Sleepy Qs-Answers to your child sleep questions
By Linda Szmulewitz and Jessica Sawicki
Sleepy Qs-Answers to your child sleep questionsApr 07, 2021
Premature baby sleep
Having a baby who was born premature is hard in even the best of circumstances. There are so many unanticipated things that parents are trying to manage in those very stressful early months of a premie's life. It can sometimes take a few months to even get to a place where the dust has settled and now you are home and thinking about how to navigate sleep struggles. Listen in to today's episode about how to think about your premie's sleep and what sorts of things to take into account when considering sleep training.
The 3 naps to 2 transition
Just when we think we have a handle on some predictability for our children, they go and change! Nap transitions can be hard for both parents and children. Listen in to today's episode where we will help you navigate the transition from 3 naps to 2 and hopefully help to smooth out this process for you and your baby.
Interview with Jill Rabin, pediatric speech pathologist and lactation consultant
Don't miss this amazing interview with Jill Rabin about all things related to introducing your baby to solid foods!
Jill Rabin is a pediatric speech pathologist and international board-certified lactation consultant who specializes in feeding. She frequently follows babies prenatally (If there is a prenatal diagnosis such as Down syndrome or cleft lip/palate) through age 3 years through early intervention. She has worked at three local hospitals in Chicago as both a speech pathologist and international board-certified lactation consultant.
Jill uses her feeding expertise to assist with complicated breastfeeding dyads. This may include extremely preterm infants, babies with Down syndrome, babies with oral structural issues like tethered oral tissues and/or cleft palate. She also guides families when their breastfeeding baby refuses to accept the bottle and teaches responsive feeding techniques to manage babies with feeding aversion. She educates families on safely transitioning to solids using a baby-led weaning and/or adapted baby-led weaning approach. She co-authored the book Your Baby Can-Self-Feed, Too! with baby-led weaning pioneer Gill Rapley.
Some of Jill's recommendations in today's episode: check out the Baby Led Wean Team podcast, Solid Starts and Jill's monthly Transition to Solids course.
Be sure to check out all of the incredible information on her website and her Instagram account for great videos on how to feed your baby various foods.
Time change coming this weekend! Spring forward!
In preparation for this weekend's upcoming time change here in North America, we wanted to reshare our episode about how to handle your child's sleep when the clocks move forward an hour. Listen in so you'll know what to do!
4 naps to 3 naps transition
The transition from 4 naps to 3 is the first of many nap transitions although many babies don't really have a discernible schedule when they are taking 3 naps. Listen in to today's episode to learn more about what this transition looks like and how to think of the timing for naps at this stage.
Interview with Naomi Rosenkranz, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Having a baby, whether it is your first or your fifth can really take a toll on your mental health and ability feel like you have any sort of emotional stability. It shouldn't surprise us given what a tremendous physical and emotional endeavor having a baby can be, but many moms are caught off guard by the experience. Listen in to our interview with Naomi Rosenkranz as we talk about all things related to postpartum mental health. Naomi is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in grief and reproductive health, inclusive of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, infertility, perinatal and infant loss, and pregnancy post loss. She earned her B.A. from Yeshiva University in Biology, an M.S. in Neuroscience and M.S.Ed. in Marriage and Family Therapy, both from the University of Miami. Naomi currently has a private practice in Florida, facilitates Perinatal and Infant Loss support groups for Postpartum Support International, and provides bereavement training and support at ICU Babies. Find out more information about how to work with Naomi on her website: https://www.naomi-care.com
How to make bedtime smoother and more fun with your toddler
Why is it that the hardest moments of the day come at the end of the day when we have the least amount of reserves and patience left? Listen in to todays episode when we talk about ways to improve your toddler's bedtime so it doesn't feel like a struggle to the finish line!
Interview with Beth Goss on the transition to parenthood
Few experiences in life change a person more then becoming a parent. It is an understatement to say that the experience of becoming parents has the capacity to shake even the most rock solid of relationships. In today's episode, Linda and Jess interview Beth Goss, a parent education instructor and Certified Gottman Educator all about the ways in which having a baby impacts your relationship with your partner. Listen in to gain greater understanding into the ways in which having a baby can change your relationship and hear her guidance for new parents on how to weather some of these challenges based on years of experience guiding families through this very intense transition to parenthood.
