As moms and former teachers turned pediatric sleep consultants, we know firsthand how important consistency is when it comes to teaching little ones—whether in the classroom or in the crib. Sleep training is a learning process, and just like any skill, it requires clear expectations, repetition, and patience to be successful.

Spring forward can feel like a big step back when you have a baby or toddler with a carefully crafted sleep schedule. Losing an hour overnight can lead to overtired, cranky little ones and stressed-out parents. The good news? A little preparation can help make the transition much smoother. Here’s how you can adjust your child’s sleep schedule to ease into the time change without too much disruption.

As a mom about to welcome my second baby and a sleep consultant, I know firsthand how crucial a well-designed nursery is for promoting healthy sleep habits. A thoughtfully arranged sleep space can make a significant difference in your little one’s ability to settle easily and sleep longer stretches. Whether you’re expecting your first baby or preparing for your second (like me!), here are my top tips for creating a sleep-friendly nursery.

Around 18 months, children begin to develop an imagination, and by 2 years old, it’s likely in full swing. This imagination and pretend play are vital parts of childhood. It’s how children learn about the world, process their emotions, and engage with others. However, children at this age often have a difficult time distinguishing what is real from what is imaginary.

All of a sudden, the monster they were running from during a game of tag is now hiding under their bed. The villain from their favorite movie is lurking in the closet. These fears stem from their blossoming imagination but can feel very real and distressing to a toddler.

Sleep is one of the most essential components of a healthy, happy family life. When your baby isn’t sleeping well, it can leave everyone feeling exhausted, frustrated, and overwhelmed. If you’ve found yourself Googling sleep training methods in the middle of the night, you’re not alone. But how do you know if sleep training is the right choice for your family? Here are some key factors to consider before making your decision.

Sleep is the foundation of healthy brain development and learning. For babies and toddlers, quality sleep supports memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and physical growth. As former teachers, we understand that well-rested children are better equipped to explore their world, absorb new information, and engage positively with those around them.

The holiday season is a magical time filled with joy, family gatherings, and travel. However, it can also be a challenging time to maintain your little one's sleep routine. Whether you’re visiting relatives, staying in hotels, or hosting guests at home, it’s essential to create a sleep-friendly environment for your baby or toddler. Here’s a list of must-have sleep essentials to keep your child well-rested during the festivities.

The holidays are here—a season of joy, celebration, and connection. But amidst the festive lights and cheerful music, many families face a silent struggle: sleep deprivation. This year, consider giving your family the most precious gift of all—the gift of sleep. It’s a present that benefits everyone, from the tiniest newborn to the busiest parent.

When it comes to baby sleep, there’s a lot of information out there—and, unfortunately, a lot of it is misleading or just plain wrong! As parents, we want to do what’s best for our babies, but figuring out what advice to follow can be challenging. Here, I’ll debunk some of the most common baby sleep myths so you can feel more confident in helping your little one get the sleep they need.

As the weather cools down, sick season often sneaks up on us, bringing with it a host of challenges—especially for parents of babies and toddlers. When your baby has a cold, congestion, or fever, getting them to sleep well can feel nearly impossible. Here’s a guide to navigating baby sleep during sick season, with tips on helping your little one get the rest they need to recover faster.

As the clocks "fall back" for Daylight Savings Time, many parents dread the potential impact on their children’s sleep. The end of DST means an extra hour of sleep for adults, but for children, this shift can create disruptions in their routine. Suddenly, a child who normally wakes up at 7 a.m. may be waking up at 6 a.m., or a bedtime that was previously smooth may become a nightly battle.

Let’s get real for a moment. My 2.5-year-old daughter, despite having a mom who’s a certified sleep consultant, went through a really tough phase with bedtime recently. She’s usually a great sleeper, but for a few weeks, bedtime became a major challenge. And you know what? That’s normal. Even when you’ve got all the tools and strategies in place, bumps in the road and regressions are part of the process. It can happen to anyone.

While there inevitably does come a time when naps should be dropped, moving straight to being awake, active, and engaged for 12+ hours a day is a huge shift. In order to give them (and you) a little mid-day break to reset we suggest moving to a quiet time when dropping the nap. Quiet time is exactly as it sounds, a short break in the day while your toddler engages in a quiet, independent activity. If you’re panicking that your toddler may struggle with this transition, we have tips and tricks to ensure it runs smoothly.

Establishing positive sleep associations for your baby is crucial for ensuring they get restful, uninterrupted sleep. These associations, which are cues or routines that help your baby recognize it's time to sleep, play a significant role in creating a soothing sleep environment. Here’s a comprehensive guide to understanding and implementing positive sleep associations for your little one.

One of the most common questions we get when chatting with brand new parents is how do I teach my newborn to sleep in their bassinet? First, I want to assure you that the desire to sleep in your arms, in the wrap, on the pillow etc. is completely normal. That little baby has spent 9 months snuggled up in mom’s womb, sleeping independently in a bassinet or crib is a big transition!

The term "witching hour" may conjure images of supernatural occurrences and eerie events, but for parents of newborns, it refers to something far more tangible—and sometimes just as scary. The witching hour in babies is a period, usually in the late afternoon or early evening, when your usually calm baby becomes unusually fussy and inconsolable. Understanding this phenomenon can help parents manage these challenging hours with more patience and confidence.

Because of our backgrounds in education, Emily and I are both passionate about instilling a love of reading in the kiddos we work with. To many people it probably seems silly to read a bedtime story to a newborn, but getting in the habit of reading together regularly has huge benefits for your child long-term! Children who are read to daily are exposed to 290,000 more words prior to entering kindergarten than those who are not. I can assure you from my years in the classroom that a robust vocabulary is one the biggest predictors of success in school. What a fun and easy way to give your little one a head start!

As the days grow longer and warmer, summer brings a unique opportunity to enhance your child’s sleep quality. While the season often tempts us to stay up late, the benefits of spending time outdoors during summer can significantly improve your child’s sleep. Randi & I have joked that our goal this summer is to spend as much time outside each day as we possibly can, to tire out our toddlers the best we can. Here’s how embracing the great outdoors in summer can lead to better sleep.

Welcoming a new baby into your life is a joyous occasion, accompanied by a whirlwind of emotions and responsibilities. Among the many important tasks on your parenting to-do list is ensuring that your little one sleeps safely. In this blog post, we'll explore essential safe sleep practices for babies, providing you with the knowledge and confidence to create a secure sleep environment for your precious new bundle.

So you’ve worked hard to get your baby into a great routine. Your baby is sleeping through the night, naps are going well and you’ve worked to create the ideal sleep environment for your child. All of this is great and something you should be so proud of, however, the reality of life is that you’re not always going to be able to have that perfect schedule and environment. The anxiety leading up to a trip or family vacation with a little one can be overwhelming, especially while worrying how it will impact your little one’s sleep routine.