The Follow-Up: When Kids Won’t Sleep Alone

We’re talking about independent sleep for older babies and kids, why it often gets harder with age, and how to approach it in a way that supports both your child and your family. This is not about shutting the door and ignoring your child. It’s about teaching a skill gradually, consistently, and in a way that fits your child’s temperament. We discuss why earlier can be easier when it comes to removing sleep associations, but also why there is no hard deadline. Independent sleep is not about emotional distance. It is about helping your child fall asleep without needing a specific person, place, or condition that can make life harder later, especially during travel, sleepovers, camp, or when caregivers change. In this episode, we cover: ✔️ Why sleep associations can become more challenging as kids grow ✔️ How language and mobility make older kids more persistent at bedtime ✔️ When to consider anxiety or separation issues before starting sleep changes ✔️ Why location matters, especially transitioning from your bed to theirs ✔️ The “camping out” method and how to gradually reduce your presence ✔️ Why consistency beats intensity every time ✔️ How middle of the night wake-ups often improve after bedtime changes Want more? Listen to the full, original episode. Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠. Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices