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Have you heard of the Wonderfold Wagon?
It’s no surprise that over the years they come out with new and improved baby gear but the Wonderfold Wagon Stroller is a new level of amazing!! I love learning about new tips, tricks or products to share with my clients especially when they are helping families maintain beautiful blissful sleep! Holidays are coming and the Wonderfold Wagon is a great item to add to your wishlist!
Need a convenient way to nap on the go? Got multiples? Toddler that loves standing up? Older kiddos in sports? Going away for a family trip? You’ve got to check out the Wonderfold Wagon Stroller.
Perfect for napping on the go- think “pack and play on wheels”. Baby naps while older kids can still enjoy the fun. The sides have blackout fabric and some models have an adjustable canopy that make this a great little blackout option that mimics their usual nap environment. Baby can nap on the way to the school bus stop! A client raved about how this product was an absolute life saver to maintain their 6 month old’s nap schedule while spending the entire day at a water park!
Need a way to contain little ones while outside or at older siblings activities- This is the perfect way to contain little ones without feeling like they are strapped down!
U-Boat- Load this thing down with ALL THE THINGS and roll right into the hotel. No more 100 trips to unload the car while one parent manages the kids in the hotel room. Walk in as a family, one trip and the car is unloaded and the family can be ready to enjoy the hotel pool within 15 minutes of check in!
Multiple kids? Wonderfold easily fits 4 kids and has huge weight limits so it will work way beyond when a child maxes out the weight limits of a typical stroller. (Up to 300 lbs total or 99 lbs per bench when using the seats for the W4 model). Check out all the options Wonderfold has!
Stroller or wagon- Use with the seats in or out. They are easily adjusted so you can use it with the seats out like a wagon or the seats in like a stroller.
Storage- The storage on this wagon is incredible. When you use the seats, there is SO much room to store everything under the seat and in the storage basket.
Learn more about the Wonderfold Wagon options.
Are you wondering how in the world people get their kid to nap, never-mind nap on-the-go? Are you looking for alternatives to cry it out?
The first step to see if I can help you achieve beautiful, blissful sleep is to schedule a 60 minute ZOOM sleep strategy session. Go to this link and complete the contact me form and I will be in touch within 24 hours with directions on how to schedule your Sleep Strategy Session.
If you are still wondering if I can help, please know I do NOT advocate 'cry-it-out'. I am a Gentle Sleep Coach. If you want to learn about my guilt-free and gentle process, please go to these links.
The Blissful Baby Stairway to Sleep
Please join my Sleep is Bliss Tribe in Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn so we can stay connected and you can continue to get amazing resources on sleep and family wellness.
Sleep is Bliss, Let's Get you more!
Early Rising Behavior
It is the WORST when you hear your little one waking BEFORE 6am. In the world of Sleep Science, we call any wake-up between 4-6am Early Rising behavior.
Unfortunately, once this behavior starts, it takes on a life of its own and it can become very stubborn to unwind the behavior. In the video below, I breakdown the causes of early rising and offer some tips on how to get sleep back on track.
Do you feel you need more support in getting early rising back on track?
The first step to see if I can help you achieve beautiful, blissful sleep is to schedule a 60 minute ZOOM sleep strategy session. Go to this link and complete the contact me form and I will be in touch within 24 hours with directions on how to schedule your Sleep Strategy Session.
If you are still wondering if I can help, please know I do NOT advocate 'cry-it-out'. I am a Gentle Sleep Coach. If you want to learn about my guilt-free and gentle process, please go to these links.
The Blissful Baby Stairway to Sleep
Please join my Sleep is Bliss Tribe in Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn so we can stay connected and you can continue to get amazing resources on sleep and family wellness.
Sleep is Bliss, Let's Get you more!
Kids sleeping great but Parents not? Learn about common Sleep Disorders!
