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Explore every episode of the podcast All it Takes is a Plan

Dive into the complete episode list for All it Takes is a Plan. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
How More Fun Will Actually Help Adults Sleep Better10 Sep 202500:22:08

Today, we’re going to be talking about adult sleep with our adult sleep coach, Kathryn, and it might feel like a strange tip at first. But what if one of the best tools for better sleep isn’t melatonin, magnesium, or even a stricter bedtime routine—but more fun?

If stress is one of the biggest enemies of adult sleep, FUN might just be one of the anecdotes!

Not only is having more fun one way to get better sleep, but so is having great sleep hygiene! So if you're looking for another tangible way to start working toward better sleep, make sure you snag our free guide to the Best Bedtime Routine for Adults.

And to learn more about how an adult sleep coach can help you tackle your insomnia, book a (free!) discovery call with Kathryn to learn more about how she can help you finally have restful nights again!

How to Extend Your Toddler's Short Naps03 Sep 202500:13:54

It is so frustrating when your toddler takes a short nap. You know they need more daytime sleep, but no matter what you do, they still take a short nap!

So in this episode, I'll be diving into those short toddler naps. I share:

  • What is considered a "short nap"
  • How long your toddler's nap should be
  • 7 strategies to lengthen them

If you're looking for more personalized help when it comes to your toddler's sleep, see how we can help!

How to Prepare for Hurricanes and Other Natural Disasters with Kids02 Jul 202500:19:54

Do you live in an area of the country where hurricanes, tornadoes, or wildfires are a pretty real threat? If so, this episode is for you!

I’m interviewing my teammate, Maura, as she has been in or around her fair share of natural disasters. She’s going to be sharing about how she and her husband prepare for these potential storms, as well as how that has changed a bit with a child.

We'll also talk about sleep - how to not only prepare for keeping your child’s sleep as normal as possible through these storms, but also what to do if their sleep gets interrupted or they have a harder time sleeping due to fears around the storm.

Recommended Products:


And for more tips on how to help your child if they are woken up by a storm, read this blog post!

The Fourth of July: How to do it With Babies and Toddlers25 Jun 202500:17:16

Have you ever gone to see the fireworks with your kids on the Fourth of July? Or are you hoping to go for the first time this year?

In this episode, we’re going to be talking about your different options when it comes to celebrating the Fourth of July with kids. You can:

  • Stay home, and maybe have some friends or family over
  • Go to a friend's house
  • Go out to see the fireworks!

And if you choose to go see the fireworks, we’re also going to get into all of the nitty gritty about how to go to see the fireworks with kids, including what to bring for your baby or toddler, how to manage their sleep schedules, and tips for bedtime/that night when you get home.

Here are some of our favorite products to bring along:


SCHEDULE FREEBIES


And if you're staying in for the Fourth but are worried about the fireworks waking your little one, check out this blog post!

6 Sleep Training Mistakes to Avoid18 Jun 202500:21:16

"Is there a wrong way to sleep train?" I’m going to be answering that question today with six mistakes parents often make when sleep training, including:

  1. Lying your little one down "drowsy but awake"
  2. Keeping the pacifier
  3. Not having a plan
  4. Not having age-appropriate schedules or routines
  5. Making changes too quickly
  6. Not making changes quickly enough

Snag your FREE BABY SCHEDULE GUIDE here!

Check out our online A TO Z SLEEP CLASSES.

Or if you're looking for one-on-one support as you sleep train your baby or toddler, we'd love to help!

Homebirth: Our Why and Common Questions Answered11 Jun 202500:18:25

We welcomed our fourth baby into the world at the end of February, and he was born at home! We had a homebirth for our last two births and really loved it, so in this episode, I'm sharing all about homebirth!

I'm sharing why our family chose to have homebirths, and I'm also answering some frequently asked questions about homebirths.

My Fourth Baby - James' Birth Story04 Jun 202500:17:07

At the end of February, we gave birth to our fourth baby and first boy, so in this episode, I share his birth story!

If you're interested in reading about our other birth stories, check them out here:


For more sneak peeks into our family life and real-life moments, make sure you follow us on Instagram!

Four Daytime Tips to Help Adults Sleep Better Overnight05 Feb 202500:25:11

Did you know that what you do during the day impacts how you fall asleep and stay sleep at night? For better or worse...