Beth Goss is a full-time faculty member at North Seattle College where she teaches child development and parent education classes to families raising children birth-five years. She did her graduate work in Education and is a Certified Gottman Educator, Training Specialist, and Public Speaker for the Bringing Baby Home program. She is also a Certified Childbirth Educator and taught childbirth, breastfeeding, newborn care, and sibling preparation at Swedish Medical Center for 17 years. For more information on Beth and to learn about parent coaching with her, check out her website: www.bethgoss.com.
What causes short naps for babies and how to improve them
Short naps are often the bane of a new parent's existence. You have just put your baby down for a nap and were on the verge of accomplishing something (like eating a meal or showering) when that 30 minute mark hits and your baby is UP! Listen in to today's episode all about those short naps and what to do to improve them.
How to manage fears and nightmares
As children move into toddlerhood, nightmares and general bedtime fears start to come up more and more. Listen in to today's episode to hear how to address these sorts of sleep challenges that may be starting to happen as your child gets older.
Interview with Evelyn Mendal on managing toddler behavior
Toddlers are great, right? They are learning SO much every single day, and they can really keep us on our toes. They are also learning how the world around them works and how to have control over every.little.thing. This can lead to a lot of power struggles and behavioral challenges. Tune into our interview with Evelyn Mendal to learn how to manage some of those more difficult toddler behaviors.
Evelyn is a licensed mental health therapist who has worked in private practice providing individual therapy and parent coaching for ten years. She founded Hatch + Bloom, an extensive parenting resource service, with the mission of empowering parents in raising confident children through a science-backed approach promoting the parent-child relationship. Through Hatch + Bloom, Evelyn provides 1:1 parent coaching sessions and parent workshops. Evelyn works through the lens of attachment theory and interpersonal neurobiology.
You can find more information about the work Evelyn does with families at her website: https://www.hatchandbloom.co/ on IG at @hatchandbloomco.
Why your 3 year old's bedtime has moved so late
One of the biggest struggles that we encounter with the families of toddlers who we work with is the challenges that start to arise at bedtime as your child gets older. In particular, we often hear from parents, "I can't get my 3 year old to bed before 9pm!" Listen in to today's episode to learn more about why bedtime has become so late for your 3 year old and what to do about it.
Be prepared for the end of Daylight Savings!
Welcome back for Season 4 of the Sleepy Qs podcast! As we often do to kick off the start of a new season, we wanted to reshare our episode all about how to manage the upcoming time change. Yes, you may have been trying to forget that it was coming. We understand. This is the one that used to be great before you had children because it meant you got an extra hour of sleep on Saturday night. Now it means that you have an extra hour in the day to contend with and sometimes even 24 hours is too long for small children to manage in a day. Have no fear! Today's episode will help you make it through the time change and hopefully not be awake too early on the other side.
Helping your child learn how to sit down from standing
While it may not seem like helping your child learn how to sit is related to their sleep, it most definitely is! Just because your baby has learned how to stand themself up, doesn't mean they know how to get themself back into the seated position and then laying down for sleep. Listen in to today's episode to learn how to help your child learn this important skill and not get stick in a regression as a result.
Interview with Lina Acosta Sandaal of Stop Parenting Alone
Parenting is HARD. This should not come as a newsflash to any listeners of our podcast. It is a journey that is often marked by many ups and downs along the way. For any parent who has struggled, even just a little bit, with this intensely hard job of being a parent, you will benefit from listening in to today's interview with parenting expert Lina Acosta Sandaal as she talks us through the ways in which we can start to gain more confidence in our parenting and learn how become the parent we want to be for our children.
Lina Acosta Sandaal, MA, LMFT is a psychotherapist, development expert and founder of Stop Parenting Alone, a parenting education and consulting program in Miami, FL. She is a human development expert for Telemundo’s national broadcasts and consultant for MomsRising an advocacy group for family rights in the United States capital. Her mission is for all parents to fall in love with their parenting journey.
