FAQs

It is totally possible for your little one to fall asleep independently while teething, sick, and on vacation. It’s super easy to assume that just because there are a few tears, that means they need to be assisted to sleep. If your child is teething or under the weather, some medicine is not a bad idea, combined with some extra cuddles at bedtime. If your child is really struggling and your instincts are telling you to help them more than you typically do, then please do! Just be ready to get back on track after any illness or travel.

Be flexible and allow naps to happen on the go, but still try to get those naps in at their appropriate times. I always recommend packing some comfort items from home when traveling—pack n play, sound machine, sleep sack, sheets, or some familiar books, etc. Spend some time playing in the room in or around your child’s sleep space before bed so they feel less anxious about falling asleep in a new environment. If you’re traveling to a destination with a time difference, decide whether or not you will try to get onto the local time zone. I advise families to stick with their current time zone if the trip is short. If you’re going to be gone for longer than 4-5 days, I recommend adjusting to the new time. Remember, lower your expectations. It does get easier as your little ones get older!

I always recommend to hold off on dropping a nap until it’s really obvious that it’s time to do so. If your child is refusing a nap, consider whether you can shorten their other naps to still allow for that nap that is getting tricky before eliminating it completely. You can also opt for a later bedtime to preserve that last nap for awhile longer. If you feel that you have exhausted those two options, it may be time to drop a nap.

Wait as long as possible! There’s no reason to rush this transition. As long as your child is happy and sleeping confidently in their crib, let them stay. However, if your child is climbing out of their crib, it is deemed no longer safe for them to be in there and they should be transitioned to a bed as soon as possible.

When it comes to formal “sleep training”, I recommend 12-20 weeks as a great time to start. However, you can always start working on this from the very beginning. The first step is getting your newborn onto a predictable schedule with feeds and naps. Consider allowing your newborn to nap in their crib or bassinet whenever possible. The more practice they get during the day, the better chance of success overnight!

Nope! Sleep training does not mean letting your baby cry it out. Babies DO cry when their routine is changed and they don’t get exactly what they were expecting or hoping for. This is normal! That being said, parents can choose parent-present sleep training methods that do not involve prolonged crying, allowing them to comfort their baby while helping them learn to self-soothe.