The Responsive Family Sleep Podcast

Nursing to sleep and back to sleep is normal and healthy, but what happens when your baby or toddler just won’t unlatch! It’s one of the patterns I see push so many parents over the edge into not coping. In this episode I’m talking you through some tips for unlatching from night feeds. I share some specific tips for the moment of unlatching and also some bigger picture tips for how to manage over the course of the night. Connect with Kim Grab the free guide busting common sleep myths and learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdc

Over the years I’ve worked as a sleep coach, I’ve seen long-term logging sleep become more and more common. But have you paused to reflect if logging sleep is helpful or harmful to your sleep or mental health? Is all that data actually useful? In this episode I’m talking you through the pros and cons of logging sleep. I hope this episode encourages you to be more intentional with logging, or even to stop all together if you notice some of the potential negative impacts. Connect with Kim Grab a free sleep myth busting guide and learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdc

As a parent, you are surrounded by all the shoulds, should nots, and strong opinions on how you should parent. When you are a responsive parent, it can feel like all that noise doesn’t align with your values. In this episode I’m joined by Claire Felps, a counselor specializing in acceptance commitment therapy, to talk about showing up as a responsive parent in a world that isn’t always supportive. We talk through a few different scenarios, walking you through some of the things we’d each consider with a client. Our conversation focuses on rules verses values, how values can open up your experience, and the need for flexibility in how we approach situations. We also talk about self compassion and the trial and error part of parenting as well as the nuance that makes parenting littles around sleep so messy. About ClaireClaire Cavos-Felps is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Maryland and Virginia, the founder of Metamorphosis Counseling, and a Postpartum Support International trained therapist. She specializes in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and applies that framework to the very real, very exhausting experience of early parenthood. A parent of four herself, Claire understands that knowing the “right” answer and actually feeling okay at 2am are two very different things — and she’s passionate about what happens in that gap, and what actually helps.Connect with Claire Website: www.metamorphosiscounseling.orgConnect with Kim Grab a free sleep myth busting guide and learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdc

It’s time for a safety focused episode. When can a baby sleep on their stomach? So many babies sleep better on their stomach, but when is it safe? In this episode I’m walking you through the safety guidelines and some things you can do to encourage baby to meet the milestones needed for safe tummy sleeping. Resources related to this episodePediatric PT /milestones IG accounts: @mommyandme.pt @nextsmallstep @milestones.and.motherhood AAP on tummy sleeping: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/a-parents-guide-to-safe-sleep.aspxConnect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

What does a baby need headed into a nap? Do they need a pre-nap routine just like they need a bedtime routine? In this episode I’m answering some common questions about pre-nap routines, how they can help, and how to make sure they aren’t limiting your nap flexibility. Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

What does your baby’s tongue position have to do with their sleep? Actually, quite a bit. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Alison Sigal, a pediatric dentist and airway specialist,  for a conversation about airway health and sleep. I find this to be a really important and under talked about reason for frequent waking, feeding challenges, and unsettled behavior. We discuss:Why tongue ties matter.What is good resting oral posture?Why is good resting oral posture important?How does mouth breathing affect sleep and development more broadly?What should parents look for when trying to find an airway knowledgeable provider local to them? Basics that make up a good tie release.I could have picked Dr. Alison Sigal’s brain for so much longer! I hope this conversation gives you insight into your littles behavior and clarity around ways to investigate oral restrictions more fully. About Dr. Alison Sigal Dr. Alison Sigal graduated from McMaster University with an Honours degree in Kinesiology before attending the University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry where she earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. She completed a hospital-based residency at Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto) before completing her Masters of Science Degree with specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry. She is a fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada and currently a certified specialist in pediatric dentistry. Dr. Sigal established Little Bird Pediatric Dentistry in Milton, Ontario to provide comprehensive airway centric health care to children from birth onwards. She has dedicated her practice to the provision of this care, creating novel airway assessment tools, surgical techniques for tongue and lip ties, and myofunctional protocols including Buteyko breathing for best patient outcomes and long-term retention.Dr. Sigal developed her clinic’s medical record software, that features the largest on-going airway centric patient database globally to date with continual research integration, treatment evaluation, and evolution. Her career goal is for the provision of airway centric pediatric assessment and treatment to become standardized with universal protocols; assisting the evolution of pediatric anatomy textbooks, academic curriculums, and hospital/health care models. Dr. Sigal has been an invited speaker internationally, at many multi-disciplinary conferences, meetings, and symposiums, and is regarded as one of the leaders in pediatric airway centric health care.Connect with Dr. Alison Sigal Website: https://littlebirddental.ca/Instagram: www.instagram.com/dralisonsigal/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Dr.AlisonSigalFacebook: www.facebook.com/LittleBirdMilton Resources related to this episodeGet the age by age self-assessment check lists mentioned here: https://littlebirddental.ca/airway-centric-health-care/Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Overtiredness is a common topic in the sleep world. Sometimes, it feels like it’s the answer to all sleep problems. I see so many parents anxious about overtiredness. In this episode, I’m sharing a deeper look at the overtired conversation. I will talk you through:Is overtiredness a real thing?How does focusing on overtiredness influence your ability to support sleep?Why sleep pressure and regulation give you a much more accurate picture for supporting sleep.Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