On the podcast today, our adult sleep coach, Kathryn, is sharing four practical daytime tips to help adults kick their insomnia and sleep better overnight.

Here's a link to the NASA study she shares in the episode.

If your curious to learn more about how an adult sleep coach can help you finally end your own insomnia, book a free discovery call with Kathryn!

Sound Machines and White Noise - Everything You Need to Know29 Jan 202500:17:26

When it comes to baby products, the choices are endless! There are SO MANY products out there - some of which are great, some which you could easily do with or without, and some that just seem pointless. And the same goes for baby and toddler sleep products!

In this episode, I'm sharing about one of the sleep products I suggest all parents use with their littles ones, and that's sound machines. We'll be talking about:

  • Why sound machines are such a helpful tool when it comes to sleep
  • Which sound setting is best on a sound machine for babies and kids
  • How loud your sound machine should be
  • When you can stop using white noise for your little one's sleep
  • The best sound machines for babies and kids

The BEST Sound Machines


Click here for more of our favorite baby and toddler sleep products!

My Top Three Newborn Sleep Priorities22 Jan 202500:12:34

Last week, I shared my top three postpartum priorities, none of which included anything about my baby's sleep.

So this week, I'm walking through the top three newborn sleep priorities we will have when our son is firstborn, including:

  • Paying attention to awake windows
  • Keeping him awake during feeds
  • Practicing one nap a day in his bassinet

I'll also share when we actually plan to start implementing these tips!

To learn ALL of our newborn sleep tips so you, too, can establish a solid sleep foundation with your newborn from the start, check out our newborn sleep course, Newborn Sleep from A to Z.

Or get your FREE newborn routine guide here!

My Top Three Postpartum Priorities15 Jan 202500:11:53

I am 34 weeks pregnant with baby number four, so we have officially entered nesting mode and are making lists of what we still need to get before our baby boy arrives.

As we get closer to welcoming another baby, we are starting to think of what that postpartum period will look like, and I am inviting you in!

In this episode, I am sharing my top three postpartum priorities that help us care best for me, my newborn, and our family, as best as we know how.

To follow as we welcome baby boy into our family, make sure you're following us on Instagram!

Awake Windows: All You Need to Know08 Jan 202500:15:55

If you've done any research into baby sleep, you've likely heard of "awake windows," or "wake windows." However, I have found that there is still a lot of confusion around wake windows, including:

  • When to follow awake windows vs. tired cues
  • When awake windows start and when they end
  • How to know when it's time to adjust awake windows
  • When to switch from wake windows to a more clock-based schedule

And more!

FREE SCHEDULE GUIDES


To learn more about tired cues versus awake windows, read this blog post.

Check out our online sleep classes here for some DIY sleep help!

And finally, for more personalized, one-on-one sleep help, look here to see how we can help!

How to Extend Your Baby's Short Naps27 Aug 202500:16:38

It is so common for babies to take short naps, and it's also so frustrating! And while short naps are sometimes developmental, there are also strategies we can apply to help extend those short naps!

So that's what we're covering in this episode - why your baby takes short naps and how to extend them. 

I walk through five different strategies you can try to finally get a longer nap!

FREE SCHEDULE GUIDES


And if you listen to this episode and you're still stumped by your baby's short naps, we'd love to help you make a plan to finally extend them! Learn more about how we can support you here.

What is the Best Age to Sleep Train?01 Jan 202500:19:34

What is the best age to sleep train? Four months old? Six months old? 12 months old? Three years old?

The answer is: IT DEPENDS! It depends on what's best for your child and family.

In this episode, I go through every age and stage and share why certain ages might be the best for certain families and why other families might choose to wait.

MORE RESOURCES

A to Z Online Sleep Classes:


Read this blog post about other considerations to decide when to sleep train.

Learn more about what it looks like to work together one-on-one.

Book a (free!) discovery call if you'd like to chat more about what it would look like for our team to support you on your sleep training journey!

Finally, don't forget to follow us on Instagram for more regular tips and tricks!

Adult Sleep Tips Over the Holidays18 Dec 202400:19:02

Whether you are traveling for the holidays or not, it's natural to experience extra stress during the holiday season. And that extra stress often leads to sleep disruptions - yes, for our kids, but also for us, as adults!

