Habitual Sleepers

When your preschooler is transitioning out of their nap, it can still be helpful to offer quiet time or “rest your body” time in the afternoon. 🤍

Transitioning out of the nap can feel like a big adjustment for some families.
Offering quiet time can help maintain a familiar afternoon rhythm.

These activities can help support that part of the day when sleep is no longer happening:

• Reading books
• Puzzles
• Listening to music or audiobooks
• Drawing or coloring
• Building with blocks or Legos
• Play-Doh
• Stickers
• Small toys or figurines
• Arts and crafts
• Building a fort
• Cuddling a teddy bear or lovey

Save this for nap-transition afternoons ✨

More context below 👇🏻

Emotional intelligence matters. 🌟

It’s a huge part of being emotionally healthy—and it’s a skill we teach, not something kids are just expected to know.

Emotional intelligence is the ability to:

• recognize our own emotions
• understand what they’re telling us
• learn how to manage them
• and begin to notice and respect the emotions of others

One simple way to build this skill? Use a mirror.

🪞 Mirror, Mirror
(inspired by Rebecca Eanes, Positive Parenting)

Have your child look in the mirror and make the face they would have in different situations. This helps them connect feelings to facial expressions and body awareness.

Try prompts like:

• Your favorite toy breaks → angry
• You’re going to the park → excited
• You hear a sudden, loud noise in the dark → scared
• You can’t find the right puzzle piece → dissapointed
• Auntie came to visit → happy
• You make a funny face and start giggling → silly
• Your eyes feel heavy and body feels slow → tired

This isn’t about correcting emotions.

It’s about naming them, normalizing them, and giving kids the language to express what’s happening on the inside.

When children can identify how they feel, they’re far more capable of regulating those feelings as they grow. 💙

Simple tools. Lifelong skills.

Emotional intelligence matters. 🌟

It’s a huge part of being emotionally healthy—and it’s a skill we teach, not something kids are just expected to know.

Emotional intelligence is the ability to:

• recognize our own emotions
• understand what they’re telling us
• learn how to manage them
• and begin to notice and respect the emotions of others

One simple way to build this skill? Use a mirror.

🪞 Mirror, Mirror
(inspired by Rebecca Eanes, Positive Parenting)

Have your child look in the mirror and make the face they would have in different situations. This helps them connect feelings to facial expressions and body awareness.

Try prompts like:

• Your favorite toy breaks → angry
• You’re going to the park → excited
• You hear a sudden, loud noise in the dark → scared
• You can’t find the right puzzle piece → dissapointed
• Auntie came to visit → happy
• You make a funny face and start giggling → silly
• Your eyes feel heavy and body feels slow → tired

This isn’t about correcting emotions.

It’s about naming them, normalizing them, and giving kids the language to express what’s happening on the inside.

When children can identify how they feel, they’re far more capable of regulating those feelings as they grow. 💙

Simple tools. Lifelong skills.

I’ve been wanting to share more on this page lately, and today feels like the right time to share something personal. 💛

My mom passed away in April of 2025 in a car accident, and as a 30-year-old at the time, it made me reflect on my childhood in ways I never anticipated.

My mom was a deeply dedicated, attentive, and giving mother—and I truly had the BEST childhood. Nothing could have prepared me for how it would feel to lose her so young while navigating adulthood. I didn't realize how much just having her there—holding space—gave me confidence when thinking about marriage, pregnancy, giving birth, buying a home, and all the transitions that come with becoming an adult.

Navigating life without the person who brought me into this world carries a unique kind of weight. While I’ve always held deep empathy for mothers, this loss has made me more aware than ever of the unspoken role mothers play— the emotional anchor, the steady presence behind everything, the one who holds everyone together and whose presence alone makes life feel more manageable in ways you don't fully notice until it’s gone.

The passing of a parent is incredibly perplexing. Grief isn’t linear, and I’m taking it day by day—learning that love doesn't disappear, it just changes form. 💞🌷🫀

Thank you, Voyage Austin, for highlighting Habitual Sleepers and allowing me to share my story and the work I love so much. 🤍

How Your Child’s Lack of Sleep Affects Their Nervous System 🧠💤

When babies don’t get enough consolidated sleep, their bodies release higher levels of cortisol and adrenaline, keeping them in a constant fight-or-flight state. This disrupts the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for calming and regulating the body. Over time, poor sleep can lead to increased fussiness, difficulty settling, and shorter sleep durations. 😴⚡️

But when babies get the restorative sleep they need, their nervous system resets, promoting emotional and physical balance. 🌙✨

If your child is struggling with sleep and you’re ready to help them feel calmer and more regulated, I’m here to guide you!

