He climbs – how can I keep him in the crib? Typically, I recommend keeping your little one in a crib as long as it is safely possible. If your little one has tried to climb out once, it may help to offer a small reward for staying in the crib. Once they’re climbing out consistently, it is not [...]
Is it okay to let her use a pacifier? In the sleep world we really like when babies use pacifiers for two main reasons. First, in infants, pacifiers can reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Second, pacifiers are a positive sleep habit – in other words, she can use it to fall [...]
How can I help him learn to fall asleep in his room instead of on the couch? This is a really common concern. A good first step is to make sure you have a consistent bedtime routine of two to four consistent activities that lasts 20 to 30 minutes and moves in the direction of the bedroom. If your [...]
She cries through the entire routine. What can I do? It can be incredibly frustrating when your baby cries throughout the entire routine. What that does tell us, though, is that you are being incredibly consistent. The child already knows when you start those activities that it’s time for bed. [...]
How can I relax as much as possible during sleep training? Make a plan, go with your gut, and call in reinforcements! Listening to your baby cry at bedtime while you’re doing sleep training is tough. So – what do you do? You know that you want to go in there to check on her and pick her up, but [...]
How can I help my toddler or preschooler follow directions at bedtime? Toddlers and preschoolers can have a tough time listening and following directions at bedtime – regardless of how easy it is for them to do those things during the day. This is often because everyone is tired at bedtime. [...]
Many of these recommendations do not seem to match my parenting style, cultural beliefs, or generally what my family does. What can I take away from this website? Great question. I’m sure that many families might not choose to use some of the strategies on this website for a variety of reasons [...]
How do I transition my child from a crib to a bed? Think about whether or not your little one is ready to go into a bed. Some toddlers simply are not ready for the imaginary boundaries of a bed. We typically recommend waiting until little ones are about 3-years-old before you transition to a bed as [...]
How can I help my preschooler fall asleep? Start by having a great bedtime routine – choose two to four activities that you can do each night that move in the direction of the bedroom. Another trick is to save a favorite quiet time activity for the end of the routine so it’s the last thing he [...]
How can I get my toddler to go to bed? Toddlers often resist bedtime. The best thing to do is to make your routine one that your little one really likes. Another thing to do to help him get through the bedtime routine is to make sure that the last step of the routine is a favorite activity. [...]