Contact info for Lina:
Website: https://stopparentingalone.com/
How to handle your child's sleep when a sibling arrives
The arrival of a sibling in the house is a BIG change for everyone. This sort of an adjustment can most definitely trigger a regression in your child's sleep. Tune in to learn more about how to manage this and hopefully prevent this big change from causing too many disruptions in your now bigger household.
The importance of rolling for your baby's sleep
Helping your baby learn how to roll themselves from their back to their belly and belly to back can be incredibly important in improving your child's overall sleep. Listen in to today episode to learn why this is important. Also pick up tips and tricks to help your baby learn to be happier while practicing tummy time so that it can feel easier and therefore build core strength and lead to improved rolling.
Time change coming this weekend! Spring forward!
In preparation for this weekend's upcoming time change here in North America, we wanted to reshare our episode about how to handle your child's sleep when the clocks move forward an hour. Listen in so you'll know what to do!
Interview with Dr. Laura Gleason, Pelvic floor physical therapist
Anyone who has been pregnant or given birth knows what a toll growing a human can take on your physical health and well being. More and more, birthing people are learning that there is help for all of the physical manifestations that follow pregnancy and childbirth. Listen to today's episode as we talk all about pelvic floor PT with Dr. Laura Gleason, who works with moms to help their bodies recover from pregnancy and childbirth. Laura works with both postpartum and regular orthopedic patients at Chicago Physical Therapists. She also provides educational guidance around postpartum physical recover through Beyond The Bump Wellness. If you remember nothing else from our conversation, know that it is NEVER TOO LATE for PT!
Contact Laura for further support :
laura@beyondthebumpwellness.com
IG: @beyondthebumpwellness
FB: BeyondtheBumpWellness
Naps in the first 6 months of your child's life
Naps in the first 6 months of your child's life can really be a struggle. You are not alone if you are feeling this way. In this episode, you will learn about what is normal for naps and overall sleep in the first 6 months of your child's life. Learn how to manage naps in the early months until it starts to become easier for your baby to nap longer, more predictably and more independently.
The 2 year old sleep regression
As if toddlerhood wasn't already a challenging stage, now there is a 2 year old sleep regression that can creep in. Have no fear! Today's episode will talk you through the major behaviors that can arise as part of the 2 year old sleep regression and give you tips for how to handle them. Things like nap boycotts, bedtime stalling, multiple call backs and getting stuck in the room are common issues that can arise. Listen in to learn how to navigate this stage!
Interview with Katie Holloran, behavioral analyst and special needs sleep consultant
Many parents of children with special needs resign themselves to thinking that their child can never be a good sleeper. Today's interview with our colleague and fellow Gentle Sleep Coach Katie Holloran will hopefully offer a ray of hope for sleep in the future for parents of children with special needs. Listen in as Katie shares her unique experience as a trained behavioral analyst who works with some of the most challenging cases. In addition to listening to this episode, be sure to check out the book that she co wrote with our mentor Kim West, the Sleep Lady: The Good Night Sleep Tight Workbook for Children with Special Needs.
Katie can be reached to schedule an initial call or a full consultation through her website: The Behavioralist Next Door.
FB: @behavioristnd
IG: @thebehavioristnextdoor
The 18 month sleep regression
We are back in today's episode to talk about another one of those feared sleep regressions: the 18 month regression. You have firmly now entered into toddlerhood and WOW is it a whole new world. I always think of parenting a baby as being all about management. How do we get this baby to eat? How do we get this baby to sleep? How do we get out of the house? Now, in toddlerhood, so much more is about behavior. This is where parenting often really starts. Like the other big developmental leaps, 18 months is a big one that can bring along a range of sleep troubles. Listen in to today's episode where Jessica will talk you through how to handle this new stage.
Incorporating partners into sleep training
Parenthood is a team sport, for sure! It is extra important to work together as part of that team when it comes to making changes to your child's sleep. On today's episode, we talk about the importance of incorporating both parents into the sleep training process and why that is helpful both when your child is a baby and also as you move into toddlerhood.
