels may be out of balance, they may be in some kind of physical discomfort, too hot or too cold, they may be overtired or not tired enough…there are lots of possibilities! However, one thing I can tell you that we often underestimate how much light impacts ours little ones’ sleep
Read MoreMany of us have been there…you finally get your baby down for the night after a long day and settle in for some “me time” when bam, they’re awake again 30 minutes later. This is what we refer to a “false start” in the sleep world. False starts can happen for a variety of reasons so let’s look at a few common culprits.
Read MoreThe sight of a sleeping baby is one the most peaceful, sweet images I can think of. But we all know that the reality is that babies can be quite active sleepers, and can get into some interesting and uncomfortable-looking positions. How do you know when to leave them be or to reposition them?
Read MoreFor many parents, the excitement of welcoming a new baby can be mixed with some concern that their new arrival might upend all the hard work they put into establishing their older child’s sleep skills.
Read MoreHave you been here? You finally get your baby on a sleep schedule that is working great and then suddenly sleep becomes a challenge again – it can be hard to know if it’s a sleep regression, developmental milestone, or time for a nap transition!
Nap transitions happen when your baby is ready to drop a nap and occur at various stages of your baby’s life.
Read MoreSometimes we need to move our little ones into the same room due to space limitations, but other times families just want their kids to share a room. Whatever the reason, it can be daunting to think about having your children share a sleeping space. Here are 7 tips for room sharing!
Read MoreI know the idea of sending your child to their grandparents for a sleepover can cause some anxiety for a parent who’s invested a lot of time, effort, and emotional capital into establishing their little one’s sleep habits. But there usually comes a point where parents are ready to to have a night off and fully reconnect. It can be a bit of a balancing act to insist that your parents respect your little one’s schedule and sleeping arrangements while still respecting their role as experienced and awesome caregivers, so this post will give you few tips on how to manage that situation so that the entire family can benefit.
We all wake up several times a night as we transition through sleep cycles. But sometimes our little ones wake up in the middle of the night and are really up…sometimes for hours. This isn’t the typical middle of the night “go in and comfort or feed baby for ten minutes and then he goes back to sleep” wakeup. This is a full-blown 3:00 a.m. party. These wakes up are often referred to as split nights, and are characterized by a long stretch of sleep, followed by a waking of more than an hour where baby is happy and energetic, and then eventually back to sleep again. Let’s take a quick look at why this happens and what the solutions are.
Read MoreI feel like it was just yesterday that I was blogging about the end of daylight savings time and now it is time to “spring forward” the clocks. It can be a dreaded time for parents of young children because the adjustment does not usually happen immediately. This is because children tend to be more structured in their bedtime and wake up around the same time each morning and that is why people usually can see a greater effect on children when the time changes. Here are some things you can do to help make it go a little smoother.
Read MorePacifiers can become a problem when it comes to sleep. If baby’s accustomed to falling asleep with a pacifier in, they almost always end up waking up in the night after it’s fallen out, and they kick up a fuss until mom gets up, finds it, and pops it back in their mouth. Find out when and how to ditch the pacifier for better sleep.
Read MoreThere are two things I can pretty much guarantee you when it comes to teaching your baby to sleep well.
It’s going to be a challenge
It’s going to be SO worth it.
Like many big decisions, there are times that are ideal and times that are less so. Today, I’d like to offer some tips for deciding whether or not it’s the right time to take this challenging, but oh-so-rewarding journey.
Read MoreThe transition to daycare can be tough on everyone – you’re leaving your baby for the first time and trusting them in someone else’s hands for the day. It’s a huge adjustment and if you’ve worked hard to establish your baby’s independent sleep skills, you’re probably a little extra anxious about how they will sleep outside their own sleep environment.
Read MoreDo you lose your cool with your kids sometimes? Because hey, full disclosure, I do. My kids can push me to a point where I lose my patience and yell. Obviously, I’m never proud of it because I know I’m a better parent when I keep my cool. I’m not saying it’s easy, but before you even start the process of teaching your child to fall asleep independently, I recommend you get yourself into a headspace where you commit to yourself that, no matter how tough things get, you’re going to try your absolute hardest to stay calm.
Read MoreAre you looking to say your final farewell to diapers? I’ve got tips for you to determine whether or not your toddler is ready to nighttime potty train, and if they are, how to maximize your chances for success without sacrificing all of the progress you’ve made with their sleep.
Read MoreIt’s a scary and uncertain time and I think it’s fair to say that we’re all feeling it. Over the past week or so, I’ve been thinking a lot about the quote “When you feel helpless, help someone.” As we navigate these trying times together, I want to do as much as I can to help and since my expertise is around young children and sleep, I wanted to share a few tips that I hope you find helpful.
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