Listen to our adult sleep coach, Kathryn, as she shares her top tips to help you not only sleep well over the holidays, but also how to adjust your expectations for when sleep isn't as great as it usually is.

Don't forget to snag our free guide to The Best Bedtime Routine for Adults to help, as well!

And if you're looking for more help with your sleep as you approach the holidays or after the hustle and bustle is over, schedule a free discovery call with your adult sleep coach to hear more about how she can help!

Handling Off Days: Short Naps, Skipped Naps, and Late Bedtimes11 Dec 202400:22:06

Short naps happen. Skipped naps happen. Late bedtimes happen! Off-sleep days aren't always ideal, but it's real life.

The goal of this episode is to help you think through how to handle those off-sleep days, whether they're planned or not. We'll talk through:

  • How to adjust your baby and toddler’s schedule when they take short naps
  • How to adjust your baby and toddler’s schedule when they skip naps
  • How to think about late bedtimes
  • Realistic expectations for off-sleep days
  • How many off-sleep days is too many off-sleep days

And if you're looking for more help with your baby's daily sleep schedule, make sure you snag our free guide to baby sleep schedules!

Three Ways to Wean a Baby or Toddler from Breastfeeding04 Dec 202400:22:52

Knowing when it's the right time to wean your baby or toddler from breastfeeding can be overwhelming, not to mention the overwhelm that can come with actually weaning them. Nursing is a really intimate relationship between a mother and child and it can be tough to figure out the best way to end it.

So in this episode, I share:

  • How to balance nursing and solids for babies and toddlers
  • The different approaches you can take to wean your baby or toddler from breastfeeding
  • My personal experience weaning my girls

For more direction on how to balance milk and solids for your baby, check out our online sleep class, Baby Sleep from A to Z.

The Best Straw Cups and Open Cups:


For more regular sleep tips and tricks and real-life examples, make sure you're following us on Instagram!

When and How to Wean Your Baby or Toddler from the Bottle27 Nov 202400:20:26

Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends you have your baby completely weaned from the bottle by 15 months old?

This can feel really overwhelming, whether your baby is nearing this bottle transition, or if you have an older toddler who still loves their bottle and you know it's time to wean them!

In this episode, I'm sharing:

  • When you should wean your baby or toddler from the bottle
  • Different approaches to bottle weaning
  • Common hesitations parents have about taking the bottle away
  • Extra tips for weaning from the bottle

The Best Straw Cups and Open Cups:


Finally, if your little one not only loves their bottle but still needs it overnight to get back to sleep and you'd like some help ending those night wakings, check out how we can help you!

The Crib to Bed Transition: What to Do and What Not to DO20 Nov 202400:18:41

Transitioning your child from their crib to a bed is a really exciting transition, but it can also be nerve-wracking! We’ve done it twice now, and while it went smoothly both times and sleep is literally my job, I was still just as nervous!

I’m going to walk you through my top tips for transitioning your toddler from a crib to a bed, including:

  • The ideal age to make the crib-to-bed transition
  • How to include your toddler as you prepare to transition them to a bed
  • What not to say that first night in their big kid bed
  • How to help your toddler through the crib-to-bed transition while also having consistent boundaries
  • The importance of a toddler clock

And so much more!

Blog about how to prevent crib climbing

FREE bedtime routine chart and boundary cards

The best toddler clock!

Favorite Bed Railings


If you're looking for one-on-one sleep support before or after you transition your toddler from the crib to a bed, learn more about what it looks like to support families so everyone can get the sleep they need.

Veterans and Insomnia: The Problem and Solution13 Nov 202400:27:03

In honor of Veterans Day, this week's podcast is all about how the majority of those who served in the military still really struggle with sleep. 

Our adult sleep coach, Kathryn, served in the Coast Guard for several years, and she recently did some digging into the connection between veterans and sleep. 

She'll share:

  • Her personal experience with being in the military and how that impacted her sleep
  • The data about how common it is for veterans to have insomnia and/or sleep apnea
  • The solution to helping veterans finally get the full nights of sleep they deserve
  • How an adult sleep coach can be a part of the team to help get sleep back on track!

