Little Sleepers, Big Dreamers Pediatric Sleep Consulting

Sleep schedules and routines do not need to be rigid. They need to be predictable and consistent but there is room for flexibility.

One way that you can add flexibility into your bedtime routine is by doing a bath every other night.

This switch provides flexibility into your evenings without causing bedtime chaos.

My recent blog post is about creating flexible sleep schedules without ruining your child’s sleep. Head to my website and give it a read!

Did #5 surprise you?

I don’t mean to be a Debbie Downer but having realistic expectations can make a big difference.

In the sleep world there is a lot of talk about how well-rested children are more flexible and can handle sleep interruptions easier than expected.

And this is absolutely the case!

But there is also the reality that some kids are more sensitive sleepers and may not handle sleep interruptions as easily as their siblings or cousins.

There’s nothing wrong with them - it’s just the way some people are. Kids can be sensitive sleepers and so can adults. We probably all know someone who brings their own pillow when they sleep away from home 🙋‍♀️

When we pack our patience we are intentionally preparing ourselves that our sensitive sleepers may have more meltdowns due to interrupted routines and less restorative sleep.

And when we know this, we can also try to minimize the interruptions using the other 4 tips in this post.

There is also so much greatness that comes from taking a family trip that even if sleep is interrupted the photos and the memories are worth it.

When you get back home, you’ll get back into your routines and you’ll be scrolling your trip photos with a smile on your face while your little sleeper sleeps soundly in their bed.

Yes and no.

There is a lot that goes into tracking sleep. For some parents it’s helpful but for others it can feel anxiety inducing.

Here is what tracking your child’s sleep can help you with:

What is the total sleep in 24 hours your child should be getting for their age?

What amount of sleep should come from naps and what amount should come from nighttime sleep?

If and when to cap naps or wake your child from a nap to preserve nighttime sleep

How long it’s taking them to fall asleep for naps and nighttime

The timing of things – how long are routines? What times should naps be at? When and how is feeding happening during the day and at night? Are you following a schedule that compliments their circadian rhythm? Are they going down too early or too late for a nap or for bedtime?

Head to my blog to read more about tracking sleep and how I use a sleep log with my clients to get their children sleeping well.

Here are the 5 reasons:

🛏️Emotional Reasons (separation anxiety, fear, or attachment, etc.)

🛏️Developmental Reasons (going through a leap, learning new skills, etc.)

🛏️Habits and Routines (Are they going to bed at a different time each night? etc.)

🛏️Environmental Reasons (temperature, coziness, sibling presence, darkness level, distractions, etc.)

🛏️External Factors (illness, nightmares, night terrors, stress, etc.)

I help families learn the root cause of why their preschooler is not sleeping in their own bed. Together we work on making changes to routines, behaviors, and expectations so your little sleeper can sleep in their own bed all night long!

Interested in learning more about how we can get your child the sleep they need to achieve their dreams?

Book a 15-minute call and let’s chat about how I can help your family.

It’s family vacation season ☀️😎🏖️🚤

Let’s make this a memorable and restful summer vacay.

Use this link to download a copy of The Ultimate Summer Travel and Sleep Guide for Free!!

https://mailchi.mp/3e083c74691d/summer-travel-and-sleep-guide

Summer travel is around the corner.

I'm always curious about where people are heading - let me know in the comments!

If you’re scratching your head wondering why your 3 year old is so hard to put to bed, I want to tell you the #1 reason I see parents feeling this way.

👇👇👇

A lack of clear, consistent boundaries.

Toddlers and preschoolers thrive when they know what to expect. And while boundaries are important at bedtime, they actually start long before the bedtime routine begins.

The more consistent boundaries are throughout the day, the less pushback children tend to give at night.

In my newest blog post, I’m breaking down:

why overtired preschoolers often fight sleep harder

how bedtime boundaries help children feel safe and secure

and the simple shifts that can make bedtime feel easier for everyone

If bedtime at your house feels like:
“one more book…”
“one more drink…”
“one more hug…”

At this age, kids aren’t trying to “win” bedtime.
They’re trying to figure out:

👉 Who’s in charge here?
👉 What happens next?
👉 Can I trust this routine?

And when the answer changes night to night, they’ll keep asking, pushing, and stalling.

It feels like they’re pushing all your buttons to drive you crazy but it’s really just because they are craving clear, consistent boundaries.

The good news?

You don’t need a complete overhaul to start seeing change.

Sometimes, a simple, predictable routine is the first step to calmer nights and more confident sleepers.

If you’re not sure where to start, I created something to help 🤍

Read my latest blog post: The Real Reason Your 3-Year-Old Is Hard to Put to Bed

Celebrating mothers every day, all day 💛💛

Consider this 👇

Is your child’s sleep association sustainable for you?

If you’re fine with rocking your child to sleep and they’re waking for it and you help them and you enjoy it, it’s okay. There’s no need to worry about your child’s sleep associations if it’s working for you and they’re getting the quality sleep they need to grow and develop.

It’s only a problem when the sleep association becomes exhausting or is no longer working. Sometimes what used to work, simply doesn’t anymore.

This can happen naturally with development when your baby becomes more aware of their surroundings.

Trust me, you’ll know when it’s time to remove or replace sleep associations!

You might see more night wakings, harder to soothe to sleep or back to sleep, and even sleep/nap protests. When this happens, your baby is ready for a change.

Would your family benefit from establishing independent sleep associations for your child? Visit my website to book a call with me so we can chat more about what the process looks like for us to work together to reach this goal.