The Sleep Sense Show

Latest Episodes:

Episode 095 - 8 Tips for Separation Anxiety Jun 22, 2018

Show notes

I think we can all agree that no sound on this earth is more distressing to a parent than that of their crying baby.

And in their early years, nothing prompts a meltdown from your little one quite like the sight of you leaving the room. Separation anxiety is so common among babies that you would probably be more likely to worry if your little one didn't cry a little when you left them alone.

The truth is, teaching your baby to trust in your inevitable return when you leave the room is probably harder on you, the parent, than it is on your baby.

So today, I'm going to help you understand what's going on in your little one's head when they see you walking out the door at bedtime, or leave them with their Grandma for an afternoon, as well as a few tips to help ease the stress on both of you as you progress through this stage.

Episode 094 - Unhelpful Parenting Behaviors Jun 15, 2018

Show notes

As parents, we all strive to do the best we can when it comes to raising our kids. But actions taken with the best intentions can have negative effects, and we may not realize the impact they have until the damage is already done.

Today, I'm going to talk a bit about some of the more unhelpful behaviors I've observed in my time as a sleep consultant (as well as some of my own!) and talk a bit about why we're likely to engage in them, why they're not doing what they're intended to do, and what we can use in their place to be the best parents we can be.

Episode 093 - When Should I Start the Sleep Sense Program? Jun 08, 2018

Show notes

I can't tell you how many times I've spoken with parents who were desperate to get their child sleeping through the night, but when it came to actually getting started, they felt like it "just wasn't the right time."

Don't get me wrong, they had good reasons for saying so. Baby was teething, baby was just getting over an illness, baby was about to switch to a big-kid bed, and so on.

The truth is, there are some situations where I think it's best to put off sleep training for a brief period, but waiting for the "perfect" moment is going to leave you and your little ones exhausted for a long time to come.

Episode 092 - Sleep Training and Attachment Parenting Jun 01, 2018

Show notes

There's a commonly held belief among the devotees of attachment parenting that sleep training isn't compatible with their parenting style. That's not surprising, since one of the founders of the attachment parenting movement, Dr. Bill Sears, amended the core principles of his system to include "Beware of baby trainers."

But having worked with parents who subscribe to this approach, I have found that there's plenty of room for compromise. You can stick to every fundamental rule of the attachment parenting model and still teach your baby the skills they need to sleep through the night.

Episode 091 - What if Baby Looks Uncomfortable? May 18, 2018

Show notes

Tell me if this sounds familiar... You've put baby to bed, they seem to be sleeping peacefully, but when you open the door a crack to check on them, they've pushed themselves into a corner of their crib into what appears to be the most uncomfortable sleeping position imaginable.

If your baby doesn't sleep well, or has trouble getting back to sleep after they've woken up, this presents a serious dilemma.

Do you go in, try to readjust them, and risk them waking up?

Do you leave them in that uncomfortable-looking position and hope that they'll figure it out on their own?

It sounds a little trivial, but for anyone who's faced this situation before, you know that it's actually a pretty concerning predicament, and I've got some tips to help you through it in today's episode.

Episode 090 - 5 Common Sleep Myths Apr 27, 2018

Show notes

Ben Franklin once said that the only guarantees in life were death and taxes. I think that must have been before he had kids, because he forgot to mention parenting advice.

Information comes at you fast and plentifully after your first baby arrives, and although it's always given with the best intentions, some of it is, to be blunt, incorrect.

In today's episode of The Sleep Sense Show, I'm looking at five of the most common myths surrounding your baby's sleep.

I can't say for sure where they come from, but I can point out the flaws in their reasoning and give you the facts about some of these common misconceptions.

Episode 089 - Breastfeeding and Sleep Training Apr 20, 2018

Show notes

A lot of people new mothers (and old mothers alike) think that breastfeeding and sleeping through the night are mutually exclusive.

For all of you breastfeeding mothers out there, I'm happy to report that this is simply not the case.

While it's true that breast milk is digested faster than formula, breastfed babies are still capable of sleeping for more than a few hours at a time, and past the six-month mark, they're just as capable of sleeping through the night as their formula-fed counterparts.

I'll explain why and give you some hints to help your get little one sleeping soundly and avoid developing a feed/sleep dependency on today's episode.

Episode 088 - 4 Tips for Longer Naps Apr 13, 2018

Show notes

Don't you just love that blissful moment in the late morning or early afternoon when you put your baby down for their nap? Watching them drift into a restful, rejuvenating daytime sleep is one of the most maternal sensations I know.

Which makes it so much more aggravating when they wake up 20 minutes later and refuse to go back to sleep.

Then they're cranky for the rest of the day, overtired at bedtime, and the next 24 hours leave you pulling your hair out in frustration.

Sound familiar?

Don't worry. On today's episode of The Sleep Sense Show, I have 4 easy-to-implement strategies for extending the length of your baby's daytime sleep, and I'll explain why a solid nap during the day can be the most important factor in getting your little one sleeping through the night.

What are you waiting for? Nap time is fast approaching and you can start using these methods as of right now!

Episode 087 - My Favorite Toddler Behavior Trick Apr 06, 2018

Show notes

Toddlers are very curious creatures, as I'm sure anyone who has one already knows, and they are constantly testing to see where the boundaries lie regarding their behavior.

Although it may not seem like it, toddlers absolutely crave structure and rules. They test the limits all the time, but they don't actually want to see anything change.

But those tests are often accompanied by tears, shrieking, and meltdowns. So how can you enforce the rules while avoiding the temper tantrums? Well, not to sound like an internet ad, but I have one simple trick that, although it may not "solve" your toddler's outbursts when they don't get their way, will certainly help to minimize them.

You can hear all about it in this week's episode of "The Sleep Sense Show."

Episode 086 - The Skin / Sleep Connection Mar 30, 2018

Show notes

I'm super excited today to have Dr. Keira Barr on the show to tell us all about the role sleep plays in the health and well-being of our skin.

As you probably already know, our skin is our largest organ, but you may be surprised at the information it provides into our overall health.

You may also be interested (I know I was!) to learn how sleep and our skin are interconnected, and how the benefits of a good night's sleep can show up in a very real and noticeable way, all over your body.

You can find Dr. Barr's website at www.chooseresilience.com and you can pick up a copy of her book, The Skin Whisperer: A Dermatologist Reveals How to Look Younger, Radiate Beauty and Live the Life You Crave on Amazon.

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