If you're curious to look at more of the research she found, here are some links:

  • https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5930488/
  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32529231/
  • https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4909622/

If you are curious about what it would look like to work with an adult sleep coach on your sleep, book a (free!) discovery call with Kathryn!

The Best Baby and Toddler Sleep Sacks06 Nov 202400:17:25

We have used sleep sacks with all of our kids, both as babies and as toddlers. I love that sleep sacks are not only a familiar part of the nap and bedtime routine that you can bring with you wherever you go, but they're also some extra peace of mind for parents that their babies and toddlers are warm and comfortable while sleeping.

In this episode, I'm sharing the best swaddles and sleep sacks for newborns, babies, and toddlers, as well as popular sleep sacks I don't recommend!

The Best Swaddles


The Best Transitional Sleep Sacks


The Best Baby Sleep Sacks


The Best Toddler Sleep Sacks


See our other favorite baby and toddler sleep products here!

Nightmares vs. Night Terrors: How to Respond to Them and Prevent Them30 Oct 202400:13:36

Has your little one had a nightmare or night terror recently? 

I hope not, but if they're 3+ years old, there's a good chance they've at least had a bad dream, or if not, it might be coming soon. 

In this week's episode, we're sharing all about nightmares and night terrors, including:

  • What the difference between nightmares and night terrors is
  • How to potentially prevent nightmares and night terrors
  • How to respond to nightmares
  • How to support your little one through a night terror

Make sure you share this episode with a friend who could use the help, as well!

Falling Back: How to Adjust Your Child's Schedule for Daylight Saving TIme23 Oct 202400:12:03

When it comes to daylight saving time, it's hard enough for adults to wrap their minds around the time change. But as parents, it's even harder! How are we supposed to keep our baby or toddler's sleep on track when we fall back??

In this episode, I will share:

  • When we recommend starting to adjust your child's schedule for daylight saving time
  • How to fall back with babies on an awake window schedule
  • How to fall back with babies and toddlers on a set nap schedule
  • How to fall back with older kids who no longer nap

For visual schedule examples of how to adjust your little one's schedule when we fall back, check out this blog post and screenshot the schedule(s) you need!

How to Help Siblings Adjust to a New Baby in the House20 Aug 202500:19:32

Welcoming a new baby into the family is very exciting, and can also be very overwhelming - especially for toddlers and older siblings, as having another baby in the house is a big change! And big changes like this can often cause sleep regressions.

In this episode, I am sharing some tips to try to prevent a sleep regression after bringing home a new baby, including things you can do BEFORE baby arrives, and AFTER.

I also share what to do if your toddler does experience a sleep regression after becoming a sibling.

The Most Common Reasons Babies and Kids Wake Up Early16 Oct 202400:14:09

Hearing your baby wake up or your toddler come to your room before 6 am is rough! And those early morning wakings are a common sleep challenge that takes time to rectify, but it's not impossible!

In this episode, we are explaining the five most common reasons babies, toddlers, and older kids wake up early, as well as solutions to solve them!

Additional resources to help solve your child's early mornings:


For more personalized support to solve those early mornings, check out how we can help!

How to Help Your Child Sleep When They're Sick09 Oct 202400:18:17

With the back-to-school season and now cooler weather rolling in, sick season is upon us! And no matter what we do or don't do, our babies, toddlers, and big kids will likely get sick at some point - it's inevitable!

So in this episode, we're helping you feel prepared for how to handle sleep when your child is sick.

We'll cover:

  • How to approach sleep when your little ones are sick
  • What changes you may need to make to their current sleep routines when they're not feeling well
  • What to do if your child has a tough time sleeping when they're sick
  • How to get sleep back on track once they're feeling better!

For more sleep tips and tricks, make sure to follow us on Instagram!

How Infertility and Guilt About Sleep Training Often Come Together02 Oct 202400:34:11

Have you ever felt any guilt around sleep training? Whether that was before you sleep trained, while sleep training, or after?

Or is guilt one of the reasons you haven't sleep trained yet?

In this episode, we're jumping into that guilt a bit, but we're getting super specific - we're chatting about the guilt that often comes with sleep training for families who have struggled with infertility. 

Maura is sharing the ups and downs of her four-year fertility journey to baby James, as well as how that journey impacts her daily parenting mindset.

