Have you noticed that your child has trouble settling to sleep after an evening of stimulating activities or screen exposure? You may be seeing the result of dopamine. Dopamine is an essential neurotransmitter found in the brain used for daytime pursuits and is released to help us with alertness, motivation and pleasure. However, when dopamine levels are at a high in the evening, it can hinder a child from falling asleep. Let's talk about how dopamine interferes with sleep an

As as a sleep consultant for babies, the parents I meet have often tried all sorts of tips and tricks to help baby sleep better, only to find their attempts have amounted to minimal results. Recent research now shows that there is a link between low iron levels (iron deficiency anemia - IDA) and poor sleep in children. What is Iron Deficiency Anemia? An estimated 20-25% of children worldwide are deficient in iron, which is particularly impactful during a baby's critical initi

When sleep training is complicated by night terrors, it can be utterly distressing for parents to navigate. Being equipped with the knowledge of what terrors are and how to manage them can be a guiding light during a midnight mayhem. I hope to help you understand and present techniques to help both you and your child tackle these overnight disruptions. What Are Night Terrors in Toddlers? Another common name for night terrors is sleep terrors. Both night terrors and sleep terr

Can you sleep train while sharing a room with baby? As a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant and a mom myself, I can empathize the conflicting thoughts about sharing a room with your baby. Having close proximity to your baby is convenient, yet it can be a cause for more frequent night wake-ups. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages parents to room share with their newborn for the first six months, but provides little guidance on how to navigate this. I'm equipp

Sleep training is often difficult for both baby and parents, but what makes matters even harder is if baby vomits during sleep training. I'm going to walk through the challenges behind vomit and sleep training and how to manage it. Why does my baby throw up from crying? Sensitive gag reflex reacts to crying The most common suspect for why a child will vomit during sleep training is from crying intensely. Prolonged crying can also trigger their gag reflex, leading to vomiting.

When baby turns six months old, there are fewer nutritional benefits from night feeds but more associations with comfort or habit feeding. This is why at six months of age, it is a great time to start thinking about how you will drop the remaining night feeds. Understanding the science behind how babies regulate their caloric intake will help you see the reasons why you might want to make the transition yourself and give you confidence that your baby is ready for this change.

What is Intriguing About Sleep As a Pediatric Sleep Consultant, I am admittedly a sleep nerd and I am loud and proud about it! There's something mysterious yet magical about baby sleep. It's like steering a ship in an open ocean, trying to navigate the winds and storms that would weather even the strongest crew. There's more to it than a bedtime routine or a nap schedule. Baby's sleep is a journey where the mind grows and develops as the body rests and restores itself. What

Happy 2024, everybody! It’s a whole new year full of potential and opportunities! If you’re like me, when the calendar flips over, you set some lofty new goals to improve your quality of life. Get more exercise, eat healthier, land a new job, save some money, spend more time with family, there’s no shortage of resolutions we can make to make ourselves and our families happier and healthier. The practice of making a “New Year’s resolution” has been around for hundreds of years

Friends, family, neighbors, and acquaintances take this occasion to visit with one another in person, which I’m sure we can all agree is...

While our bodies rest, our brains embark on an intricate journey each night. Far from being idle, the brain during sleep engages in a...

Understanding Co-regulation Co-regulation refers to the process where an adult helps a child manage and understand their emotions and...

Navigating through the often turbulent waters of parenting can be both a joy and a challenge, especially during the developmental stages...

It’s common knowledge that sleep deprivation is part of the new-parent package. Everyone teases a new parents about the myth that they'll...

Introducing a sibling is a significant milestone for your family, obviously, but it’s particularly uncharted waters for your older child.

Taking an international flight with a baby can be a daunting prospect, let alone a red-eye flight. Babies thrive on routine, and...

Baby Monitors: The Good And The Bad There are a few accessories that you might as well pencil into the budget if you’re planning on...

Q: Wait. There’s a “World Sleep Day?” Yes indeed, there absolutely is, and it’s coming up on March 15th, 2024. Although it may not have...

So, first off, congratulations! You’ve either just welcomed a new baby into the house, or you’re about to shortly. And congratulations...

The sight of a sleeping baby is the most peaceful, comforting image I can imagine. The sheer peacefulness, the softness of those fluffy...

If you start to see a sleep regression, baby is suddenly waking up crying two or three times a night, naturally, you’re going to look for...