I think we’ve all been there – your little one is not…settling down, stopping crying, letting you transfer them, falling asleep! And you are wondering why is it always this hard. The frustration builds, and you are getting dysregulated right along with your child. In this episode, I’m talking about the power of cognitively reframing the situation to help you regulate and better understand what your child needs. Last week’s episode talked about helping your nervous system feel safe and present. This episode discusses some tools to help your brain view the hard moments differently, from curiosity and reflection to affirmations in the moment. I share with you some of my favorite affirmations to get you started.Connect with Kimhttps://intuitiveparentingdc.com/https://www.instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dc/https://www.facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdc

The way you take care of your nervous system influences how you show up to nurture and take care of your baby. In this episode, I’m joined by Jennifer Grove, a Nervous System Whisperer & Venting Coach, to talk about how you can show up for yourself in the overwhelming and intense early years of parenting. We discuss self care as regulation support and emotional release, not the traditional self care of doing pampering things for yourself. We talk through the concept of micro moments of regulation, and how you can bring intention and awareness to small activities you are already doing. Our conversation touches on emotions, where they show up in your body and how to help process them and move through them so that you aren’t bottling them up or pushing them away. One of my favorite take-aways from Jennifer is that small changes and softening of the nervous system can have a meaningful positive impact – it’s not about perfection. About JenniferJennifer Grove is a Nervous System Whisperer & Venting Coach who helps emotionally exhausted women soften, release stress, and come back to themselves through breathwork, self-care, and embodied healing practices that actually last. Through her work, she creates spaces where women can stop holding it all together, finally exhale, and begin to feel safe in their bodies again.Connect with Jennifer Website: https://www.jgrovewellness.com/IG: @jgrovewellnessConnect with Kimhttps://intuitiveparentingdc.com/https://www.instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dc/https://www.facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdc

I talk with so many parents who are in a hard season of life. They feel bad that it’s so hard. That they aren’t coping better. They feel like it should be easier, come easier. Sometimes it’s hard because it is hard. In this episode, I’m talking about what to do when it’s hard. Sometimes there are ways to optimize  things to make life easier (and I love helping you do that!), but sometimes we need to stop expecting something hard to not be hard.Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

We’ve all had one of these days – the first nap is rough, they fight the next nap, and it’s late afternoon and they’ve hardly slept. You're frustrated and dysregulated. They are tired and dysregulated. And you feel the impending doom of how bad bedtime and the night are going to be. In this episode I’m sharing a few ideas for how to survive because most of us have been there. Even with a solid nap rhythm, days like that are going to happen. Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Night wakes are a normal part of nighttime parenting, and often they are more disruptive to parent sleep than baby sleep. Long wakes in the middle of the night are a particularly challenging experience. In this episode, I’m talking you through some common causes of split nights or long wakes in the middle of the night. I’ll also help you tease out the differences between transfer challenges  and true split nights. Resources related to this episodeSplit night blog post:  https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2022/5/18/split-nights-what-they-are-and-how-to-handle-themConnect with Kimhttps://intuitiveparentingdc.com/https://www.instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dc/https://www.facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdc

You are told to leave your baby to cry by the sleep trainers. You are told to respond, and made to feel like you should have the answer to every cry by the no cry folks. You wonder if crying in arms is just as bad as CIO – and does it matter if you’ve done everything to soothe your little? In this episode I’m talking about crying, and sharing some perspective and context I hope will be helpful. Crying is communication, and our children need our support and loving presence, even when we can’t solve their problem in the moment.  Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Are you dreading the time when your toddler drops their nap? Wondering about quiet time? In this episode I’m sharing some insight and tips about quiet time. There are different ways families think about quiet time, and different set ups will work with different toddlers. And if quiet time feels impossible, I share some thoughts around working towards it and also a full confession that it never worked for my own kids 😊  Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

There are so many all or nothing messages about night feeds. Pressure to night wean early. Pressure to be 100% consistent. In this episode, I’m sharing my thoughts and some practical tips for how you can reduce night feeds without night weaning. I’m sharing some general night feeding norms  because that’s always the best starting place. I also share some thoughts around the decision to reduce feeds as it’s not always a straight forward decision.   Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Temperament is one of the biggest factors that shapes what kind of sleeper your baby or toddler is. It’s also one of the least acknowledged pieces of sleep in the sleep world. In this episode, I’m going over some key points about temperament that will help you view your little’s sleep with a bit more understanding. I touch on temperament traits, the dandelion orchid spectrum, and how various temperament factors impact your littles sleep and soothing needs. So many families I work with say that better understanding the temperament factor was a game changer for understanding why sleep is the way it is in their family. Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

As new parents, you are trying to figure this whole parenting thing out, and as new grandparents, your parents are trying to figure the whole grandparenting thing out. And a lot has changed in the last several decades when it comes to parenting research, tools, and strategies. In this episode, I’m joined by parenting coach Sheena Hill to talk about responsive grandparenting and her new book The Grand Guide: Mindful Tools for Modern Grandparenting. We talk about the generational gap in parenting understanding and approaches, and how that gap can leave both parents and grandparents misunderstood and frustrated. Sheena shares her thoughts on how to help grandparents understand the why behind responsive parenting and have practical tools to use. We also talk about the importance of parents being able to articulate that why and the shifts in research, approach, and tools in conversation with their parents. With her book, Sheena Hopes to bring a framework for compassionate and non-judgmental approach to conversations about parenting. And I hope this conversation helps you see new ways to engage with your parents on responsive parenting so that everyone wins – more relational safety, more understanding, and more connection. Grab your copy of The Grand Guide: Mindful Tools for Modern Grandparenting.Preorder here if before February 28: https://parentingworks.org/ggpreorderAfter February 28, buy it from Sheena’s website or your favorite bookstore.About Sheena Sheena Hill is a trauma-informed, neurobiologically-focused responsive parenting coach in private practice at Parenting Works. She works with families around the world, providing education and support for parents and professionals who seek to move beyond rewards and consequences to deepen their understanding of development and attachment while masterfully applying concrete skills in emotional intelligence, limit setting, and using play therapeutically. She lives in Baltimore with her spouse, 3 children, and a growing menagerie of pets (including 5 axolotls).Connect with SheenaWebsite: https://www.sheenahill.com/IG: @parenting_worksConnect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

There are lots of rules shared about what makes a nap a good nap. Most of them aren’t true, or aren’t true as absolutes. In this episode, I’m busting some nap myths and sharing some thoughts around what makes a good nap for your baby or toddler. Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Breastfeeding is not the reason that other people can’t support your baby to sleep! And yet, it’s so often blamed for a parent preference around sleep. In this episode,  I’m talking you through why we see a feeding to sleep preference so often tied into a parent preference. There are  structural/family systems reasons as well as  regulation reasons, but also lots you can do to gently shift the pattern with intention.   Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Babies aren’t born regulating their circadian rhythm which means they don’t know their days from night in the early months. While time is a big piece of the puzzle, there are things you can do to help your baby’s emerging circadian rhythm and support better sleep. In this podcast episode I’m talking you through simple strategies to help your baby sort out their days from nights more quickly and set them up for a healthy circadian rhythm. Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