👉 Schedule an intro call, and let’s create a personalized plan for better sleep.

Is your baby struggling to settle or waking up frequently? It might be more than just a phase! 😴✨ When babies don’t get enough restorative sleep, their bodies release higher levels of cortisol and adrenaline, making it harder for them to relax and sleep soundly. Poor sleep can disrupt the parasympathetic nervous system, keeping babies in a heightened fight-or-flight state, leading to fussiness and shorter sleep durations. But here’s the good news—when babies get longer, consolidated sleep, their nervous system resets, helping them feel calmer and more balanced. 🌙💤 If you’re ready to help your baby sleep longer and regulate their nervous system, I’m here to guide you! 👉 Feel free to schedule an intro call so we can create a plan to get your family sleeping better! #BabySleepHelp #ChildSleepConsultant #RestorativeSleep #BabySleepTips #Toddlersleep #CalmBaby #BetterSleepForBaby #SleepConsultantAustin #NightNannyAustin #RegulateNervousSystem #HealthySleepHabits #BabySleepSupport #ParentingTips #SleepSolutions

✨ Newborn Feeding & Sleep Tips ✨
Are you navigating the early days with your newborn? In my latest blog, I’m sharing essential tips on feeding and sleep in the first 7 weeks to help lay a strong foundation for your baby’s development. From responsive feeding cues to setting the best sleep environment, these tips are designed to support both you and your little one during this critical phase. 🌙👶

💡 Learn about:
✔️ Responsive Feeding & Hunger Cues
✔️ Optimal Sleep Foundations for Newborns
✔️ Day vs. Night Sleep Differences
✔️ Tips for Independent Sleep & Room Sharing

📖 Read the full blog for expert tips and guidance. Link in bio!

Spring Forward is here! ⏰ Worried about how the time change will affect your little one’s sleep? Don’t stress—I’ve got simple tips to help make the transition smooth! Check out my latest blog for all the details: https://www.habitualsleepers.com/blog/using-sleep-sacks-g2j7f 🌙✨

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Daylight Saving Time is almost here! ⏰ Worried about how it’ll affect your little one’s sleep? Don’t stress—I’ve got simple tips to make the transition smooth! 🌙✨ Check out my latest blog for all the details. Link in bio! 💛 #DaylightSavingTime #BabySleepTips #ToddlerSleep

🍼 Are Sleep Sacks Really a Must-Have? Let’s Talk! 🤔

Sleep sacks are a go-to for safe sleep, but do they work for every baby? While they help regulate temperature and prevent loose blankets in the crib, some babies might not love the snug feel. So, are they worth it? Let’s break it down! 👶💛

✨ Need expert sleep support? I help exhausted parents get their babies sleeping soundly! Learn more here: https://www.habitualsleepers.com/sleep-consulting

📲 Let’s Connect!
→ Follow me for more baby sleep tips: https://www.instagram.com/habitualsleepers?igsh=MTdkMng3eXNiZmZ1MQ==
→ Free Sleep Resources & Blog: https://www.habitualsleepers.com/blog

💬 Did your baby love or hate sleep sacks? Drop your experience in the comments! ⬇️

🍼 Are Sleep Sacks Really a Must-Have? Let’s Talk! 🤔 Sleep sacks are a go-to for safe sleep, but do they work for every baby? While they help regulate temperature and prevent loose blankets in the crib, some babies might not love the snug feel. So, are they worth it? Let’s break it down! 👶💛 ✨ Need expert sleep support? I help exhausted parents get their babies sleeping soundly! Learn more here: https://www.habitualsleepers.com/ 📲 Let’s Connect! → Follow me for more baby sleep tips: → Free Sleep Resources & Blog: https://www.habitualsleepers.com/blog 💬 Did your baby love or hate sleep sacks? Drop your experience in the comments! ⬇️ #babysleep #sleepsacks #infantsleep #newbornsleep #sleepconsultant #safesleep #momlife #gentleparenting

If you’re a sleep-deprived parent constantly in survival mode and want to help your child become a great self-soother and independent sleeper, read my article on the benefits of sleep training. 🙂

Struggling with Sleepless Nights? Learn How Sleep Training Transforms Your Child's Sleep As a sleep consultant, I understand that sleep is a cornerstone of children's health and development, yet for many families, achieving...