The Harder You Try, the Worse It Gets: A Sleep Expert's Guide to Raising Good Sleepers with Dr. Katherine Wesley

Guest: Dr. Katherine Wesley, PhD, DBSM — licensed psychologist and board-certified behavioral sleep medicine specialist, Children's Hospital Colorado.Dr. Courtney sits down with longtime friend and colleague Dr. Katherine Wesley to talk all things kids and sleep — from the unpredictable early months of infancy through the social jet lag of adolescence. This is the episode for every parent who has ever white-knuckled a bedtime routine and wondered if they're doing it wrong.What You'll Learn:Why the first six months of infant sleep are about surviving, not scheduling — and what "normal" actually meansWhen to start thinking about sleep training, and why waiting until 8–10 months supports healthy attachment developmentThe difference between gentle sleep training approaches and cry-it-out — and why all methods are safe and effective when done consistentlyHow to tell if your toddler's bedtime resistance is developmentally normal or a sign something else is going onWhy bath time and teeth brushing might actually be making your child's bedtime harder — and what to do about itHow much sleep school-age kids actually need (it's more than most families realize)What "social jet lag" is and how weekend sleep drift affects your child's whole weekThe single most helpful sleep tip Dr. Wesley gives families at every ageResources & Links:Dr. Katherine Wesley — Children's Hospital ColoradoIntegrated Behavioral Health: https://www.integratedbhs.com/Book a consult with Integrated Behavioral Health: Sign up for the IBH newsletterLegal Disclaimer: While this podcast may provide information that is educational in nature, it is not intended to be a health care service, psychotherapy, or the practice of psychology. This podcast’s main purpose is to provide educational insights for all stages of child and family development. We will not provide diagnoses or specific recommendations for your family. At no point is a therapeutic relationship established by way of your unilateral participation by listening to these episodes, and we cannot provide advice or privileges associated with a therapeutic relationship. We recommend that anyone who is seeking a therapeutic relationship reach out to Integrated Behavioral Health at [email protected] to begin the interview process of becoming a client or receiving a referral. If at any point in your listening or engaging with the content of this podcast, you experience an emergency, please immediately call 911 or go to your local emergency room.