Are sleep training and 'cry it out' the same thing?

Are sleep training and 'cry it out' the same thing?

The world of baby sleep can be a maze of conflicting advice and approaches, leaving sleep deprived parents feeling overwhelmed and uncertain how to help their babies get the best sleep possible. Two terms that often arise in discussions about baby sleep are "sleep training" and "cry it out." But are they truly synonymous? Or are there nuances that differentiate the two?

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5 sleep tips when traveling with your baby

5 sleep tips when traveling with your baby

So, you're about to embark on a family trip with your tiny human in tow. Yep, traveling with your baby – it can be a little chaotic to say the least. But fear not! While it's true that your kiddo might throw some curveballs your way, there are ways to make the sleep situation a tad less chaotic and keep everyone sleeping peacefully even when out of town. Here are five real-life, no-nonsense tips to help you survive – and hopefully even enjoy – traveling with your baby:

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How a Live-In Sleep Coach Can Help Transform Your Baby's Sleep

How a Live-In Sleep Coach Can Help Transform Your Baby's Sleep

Are you a parent in Southeast Michigan struggling to get a good night's sleep? You're not alone. Many parents face the challenge of getting their babies or toddlers to sleep through the night, leading to exhaustion, confusion, and frustration. However, there's a solution that could transform your family's sleep routine for the better: hiring a live-in sleep coach.

If you’ve been searching for a sleep consultant near you, stick around to learn more about the benefits of having in-person support.

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Your baby doesn't "hate" sleep

Your baby doesn't "hate" sleep

Be honest, are guilty of saying “my baby hates sleep”? As I sleep coach, I hear this WEEKLY!! I read regularly in Mom FB groups and get inquiries all the time with some form of this phrase. So many parents are convinced that their baby/toddler/child hates sleep or doesn’t NEED much sleep.

I hate to be the bearer of bad (or good?!) news, but children of all ages NEED sleep and WANT to sleep… often times they just don’t know HOW to sleep well on their own.

Helping an infant or toddler learn HOW to sleep is what we do and it looks differently for each child and family we work with. This can be accomplished in a variety of different ways and in my experience there is no “one size fits all” solution, but I’m here to share some great tips with you to get you started.

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3 Common Baby Sleep Myths

I don’t mess around when it comes to sleep and so when I hear these sleep myths being shared on Facebook Mom Groups or from well-meaning grandparents, I feel compelled to step in and set the record straight!

Sleeping too much during the day will negatively affect night sleep

No way, no how. NO. NO. NO. This myth is one that I hear SO frequently and it is the one that just makes me so upset.

Yes, newborns don’t have a developed circadian rhythm and can sleep more soundly during the day then at night. But once the circadian rhythm is established, consistent, well-timed naps will actually make night sleep better! If you’re keeping your baby up in the hopes that they’ll sleep better at night, all you’re doing is stressing your baby out and making them over tired, almost guaranteeing that they’ll sleep worse at night.

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6 Ways to Support Restful Sleep for Your Family

6 Ways to Support Restful Sleep for Your Family

When I tell people I’m a Pediatric Sleep Coach, I often get the response “Can you teach ME how to sleep better?”

My answer: “Yes, but you might not like what I tell you to do!”

That always gets a few laughs, mostly because it’s true and adults cognitively recognize that they don’t prioritize sleep as much as they probably should. But, I give the advice just the same because you never know what’s going to resonate with someone. It’s always possible that a simple tip surrounding sleep hygiene or nighttime routines will click and improve someone’s quality of sleep.

For clients, I tailor my guidance for each family’s own needs, routine, and lifestyle, but in general, here are the 6 most significant ways you can support restful sleep for the whole family!

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Our 3 Favorite Bedtime Books

Our 3 Favorite Bedtime Books

One of my biggest pieces of advice as a sleep coach is to establish a bedtime routine early in your child’s life (or even in utero!) and to stick with it throughout their childhood. Creating a bedtime routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep it simple with a bath, maybe a little infant massage, and include 5-10 minutes of stories or sleepy songs depending on the age of your child. Picking 1-2 books for a bedtime routine with your infant is a good start.

Here are a few of our favorite bedtime stories that can enhance your family’s bedtime routine and help your little one drift off to a peaceful sleep.

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