The Sleep Sense Show

Latest Episodes:

Episode 085 - What Does "Cry-It-Out" Really Mean? Mar 23, 2018

Show notes

I just want to start off here by saying that The Sleep Sense Program is not what is considered a "cry-it-out" approach.

But having said that, I think it's time that we took a look at the term and what it really means. Given all of the negativity and false information that has been thrown around about allowing babies to cry, I think new parents are often overwhelmed at the thought of even a few nighttime tears and the damage they might cause.

So today, we'll take a look at what people really mean when they refer to the cry-it-out method, the short and long term effects it has on your little one, and whether or not the criticisms that surround it are valid.

Episode 084 - 3 Things You Can Do Tonight for Better Sleep Mar 16, 2018

Show notes

Today, I'm going to try something a little different. I'm going to leave the kids out of the show altogether and focus specifically on you.

Because even though we may forget it from time to time, your sleep is every bit as important as your little one's, and grown ups tend to have issues getting to sleep and staying asleep just as often as their babies.

So today, I have three easy, effective tips for you that you can implement tonight to start improving your own sleep routine, on a special "Adults Only" edition of The Sleep Sense Show.

Episode 083 - 5 Tips for the Early Riser Mar 09, 2018

Show notes

After conquering their baby's persistent night wakings, many parents take a "Hey, that's good enough" approach if their little one insists on getting up at 5 in the morning.

And if it really is good enough for you, if baby's gotten enough sleep through the night, and you're ready to start your day at 5 AM, power to you.

But for those of you who are aching for that one extra hour in the morning, I want you to know that it's possible, and I'm going to tell you everything you need in order to help your baby learn the glorious art of sleeping in.

Episode 082 - Sleep Training With Twins Mar 02, 2018

Show notes

"There are two things life doesn't prepare you for. Twins."

There's no question that twins present a unique challenge to sleep training.

Do you keep them on the same schedule, even if they don't seem to want to sleep at the same time?

Should you keep them in the same room if one tends to wake the other up?

Today, I have (hopefully) all the answers that you're looking for when it comes to sleep training twins. How to synchronize their routines, what to do when one of them starts crying, and everything in between.

Episode 081 - Keep Your Toddler From Leaving Their Room Feb 23, 2018

Show notes

How many times have you finished up your little one's bedtime routine, kissed them goodnight, tucked them in, turned out the light, only to see their adorable little face appear in the hallway five minutes later? And then five minutes after that? And again, and again, until bedtime ends in a series of tears and ultimatums.

Keeping kids in their rooms is a tricky challenge. We can't just lock them in there, and they are oh so clever when it comes to figuring out which excuses get them a few extra minutes of awake time.

But I have a very simple, and very effective, solution to this problem, and it works almost all of the time. I won't lie, it's probably going to provoke a bit of a protest, but it will solve the problem quickly and permanently, and allow you to get back to enjoying your evenings without the surprise visits.

Episode 080 - The Highs and Lows of the Mompreneur Feb 16, 2018

Show notes

"The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams."

So said Oprah Winfrey, one of my biggest inspirations when I decided to start my own business, and she was absolutely right. And although I have realized my dream of being a mother and and entrepreneur, there are still moments that I wouldn't describe as especially dreamy.

Combining a family and a small business has been an adventure like no other, and as more and more women are taking the brave, exhilarating steps into the "Mompreneur" field, I thought I would take the opportunity to share some of the highs and lows of the experience in today's episode.

Episode 079 - "Scary Mommy" creator Jill Smokler Feb 09, 2018

Show notes

If you have kids and a sense of humor, chances are you're already a big fan of my guest today. Jill Smokler is the creator of the "Scary Mommy" blog, and the author of the New York Times bestsellers, Confessions of A Scary Mommy and Motherhood Comes Naturally (And Other Vicious Lies).

Jill's honest, unfiltered, and hilarious take on parenthood has helped millions of parents, myself included, to accept the less-than-glamorous side of child-rearing with a smile, and reminds us all that we don't need to be perfect parents in order to be great ones.

Episode 078 - The Pros and Cons of Pacifiers Jan 26, 2018

Show notes

Every parent I know has relied on the magic soothing abilities of a pacifier at one time or another, and for good reason. There's no arguing their effectiveness. Nothing quiets a crying baby faster with as little effort as popping a soother in their mouth.

Now, I'm not anti-pacifier, but I do think they should be used in certain circumstances, and that they can have a negative effect on sleep if used at bedtime.

In today's show, I'll tell you my thoughts on when is the right time to use them, when you should avoid it, and when is the right time to do away with them for good.

Episode 077 - Diagnosing the Wrong Deficit Jan 19, 2018

Show notes

According to a 2013 analysis by the NHIS, nearly 10% of children aged 4-17 will be diagnosed with ADHD at some point in their lives.

The trademark symptoms, hyperactivity, lack of focus, and forgetfulness, are easily attributed to the disorder, but my guest today has shown compelling evidence that many kids who display them are actually not suffering from ADHD at all, but actually from a lack of sleep.

Dr Vatsal Thakkar, Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the New York University School of Medicine, and author of the New York Times opinion article Diagnosing the Wrong Deficit, joins me on today's episode to discuss why the two conditions are so easily mistaken for one another, and how a renewed focus on your little one's sleep habits might just be the solution to the problem.

Epsiode 076 - Getting Your Baby Out of Your Bed Jan 12, 2018

Show notes

Some parents love the experience of sleeping next to their baby, whereas others end up doing it out of necessity, enduring the inevitable fingers in the nose and late-night kicks to the belly in exchange for an otherwise peaceful night.

But at some point, the time comes when your little one has to move into their own room and stay there, which, as many parents know, can be cause for a series of midnight meltdowns.

In today's episode, I have a bunch of useful tips for deciding if it's the right time to make the switch, explaining it to your child in a way they'll actually understand and (hopefully) embrace, and setting rules and rewards that will stop those middle-of-the-night visits and get your child sleeping on their own for good.

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