As a Gentle Sleep Coach, I strive to be a source of accurate and reliable information. While my Gentle Sleep Coaching practice primarily works with children from birth to age 6, my goal to lead the charge for a WELL-RESTED REVOLUTION includes the entire family sleeping well. Once their child is sleeping through the night, I have had client's realize that it's not only their child that was "causing" their own exhaustion and the parent might discover they have a sleep disorder.
I found a great article that I wanted to share that discusses sleep disorders- common causes, symptoms and types. If you relate to these symptoms please make sure you reach out to your doctor and explore it further.
Sleep is a biological process that helps the body in performing certain functions. In fact, sleep is important to maintain good health. Disturbed sleeping patterns affect your health, safety, and quality of life.
Sleep disturbance increases your risk of other health disorders too. Sleep disorders are on the rise in the United States. More than 70% of high school students get less than eight hours of sleep on weeknights, leading to sleep disorders and poor health.
According to the recommendation of health experts, adults should get at least seven to nine hours of sleep at night. However, these requirements are personal and can vary from person to person. When children get too little sleep, it negatively affects their ability to properly and efficiently function.
Causes and Effects:
Sleep disorders occur because of hectic schedules, stress, and fatigue. These disorders occur when prior mentioned issues occur regularly and interfere in someone’s life, causing them to need proper remedial measures.
Disturbed sleep makes a person feel extremely exhausted during the daytime too. Deprivation of a sound sleep interferes with concentration, mood, energy, and entire life.
The causes vary for different sleep disorders, however, the common ones are:
Heart disease, nerve disorders, lung disease, and pain
Mental illnesses
Depression and anxiety
Medicines
Genetics
Caffeine and alcohol consumption
An irregular working schedule
Aging
Sometimes the causes of sleep disorders are unknown.
When you have a sleep disorder, you want to receive a diagnosis and proper treatment without wasting any time. Delay in treatment can lead to further health hazards, affect your work efficiency, and impact your overall performance.
Symptoms:
Just like the causes, the symptoms also vary depending upon the type of disorder. Some signs that show a person may have a sleep disorder include:
Difficulty in falling asleep every night
Waking up several times each night and then having trouble falling back to sleep
Waking up too early in the morning
Falling asleep at the wrong times during the day
Feeling sleepy during the day
Taking frequent naps
Snoring loudly, gasping, snorting, making choking sounds, or stopping breathing for short periods
Jerking legs or arms often during sleep
Dozing, or having dreamlike experiences while falling asleep
Having episodes of sudden muscle weakness
Creeping, crawling, or tingling feelings in legs or arms that are relieved by massaging, or moving them, especially while trying to fall asleep
Struggling to stay awake when inactive, such as when watching television or reading
Having difficulty with your memory
Giving slow responses
Facing difficulty in paying attention or concentrating at work, in school, or at home
Types of sleeping disorders:
There are almost eighty different types of sleep disorders. Some of the most common are:
Insomnia:
The recurring difficulty to go to sleep and remain asleep despite all means and sources to do so are available is called Insomnia. People suffering from insomnia may experience excessive sleepiness in the daytime. About fifty percent of adults experience signs of insomnia and ten percent suffer from chronic insomnia. Insomnia can be associated with medical, psychiatric conditions or it may occur by itself.
Sleep maintenance insomnia causes difficulty in sleep at night.
Sleep-onset insomnia means difficulty falling asleep, even if a person feels tired.
Mixed insomnia is a hybrid condition in which sleep-onset and sleep maintenance insomnia symptoms are found.
Sleep apnea:
A common sleep-related breathing disorder is apnea, which occurs due to blockage of the upper airway. People suffering from apnea often wake up choking or gasping for air. Like other sleep disorders, heavy snoring is another common symptom. Sleep apnea can lead to excessive sleepiness and fatigue during the daytime as well as other cognitive impairments.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by a blockage of the airway. It occurs when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses while sleeping. Obstructive sleep apnea is generally characterized by fatigue, restlessness, snoring during sleep, trouble concentrating, and gasping for air during sleep.