She also shares how having such a long road to get her miracle baby made it tougher to decide if and when they wanted to sleep train - she talks about the guilt that so quickly came up. 

Moving, Sleep Regressions, and How to Avoid Them25 Sep 202400:19:02

It is not uncommon for babies and young kids to experience a sleep regression when going through a big life change. And one common life change that can cause a sleep regression is moving!

In my nine years of marriage, we have moved NINE times, seven of which included kids. So to say we have learned a few lessons about moving with kids is an understatement!

In this episode, I am sharing my top tips for moving with kids, with the ultimate goal of not only making packing and unpacking more smooth, but to also keep sleep on track as much as possible.

And if your child's sleep gets really thrown off from moving, I'm also sharing what to do!

If you are looking for more personalized help when it comes to your little one's sleep, check out how we can help.

Social Jet Lag and How it Can Hurt Your Sleep18 Sep 202400:21:30

Social jet lag...ever heard of it?

It's a common scenario for all of us: Friday hits, we're excited to stay out late, sleep in on Saturday, maybe do the same Saturday night, catch a Sunday nap...but then Monday hits, and despite getting extra sleep over the weekend, you feel like you've been hit by a bus.

The reason? Social jet lag!

Our adult sleep coach, Kathryn, is sharing what social jet lag is and why it wreaks such havoc on adults' sleep, and she also shares some practical tips for how to feel rested all seven days of the week!

Get your FREE guide to the best bedtime routine for adults!

And book a discovery call with your adult sleep coach to chat about how she can help you sleep well!

Newborn Sleep and How Sleep Consultants Can Help - Hazel's Story11 Sep 202400:31:08

A lot of newborn families think that those first several weeks equal sleepless nights, never being able to put your baby down, survival mode, and pure exhaustion. And I’m not pretending those things aren’t real – there will absolutely be sleepless nights, newborn babies definitely love those snuggles (as do we!), some days you are just surviving diaper to diaper and feeding to feeding, and you’re tired. We are not meant to run on two hours of sleep at a time.

AND I want to shout it from the rooftops…newborn sleep help exists, and there are practical and tangible tips you can apply from day one to help establish a sleep foundation for your newborn!

On today's episode, you'll hear from Abby as she shares what it was like to work with a sleep consultant from the time her daughter, Hazel, was just 10 days old until she was 12 weeks old. You'll learn the highs and lows of those first 12 weeks of sleep, as well as what the rest of Hazel's first year of sleep looked like!

Check out our newborn sleep course and the different ways we can support you in your newborn sleep journey.

Snag our free guide to newborn sleep to learn three routines we recommend implementing from the start!

Sleep Training a Baby or Toddler Who Goes to Daycare04 Sep 202400:16:18

In last week's episode, we talked all about realistic expectations for a baby and toddler's sleep at daycare.

This week, we're diving into more specifics about what it looks like to sleep train a baby or toddler in daycare. We're covering:

  • What to request from and communicate to the daycare provider
  • The importance of advocating for your little one
  • Realistic expectations for sleep at daycare and at home
  • Practical advice about what day of the week might be best to start sleep training

And more!

If you're looking for more personalized help when it comes to sleep training and problem-solving challenging daycare sleep, check out how we can help you!

Realistic Expectations for Daycare Sleep28 Aug 202400:20:44

It is not uncommon for babies and toddlers to sleep differently at daycare than they do at home - sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.

So in this episode, I am sharing realistic expectations you can have about daycare sleep. I will help you think through what questions to ask your daycare providers about sleep at their center, and I will also share what you can realistically expect from your baby and toddler as they nap at daycare.

Our goal is that you feel more prepared knowing what sleep will likely look like at daycare, as well as how to help your baby or toddler still sleep well when they get home!

For more regular tips and tricks like this, make sure you follow us on Instagram!

Pillows and Blankets: When and How to Give them to a Toddler21 Aug 202400:14:14

There are certain milestones we talk about a lot in parenting - learning to crawl, walk, eat food for the first time, the first word, etc. And there are some sleep milestones we talk about regularly, like sleeping through the night, moving baby to their own room, or transitioning to a big bed.

One sleep milestone we don't often talk about but is certainly a transition, is giving our toddlers a pillow and blanket.

