How do I figure out my baby’s wake windows? Wake windows are the length of time in-between naps that babies/toddlers are awake. In practice, the idea is that you look at your child’s age to find his wake window, then put him down for a nap after he has been awake for that amount of time. [...]
How do I get my child on a nap schedule? Some babies seem to fall into a sleep schedule without any problems while others struggle and tend to have very short sleeps during the day (that is, less than 1 hour per nap). We call these babies ‘cat nappers’. Around 15% of babies catnap and these [...]
It’s daylight saving time and I have to set my clocks forward – what do I do? During the fall and spring seasons, many countries move into or out of daylight saving time. People in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres begin and end daylight saving time in different months of the [...]
What are some things I can do to help my children sleep around the holidays? It is so common for children to have sleep disruptions during the holiday period! Evening events, traveling, spending time with extended family, and excitement of the season can all contribute to inconsistent schedules and [...]
How can she sleep if I work late? Many families struggle with this. The most important thing is that your little one is getting enough sleep overall, even if her bedtime needs to be a bit later. If she has a later bedtime and then can sleep a bit later, then she will be able to get the right amount [...]
Should he play games on my phone before bed? Typically, using electronics – or anything with a screen – before bed is not recommended. This is because light from those devices temporarily prevents our brains (and your little one’s brain) from making melatonin. Melatonin is typically [...]
Are some children better sleepers than others? Yes – definitely. Individual differences certainly matter. A common experience of parents who have more than one child is that every child is different. This is true in several areas and sleep is not an exception. Some children are deep sleepers, [...]
Is it okay to give my preschooler (3 to 5 years old) melatonin? You should always check with your child’s health care provider regarding the safety of giving any over-the-counter product to your little one. But, yes, pediatricians frequently recommend melatonin for children with sleep problems. [...]
What is melatonin and what does it do? Melatonin is a hormone produced by the brain that helps regulate our internal clock (circadian clock) and may induce sleep. Melatonin is commonly used to help people become sleepy, but it does not have this effect in everyone; only the body clock effect occurs [...]
How do I know if my little one is overtired? Not getting enough sleep can do more than make little ones groggy. A sleepy baby or toddler, unlike adults who become lethargic, may become grumpy or hyperactive. He may also be fussy, cry, scream, arch his back, make jerky movements with his arms and [...]