In Central sleep apnea (CSA), the airway may not be blocked, but the brain fails to guide the body to breathe. It is known as central sleep apnea because it’s related to central nervous system functions. People suffering from central sleep apnea may gasp for air but generally, experience repeated sleep
disturbance at night.
Restless leg syndrome:
Restless leg syndrome, RLS, is a sleep disorder that creates an intense and irresistible desire to move the legs. In this disorder, the patients feel itching, throbbing, and other painful sensations in their legs and a great desire to move them while they’re at rest. Restless legs syndrome often occurs in the evening, just before the patient wants to go to sleep. It can be related to problems in daytime sleepiness, concentration, and irritability. People suffering from RLS want to have a walk and shake their legs to help relieve the pain sensation.
Restless legs syndrome is a sleep-associated movement disorder that is found in 7-10% of the people of the United States. Unfortunately, it can’t be treated through moderate exercises, changes in lifestyle, except that night-time stretching may provide some relief in certain cases.
Narcolepsy:
Narcolepsy affects the control of sleep and wakefulness, as it is a neurological disorder. In narcolepsy, the patient feels excessively tired during the day despite getting a long rest at night. People with narcolepsy may fall asleep at inopportune times. It can also lead to sleep-onset and sleep maintenance problems in some cases.
Narcolepsy type 1 causes a sudden loss of muscle tone that makes the patient fall or slump over, and it can be injurious and painful.
Narcolepsy type 2 causes sleep attacks. Narcolepsy symptoms are roughly found in one in two thousand adults in the United States and Europe. It normally starts between the ages of fifteen to twenty-five, but it can be found at any age. Narcolepsy is often undiagnosed and no treatment is taken.
Conclusion:
When you feel you might have a sleep disorder, immediately seek a diagnosis and treatment. Those who don’t have proper sleep, experience significant difficulty in their daily activities like impaired decision making, irritability, slower action times, and accidents during work. Sleep deprivation may also lead to the development of diabetes, heart diseases, and obesity.
Failing to get the proper amount of sleep results in a tired feeling during the day. Sleep disorders affect cognitive function, which may cause learning hardships for students, memory loss in people of all ages, depression, and personality changes.
To deal with sleep disorders and in order to get healthy sleep visit Sleep On It Resources:
Caitlin Goodwin, DNP, RN, CNM, is a Board Certified Nurse-Midwife, Registered Nurse, and freelance writer. She has over twelve years of experience in nursing practice.
https://pacificmedicalacls.com/sleep-disorders
Are you are struggling to get your child to sleep at night or take consistent naps?
The first step to see if I can help you achieve beautiful, blissful sleep is to schedule a 60 minute ZOOM sleep strategy session. Go to this link and complete the contact me form and I will be in touch within 24 hours with directions on how to schedule your Sleep Strategy Session.
If you are still wondering if I can help, please know I do NOT advocate 'cry-it-out'. I am a Gentle Sleep Coach. If you want to learn about my guilt-free and gentle process, please go to these links.
The Blissful Baby Stairway to Sleep
Please join my Sleep is Bliss Tribe in Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn so we can stay connected and you can continue to get amazing resources on sleep and family wellness.
Sleep is Bliss, Let's Get you more!
Fall Time Change Tips: November 6, 2022
The Fall Time Change 2022 is this coming Sunday, November 6th at 2 a.m.
At each seasonal time change, parents often reach out to me with great trepidation about how this time change will affect their child’s sleep schedules. It is true, the “fall back” time change can cause havoc on sleep.
Not to worry, I am going to guide you so this time change minimizes stress and confusion!
Watch this video for a summary of my sleep expert's tips and tricks on how to adjust to the Fall 2022 time change.
Click image or here to watch video
So here are some facts to consider:
The “Fall Back” time change in the US is on Sunday November 6th 2022 at 2 a.m.
You will “fall back” by setting your clocks back by one hour.
This fall time change is often EASIER than the spring time change. You will enjoy a “bonus hour” of overall sleep and a “bonus hour” of light in the morning. Thus, waking up in the morning will definitely be easier.
In the evening, it will be darker one hour earlier. You may find that both you and the kiddos will likely become drowsy earlier.
This time change can trigger “early rising” between 4-6 am, so be prepared to handle this event when it occurs.
Seasonal time change is all about working with the biological rhythms which are primarily driven by natural light and the onset of darkness and adapting the schedule and routine of your day (i.e., wake times, meal times, nap times, etc.)
Please know it can take up to 2 weeks for a child to make the transition to the new time change, so be patient and mindful of your child’s needs.
There are two strategies to consider in tackling the fall time change for children 6 months-6 years of age.
Proactive Approach: Make changes to your routine 3-7 days prior to the time change. This strategy of incremental change is best for children that tend to be early risers (waking before 6am) or children that tend to be sensitive to schedule changes.
How To Make Incremental Changes:
Start putting your child to bed 10-15 minutes later than his/her normal naptime or bedtime and then make similar changes to the nap schedule and meal schedule.
Every other day/night, try to “move up” meal time, naptime and bedtime by 10-15 minutes. Do this until the night of the time change.
The goal is to complete shifting your child’s bedtime schedule up by a full hour by the time the clock changes on November 7, 2022.
For example: if your child’s normal nap time is 8:45am, bump it to 9am and each day keep “bumping it forward” till you bumped it a fully 60 minutes hit an hour.
If you would rather “work” the bedtime angle then if bedtime is normally 7pm. During the days leading up to the time change, push bedtime to 7:15, 7:30, 7:45, 8pm…then when the time change happens, the 8pm bedtime will “FALL BACK” to 7pm and your child will already be in the mode for the new bedtime.
If you try this method and your child starts waking before 6am, then STOP and go back to your old schedule. You will need to adjust to new time change in the “Just in time” method.
The “Just In Time” Strategy: Move all your meals, nap times and bedtimes to the new time on November 6th, 2022.
This strategy is best for those that don’t have the time or inclination to plan ahead.
This might also mean your child may wake earlier in the morning for the first week or so, but soon things will normalize.
How to do the “Just in Time” option: Sync with new clock times on November 6th 2022.
If your child starts to wake before 6am, (which is considered early rising) than it is imperative that you attend to this early rising or else it will persist.
If you experience early rising, go to your child’s room, remind him or her it is still time for sleeping and try to soothe him or her back to sleep. (can use a tot clock for children 2.5 yrs of age and older). I recommend the HATCH.
If the child does not go back to sleep, then use the “dramatic wake-up” strategy to signify a morning wake up routine. Be sure to keep the room dark until 6am, then exit the room for 5-10 seconds, then re-enter the room and turn on the lights and open shades and then greet your child with “good morning” and proceed to get your child out of crib/bed and begin your routine. Be sure to expose to natural morning light.
By doing this “dramatic wake up” routine, you will not be reinforcing early rising and eventually your child’s circadian rhythm will get back on track. If you have ongoing issues with early rising after 10-14 days after the time change than it may be time to talk to a sleep expert and get the personalized sleep support to get sleep back on track via a sleep-tune up call.
In either case, it is important for children to get their daily dose of Vitamin D with morning light exposure. Turn on the lights, open your shades and, most importantly, try to give your child morning sunlight for at least 20-30 minutes a day during that first 7-10 days of the time change. This will help to reset your child’s circadian rhythm. You can also purchase a “happy light” that will offer some light therapy for you or your child.
It’s also important to protect Parental sleep! Here are my time change tips for adults:
Since you are gaining an hour of sleep, it is often easier just to go to sleep at your normal time on Saturday night and then allow yourself to sleep in on Sunday morning. Then for the first couple of days, please know that your body will be busy regulating to the new time change, so light exposure in the morning will really help your body adjust.