In this episode, we'll cover:

  • When it's safe to give your toddler a pillow and blanket
  • How to go about giving them the pillow and blanket
  • The best toddler pillows and blankets

And more!

BEST TODDLER PILLOWS


FAVORITE TODDLER BLANKET


TODDLER SLEEP SACKS- check out this blog post

And if you're looking for more one-on-one help with your toddler's sleep, we would love to guide you through a personalized plan so that everyone in your family can get the sleep they need! Check out how we can help you here.

When and How to Introduce a Lovey, Blankie, or Stuffed Animal to Your Baby14 Aug 202400:11:20

Did you have some sort of lovey, stuffed animal, or special blanket growing up? Many parents wonder when they can safely give their babies and toddlers their own special lovey to sleep with!

In this episode, we walk through what a lovey is, when it's safe to give one to your baby for sleep, how to introduce a lovey, and so much more.

Here are our favorites/the most popular lovies:


Make sure you follow us on Instagram for more tips and tricks just like these!

Bedtime Fears and Anxieties, and How to Help Your Child Through Them13 Aug 202500:20:39

It is very common for toddlers and older kids to experience fears and anxieties around bedtime. AND those fears and anxieties do not need to keep them from sleeping - they are still so capable of great sleep.

In this episode, I am sharing the following 8 strategies to help your child through their bedtime fears and anxieties, so you can start adding tools to their tool belt for the next time they're feeling afraid or anxious:

  1. Explain how the monitor works
  2. Use a night light
  3. Why you should NOT use "monster spray"
  4. Use affirmations
  5. "Plan" your child's dreams
  6. Use social stories
  7. "Cupcake breathing"
  8. The "what next" strategy

Some of our favorite social stories around fears and anxiety:


ROUTINE AND BOUNDARIES FREEBIE

If you're looking for more one-on-one help with your little one's bedtime, learn more about how we can help you through a step-by-step plan!

How to Help Siblings Share a Room and Sleep Well07 Aug 202400:14:16

Ever wonder how families do it who have multiple kids sharing a room? Or are you entering a season of life where you need to or want to have your kids share a room, but you're nervous about it messing up their sleep?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, this episode is for you!

As a mama of girls who have room shared for nearly four years, and a sleep consultant who has helped numerous families put siblings in the same room, I am sharing my top EIGHT TIPS when it comes to helping siblings share a room and still sleep well.

For more regular sleep tips and tricks like this, make sure you follow this podcast, and follow us on Instagram!

And if you're looking for one-on-one help with your kids' sleep so you can confidently put them in the same room, check out how we can help you.

Why Body Temperature Matters for Adult Sleep31 Jul 202400:17:19

We all know it's much easier to sleep in a cool room than in a warm room, but do you know why? And did you know body temperature plays a big role in your sleep, as an adult?

On the podcast this week, our adult sleep coach, Kathryn, is sharing more adult sleep tips; specifically how body temperature impacts sleep, as well as some tips to cool down and stay cool overnight to get the best rest possible!

Product recommendations to stay cool:


She also created a FREE guide all about the best bedtime routine for adults. Snag it to learn how to structure your evening for a full wind-down and restful sleep!

Finally, if you'd like to learn more about what it would look like to work with Kathryn and get personalized sleep help, book a (free) discovery call to chat with her.

Five Key Pieces to Successfully Sleep Training Your Baby or Toddler24 Jul 202400:16:20

Whether you choose to sleep train on your own or hire help from a sleep consultant, there are five key pieces to a successful sleep training plan. Those five pieces are:

  1. A solid sleeping environment
  2. An age-appropriate schedule
  3. Consistent and supportive routines
  4. A sleep training method/plan
  5. Time + Consistency!

If one of those pieces doesn't exist, sleep training likely won't be successful!

Here are some resources we have to help you sleep train your baby, toddler, or young child with as much success as possible:


And if you're on Instagram, don't forget to follow us!

Mouth Breathing and High Palates with a Myofunctional Therapist17 Jul 202400:37:12

Do you normally breathe with your mouth open or closed? What about when you sleep? Did you know that for optimal health, we are all supposed to breathe with our mouths closed, both during the day and overnight?

