Jenni Lafin Sleep Solutions

01/19/2025

Getting your baby or child to sleep better is easy once you know how it works. But books and internet articles and mom groups tend to only give you part of the answer. You need someone to help you put all the pieces together:  To look at what’s happening in your family; to understand your unique situation.
 
When you work with me, you will learn what makes up healthy, restorative sleep. More importantly, you’ll learn how you can shift your mindset to empower your baby or child to sleep better. 
 
Your child was created to sleep well. Let me show you how easy it can be.
 

02/17/2024

Does your newborn fight sleep?

Do they “hate” their crib?

Try this…

Offer sleep more often. Here’s why…

🌟Most newborn babies can’t comfortably stay awake more than 30 to 60 minutes at a time. Some need to go back to sleep even sooner than that!

🌟When very young babies get overtired, they get uncomfortable. That can look like many things, including “fighting” sleep or seeming to hate being put down.

🌟Try putting your baby back to sleep after just a feed and a diaper change. In these early days, that may be all they can handle and that’s OK.

They (and you) need all the sleep you both can get!

01/27/2024

WHY do we shame moms for trying to get some sleep?

Why do we normalize being exhausted as a badge of honor that comes with being a parent?

The long-term results of sleep deprivation are well documented. Chronic sleep loss is linked with many problems for adults as well as for children, including:

*Depression & anxiety
*Increased illness / injury
*Behavior problems
*Learning problems

Sleep training your baby or child will NOT cause harm or damage your bond with them. You don’t need to sleep train or change anything if what you’re doing is working for your family. But let’s stop shaming parents who choose differently for their families.

Let’s normalize being well-rested, so we can ALL show up for our kids as our best selves.

01/20/2024

New Blog: Is it time to drop the midday nap?

If you’re wondering:

*Why naps get harder around age 2 1/2
*Whether to drop the nap “cold turkey”
*How to keep naps AND good nights going…

This blog has your answers!

01/18/2024

This week I released my latest blog article, and it was featured by the Family Sleep Institute. Check it out!

Jenni Lafin of Jenni Lafin Sleep Solutions shares her new blog answering the question "Is it time to drop the midday nap?" Check out her great advice to make sure you're making the right choice for your child's sleep!

https://familysleepinstitute.com/blog/2024/01/16/is-it-time-to-drop-the-midday-nap/

01/13/2024

Has your child suddenly stopped napping?

I’ve got you!

Don’t panic, but do be sure to check out these helpful tips on what NOT to do during nap strikes.

07/29/2023

“But will an early bedtime cause my baby to wake up earlier?”

This is the #1 question I get when I work with clients. They worry that putting their baby down earlier for the night will cause a super early wake up. And I love when their baby shows them the opposite is true!

This is a 9-month old who is currently transitioning from 3 to 2 naps. We have been working on naps in the crib and independent sleep skills. Yesterday he didn’t take a 3rd nap, in which case I recommend a super early bedtime of 5 pm.

And look at that!

If you’re ready to get your baby, child and family sleeping better, I would love to tell you how I can help you. Book an introduction call today!

07/11/2023

Comment BEDTIME and I’ll send you my blog which details how to figure out the “right” bedtime for your baby or child!

07/01/2023

Fireworks are LATE and LOUD. But don’t worry - your baby or child can still sleep well!

STAYING IN?

1. Don’t assume the worst! Your child sleeps deepest in the hours before midnight, so get them to bed early. They may not even hear anything.

2. Use an extra white noise machine, or try turning the volume up slightly at bedtime. Place white noise between your child’s crib or bed, and the source of the loudest noise.

3. If they do wake and seem frightened - it’s OK to offer reassurance! But keep that visit brief and let your child return to sleep on their own.

HEADING OUT TO WATCH?

1. Offer extra sleep the day of the event. You can try a later nap or an extra catnap. Also make sure your child is rested leading up to the night of the fireworks.

2. Dress them for bed before the show. Yes, I want you to do most of your bedtime prep before you actually head out - dinner, bath, Pyjamas. That way you don’t lose time after the event and can get them straight to bed - a low key car ride home can be the final wind down.

3. Recover with an extra early bedtime the next day. Your baby or child will be a little short on sleep. Expect naps to be off the next day - that’s just how it goes - so plan to get them down by 5:30 or so the next night.

Remember to ENJOY the holiday and the long weekend. Your little one’s sleep will get back on track quickly if you have a great foundation!

06/16/2023

My son turned 6 this month, and his midday nap has turned into more of a quiet time most days. But with us traveling to Sedona this week (a 2-hour time difference + long flight + car ride) + sleeping in a new place + lots of swimming & hiking) he is more tired. He has been napping consistently since we got here. Here he is after yesterday’s nap. He was one happy kid, and we were able to take advantage of a slightly later bedtime.
 
Naps restore a sense of well-being in our kids. Your 5- or 6-year-old may not need to nap every day but, they can still benefit from quiet or rest time. And there will be times that your school-age child will still need to nap. Examples include:
 
-       Travel
-       Illness or recovery from being sick
-       Increased activity levels – sports, swimming and even school
 
Even if they don’t sleep, it’s still good for their bodies and minds to have some downtime.
 
Worried about a snooze pushing bedtime too late? Cap the nap at 45 minutes or 1 hour and be sure not to let them sleep too late in the afternoon. The ideal nap start is around 12:30 – 1:00 p.m.
 
So go ahead – offer them the chance to rest. The break is good for you, too!