Like jet lag, time changes take about a week to resolve and so it is wise to be patient and try to adhere to a flexible schedule and you will begin to see it all normalize. Happy Fall!!
If after the time change you are still having challenging sleep struggles, then don't hesitate reach out for sleep support. THERE IS NO NEED TO LIVE LIFE IN A SLEEP-DEPRIVED HAZE!
The first resource that might be helpful is my Sleep Regression Guide. It is a free guide jammed packed with helpful insights and actions.
Have you worked with me before and want to get back to predictable night and reliable naps?
Schedule a Sleep Tune Up Call. In this 30 minute recorded, Zoom Video Conference Sleep Tune-Up Call, you will benefit from me, a 10 year Sleep Expert, becoming your personal "sleep detective" so you recover peaceful nights and joyful days. You will complete a Sleep Tune-Up Form in Advance of our session so I come to the conversation prepared to help you solve the sleep struggles once and for all so everyone sleeps again.
Have you been struggling with night and naps even before the time change? Curious about what is possible with Gentle Sleep Coaching?
The first step to see if I can help you achieve beautiful, blissful sleep is to schedule a 60 minute ZOOM sleep strategy session. Go to this link and complete the contact me form and I will be in touch within 24 hours with directions on how to schedule your Sleep Strategy Session (new clients).
If you are still wondering if I can help, please know I do NOT advocate 'cry-it-out'. I am a Gentle Sleep Coach. If you want to learn about my guilt-free and gentle process, please go to these links.
The Blissful Baby Stairway to Sleep
Please join my Sleep is Bliss Tribe in Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn so we can stay connected and you can continue to get amazing resources on sleep and family wellness.
Sleep is Bliss, Let's Get you more!
Benefits of Bath for Bedtime
Are you looking to create a bedtime routine? Have you considered incorporating bath time into your bedtime routine? Bath time for babies has more benefits than just keeping them clean.
Consistency and Predictability - Having a bedtime routine allows children to know what’s coming and what to expect. When you do the same routine for bedtime, it creates a positive sleep association. Kids will know the routine signals bedtime and sleep and it helps them prepare for bedtime. A consistent routine also helps avoid resistance especially in the toddler years when they start having their own opinions on EVERYTHING. Bath time is a great option to include in the bedtime routine because I suggest to the families that I work with to choose calming activities versus energizing ones.
Destress and Relax baby - All the senses are engaged in bath time. "Gently rubbing your baby’s skin in the bath slows down the physiology, so it slows heart rate, it slows blood pressure, it changes brain waves in the direction of relaxation. So it’s basically a relaxation kind of response that occurs to having pressure receptors stimulated,” says Tiffany Field, director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Bath time can be a great segue into Infant Massage. To learn more about infant massage check out my interview with Jackie King, Infant Massage Specialist.
Keeps baby clean - Eating is a whole body sensory activity for babies when they are learning to eat and as they get older and continue to explore new foods, textures and levels of self feeding. The mess they create can make bath essential. Incorporating bath time after dinner can be a great way to allow that positive sensory exploration and then lead into the bedtime routine.
Conversation Starter - Bath time requires complete supervision and is a great time to start conversation with baby. Exposing them to new words, sounds, language and eye contact. This is a great way to encourage language development!
Body Temperature - Did you know that our body's core temperature naturally dips down at night for sleep? Taking a warm bath before bed can help babies body naturally cool down and naturally prepare for sleep!
Are you struggling with your child's sleep and interested in experiencing a Total Family Sleep Transformation?
The first step to see if I can help you achieve beautiful, blissful sleep is to schedule a 60 minute ZOOM Sleep Strategy Session. Go to this link and complete the contact me form and I will be in touch within 24 hours with directions on how to schedule your Sleep Strategy Session.
If you are still wondering if I can help, please know I do NOT advocate 'cry-it-out'. I am a Gentle Sleep Coach. If you want to learn about my guilt-free and gentle process, please go to these links.
The Blissful Baby Stairway to Sleep
Please join my Sleep is Bliss Tribe in Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn so we can stay connected and you can continue to get amazing resources on sleep and family wellness.
Sleep is Bliss, Let's Get you more!
It's that time of year again! Must read sleep training and sickness tips!
It's that time of year again when the kids start coming home from school or daycare with illness. There is not much worse than seeing your child sick. I am often asked by my client's how this can effect their sleep coaching or get questions from former client s on how to get "back on track" after illness strikes.
What happens if my child gets sick during sleep training?
When your child becomes sick your most important priority is their health and well-being. You need to do what feels best for your family and situation (it won't be the same for everyone and that's OK)! It is very important to consult with your pediatrician and prioritize their recommendations for your child's health and well-being. Sleep is solvable and always possible to get "back on track" when your child is feeling better.
Depending on the severity of the illness, some families will choose to "pause" making progress and just try to maintain while tending to their child's health and well-being. This might look like keeping bedtime, wake time and naps as "on schedule" as you can, but using some sleep crutches to help and comfort your child.
Can illness impact my child's sleep?
Sometimes when our children are sick, we can start offering them additional support in getting them to sleep, whether it's holding, rocking, or feeding them. Whatever state or environment is present when a child enters the first stages of sleep is what they come to expect in order to re-enter another cycle later on, known as a sleep association. This can look something like: Baby is rocked to sleep, at every wake up throughout the night they again want Mommy to rock them to sleep.
To minimize creating any unwanted sleep associations try to only offer "as much as needed." This will look different for each child depending on the illness and its severity.
Sickness can also increase wake ups throughout the night. Try keeping bedtime, wake time and naps as "on schedule" as you can while offering "as much as needed" support.
Sleep and Sick Season Tips
Prioritize health and well-being of your baby above anything. Check with your pediatrician and trust your gut.
Try keeping bedtime, wake time and naps as "on schedule" as you can
Offer "as much as needed" support when getting your child to sleep
Hydration is VERY important when navigating illness. This might mean middle of the night feeds and that’s OK even if you have long since moved away from them.
Bring a mattress into baby's room and sleep on the floor before bed-sharing. This will help their bedtime environment remain the same and should be an easier "fix" once baby is back to themselves.
Prioritize Safe Sleep - make sure you don't compromise safe sleep when taking care of your child with illness. Elevating mattresses are NOT advised, please consult with your pediatrician.
Remember, life happens and that includes illness. If you have sleep coached your child they have independent sleep skills and they can be refreshed quickly. Don't let the "loss of sleep progress thoughts" cause any more stress than dealing with a sick child already does.
To Reduce the Stress of having a sick child (and avoid late night CVS runs) here are some great products to have on hand and tips! Bonus - these are all Amazon links!
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Check those expiration dates and make sure you have some on hand! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MK2D954?tag=kitco079-20&geniuslink=true |
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These single serving Pedialyte Powder Packs are great to have on hand. Easily fits in a diaper bad and you won't find yourself throwing out the rest of the bottle, frantically running out for more next time illness strikes. Buy it once, and it should last all season. |
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This is an incredible product to have for those constant runny noses! Pair this with saline nose spray when needed and it can drastically improve sleep. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RP0GHBO?tag=kitco079-20&geniuslink=true |
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Extra Sheets and Mattress Protectors Double up on the sheets and waterproof mattress protector layers! If baby is sick it makes for a quick bed change, just pull off one layer and baby is ready to head back to sleep! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FCK32C?tag=kitco079-20&geniuslink=true |
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A good thermometer is a must have for when fevers strike! Pediatricians often prefer parents to provide them with rectal temps. Another great tip is to record your baby's temperature and when you need to give any Tylenol with date and time. Whether you use an app, a quick text, or on an old fashion piece of paper, recording it can help keep it all straight. |
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These are great to have in the car just in case! https://kit.co/BlissfulBabySleep/sick-baby-kit/hospital-vomit-bags |
To see all my recommended products, check out my Sick Baby Kit .
Is there something you would add? I would LOVE to hear about it.
Are you interested in learning more about Sleep Coaching?
The first step to see if I can help you achieve beautiful, blissful sleep is to schedule a 60 minute ZOOM Sleep Strategy Session ($99). Go to this link and complete the contact me form and I will be in touch within 24 hours with directions on how to schedule your Sleep Strategy Session.
If you are still wondering if I can help, please know I do NOT advocate 'cry-it-out'. I am a Gentle Sleep Coach. If you want to learn about my guilt-free and gentle process, please go to these links.
The Blissful Baby Stairway to Sleep
Please join my Sleep is Bliss Tribe in Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn so we can stay connected and you can continue to get amazing resources on sleep and family wellness.
Sleep is Bliss, Let's Get you more!
Do You Often Worry About Your Child’s Screen Time? You Are Not Alone!
Do you often worry about your child’s screen time? You are not alone!
According to PEW research Center 71% of parents with a child under the age of 12 say they are at least somewhat concerned their child might spend too much time in front of screens. With tablets, computers, TVs, phones, and video games, there are so many opportunities for screen time. Some families have found that establishing rules regarding screen time helps them from having a constant battle of making case-by-case decisions and drastically reduces the resistance their kids show to these limits.
Did you know?
1 in 4 kids think video games are exercise - According to the Youth Sport Trust Charity’s Class of 2035 report which explores the role of PE, sport, and physical activity play in the development of future generations.
On average, children ages 8-12 in the United States spend 4-6 hours a day watching or using screens, and teens spend up to 9 hours.
Roughly 7-in-10 parents (68%) say they are at least sometimes distracted by their smartphone when spending time with their kids. Screen time is not just an issue for kids!
A research study found that evening light exposure suppressed melatonin twice as much in children compared to adults.
“The earlier we introduce screens, the more it affects the child’s brain development and the more likely they will have trouble managing their addiction to screens and technology later in life.” – Dr Laura Markham, Aha! Parenting
As a Gentle Sleep Coach, I am often asked questions regarding screen time and its many effects on sleep. Most of our favorite devices produce blue light which suppresses the production of melatonin (the hormone responsible for sleepiness) and in turn disrupts our natural sleep-wake cycle. It is important to turn off the devices at least 2 hours before bedtime and naps. Setting screen time limits can have tremendous effects on your child’s overall health and, of course, sleep.
It can be a struggle to navigate setting rules and boundaries around screen use. My hope is with the research to back it up, you are able to establish screen time limits that work for YOUR family. Offering alternatives to screen time or having it be something kids can earn can be great to avoid the conflict.
If you want to know the details of the age and stage requirements and alternative activities that are just as easy for your kid to enjoy you want to download this guide.
>>>Know Your Options - Daily Screentime Limits for Your Child<<<
If after reading this guide there are still confusion and questions, remember I am always here to help. You can schedule a time to talk live with me about your unique situation.
The first step to see if I can help you achieve beautiful, blissful sleep is to schedule a 60 minute ZOOM sleep strategy session. Go to this link and complete the contact me form and I will be in touch within 24 hours with directions on how to schedule your Sleep Strategy Session.
If you are still wondering if I can help, please know I do NOT advocate 'cry-it-out'. I am a Gentle Sleep Coach. If you want to learn about my guilt-free and gentle process, please go to these links.
The Blissful Baby Stairway to Sleep
Please join my Sleep is Bliss Tribe in Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn so we can stay connected and you can continue to get amazing resources on sleep and family wellness.
Sleep is Bliss, Let's Get you more!
The Power of a Sleep Strategy Session
Sleep coaching is not 'one-size-fits-all' and as a Gentle Sleep Coach, I see this everyday with the different needs of the families I work with.
The first step in determining what families need in order to achieve beautiful, blissful sleep starts with a Sleep Strategy Session, and for some that’s ALL they need.
What is a Sleep Strategy Session?
