EP. 47: Why Your Child Isn’t Sleeping (And What Sleep Is Actually Doing for Their Body)

Most parents have tried everything—earlier bedtimes, blackout curtains, melatonin, white noise machines. Their child is exhausted but wired, awake for hours, and no routine or supplement can override a nervous system physiologically locked in fight-or-flight. In this episode of Motherhood Aligned and Assigned, Dr. Serena Coffman and Dr. Veronica Schiltz reveal what 35% of US children aren't getting: enough sleep. But it's not about bedtime—it's the nervous system. Sleep is one of the most active healing states (brain organizing learning, growth hormone surges, immune system building infection-fighting cells, emotions processed). Gas pedal (sympathetic) vs. brake pedal (parasympathetic): sleep only happens when the brake works. Dr. Veronica shares a case study: 4-year-old hadn't slept in 7 days, screaming all night, thought to be socially anxious with huge outbursts. Functional medicine mom doing all the gut things, eating right, routines, structure. Chiropractic broke the cycle. Weaned off melatonin (full dose to tip of dropper), no more screaming, behavior 180. Dr. Serena's patient: family thought they were done having kids because it was so hard. Now trying for second baby. Babies should adapt to whatever environment you give them. If they're not adapting, it's a nervous system issue. Resources Mentioned:PX Docs Directory Connect with Veronica:WebsiteInstagramFacebook Connect with Serena:WebsiteInstagramFacebook