Sometimes, however, we can't (or don't!) breathe through our noses, due to habit or another physical restriction. Sometimes that restriction is a high palate! Oral myofunctional therapists are one type of provider who can help retrain your jaw and tongue to work together to achieve optimal breathing.

In this episode, we're interviewing Erica Cavaluzzi, an oral myofunctional therapist of Facial Fitness & Well-Being. She is helping us understand:

  • What myofunctional therapy is
  • Why mouth breathing is an issue
  • How to stop mouth breathing (it's a loaded question!)
  • How high palates can be connected to mouth breathing
  • How orthodontics can both help and hurt

And so much more!

How Craniosacral Therapy Helps with Oral Restrictions10 Jul 202400:38:22

Have you ever heard of craniosacral therapy? I hadn't until our lactation consultant recommended we see one after our daughter's lip and tongue tie was released and it opened my eyes to a world that is so helpful and important!

In this episode, I'm interviewing our favorite craniosacral therapist, Keri Smith, who owns Nurturing Touch and Wellness in Northern Virginia.

In this episode, Keri shares:

  • What craniosacral therapy is
  • What craniosacral therapy can help with
  • How craniosacral therapy can help when babies have tongue, lip, or cheek ties
  • How craniosacral therapy can help when babies have a high palate
  • How to find a trusted craniosacral therapist for your baby

And so much more!

If you're not local to Northern Virginia and you're looking for a trusted craniosacral provider, Keri recommends going to this website and searching for local therapists with the following qualifications:

  • CS1 and CS2 (must-haves!)
  • SER is ideal, as it teaches more inside-the-mouth work
  • PED1 and CPBB, specific to pediatrics

Oral Restrictions Explained by a Lactation Counselor03 Jul 202401:03:08

Many of us have heard of tongue ties and lip ties, but without personal experience with those oral restrictions, it can be hard to really understand. It's important, however, for new and expecting parents to understand what oral restrictions are, as well as the signs and symptoms a baby might have those restrictions, so they can be the best advocates for their little ones, if necessary.

In this episode, Candy Baracat-Donovan, a Lactation Counselor with Like a Sister, is sharing both her personal and professional experience with lip and tongue ties so we can better understand the signs and symptoms, as well as the next steps to take if oral ties are suspected.

More Resources from Like a Sister:


Signs of Our Baby's Tongue Tie, Lip Tie, and High Palate26 Jun 202400:17:55

This episode recounts the early days and weeks of my daughter's life as we saw signs and symptoms of her having a tongue and lip tie. Little did we know, she also had a high palate, and all of it was connected.

I am sharing those signs that pointed to her oral restrictions, as well as the care team we surrounded ourselves with to get the frenectomy and handle the after care to the best of our ability.

To read our week-by-week notes of the first 16 weeks of our newborn's life (including sleeping, nursing, personality, her frenectomy, etc.), check out this blog post.

Make sure you follow us on Instagram to regularly learn more sleep tips and tricks, as well real life moments as parents!

What is an Adult Sleep Coach?19 Jun 202400:22:12

If you're listening to this, you've very likely heard of pediatric sleep coaching, but you might not know that adult sleep coaching exists, too.

We're excited to announce that there is now officially an adult sleep coach, Kathryn Weber, on the Via Graces team!

In this episode, Kathryn shares her own journey with insomnia and how she finally got to sleep again, and she shares her motivation behind becoming an adult sleep consultant.

To learn more about what an adult sleep coach is and how she can help you finally get sleep, check this out.

And if you'd like to chat more with Kathryn to see if she'd be a good fit for you, or to learn if your sleep challenges are even "solvable" with her help, book a FREE 30-minute discovery call with her to learn more.

Popular Baby Sleep Products I Don't Recommend12 Jun 202400:14:52

There's no such thing as a "perfect product" to solve all of your baby's sleep challenges. Yes, certain types of products certainly help (i.e. blackout shades and sound machines!), but there's not a "best" or "only."

There are, however, some popular baby sleep products that we do not recommend. Those include:

  • DockATots (and Snuggle Mes!)
  • Crib Bumpers
  • Magic Merlin Sleepsuit
  • Nest Bean Sleep Sacks
  • Dreamland Weighted Sleep Sacks

I also give my honest opinion about the SNOO!

