How can I build good sleep habits for my baby? There are many ways to do this, particularly after 3 months of age when your baby’s crying should have settled down and your baby is becoming more alert and awake during the daytime. Start by establishing a feed-play-sleep pattern, that is feed your [...]
Is it okay to give my toddler (12 months to 36 months) melatonin? We do not recommend giving melatonin to toddlers and there is little rigorous evidence that it helps children this young. Most toddlers who cannot get to sleep at the start of the night (the time when melatonin has the best effect), [...]
My daughter is waking all night to go potty now that she is toilet trained. Help! If she is emptying a full bladder numerous times throughout the night then you may want to inform her medical provider. This behavior is not unheard of however, especially among toddlers who recently mastered daytime [...]
My toddler has a lot of trouble separating from me at bedtime and during the day. What can I do to help him sleep better? Separation distress usually emerges around 6 months when infants develop a strong attachment to their primary caregivers. It typically peaks between 18 and 24 months, but can [...]
What’s a bedtime pass and can I use it with my toddler? The bedtime pass (BP) is a great option for older toddlers and children who are disruptive after lights out, and sometimes do things like calling out, making multiple requests, or coming out of the bedroom after bedtime (or during [...]
What should I do if my child strips off her clothes and diaper in her crib? Removing clothing is a common behavior that often starts for no other reason than your child has learned a new skill. If you notice it is occurring more and more frequently, it may be time to figure out why the behavior [...]
What is the Huggy Puppy? How can it help children who are afraid at night or who are having trouble sleeping because they were exposed to trauma? The Huggy Puppy intervention (HPI) was developed by Professor Avi Sadeh as a brief intervention to help young children cope with severe stress [...]
Can I keep breastfeeding and do sleep training at the same time? Nursing is definitely compatible with sleep training. Breastfeeding is one of the best things you can do for your baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for the first year of life, but any amount of time you [...]
My toddler keeps throwing her pacifier out of the crib at bedtime and then screaming for it. What should I do? Little ones quickly learn that their actions result in certain reactions from those around them. If they throw their pacifier out of the crib at bedtime or naptime and cry or yell for it, [...]
My toddler keeps throwing his lovey out of the crib at bedtime and then screaming for it. What should I do? Toddlers quickly learn that their actions result in certain reactions from those around them. If they throw a lovey (such as a teddy bear or blankie) out of the crib at bedtime or naptime and [...]