We need to do better as perinatal professionals when it comes to sleep information. To parents who are my main listeners, this episode highlights the most common misinformation shared about sleep from professionals so that you are more able to spot outdated and unhelpful sleep myths. For professionals because I know some of you are listeners too, this is information you need to know. It’s not about taking sides but about what is actually developmentally normal and evidence-based. Let’s move past sleep training culture to a world where parents baseline information is based in biology. That’s the only way we can support informed decision making and what is best for both parents and babies. Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Your baby wakes, signals they need you,  and you respond to settle them back to sleep. This is a pretty standard part of most parents nights. What most people don’t realize is there are lots of small decisions you make about that interaction that can impact how rested you feel in the morning. In this episode, I’m sharing some points for you to consider when responding to night wakes. I want you to think about these factors well ahead of bedtime, and see if there are any tweaks or adjustments you can make to your nighttime parenting routine that can help conserve your energy , consider safety, and support your sleep in small ways.Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

The other day I was reflecting on some of the struggles a few clients had shared with me, and how common their individual stories really were. As new parents, there’s so much pressure, guilt, and expectation that you should be doing it “right”. In this episode, I’m doing something a bit different and sharing the advice I wish every parent new as the mom of big kids. It’s not about what I chose to do or how I chose to do it. It’s about themes I see so many parents struggle with. I talk about leaning into nurture both in how you care for your baby but also self-nurture as an equal priority. I  also touch on different seasons of parenting, how and what information we consume, and the way we approach team work with partners/coparents. I hope this perspective as both a sleep coach and mom is helpful.  Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Bedtime can be a really hard time of day for many families. If bedtime has been long, stressful, and feels like a battle, then this episode is for you! There are many reasons bedtime can turn into a struggle. In this episode I’m walking you through some of the most common reasons I see for challenging bedtimes. Bedtime can be a peaceful and connected time with our babies and toddlers. The key is evaluating where things aren’t working and being willing to experiment with new ideas. Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Happy new year It’s January, and you may be thinking about bringing some order to the chaos that the holidays brought to your sleep routines. I’m sharing a from the archives episode on getting back on track after the holidays. I want you to feel ready to reclaim your normal rhythms or look ahead to new routines, and I hope this episode helps.In this episode, I’m sharing some ideas for where to start as you work back to your regular routines, or try to establish new rhythms. This is a good time to keep things simple and also check in to see if your little’s needs have changed in the midst of the holiday season. It’s also a good time to remember that consistency, time, and patience go a long way to reestablishing good rhythms and routines and the lack of consistency is one of the ways we get off track over the holidays (for a good reason of course). Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

What helps you feel like you are taking care of yourself ? How well have you adapted those things to your life as the parent of a baby or toddler. In this episode, I’m talking about non-negotiables. The self-nurturing things you need to show up as the person, partner, friend, and parent you want to be. These are not fun, optional self-care activities, but rather small, important nurturing activities that keep you resilient  and cared for, especially when sleep, parenting, or life are particularly hard. I share some of my non-negotiables as examples, but these are very individual things.Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Modern sleep info is recent while baby biology is hundreds of thousands of years old. While cultural expectations have changed drastically, babies have not. In this episode I’m talking you through the mismatch of baby biology and humans as carry mammals with the modern independent, separate sleep focused sleep expectations. Your baby is hardwired for proximity so I hope this episode helps you lean into that need with more confidence and find the balance that works for you.Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Sleep is in a reasonably good place. You feel like you have a handle on things. Then suddenly, they are waking more, a struggle to get down to sleep, and need so much support and soothing! What happened? This is a normal part of sleep development, and the reasons for sleep suddenly getting harder can be varied. In this episode, I’m sharing a simple check list to get you started on troubleshooting. Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

There’s lots of talk about how babies should sleep, but that conversation it often misses the mark for what babies and toddlers actually need to get good quality sleep. We need to look past the modern sleep rules and shoulds and should nots and talk about the physiological factors that lead to good quality sleep. In this episode I’m sharing the core things humans of all ages need to sleep well – to be tired, able to relax, and feel safe and secure. They sound simple, but in practice can be nuanced. Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Happy Thanksgiving. I hope today is a day full of family, food, and connection with loved ones. This is a short episode reflecting on gratitude. Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

