Help! My Baby Having a Sleep Regression!

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Most parents tell me that they feel like screaming out of extreme frustration when their child goes through a sleep regression. I get it, there is nothing more disappointing and confusing than when your child’s sleep patterns change and you start experiencing drama at bedtime and sleepless nights.

It is a challenging time in our world right now and it appears that more children than ever are experiencing very difficult sleep regressions.

In this video, I take the time to discuss all the reasons and triggers that cause a sleep regression and the steps to take to unwind the sleep regression.

In fact, I will be on Facebook LIVE on Thursday 7/9 at 2pm PST and I am more than happy to answer an ongoing questions you have about your child’s sleep regression behavior of if you have any new questions about your child’s sleep struggles. Please submit your questions in advance by 12pm PST on 7/9/2020.

https://bit.ly/3dMGL7v

In the end, it is always possible to “turn-around” sleep regression behavior and have your child sleeping blissfully for both nights and naps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC1OuJYoJWQ&w=560&h=315

Newborns! Parents You Will Want This Amazing Quick-Start-Guide!! Deadline 6/30/20

Let’s Make Sure You Have a Happy Newborn!

Let’s Make Sure You Have a Happy Newborn!

Do you have a newborn?

Are you wondering why newborn sleep is so unpredictable?

Are you trying to juggle a newborn along with a sibling and trying to align schedules?

I cover A LOT about Newborns in the FB live below. I also mention an AMAZING course for expectant parents or parents who just came home for the hospital.

Ann McKernick is truly a "baby/mommy whisperer" when guiding newborn parents through the first 10 days of their child's life.

She has this quick-start-video-course that will bring you clarity and confidence when getting to know how to care for your baby in the first 10 days of being home from the hospital! 

https://nurturednoggins.com/quick-start-guide-for-newborns/

I highly recommend this course at a $49 bargain that will be available till 6/30/20.Please be sure to forward to any of your pregnant friends or friends just coming home from the hospital. This will help them gain clarity and confidence instantly.

Below is the Facebook Live where I talk all about newborns. The first 15-30 seconds there seems to be a blank screen, but then the video feed kicks in.

I will be on Facebook LIVE this coming Thursday July 2 at 2pm PST. If you want to ask me a question, than please submit by 12pm PST on July 1: Submit here: https://bit.ly/3dMGL7v

<<< Click the image or here to watch the 6/18/20 Facebook Live Recording.

Sleep is bliss, let's get you more!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLf0veDAlDQ&w=560&h=315

"I want my dread and anxiety over bed-time and night-time to be over!"

I want my dread and anxiety over bed-time and night-time to be over!" Photo by niklas_hamann on Unsplash

I want my dread and anxiety over bed-time and night-time to be over!"

Photo by niklas_hamann on Unsplash

Can you relate to this.....

"I want to stop questioning myself and stop feeling like I am messing up all the time with my baby's sleep"

"I want my dread and anxiety over bed-time and night-time to be over!"

"I am feeling frustrated, exhausted and completely overwhelmed all the time because nothing I have done to help my baby sleep has worked"

Trust me, I understand. In my Facebook LIVE, I addressed these concerns so that you can stop feeling the crushing mommy-guilt and feel like there is hope and help to solve your child's sleep struggles.

Get some clarity to these difficult situations by listening to this video below.

<<< Click the image or here to watch the 6/4/20 Facebook Live recording

So....if you are feeling this way, than I can offer some relief from the relentless questioning and hoping. I want to support you in finding the right path and right answers for your family and parenting values.

 GET YOUR LIFE BACK...IT STARTS WITH SLEEP

Join me for an informative Facebook LIVE this Thursday June 18 at 2pm PST on my Facebook Page

Please submit questions no later than 10am on Thursday 6/18 so I can be very specific with my sleep solutions for you.

https://bit.ly/3dMGL7v

Don't worry, I do NOT advocate “Cry-it-Out”. I provide Guilt-Free, Gentle Sleep Coaching Solutions to minimize tears so you can enjoy easy bedtimes, peaceful nights, reliable naps and confident parenting.

I have helped over 1000 families solve their child’s sleep struggles and finally sleep through the night. That’s more that 3000 family members now sleeping blissfully. Let me help your family sleep better too!

Sleep is bliss, let's get you more,

Joanna Clark

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGzhODnOFkQ&w=550&h=315

On Behalf Of the 12 Million Infants & Toddlers: I Am Listening and Learning!

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I am hesitating even sending out this blog because of all the hurting going on in our nation. I am outraged. I am heartbroken. 

Did you know there are 12 million infants and toddlers in the United States?

Did you know the state where they are born and live during their first three years makes a big difference in their chance for a strong start in life?

Did you know that more than half (51%) of America’s babies are children of color?

The cutest and most innocent among us face big challenges. We must embrace the changing portrait of our nation’s babies and commit to end the racism that infects not only them, but us all. We can’t afford to squander the potential of a single child.

In that light, I am seeking out and listening very intently and carefully to voices of People of Color because the reality is we need to listen. After all, People of Color have been leading the fight for liberation for centuries. We need to follow their leadership and hear their voices to take the right next steps.

We all need restorative sleep to stay healthy and grounded. We need sleep so we can be patient and kind to one another during this incredibly emotional and challenging time in our nation. Because getting good sleep helps everyone sink into a more open and compassionate heart, I don't want to stop efforts to help tired parents.

Many parents are emailing me and are relying on the below information to help them solve their sleep struggles and they need the help RIGHT NOW.

So with deep compassion, I am following up on my promise to provide reliable information

In my Facebook Live from 5/28 I stayed for 1.5 hrs to answer every last question from all the exhausted parents that needed the right next steps to get some quality sleep. I have always promised to post the video so you can go back and listen and earn.

I will always send out the recording of the Facebook LIVE so here is the recording from 5/28/20. Some of the important topics I covered were.

• How to handle regressions.

• When do I know if I need to sleep train my child.

• How can I help my child sleep later in the morning.

Some of the resources I shared were:

Sleep Matters: Get your Ages and Stages Day & Night Sleep Guidelines

https://www.blissfulbabysleepcoaching.com/sleep-chart

Get Motivated for a Robust Training: Do’s & Dont’s: Understanding Everything About Sleep with your 6-15 month old.

https://www.blissfulbabysleepcoaching.com/sleep-in-2020

If you are in the mood to join me, I am going to do another session of GET YOUR LIFE BACK...IT STARTS WITH SLEEP on Thursday June 11 at 2pm PST.

Please don't hesitate to ask me about ANYTHING that has you confused about your child's sleep! Please submit this form Now so I can prepare a detailed answer for you.

Most importantly, please all lets take time to really open and hear the voices that matter right now.

In peace, justice, love and solidarity,

Joanna Clark of Blissful Baby Sleep Coaching

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDELx41-nmQ&w=560&h=315

Empathy & Co-Regulation: The Key to Less Tears When Sleep Coaching

Did you know that empathy and the concept of “co-regulation” is critically important to understand during your sleep coaching process?

In fact, one of the best ways to minimize crying during the sleep coaching process is to fully understand the how to effectively drop into empathy and co-regulate with your child.

Also, it is imperative that the parent understands their own stress responses so the parent can stay properly “regulated” during the time they are offering emotional and physical support during the sleep coaching learning process. If you have not done so, you might also want to watch the interview on all the tips and tricks to manage your own stress responses. Mystery Solved: Understanding Your Stress Responses. After all, we all want to be less reactive, less shut-down and enhance our meaningful connection to others.

Below is the engaging interview where we dive deep into these important topics with Chantal Donnelly of Body Insight. Chantal has a unique combination of expertise. She is a stress management and nervous system expert, as well as a physical therapist and a certified Resilience Toolkit Facilitator. In other words, Chantal deeply understands the science behind the mind-body connection. Watch our interview below to learn more!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBlE39BZpNg?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

In this interview, Chantal also mentions Brene Brown’s work on Empathy and I wanted you to also have this video to reference. This will not only be helpful in your parenting journey, but it most certainly will enhance your marriage!!

Brene Brown Empathy video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw

If you loved what Chantal had to say, please know that Chantal is hosting a
COMPLIMENTARY NERVOUS SYSTEM RESET WORKSHOP.

Saturday May 30th at 11 am (PST) / 2PM EST.  

Here is what you can expect to learn on the May 30th Workshop.

1.   Chantal will discuss why some people are noticing that the stress of the pandemic is flaring up some old, familiar physical pain in their bodies.  Hint: Stress and pain are intimately interrelated. 

2.   Chantal will talk about the myth of “self-care” and how to know if your self-care is helping you or harming you.  

3.   Chantal will review the 6 cranial nerves that activate your calming nervous system. We are going to learn some new tools that directly target those nerves. 

If you would like to attend, please email Chantal and I will send you the Zoom link!

Chantal@bodyinsight.com

Chantal Donnelly, MPT, Certified Resilience Toolkit Facilitator
Body Insight Inc.
chantal@bodyinsight.com
https://www.bodyinsight.com

213.215.6778 

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May you stay healthy in body, mind and spirit!

I had “Lunch with Leah”: A Lively Conversation about Well-being and Sleep

I absolutely LOVE doing Interviews!! I am excited to share that I was LIVE on FACEBOOK with Certified Nutritionist, Leah Hanson Vachani of Lunch with Leah (https://lunchwithleah.com) What I love about Leah, is that her specialty is to find ways to improve the health of busy moms. Thus, just like me, Leah, loves to share loads of "how-tos" for improving family health.

We had a lively conversation about the 5 best ways to get your child to sleep better, so everyone can finally be well-rested! We both share a passion for helping busy mom find accurate and reliable solutions to their questions about well-being and so pursuing blissful sleep is exactly what we focused on in this interview. Take a listen and let me know what you think!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8yc1LgyTkI?rel=0&w=640&h=360

CELEBRATION TIME: MY NEW BOOK HIT #1 INTERNATIONAL BEST-SELLING SERIES!

The way I see it…the whole month of May should be an on-going celebration honoring all Mothers! This is especially true during this difficult time of the pandemic when mothers are taking on a “gazillion” new rolls and responsibilities such as: zoom expert, home-schooler pro, short-order cook, inventory manager, grounds-keeper, after-school activities coordinator, and the list goes on and on!

Moms need encouragement and good information. It totally lights me up is to support mothers, not only on how to achieve BLISSFUL SLEEP for their whole family, but also to provide insight and resources to support you throughout all elements of your parenting journey. 

Thus, MY GIFT TO HONOR ALL MOTHERS IN MAY is a FREE Kindle version, as well as the Audio of my Chapter, Baby Sleep Strategies, in the book The One Thing Every Mom Needs toKnow - Volume 2. This book launched May 8, 2020 and it went to #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER IN 24 HOURS!

This book, The One Thing Every Mom Needs to Know - Volume 2, is like 30 little books in just one book, providing fast, accurate, and reliable information from leading experts to help moms become stronger and more confident in the fields of Pediatric Sleep, nutrition, relationships, mindset, and more. I am thrilled to be the featured Pediatric Sleep Expert.

The instant Audio download of my chapter, Baby Sleep Strategies is laser focused expert advice on 5 things you can do TONIGHT to improve your child’s sleep. Enjoy Instant Download Here

If you want the Kindle version of the whole book, it is $.99 from 5/12—5/18 and it is available Here.

Thank you for all you do to make the world go around….every day!!!

Mystery Solved: Understanding your stress responses: be less reactive, less shut down and enhance your connection to others.

Do you Sometimes Feel like this? Totally “MAXED-OUT” ? Photo by Finn Hackshaw on Unsplash

Do you Sometimes Feel like this? Totally “MAXED-OUT” ? Photo by Finn Hackshaw on Unsplash

During this quarantine time, I think the one thing we can all agree upon is that we are all dealing with stressful thoughts and big, bizarre emotional responses.

I am normally very even-keeled and adaptable, but this "shelter-in-place lifestyle has started to take its toll. I  have noticed I am definitely riggered by the "small stuff" or I lose motivation doing things that normally delight me...I hated the way I felt, so I knew I needed to find some answers.

Thank goodness I attended an amazing workshop by Chantal Donnelly of Body Insight. Chantal has a unique combination of expertise. She is a stress management and nervous system expert, as well as a certified Resilience Toolkit Facilitator and a physical therapist. In other words, Chantal deeply understands the science behind the mind-body connection.

Learning form her, helped me  "feel normal again" and thus, I just knew I had to interview her to share her knowledge by explaining the nature of stress responses, especially what happens during a pandemic. In this interview, she shares critical insights and offers some EASY and FAST tools that you can use to calm down and regulate yourself so you feel "like-yourself" again! 

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA3gsJ2eA7Y&w=560&h=315]

I hope this interview helped you "normalize" your feelings and reactions to life during Covid-19. If you join her email list ,you can participate in one of her upcoming STRESS INSIGHTS workshops that will help you to be less reactive, less shut down and enhance your creativity and connection to others. 

Also, in the interview, Chantal mentions that sometimes heightened stress responses can cause "floating pain" so if this sounds familiar, please know Chantal created two rehabilitation videos; “Pain Free at Work” and “Strong Knees” which are both available online at Udemy.com. 

Chantal can also work with you one-on-one to address your specific situation. You can reach her at:

Chantal Donnelly, MPT, Certified Resilience Toolkit Facilitator

Body Insight Inc.

chantal@bodyinsight.com

https://www.bodyinsight.com

213.215.6778 

Facebook

Instagram

May you stay healthy in body, mind and spirit!

Sleep is Bliss, Let's get you more!

If you feel totally “maxed out” because your baby is not sleeping well or taking “crap naps” than please don’t hesitate to reach out for support and gain insight on how to solve the sleep struggles once and for all. I offer guilt-free, gentle sleep coaching for newborns all the way to 6 year old children. I help you solve all your baby sleep issues! You can schedule a 45 minute Sleep Strategy Session so we can talk LIVE about your sleep struggles and determine the right next steps to help you and your family be well rested!

Tips & Tricks for The Spring Time Change 2020

Tips & Tricks for Spring Time Change 2020 Photo by Danny De los Reyes on Unsplash

Tips & Tricks for Spring Time Change 2020 Photo by Danny De los Reyes on Unsplash

It’s that time again: the “Spring Forward” 2020 Time change. In the US, we will turn our clocks ahead one hour this weekend at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 8th, 2020. If you are in Europe, the time change will begin on March 29th, 2020.

I am looking forward to the extra daylight and a dose of Vitamin D from the sunshine.  As with all time changes, the family should be prepared and expect some sleep disruptions and have tips and strategies on how to tackle it all.

If you employ these tips, it will be easier for your to support your little ones through their own transition.

This time change can often be very difficult for children. After all, imagine being used to a 7pm bedtime and now it’s been moved to what your body feels is 6pm!. 

Be patient as it does take the body 5-10 days for the natural circadian rhythm to get back on track.

To make the transition easier, I have outlined some tips to help your baby or toddler make a gentle change. Don’t worry. There are a couple of ways to tackle this transition and you can choose the one that suits your style and your child’s needs the best.

• Before the time change…be diligent that your child is getting adequate naps so that they aren’t overtired.

• Be prepared for your baby’s bedtime to feel earlier, since it actually is earlier. Remember, we’re jumping ahead a full hour, so what used to be 6:00 p.m. is now 7:00 p.m. (but it will still feel like 6:00 p.m. to your baby).

• Exposure to morning light can help the body “reset” the circadian rhythm. If it’s too cold, open the windows and let in some natural light.  Try to get at least thirty minutes of sunlight first thing in the morning for that initial week to help your body tune into the time change.

I recommend that you choose between two transition methods

Transition Method 1: Pretend that Nothing Has Changed.

• Best Method for Families with children with “early rising” tendencies (up before 6am)

• Best Method for busy Parents who already feel “rushed” at bedtime.

If you have a child that actually wakes up before 6am, then this may be the right method for you.  This method is probably the easiest for most families, as you will follow your daily routine according to the clock, but everything will be pushed ahead one hour.

If you choose this method do the following:

• Move your clock ahead an hour on Saturday night, and proceed with your normal day Sunday.

• Note: be aware that following this “do nothing approach” means your child will lose an hour, which has the potential to create a struggle at bedtime, because bedtime will be a full hour earlier than it was last night.

• Because your baby or toddler is not aware that the time has changed, they will wake up at their normal time (hopefully), but instead of 6:00 a.m., it will be 7:00 a.m. (see what I mean about solving that pesky early rising issue?).

• However, don't let your child sleep past 7:30 or 8am or else bedtime will be harder.

• Proceed with your normal day, and be sure that your meals and naps, and bedtime are at the appropriate time (you may have to watch the clock).

Remember that your baby will be going to bed at their “regular time”. For example, if your baby is used to a 7:00 p.m. bedtime, put them to bed at the NEW 7:00 p.m. (which was previously 6:00 p.m.). It is very possible that meals and naps will fall into place naturally with this method, but be prepared that your child may not actually be tired at bedtime yet. Remember, they don’t understand why they’ve lost an hour, and it’s suddenly still light out at bedtime, so you may have to be a bit flexible or now might be the time to install those room darkening shades.