FAVORITE PRODUCTS


And finally, if you're looking for more help with your little one's sleep - if you're looking for more than the "perfect product" - we'd love to help you! Learn more about what that could look like here.

How We Handled Naps and Bedtime at Disney World05 Jun 202400:21:09

We took our girls to Disney this last winter, for my daughter's Make-a-Wish trip, and it was magical! And also exhausting.

In this episode, I share how we balanced making amazing memories at Disney, while also still keeping sleep in mind. I talk about how we balanced naps on the go with an early bedtime, and the overall mindset we had toward sleep on this trip.

To learn more about how to travel with kids, check out our comprehensive Travel Sleep Guide so you can feel confident in both making memories and still getting some sleep while you're away!

And if you're looking for more personalized, one-on-one help with your little one's sleep, check out our services here.

How to Talk to Kids About Sleep06 Aug 202500:15:14

We teach our kids “why”s all day long…

We have to shut the door so bugs don’t fly in, or so we don’t waste the AC. We have to buckle up in the car so we are safe. We cover our mouth when we cough so we don’t spread our germs.

From my experience as a mom and a sleep consultant, however, parents don’t usually teach their kids about sleep as explicitly, but we can and I think we should!

So in this episode, I’m sharing different ways we can talk about sleep with our kids:

  • Why they have to sleep with their door closed
  • Why they can't watch TV right before bed
  • Why the lights have to be off
  • Why they even have to sleep

And more!

The goal here is to not only teach them more about sleep and how it works, but to also equip them to start taking more ownership over their sleep that will even serve them into adulthood!

And if you're looking for more one-on-one help with your child's sleep? Learn more about how we can support you.

Travel Tips to Help Babies, Toddlers, & Young Kids Sleep While Away29 May 202400:17:34

Traveling with our kids is such a gift, and it can also be overwhelming. And thinking about how our babies, toddlers, and young kids are going to sleep while we're traveling certainly contributes to the overwhelm!

So in this episode, we're sharing our top tips for traveling with kids, so everyone can continue to get the best sleep possible.

FAVORITE TRAVEL BLACKOUT SOLUTIONS


RESOURCES FOR YOU


Toddler Clocks: When and How to Use One with Your Child22 May 202400:16:57

Toddler clocks are one of my favorite tools when it comes to establishing consistent boundaries with our toddlers and young kids around sleep. Toddler clocks are also helpful in fostering independence around sleep (specifically around morning time!) with our young kids.

In this episode, we'll cover what a toddler clock is, why they are so helpful, as well as when and how to introduce a toddler clock to your little one.

The Best Toddler Clocks:


Read this blog post for other ways to use our favorite toddler clock, the Hatch Rest.

For more tips when it comes to establishing boundaries around sleep with your toddler or young child, make sure to snag our bedtime routine chart and boundary cards freebie!

And finally, if you're looking for more personalized help and follow-up support when it comes to your little one's sleep, remember we can help!

Dream Feeding: Will it Actually Help Your Baby Sleep?15 May 202400:13:35

What is dream feeding and does it actually help babies sleep longer stretches overnight?

In this episode, we're chatting about:

  • What a dream feed is
  • If dream feeding helps babies sleep longer
  • Why we don't recommend dream feeding

And so much more!

For more help with your newborn's daily routines, including feeding and sleep, snag our newborn freebie here!

If you're looking for more comprehensive help - if you want to understand your newborn's sleep and how to help them get the best sleep possible, while still enjoying so many snuggles, check out our newborn course, Newborn Sleep from A to Z.

Toddler Sleep Regressions and How to Get Through Them08 May 202400:20:24

Sleep regressions, in general, are no fun, and toddler sleep regressions are no exception. They are frustrating and can be hard!

So in this episode, we are talking about:

  • What a sleep regression is
  • If all toddlers go through sleep regressions
  • The 18 month sleep regression and 24 month sleep regression
  • The “why” behind toddler sleep regressions
  • What to do when your toddler is going through a sleep regression
  • How long toddler sleep regressions typically last
  • Other causes of toddler sleep regressions

And more!

If you're looking to learn more about your toddler's sleep and tips to not only get them sleeping well but keep them sleeping well, check out our online sleep class, Big Kid Sleep from A to Z!

And for more personalized, one-on-one help, see how we can further support you here.

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