The holiday season comes with so much joy and also so much disruption to your normal sleep and parenting routines. This is a common time for lots of questions about routines, sleep set ups, and navigating family. In this episode I’m talking through some of the most common concerns I hear from the families I work with, and I hope they give you some good food for thought as you plan for your holidays. Resources related to this episodeWhile I didn’t mention this in the episode, this guide for safely bedsharing during holiday travels is a great resource by Cosleepy: https://courses.cosleepy.com/courses/holiday?ref=0e118fConnect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

The return to work is a big transition. So many parents are worried about the impact of starting daycare on sleep, and the need to prepare their baby to handle daycare naps. In this episode, I’m walking you through some key things to consider about sleep and the daycare transition. This is a big transition for the whole family, and bringing understanding, patience, and extra connection through the process makes a big difference. Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Your toddler nurses 1 million times a night (or at least it feels like it)! Your little won’t unlatch for hours on end. There are many reasons why you might want to set some limits around your toddler’s nursing around sleep or otherwise, but how do you do it? In this episode I’m talking about nursing limits. What is a nursing limitWhen might you want to use a nursing limit, sleep and otherwiseWhy daytime breastfeeding limits are the place to startHow to set a nursing limitNursing limits can be a challenge, but that doesn’t mean you need to be scared of setting them.  They are a big part of continuing to enjoy nursing if that’s your goal. And if your goal is to lead the weaning process, then they are central to that journey.Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

It’s germ season, and babies, toddlers, and young kids get sick a lot! In this episode, I’m talking with pediatrician Dr. J about supporting sleep when your little is sick. We chat about:What to expect from sleep when your little is sickHow to make them more comfortable Red flags that you need medical supportTips for preventing illness in the germy months Sick littles and sleep is hard, and the only way through is to support everyone through it. I hope these tips help you next time your family is sick.About Dr. JDr. Jalan Burton, or Dr. J, as she loves to be called, is a pediatrician, public health champion, professional coach, wife, and mother of three. Equipped with 7 years of professional coaching and consulting experience, 15 years of medical education and pediatrics experience, and over 20 years of peer health education experience, Dr. J is passionate about family wellness, healthcare worker wellness, and community building. She is the founder and CEO of Healthy Home Pediatrics and Harmony in Practice. Dr. J is a proud graduate of the University of Virginia, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, and The George Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. J's clinical philosophy is built around the belief that when families are truly supported they thrive. Dr. J’s professional coaching philosophy centers on the belief that when healthcare workers build businesses that are joyful, profitable, scalable, and sustainable, we enrich the lives of our communities and generations to come. Connect with Dr. JWebsite: https://www.healthyhomepediatrics.com/IG: https://www.instagram.com/drjalanburtonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjalanburton/Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Switching sleep spaces can be stressful for both parents and babies. Whether you are moving your little from their bassinet to their crib, crib to big kid bed, bedsharing to floor bed, it can be a big transition. In this episode I’m sharing ways to make the transition easier for everyone. I talk you through building familiarity with the new sleep space, helping them feel safe and connected to you in that sleep space, and tips for supporting them through the transition. Some strategies work at all ages, and other ones I break down by age. Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Parent preference is a really normal thing, and it’s a common struggle around sleep. Sometimes it’s developmental and sometimes it comes from doing what works for so long that we just don’t have experience doing something else anymore. In this episode, I’m sharing some tips around parent preference and how to gently encourage balancing things out. I share some tips for supporting the relationship away from sleep, ways to get them involved with you around sleep with both parents present, and some ideas for how to work towards supporting sleep with that parent on their own. This is a process that takes time, support, and patience, but it can definitely be worth the effort. Resources related to this episodeCheck out my related blog post on helping your partner be more confident in supporting sleep when there’s parent preference: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2022/6/21/how-to-help-your-partner-be-more-involved-at-bedtimeConnect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Habit stacking is a common strategy I use with many families when they want to make a change with sleep or have more flexibility. In this episode I’m sharing:What is habit stacking (or layering sleep associations)?When and how to use habit stacking when supporting your baby or toddler through a sleep change.Examples of sleep soothing tools to stack.And some tips for ways I see the strategy not work in implementation. If you’ve been wondering how you can increase flexibility in how you support your little to sleep or support them through a change, I hope this episode gives you some ideas. Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Sleep predictability is a common struggle for many families. And the important thing to note is that not all babies are going to have the same level of predictability in their sleep patterns. In this episode I’m talking you through the things we can’t control and the things we can control that contribute to how predictable our child’s sleep is. Everything from age development, and temperament to how we set up our days can influence sleep predictability. Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