Interview with Jalussee Miller, postpartum doula
Adequate support following the birth of a baby, whether it is your 1st or your 4th, can make an immense difference in your postpartum experience. In the absence of helping family or friends around who can provide that support, postpartum doulas can fill an essential role in supporting moms. Listen in to our interview with postpartum doula, Jalussee Miller to learn all about how the help of a postpartum doula can make a huge difference in your early weeks to months after a baby is born.
For more information on Jalussee, you can find her in these places:
website: www.doulajalussee.com
email: doulajalussee@gmail.com
IG: @doulajalussee
FB: Jalussee Miller
International travel and your child's sleep
Have a big trip coming up to travel far away? Whether you are taking a big vacation or going to see family, it can feel daunting to help your child adjust to the jet lag that comes with traveling through several time zones. Have no fear! It can be done. Listen in to all the tips and tricks for making this a smooth process and helping your child's sleep stay on travel while traveling internationally.
Be prepared! How to handle the end of daylight saving
Since the end of daylight saving time change is an event that many parents of young children dread, we felt like it would be helpful to reshare our very first episode that we recorded all about how to handle this weekend's upcoming time change. Listen in as we explain how to manage the time change and come out on the other side without a regular 5am wake up!
What to do when your child climbs out of their crib
Welcome to season 3 of the Sleepy Qs podcast! Many parents have been there. You are either enjoying your evening time after your child has gone to bed in their crib or it is the middle of the night and you are sleeping when suddenly you hear the dreaded THUMP. Your child is now out of their crib. GASP! Maybe this was a thud followed by crying or maybe your child skillfully catapulted themselves out like an Olympic gymnast and came sauntering out of their room with a big satisfied smile on their face. However it happens, this newfound freedom has the potential to wreck havoc to everyone's sleep. In today's episode, you will learn tips and tricks to help you keep your child in their crib a bit longer so that when you are eventually moving them into a bed, they are at a developmental stage when they are ready for this move.
Say bye bye to the pacifier
Getting rid of the pacifier can feel daunting to many parents. In todays episode, we talk through how to get rid of the pacifier for both babies and toddlers. Learn when is a good time to make this change for children of different ages and how to implement a plan for saying bye bye to your child's pacifier for toddlers.
The 12 month sleep regression
In those first 2 years, our babies will go through many sleep regressions. This can be startling because our baby can be sleeping beautifully and all of a sudden hit a regression. Now suddenly sleep takes a turn for the worse. One common regression is at the 12-month mark. In today’s podcast you'll learn what a sleep regression is and signs to look out for to know your child is going through one. Learn what causes this 12-month sleep regression and how to handle it to ensure your child’s sleep doesn’t fall apart.
Dream feeds
Dream feeds are a great way to be able to maintain feeding overnight for your little one but to also remove the association between feeding and sleeping. In today's episode, Linda explains what a dream feed truly is. She goes over several different scenarios in which dream feeds can happen and how they can help you meet your goals of both helping your child sleep better as well as maintaining some feeding overnight.
Swaddles and sleep sacks
This episode was a special request by one of our listeners! She asked us to talk about swaddles and sleep sacks. In this episode we talk about the benefits and differences between swaddles and sleep sacks. You'll learn the important things you need to look out for when choosing one for your baby, the different kinds and brands out there, and which to use when. You won't want to miss this episode!
Interview with Alexis Granelli, Potty training coach
One of the most common challenges that many of the toddler families that Linda and Jessica work with involve the intersection of sleep and potty training. Today episode is going to be SO helpful for any parent who is struggling with these sorts of difficulties. We had the good fortune to interview Alexis Granelli who is not only a fellow Gentle Sleep Coach, but also trained with Kim West as a Gentle Potty Coach. She is also a Positive Discipline Parent Educator. Alexis shares so many pearls of wisdom about potty training both as it relates to your child's readiness and how to handle those tricky potty requests at night. You can find out more about Alexis at www.dolcedreamers.com and can follow her on Instagram at @dolcedreamers.
