ALL THINGS NEWBORN, BABY, & TODDLER SLEEP
The Blog
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.
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.
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.
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!
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 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.
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.