This method of adjustment seldom takes more than a week!

Transition Method 2: Make DAILY adjustments

• Best for families that know the time change will be hard on their kiddo

• Best for families who feel more secure when they “plan in advance”

• About 5 days before the time change, begin putting your child to bed 10-20 minutes earlier, moving the time back every day or few days until you reach a full hour. So, if your child has a 7:00 p.m. bedtime, you want to begin with bedtime at 6:40 p.m. ,then 6:20 p.m., then 6:00 p.m.

• Be consistent as possible with your baby’s food and sleep schedule. This means that you need to shift all meals, snacks, and naps a half hour earlier as well.

• Watch the clock to stay on the new schedule of 30 minutes earlier.

• Don’t forget to wake your child a bit earlier to help with this transition schedule.

• After about a week, your child should be back at their 7:00 p.m. bedtime.

• Adjust all meals, snacks, and naps to fit the “new” schedule on the same day that you shift to your child’s new, fully-adjusted bedtime.

Here is an example: If your baby or toddler’s bedtime is 7 pm, it will look like this:

• Wednesday 3/4/20 : 6:40 pm bedtime

• Thursday 3/5/20: 6:30 pm bedtime

• Friday: 3/6/20 6:20 pm bedtime

• Saturday 3/7/20: 6:10 pm bedtime

• Sunday 3/8/20: 7 pm bedtime (new time—old time will be 6 pm)

Keep in mind that the goal is to be back to your baby’s normal bedtime (and routine) in just a few days (some children may take a bit longer, so don’t fret if your child takes a week or so).

Whichever method you choose, it’s important to remember that your baby’s internal clock is used to Standard Time. You may need to revert to some sleep training methods for a few days to help ease the time change. “Springing forward” also means that nights are shorter, which may be an issue for some children who are used to dark winter nights.  Remember, every child is different, and your little one will adjust, but don’t fret if it’s not overnight (some toddlers can take a few weeks to adjust!). Prepare for the transition to take a few days, and watch for those sleep cues that will tell you when your child is tired and ready to sleep!

Tips for Parents:

• Eliminate all caffeine after 1:30 p.m. this week in order to make it easier to go to bed earlier.

• If possible, also avoid alcohol this weekend, which negatively affects sleep.

• Go to bed 15 minutes earlier than usual on the Thursday 3/5/20

• On Friday 3/6/20 go to bed 30 minutes earlier than usual.

• On Saturday try to go to bed 45 minutes earlier than your usual bedtime (notice a pattern?).

Overview On How To Handle Daylight Saving Time:

• Decide which Daylight Savings sleep transition method you want to use to help your child adjust.

• Take your baby’s internal clock into account and watch for sleepy cues.

• Check to see if light is an issue, and consider purchasing room-darkening shades for bedtime, but also expose them to morning light in that first week to “reset” their internal clock.

• Most importantly, be flexible and patient. A time change is often hard on kids and adults alike. Readjustment can take about 5-10 days.  Just be mindful of the clock and your schedule.

• Keep evening plans calm and watch for sleepy cues. Dim the lights in house and avoid screen-time that can be too stimulating.

• If needed, use your preferred sleep training method to help encourage sleep and help your baby get the rest he/she needs.

I hope this information helps you feel informed and confident on how to enjoy Blissful Sleep!

If you happen to run into “glitches” with this time change, you may want to talk to a sleep expert to get sleep back on track. Please don’t hesitate to contact me for a

Sleep Tune-Up Call.

Please join my Facebook and Instagram Sleep is Bliss tribes.

Solve your child’s sleep struggles once and for all — so everyone finally sleeps again.

I help sleep-deprived families get where they need to be: well-rested.

There Is No Need To "Cry-It-Out"

I Offer Guilt-Free, Gentle Sleep Coaching

Easy and calm bedtimes, quiet, peaceful nights, reliable naps and confident parenting are yours.

With proven, evidence-based methods, an expert, signature process, and full-service support,

I help you tenderly teach the “skills of sleep” to your child.

I’ve Helped Over 1000 Families Sleep Through The Night.

That’s More Than 3000 Family Members Now Sleeping Better.

Let Me Help Your Whole Family Sleep Better, Too.