Understanding awake windows
You made have heard of these elusive awake windows while trying to understand when it is time for your child to sleep. This is an amount of time that your child can be awake before becoming overtired. In this episode, learn what an awake window is and how it is determined as well as when they start to stretch and also when to not pay as much attention to them. Also, check out this article for a chart that lists awake windows for children at different ages.
What to expect in the first night of sleep training
Are you ready to start sleep training? Are you so tired that you want to start tonight but don't know where to begin? Before you start, you will want to listen to this podcast! In today's episode we walk you through how to create your sleep training plan that will guide you through your process and then what that first night will look like.
Behavior modification devices
Behavior modification devices can be a great tool to help parents who are struggling with their child waking too early in the morning or just to overall create structure about when it is time to go to sleep and when it is time to wake up. When children don't know how to tell time, these concepts can be difficult to understand, which is why these devices can be very helpful. Listen in to today's episode to learn about the purpose of these devices and hear our review about some of the ones that are available and, of course, which are our favorites. We talk about the Mella Ready to Rise, the Okay to Wake, the Good Nite Lite, the Hatch and also how to use a smart light bulb for the same purpose.
Sleep training methods
The actual process of sleep training or sleep coaching is all about helping your child fall asleep independently and back to sleep independently. When your child is learning these skills, it is essential to have a way of responding consistently to him or her so that your child is learning, through your behavior, what to expect at both bedtime and for any night wakings. All sleep training is essentially behavior modification. Contrary to the many books and blog articles out in the world all about sleep training, there are really just a few ways to actually do this. Today's podcast will talk you through what this looks like, in actuality.
The intersection of temperament and children's sleep: an interview with Macall Gordon, MA
This week we bring you a long awaited interview with our Gentle Sleep Coach colleague Macall Gordon. Macall specializes in working with "live wires:" Children with very alert temperaments. She shares with us her immense knowledge gained from working with these children as well as research insights. Macall has a master’s degree in Applied Psychology from Antioch University, Seattle with a research-based specialization in infant mental health, the development of emotional regulation, and parenting psychology. She also has a B.S. in Human Biology from Stanford University. She is currently a Senior Lecturer in the graduate Counseling Psychology program at Antioch University in Seattle.
She has conducted and presented research on temperament, sleep, and parenting advice at infant and child development conferences around the world including the World Association for Infant Mental Health, the International Society for Infant Studies, the Society for Research in Child Development, and the American Psychological Association. She has been a featured speaker at international sleep conferences and has led webinar-based advanced training for sleep coaches, mental health providers, and others. Macall has just finished the manuscript for a book on sleep techniques for livewires. She lives outside of Seattle with her livewire husband and two very dramatic dogs.
Macall can be found in any of these places:
Website: http://www.littlelivewires.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlelivewires
Instagram: @littlelivewires
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Macall_Gordon
When you are ready to end co-sleeping
Many families all over the world co-sleep. Co-sleeping is very normal in many different cultures. Here in the US, co-sleeping is probably more common place then most parents are willing to admit but there are often instances where we find ourselves co-sleeping and may want to discontinue that practice. Today's episode will talk you through the process of ending co-sleeping, whenever you are ready, so that this can go as smoothly as possible.
Interview with lactation consultant Mariana Bigio, IBCLC
In this podcast Linda & Jessica talk with Mariana Bigio, a Board Certified Lactation Consultant. As nursing moms we always hear lots of different myths about breastfeeding; can I drink caffeine? Can my baby still sleep through the night while I breastfeed? Mariana, also a nursing mom of 3 boys, helps us bring answers to these questions and more!
Mariana is a Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She was born and raised in Venezuela and currently lives in Miami, Florida, together with her husband and her three little boys.
She is the founder of Mamalactea, an organization dedicated to supporting families along their lactation journeys that go from pregnancy all the way to weaning. At her practice, she counts with a multidisciplinary team of professionals that work together to face breastfeeding challenges.
Her private practice offers one-on-one consultations, prenatal breastfeeding classes, and support groups. She works every day to bring evidence-based information on lactation matters through her blog @Mamalactea.