For most babies and toddlers, there naps have an impact on their nighttime sleep quality. So what happens when your child is in daycare, and you aren’t in control of their naps? This is a common situation for many of the families I support. In this episode I’m talking you through some daycare nap troubleshooting. I discuss:The most common daycare nap challengesDaycare has limitsEvery environment is differentAsk questionsGive clear suggestions while respecting limitationsConnect daycare sleep to what you are seeing at home While there are some things we can’t control when it comes to naps at daycare, there are often some things we can troubleshoot. It’s a balance. Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Are you a morning or evening person? What about your baby or toddler? We all have tendencies in our circadian rhythm, and this episode dives into those tendencies or chronotypes. I talk about the general trends in chronotypes, some impacts of modern living environment on our circadian rhythm, and How our circadian rhythm shifts across the lifespan. I also talk about the mismatches that can happen between parent and baby chronotypes, and how that can complicate supporting everyone’s sleep. Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Black out curtains are a popular tool for helping people of all ages get better sleep. In this episode I’m talking you through when to use black out curtains and some of the unintended impacts I see with my clients. I discuss:Why to use them. When to and when not to use them.Some ways they can mess with sleep rhythms. Do you find black out curtains helpful for your little one? I’d love to hear. Connect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Are you regularly nap trapped? Whether you know your little routinely needs contact naps to get good sleep or you just find yourself caught in a phase where it’s happening a lot, being nap trapped by a contact nap can be frustrating. In this episode I’m sharing tips around making the best of contact naps. I talk about: Being realistic about contact napsTaking care of your own needs before you think the nap will happenSetting yourself up for productivity or relaxation Not putting everything off until nap timeIt’s possible to multitask and reclaim nap time for yourself, even when you are contact napping your little. Resources related to this episodeCheck out my popular contact nap blog: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2021/7/9/lets-talk-contact-naps And a previous podcast episodes on contact naps: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/podcast/2024/6/27/are-contact-naps-okConnect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Welcome to the last of the summer from the archives series! We’re revisiting some much loved podcast episodes from the early months of the podcast. These are episode that are great to revisit at different points in your parenting journey. The majority of parents will bedshare at some point, some regularly and some occasionally. Yet we live in a culture that actively discourages bedsharing. Many parents struggle to find helpful bedsharing information or are too anxious to even ask. That’s why this conversation on bedsharing tips and tricks is so important!Bedsharing is a wonderful parenting tool, but also one that comes with so many questions, decisions, and challenges in modern western culture. In this episode I’m joined by Tiffany from Cosleepy to talk about bedsharing tips and tricks. Our conversation ranges from worries and anxiety over choosing to bedshare to tips around comfort while bedsharing. Plus, we talk about some of the grey areas and tricky choices that come with the messiness of day to day bedsharing. We could have kept this conversation going for forever, and I hope you enjoy the tips and insights we discuss. About TiffanyTiffany Belanger attended UCLA and adventured in the film and television industry prior to parenthood. In 2020 she founded Cosleepy, a cosleeping one-stop shop to help modern parents keep their babies safe and close at night.Tiffany has completed training on normal infant sleep through Durham University and keeps up-to-date on emerging research. She's a frequent guest on podcasts and blogs, and she was interviewed in New York Magazine's viral article Are We All Secretly Co-sleeping?She lives (and cosleeps) with her husband and two little boys in northern California.Connect with Tiffany https://cosleepy.comhttps://instagram.com/cosleepyResources related to this episode My safe bedsharing episode: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/podcast/2023/10/6/how-to-bedshare-safelyMy bedsharing safety and FAQ blog post:https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2022/1/6/bedsharing-guide-benefits-safety-and-faqs-for-cosleeping-and-bedsharing-familiesConnect with Kim Grab a free sleep myth busting guide and learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdc

Welcome to the summer from the archives series! We’re revisiting some much loved podcast episodes from the early months of the podcast. These are episode that are great to revisit at different points in your parenting journey. Sleep training culture is pervasive, and almost every parent I talk with feels its impact in some way, even the most confident, attachment focused parents. Understanding the ways that sleep training shapes our culture well beyond cry it out can be a powerful tool in building confidence and making informed decisions in sleep. In this episode, I’m sharing about sleep training culture and how it influences your sleep expectations in ways you don’t often realize. So many parents know they don’t want to sleep train, but they aren’t aware how much sleep training culture shapes their expectations and goals. Supporting sleep responsively isn’t just about avoiding harsh sleep training strategies, but a totally different paradigm for sleep. Resources related to this episodeCheck out more about sleep training history in this blog post: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/history-of-sleep-trainingConnect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Welcome to the summer from the archives series! We’re revisiting some much loved podcast episodes from the early months of the podcast. These are episode that are great to revisit at different points in your parenting journey. There’s so much focus on what baby’s need in infancy, and so little focus on what parents need in those early critical months. Even when the focus is on new parents, the focus is often on very basic physical and emotional postpartum changes. This conversation is different! In this episode, I have My colleague Rocio from Newborn Parents sharing her deep knowledge of the parental brain. Nurture matters – not just for our babies but for our own transition to parenting as well. We dive into the changes that happen to your brain in early parenting; what your brain (and you) really need; and how to nurture everyone during this period. About Rocio  Rocio is a neuroscientist and mother of two. She is the founder of Newborn Parents, which was born out of the fusion of her two passions: the brain and the relationship between parents and their infants. She educates parents and professionals about parental brain science so that they can take advantage of the profound brain changes that accompany mastrescence and patrescence. She firmly believes that when parents and professionals learn about the power of the parental brain, they can create a path for a lifelong nurturing relationship within families and their babies.Connect with Rocio and her work:Free masterclass the Parental brain 101 for professionals: https://webinarkit.com/webinar/registration/64566577392c532bee4e63a1Website: https://www.newbornparents.net/Instagram: rociozunini_newbornparentsConnect with Kim Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Welcome to the summer from the archives series! We’re revisiting some much loved podcast episodes from the early months of the podcast. These are episode that are great to revisit at different points in your parenting journey. Sleep and lactation – such a huge an important topic! In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, I think this is an important topic to share again. Every parent needs sleep information that supports their feeding goals! And sadly, that’s not what is happening for many families. In this episode I’m unpacking the ways in which sleep and lactation are interconnected. So many parents hear conflicting information about nursing and sleep, and there is a lot of sleep advice that can negatively impact a parents nursing relationship. This is a big topic, and I’m highlighting 4 factors that are important to consider: the need for nighttime milk removal to maintain supply; baby’s need for night feeds; lactation hormones supporting sleep and supply; and the fact that we need the whole picture of a baby’s feeding pattern to put night feeds in context.Resources related to this episodeNursing to sleep podcast episode: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/podcast/2023/9/19/is-nursing-to-sleep-a-bad-habitReverse cycling blog post: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2023/6/27/reverse-cycling-why-your-baby-is-suddenly-feeding-more-at-night Magic number: https://www.nancymohrbacher.com/articles/2010/8/13/the-magic-number-and-long-term-milk-production-part-1.html Connect with Kim Grab a free sleep myth busting guide and learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdc

Welcome to the summer from the archives series! We’re revisiting some much loved podcast episodes from the early months of the podcast. These are episode that are great to revisit at different points in your parenting journey. When will my baby sleep through the night is one of the most common questions I get in casual conversation with parents. There’s so much pressure and emphasis placed on sleeping through the night, and so many parents feel like a failure when there baby is sleeping completely normally. Realistic expectations can go a long way to decrease stress and help you support better sleep in your family. In this episode, I’m unpacking the myth that babies should be sleeping through the night. We’ll talk about what it means to sleep through the night and what the research actually says around waking and sleeping through. Next time you get one of those “but shouldn’t they be sleeping through the night by now” comments, you’ll know just what the truth actually is. Resources related to this episodeDevelopmental Sleep Expectations blog post (lots of citations): https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2018/7/6/developmentally-appropriate-sleep-expectations-birth-to-age-5Study citationsHoyniak, CP, Bates, JE, Staples, AD, Rudasill, KM, Molfese, DL, Molfese, VJ.  (2019.) Child sleep and socioeconomic context in the development of cognitive abilities in early childhood.  Child Development, 1718-1737.Hysing PhD, M., Harvey PhD, A. G., Torgersen PhD, L., Ystrom PhD, E., Reichborn-Kjennerud PhD, T., & Sivertsen PhD, B. (2014). Trajectories and Predictors of Nocturnal Awakenings and Sleep Duration in Infants. Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 309-316.Paavonen, E. J., Saarenpaa-Heikkila, O., Morales-Munoz, I., Virta, M., Hakala, N., Polkki, P., Karlsson, L. (2020). Normal sleep development in infants: findings from two large birth cohorts. Sleep Medicine, 145-154.Pennestri, M. H., Burdayron, R., Kenny, S., Béliveau, M. J., & Dubois-Comtois, K. (2020). Sleeping through the night or through the nights? Sleep Medicine, 76, 98-103.Connect with Kim Grab a free sleep myth busting guide and learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdc

Welcome to the summer from the archives series! We’re revisiting some much loved podcast episodes from the early months of the podcast. These are episode that are great to revisit at different points in your parenting journey. This is one of my top episodes for good reason. Sleep is all about regulation, and we can’t talk about improving sleep without understanding nervous system regulation. In this episode, I’m joined by the amazing Lyndsey Hookway to talk all about regulation and sleep. We dive into what regulation is; what it has to do with sleep; and why regulation is such an important and often overlooked piece in the sleep puzzle. Lyndsey is one of my sleep mentors and it’s always a joy to talk sleep with her.About LyndseyLyndsey is an experienced paediatric nurse, children’s public health nurse, IBCLC, researcher, responsive sleep/parenting advocate, and the author of 6 books. She has worked with children and families for more than 20 years within in-patient paediatrics, paediatric ambulatory care, NICU, and the community. Lyndsey is a researcher at Swansea University, exploring the needs and challenges of medically complex breastfed infants and children, and completed her PhD in 2023. In 2019 she founded the Breastfeeding the Brave project to raise awareness of the unique lactation needs of sick children in the paediatric setting. Lyndsey is the co-founder and clinical director of the Holistic Sleep Coaching program and Thought Rebellion. She is a respected international speaker and also provides regular training, advocacy and consultancy to both NHS and private organisations.Connect with Lyndseywww.lyndseyhookway.com www.thoughtrebellion.com www.holisticsleepcoaching.comwww.breastfeedingthebrave.comInstagram: @lyndsey_hookwayFacebook: @LyndseyHookwayTwitter: @FeedSleepBondResources related to this episodeI encourage you to check out Lyndsey’s books on sleep- let’s talk about your new family’s sleep and still awake.

You know they are tired, and suddenly they just start zooming around the house! Toddlers can be notorious for getting wild right when you want to calm them down for sleep. In this episode, I’m sharing some of the reasons why your toddler might get the sillies right at bedtime. To know where to troubleshoot, you need to know why they are acting the way they are. I talk you through some of the common reasons including:Over stimulated/dysregulatedNot enough movement later in the dayNot tired/too early bedtime Needing more connection (and acting wild is the best way they are getting it)Testing boundaries Connect with Kim Grab a free sleep myth busting guide and learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdc

There’s lots of talk about how much babies should sleep, but much of that conversation centers around averages, often the higher end of those averages. So what happens if your baby never seems to sleep as much as they are supposed to? You may have a low sleep needs baby. IN this episode I’m talking about life with a low sleep needs baby or child. I answer some common questions about low sleep needs kids like: What are low sleep needs?How do I know if  my baby is low sleep needs or just not getting enough sleep?How do I cope with a low sleep needs baby?Parent’s of low sleep needs babies and children have a different balance in their days and often need to realistically strategize with their child’s low sleep needs in mind. I hope this episode gives you some things to consider. Resources related to this episodehttps://intuitiveparentingdc.com/sleep-totals-graphConnect with Kim Grab a free sleep myth busting guide and learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdc