Restful Nightzzz Sleep Consulting

Maybe it would be fun to be our toddler for Halloween?!?….then again, maybe you’re too tired to dress up?

Getting your toddler to sleep better doesn’t have to include magic potions and sleep spells.

I can help you navigate and eliminate:
🎃Frquent wake-ups
🎃 Endless negotiating at bedtime
🎃 Bedtime related tantrums
🎃 Troubles with napping

Just book a call from my website link in my bio. I’m looking forward to chatting with you!

Happy Halloween and happy trick or treating. 🎃🧙‍♀️👻🍫🍬

~Michelle💜💤

Unfortunately there is another infant product recall 😩…

As a heads up, 4Moms has recalled some of their MamaRoo products that have 3 point harnesses. This is because the straps can hang down below the unit and can pose a hazard to crawling babies who can become entangled in the straps.

Here are the recalled models:
MamaRoo models that use a 3-point harness: versions 1.0 and 2.0 (model number 4M-005), version 3.0 (model number 1026), and version 4.0 (model number 1037). The MamaRoo model that uses a 5-point harness is not included in this recall.

4Moms states it will be contacting consumers but they have all of the details on their website as well including how to get a strap fastener for the 3-point harness.

Here are my tangential thoughts: (I have a 3 yr old so I think his attention span is wearing off on me). Although this particular recall is not related to infant positioning inside the MamaRoo, there is no doubt that baby positioners, inclined sleepers. pillows, loungers, swings and other products have come under increased scrutiny in regards to their safety as it relates to infant sleep.

As a certified sleep coach, my recommendations are made based on the most up to date research on the topic of safe sleep. Infants should always be placed on a firm, flat non-incline surface to sleep. The Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released their updated recommendations earlier this year for reducing infant deaths in a sleeping environment and state specifically that inclined surfaces >10 degrees are not safe for infant sleep.

But…what’s a tired and overstressed mom to do?? These things can be lifesavers when it comes to soothing a fussy infant. If you have these products an option is to utilize them for 10-15 min at a time when you can supervise & your infant is AWAKE (and maybe fussy too- let’s be real) They can be engaged with a sibling or watch you cook or fold laundry vs using the product to lull them asleep for naps.

If you are having trouble achieving safe sleep in your home I am here to help. I can help you digest alllll of the new recommendations in my guide to safe sleep. Just DM me if interested!

Sleep well everyone 💜💤

I have to say, this review made me tear up a little. 🥲

I’m sure a lot of you can relate that as parents we wear many hats. We work hard at work and at home.

It feels good to have my work validated bc as a Sleep Coach I can impact your life in many positive ways!

Not sure how to get sleep on track for your toddler? I have personalized solutions for you. DM me with your questions or book a free assessment call from my website (link in my bio).

Sleep well 💤💜

Hi beautiful mommas 💜 🤗. There is a NEW national mental health hotline designed for families experiencing depression and anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum.

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is here for anyone who needs it in English and Spanish via text and phone. 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS

Mothers can simply call or text the hotline at 1-833-943-5746 to speak with a trained counselor about things they may be struggling with. They can also receive referrals to community-based and telehealth providers, support groups and other community resources as needed.

This service is new and I’m sure there will be a learning curve as the service evolves but it’s encouraging to know there are immediate, very accessible, and free resources available.

I struggled myself with what was likely PPA and it was never diagnosed and I never reached out to anyone and looking back, I wished I had. It just felt like NO ONE else was dealing with things that way which I now know is just downright FALSE.

As a sleep coach, I see how sleep deprivation can exacerbate PPD/PPA symptoms in new moms and I’d be happy to be part of your family’s solution to bringing more sleep into your home. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.

If you are struggling, please know you aren’t alone, and if you have been through tough times and you feel comfortable doing so, you can comment below and share any additional resources you found to be helpful for you. Sending hugs 🫂💜

Michelle 💤

In my family March was jam packed with illness. Who can relate? 🙋‍♀️

We know that in order to get better, we need to rest and it’s hard to get that when everyone is sick and cranky!

Here is a guide to help your little ones get the rest they need without throwing a wrench in sleep habits you may have been working hard at maintaining

🤢 Stick to as normal a schedule as you can for naps and bedtime noting that your child may need extra rest during this time. Instead of letting your baby nap late into the afternoon, try putting them down ~30 min earlier for a nap.

🤢 Instead of a ton of screen time for hours all afternoon and evening (I know deff tempting), try doing quiet/calm/sedentary activities without TV 1-2 hrs before bedtime. Reading books, puzzles, sticker books, coloring, crafts, a long bath. This can help children fall asleep easier without all of the stimulation from electronic devices.

🤢 Be prepared for extra wake-ups during the night. It’s normal for sleep to be disrupted during illness and you can prepare in the evening with setting out extra clothes, sheets, medicines etc. This way you can calmly intervene with the lights low and try and provide comfort/care in the least stimulating way possible. This will help your child drift back to sleep easier vs them being wide eyed as you search for that extra sleep sack at the bottom of the laundry basket (umm…can you tell I’ve done this?)