Mariana is a member of the Lactation Consultants Association (ILCA). She also holds a number of accreditations that reflect her interest in tongue-tie and oral restrictions. She’s passionate about advocating for women’s right to an extended and fair paid maternity leave and the assurance of their jobs.
In 2020, she was invited to join a pediatric practice, one of the pioneers in South Florida to offer patient lactation care services.
She enjoys spending time with her boys in outdoor activities and baking.
You can find her at any of these places below:
IG: @mamalactea
mariana@mamalactea.com
(786) 651-6673
https://www.mamalactea.com/
Nightmares and night terrors
We've all had nightmares. Sometimes we remember them, sometimes we don't. Either way, they can be scary in the moment. Many children experience nightmares as their imaginations start to develop. Some children experience them more intensely then others and they definitely have the potential to disrupt sleep. In today's episode, learn how to handle the situations when your child has a nightmare and also the difference between a nightmare and a night terror.
Nap transition points
Just when you get used to something with your children's sleep, IT CHANGES! Never is this more true then when it comes to your child's naps. In the first few years of your child's life, there are a lot of nap transitions that take place. Tune into today's episode to learn when those transitions happen and how to handle the adjustments in your child's sleep when those transitions happen.
Separation anxiety peaks
Separation anxiety is a normal developmental phase that all children go through at various points over the first 3 years of their life. Some children deal with repeated ebbs and flows, others only experience it briefly. Regardless, it is normal although it is often challenging for parents to manage. It can also have a bit impact on your child’s sleep. Listen in learn how to handle your child’s sleep when they are experiencing separation anxiety.
When is the right time to sleep train?
Parents are always asking us "When is the right time to sleep train?" The answer, beyond some specific guidelines, is actually rather subjective. It's based on when it is right for your family. This is going to be different for everyone and and every circumstance. Listen in to today's episode all about the things to take into consideration when thinking about when the right time is or isn't to make these significant changes in your child's sleep. Don't forget to visit us over at our new Sleepy Qs Podcast Instagram account to follow us for new episode info and also a place to send in your DMs with your questions!
10 common sleep mistakes
It is SO hard to know what is right or wrong when it comes to pretty much ANYTHING related to parenting, especially in the beginning. It's a huge learning curve with a lot of trial and error learning. As you already know, there is a vast amount of information available about children's sleep. Today's episode will go over all of the most common mistakes and missteps that we often make as parents, as it relates to our children's sleep so now you will know what to look out for! Think of this as your instruction manual of what not to do.
Maintaining your child's good sleep while traveling
When you've put in all of the hard work to help your child become a great sleeper, the prospect of traveling can feel rather daunting. This episode will share all sorts of tips and tricks to ensure that your child continues to sleep well while away from home. Also, listen in for tips on how to manage travel to different time zones, both within the US and also internationally.
Sleep training myths
With the vast amount of information that parents are constantly bombarded with, nearly every parent has come across much conflicting information when it comes to your child's sleep. There can also be intense debate on various parenting forums about the merits of sleep training. Some of that information may be true but there are many myths (possibly more myths then truths) as well. Check out today's episode all about those sleep training myths.
Your child's sleep at daycare
New parents often worry about how their child will sleep when starting daycare. The start of daycare can be daunting for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is how your baby will ever be able to sleep in such a stimulating environment. Listen in to today's episode to learn what questions to discuss with your child's daycare as it relates to their sleep, what to know about baby sleep at daycare and how to handle toddler and big kid sleep at daycare.
Toddler bedtime struggles
Bedtime stalling is one of the most frustrating behaviors that parents of toddlers deal with. Why is it that the end of the day, when we are at the end of our energy reserves, often feels like the hardest part of the day? Toddlers love to squeeze every last moment out of the day and this often leads to prolonged power struggles and excessively drawn out bedtime routines. Listen in for our tips on how to manage those toddler bedtime shenanigans.
Transitioning out of the swaddle
The transition out of the swaddle can feel daunting for many parents of young babies. Some babies really love their swaddle so figuring out how to move out of it when the time comes, can be tricky. Check out today's episode to learn how to make this transition as easy as possible for everyone.