In this video I go over what a Sleep Strategy Session is and what you can expect.
Click Here to watch this video and learn more!
The Sleep Strategy Session is our chance to better understand your child’s sleep struggles and discuss next steps to achieve beautiful, blissful sleep.
This 60 minute Zoom Video session ($99) is a unique opportunity to speak to a tenured, Pediatric Sleep Expert to gain personalized insight and determine ‘the why’ behind your child's sleep struggles. We will discuss the details to determine if One-on-One Sleep Coaching is the right fit for you, your child, and your family.
You will complete a detailed intake questionnaire to offer background details of the sleep struggles so I can show up to the session informed and prepared to give you customized insight and perspective.
It’s suggested that you and your partner both participate in our Sleep Strategy Session. Sleep struggles are a "family system" issue, so both parents need to understand the sleep science and behavioral science to create a united front and clarity of purpose.
This is a recorded virtual consultation via phone or Zoom that will answer your questions.
Not to worry, I will never suggest anything related to any ‘cry-it-out’ methods. My process is personalized to your child’s age and stage, temperament and family values and sleep goals. Instead, I offer guilt-free, Gentle Sleep Coaching® and Sleep Shaping for Newborns.
What should I expect from a Sleep Strategy Session?
Families come out of the conversation:
Well informed with accurate, reliable information
Clarity on their child's sleep situation
Hope and confidence that their situation can be improved
New insights and perspectives of why there is broken sleep
A plan to implement and see improvements (for some this is ALL they need)
Options for additional sleep support
Hear What Other Families Are Saying
How can you get started?
The first step to see if I can help you achieve beautiful, blissful sleep is to schedule a 60 minute ZOOM sleep strategy session ($99). Go to this link and complete the contact me form and I will be in touch within 24 hours with directions & payment link ($99) on how to schedule your Sleep Strategy Session.
Want to learn more about me first?
If you are still wondering if I can help, please know I do NOT advocate 'cry-it-out'. I am a Gentle Sleep Coach.
If you want to learn about my guilt-free and gentle process, please go to these links.
The Blissful Baby Stairway to Sleep
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Sleep Success Story: Skeptical Parents Astounded of Success of Gentle Sleep Coaching
This couple made a pact with each other that they would "do things better this time" in terms of sleep habits for their 2nd child. Sleep was going great for months, but then baby started getting older and the sleep demands started increasing, night sleep fell apart and naps struggles came next. With dad working long hours and mom going back to the commute to the office, juggling sleep-deprivation and a family of 4 was getting entirely too difficult.
Even with a family member's glowing personal recommendation for Joanna and her sleep coaching process, Sahar and Ammar were skeptical of sleep coaching, but took a chance because they had "nothing to lose."
This family experienced a Total Family Sleep Transformation faster than they anticipated! The sleep coaching process was a "win-win" for parents and baby alike. Now, baby is sleeping 11+hrs at night and the parents aren't burnt out and are more productive at work. Baby Boy is spending better quality time with the family and Momma even wakes up rested, not needing coffee! Gone are the nights this couple spends watching the monitor instead of having date night, attending birthday parties and going on a girls night!
I am so happy this family reached out for sleep support! Watch Sahar and Ammar's story in the video below to see how working with a Sleep Expert was totally transformative for their entire family!
Click image above or here to watch video: Sahar and Ammar - Child was 10 months old at time of Guilt-Free, Gentle Sleep Coaching
Amidst the sleep deprivation, this couple supported each other, didn’t give up hope and found the right coach to help them Get Their Life Back and keep their pact of good sleep habits!
Thank you for watching Sahar and Ammar's story and I hope this inspires you to realize that it is possible to become a well-rested family. Please share this with any friends that need some help, hope and support right now! Don't ever hesitate to contact me.
Please join my Sleep is Bliss Tribe on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn so we can stay connected and you can continue to get amazing resources on sleep and family wellness.
Sleep is Bliss, Let's Get you more!