🤢 If you are worried about leaving your child alone while sleeping, go to them instead of bringing them to your bed. This way, when they start to feel better they won’t have to re-adjust to their sleeping environment.

🤢 If you find yourself helping your baby/toddler to fall asleep, by rocking or holding them to sleep, that’s ok! Depending on the severity of the illness it might be harder for your baby to self soothe even if they could before getting sick. Never question your gut if you feel your baby needs more help than normal to fall asleep. The good news is that after your child is better you can go back to your old routine.

Wishing everyone a healthy Spring and if you need help getting back on track after illness, please DM me!

Michelle 💤💤💤

👋🏼 I’ll be doing a live discussion with about alllll things you’d love to know about infant sleep.

Come and join the discussion and I’ll be answering some of your questions at the end!

Melissa and I met when she reached out for help with her daughter’s sleep. As consultants, (she is a lactation consultant and pumping momma expert and I am a sleep consultant), we both are passionate about education and helping mommas and babies. Knowledge = Power 💪🏼

Come join us!

Looking for some advice on how to get back on 🛤 with your routine after the clocks go forward an hour on Sunday 3/13? Read below for these helpful tips.

Your approach can vary depending on the age of your baby as well as how rigid your schedule needs to be related to wake-up times and getting your little one out the door next week.

For newborns and infants following wake windows (not on a fixed schedule)
⏰ Let it be for the first morning (don’t wake your baby) and follow your wake windows for the day. After the first day, waking by 7:30 AM or so helps set a good tone for the rest of the day.
⏰ Adjust when the last nap ends to allow you to put your little one to bed within 30 min of their previous bedtime range.
—-If they were going to sleep between 7 and 8 before the time change then you’d now want to aim get them to bed between 7:30 and 8:30 on Sun night. (Remember the “new” 8:30 really feels like 7:30).
⏰ After 4-5 days you’ll find getting them back to their typical range is achievable
⏰ Don’t sweat it too much at this age bc in general there is enough variability in their schedule that it will fall into place!

For babies and toddlers on a set schedule with naps:
⏰ For the first (or only nap depending on your schedule), split the difference and add 30 min to their regular nap time. Do the same for 2nd nap and for bedtime. They may take longer to fall asleep and that is OK. You can do this for the first 3-4 days
⏰ On day 4, go back to the regular time.

Don’t forget to:
⏰ Disable the Hatch or make it later for at least the first day bc, lets be real, no need to loose an hour of sleep! If your little one is an early riser this could maaaaayybe be a chance to make a consistent change!

Things that help the entire family during this transition time
✅ Spend as much time as you can outside in the daylight- this helps set your body clock
✅ Make sure your baby and toddler (and you) is physically active. A tired body is a better sleeping body.
✅ As daylight extends, make sure you have those room darkening shades at the ready

Sleep well 💤💤💤
Michelle

The saying is 💯 true, no child is exactly alike!

That is great news in general (because variety is the spice of life) but it also can be overwhelming if you’ve tried versions of sleep training and they aren’t working for you and your baby. Or even more frustrating, your best friends baby falls asleep so much easier and you are having a much harder time.

Well, it’s time to embrace the unique experiences YOU are having. When I work with families and guide them through the sleep training process, I take into account many things as it pertains to sleep but I also consider and appreciate your little ones temperament and personality. And I feel it’s so important to appreciate the different personalities of mommies and daddies too. My personalized approach is important bc babies and children respond to different methods at different ages AND caregivers also might feel differently about the methods as well.

Finding a sleep training approach that works well for your baby AND YOU can feel daunting.

I’m here to listen to your sleep struggles and offer solutions. Please don’t hesitate to DM me to find out more about how I can help. 💤💤

Hi to all of my Philly friends. I am not affiliated with this research study (I do work at CHOP though) but if you and your child have ever been interested in participating in medical research, this study will hopefully give us more insight into how snoring affects sleep.

Eligability is:
1: Children between 8-12 who do not snore
2: A parent is present at all visits
3: Able to attend visits/assessments at CHOP in University City

✅ it out!

Financial compensation Support children’s sleep research

I 💜 being a sleep coach. It is so rewarding to see your clients achieve their sleep goals.

I’m a little (ok a lot) obsessed with helping tired families sleep better. One of the things I discuss with families when I first meet them is “what are your sleep goals?.” Every family and child is so different but here are some popular examples

📝 “I would love it if I could get my 3 year old to bed before 10 PM”

📝 “I would love it if my baby slept past 4 AM”

📝 “My baby is older now and still feeding 5 times a night. I would love to reduce down to one night feeding”

📝 “My baby only takes naps on the go. I would love it if I can have them nap in their crib”

📝 “I would like my child to sleep in their own bed.”

Whatever your goal(s) may be, as a sleep coach, I help develop a clear plan to help you get there. And then I support you for a full 2-3 weeks as you implement that plan.

Change is hard. Learning is a process. That’s why I’m here to help you through it!

You can book a free 15 minute assessment call with me and we can talk about your sleep goals. 💤💤💤

Https://calendly.com/restfulnightzzz