When it comes to making the transition from a crib to a big-kid bed, there are two questions that need to be answered. The first is when, and the second is how. Now, if you’re reading this on my website, chances are that you came here looking for some advice about teaching your little one the skills they need to sleep through the night. And if that’s the case, then the answer to the question of “When” is, quite simply, “Not now.”
Read MoreNo matter what may have happened over the summer vacation, all is forgiven. The mission now is to get your child back on track so that they can get back to sleep at a reasonable hour before they head back to school. So I hope you’ll keep reading without fear of any finger wagging or talk of what you should have done differently. I promise you, this is a judgement free zone.
Read MoreThe summer is finally here, and I don’t know about you, but I have a feeling this is going to be the best summer ever! I say that because last summer… well, I guess it depends on how you were affected by the pandemic, but I’m willing to bet that most of us are pretty much in agreement that last summer, scientifically speaking, sucked. With that in mind, I’ve put together a few tips to help you and your family enjoy this much-needed break while still keeping their sleep habits in check.
Read MoreSleep has always been, and will likely continue to be, a bit of a mystery. From an evolutionary standpoint, it seems like something that we should have abandoned a few hundred thousand years ago. The fact that we fall into a near unconscious state for a third of our day, every day, leaving us vulnerable to whatever horrifying dangers we faced in the early days of civilization, makes me wonder how we ever made it this far as a species.
Read MoreAs we try and navigate these ongoing scary times together (with COVID numbers on the rise again in BC), it’s a good time to remember that one of the very best ways to maintain a strong immune system is to get a good night’s sleep. There’s a lot of complicated-sounding science behind why this is, but it has to do with “T-cells” being better able to fight infected cells when stress hormones are low. And stress hormones are at their lowest when we are asleep! Here are the 6 “quick fixes” that I’ve found actually CAN make a difference.
Read MorePacifiers have benefits beyond preventing tantrums, as well. The AAP found that pacifiers can reduce the risk of SIDS, possibly due to the fact that baby has a harder time burying their face into soft bedding if they have a pacifier sticking out of their mouth. So given that very substantial and important consideration, I’m making the following recommendations based on the supposition that your baby’s over a year old. That doesn’t mean this is irrelevant if your little one’s younger than that, but just make sure you’ve carefully considered the pros and cons of taking away the pacifier before you make a decision.
Read MoreDaylight savings time arrives this weekend. Most parents don’t mind it so much in the fall when they gain an extra hour, but we dread the spring when we hear we are going to lose an hour of sleep! I get a TON of questions asking the best way to manage time changes and children’s sleep. So what is the best way to handle it? My advice is to “split the difference”, but what exactly does this mean?
Read MoreThis is a difficult question to answer without getting into some specific details, which is unfortunate, because when parents ask me this, I know they’re looking for a quick, concise, time-based answer.
“Three nights from now,” or “Six months old,” are the kind of responses they’re hoping for, and the kind I wish I could give them, but there are a lot of factors to consider, and some things to understand before you can narrow down the timeline.
Read More“With all of the information that’s readily available online, and the resources you have at your disposal in the form of friends and family who have managed to get their kids to sleep, why would you want to invite a stranger into your home to get your child sleeping through the night?”
I don’t often hear this question phrased exactly that way, but I know it’s a concern that a lot of parents have when they’re thinking about getting some professional help with their little ones’ sleep habits.
Read More’m sure you can guess what my answer is to this question, since I am, after all, a pediatric sleep consultant. I tend to put a high priority on sleep and am, in my humble opinion, justifiably passionate about its benefits for babies.
But is my passion for sleep clouding my view on this matter, or is there evidence to support my position? Oh, I am SO glad you asked.
Now don’t get me wrong. I’m a firm believer that feeding our kids a healthy, balanced, varied diet is essential to their well-being. I might even go so far as to say that it’s the single most important factor when it comes to our children’s health. But sleep is, if not equally as important, a very close contender.
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