How Long 'Til Bedtime? | Sleep and Parenting Podcast

Is your toddler suddenly fighting bedtime, waking overnight, or making you question whether the crib is still working? In this episode, Allison breaks down one of the most common (and stressful) questions parents of toddlers face: Is it time to move from the crib to a bed? This question often comes up during moments of panic—sleep regressions, big life changes, or developmental leaps—but the answe...

What happens when retirement plans are suddenly replaced by bedtime routines, school drop-offs, and parenting kids after trauma? In this deeply moving episode, Allison sits down with Laura Brazan, host of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren podcast, to talk about the unexpected realities of becoming a full-time caregiver later in life. Laura shares her personal journey of raising two grandchild...

Allison answers five of the most common questions she hears from parents about toddler sleep. If you're navigating pillows and blankets, sleep regressions, toddler clocks, crib-to-bed transitions, or nightlights, this episode is packed with clear, practical guidance you can use right away. This is a quick, approachable episode designed to give you clarity, reassurance, and confidence as you suppor...

We're replaying this episode because it was the most downloaded, most shared, and most talked-about episode of 2025—and for good reason. Parents consistently told us this conversation changed the way they approached feeding, eased stress at mealtimes, and helped them feel more confident introducing solid foods. In this encore episode, Kim Grenawitzke from Solid Starts joins Allison for a deep, pra...

In today's episode of How Long 'Til Bedtime? , Allison dives into one of the trickiest screen-time boundaries parents face: screens in the bedroom. Allison has always held a strong stance—no TVs, tablets, or phones in children's bedrooms—and she's breaking down exactly why this boundary matters, why it's hard, and how to make it stick, even as kids get older. Inside the episode, you'll hear: Why s...

In this episode of How Long 'Til Bedtime? , Allison shares the story behind a moment of holiday reflection that shifted her entire approach to the season. After attending a women's brunch centered around intention—not perfection—she found herself wondering how she truly wants to move through December, especially in a year filled with travel, transitions, and a quieter Christmas at home. A conversa...

In this episode of How Long 'Til Bedtime? , we dive into one of the most common questions parents ask: How long does sleep training actually take — and how can you tell if it's working? Allison breaks down the realistic timeline she sees when working one-on-one with families, why the process isn't always linear, and what improvement should look like in the first week. You'll learn: What progress t...

Night wakings can be one of the most confusing parts of early parenting — especially when you're wondering whether your baby is waking out of hunger or habit. In this episode, Allison Egidi tackles one of the most common questions she gets as a certified sleep consultant: How do I know when my baby is ready to sleep through the night without feeding? Allison shares: The difference between true hun...

Navigating the holidays can be tricky — and if you or someone you love is gluten-free, it can feel downright overwhelming. From family dinners and cookie swaps to travel days and potlucks, gluten seems to pop up everywhere. In this episode, Allison shares her personal system for staying gluten-free through the holiday season without missing out on the fun or driving yourself crazy. Drawing from he...

If the thought of holiday travel with kids makes your heart race faster than your suitcase zipper, this episode is for you. Pediatric sleep and wellness coach Allison Egidi shares a calm, practical roadmap for keeping your child's sleep on track during holiday trips—so you can come home with memories, not meltdowns. From car naps to hotel setups, time zone shifts to family expectations, Allison co...

Labor Day feels like ages ago, the days are shorter, and the holidays are on the horizon—making it the perfect moment to pause and check in on those fall reset goals. In this episode of How Long 'Til Bedtime? , pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi shares an honest update on her own fall reset progress—from waking up at 6 a.m. and walking the dogs after school drop-off, to staying consistent with he...

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. If you or someone you love has experienced a loss, please know that you are not alone—and help is available.  In this deeply moving conversation, Allison welcomes Andrea Clark, Deputy CEO of Postpartum Support International, to share her personal and professional insights on pregnancy and infant loss. Andrea opens up about her three consecutive...

The clocks are about to fall back—and parents everywhere are bracing for those dreaded 5 a.m. wake-ups. But the fall time change doesn't have to wreck your child's sleep. In this episode of How Long 'Til Bedtime? , pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi shares exactly how to navigate the end of daylight saving time with less stress (and more rest). Learn what really happens to your child's body clock...

Does your little one nap like a champ at daycare but struggle at home — or the complete opposite? You're not alone. In this episode of How Long 'Til Bedtime? , pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi dives into the fascinating (and sometimes frustrating) differences between daycare sleep and home sleep for babies and toddlers. You'll learn: Why toddlers often nap better at daycare than at home The rol...

Pacifiers: many babies love them… but when it comes to sleep training, they can become a major source of frustration. If you've ever played the endless "pacifier pop game" in the middle of the night, you know exactly what that means. In this episode of How Long 'Til Bedtime?, pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi breaks down how pacifiers impact sleep, why you don't necessarily have to ditch them, a...

If your toddler is suddenly taking forever to fall asleep—or bouncing off the walls when bedtime rolls around—it's tempting to think the solution is a later bedtime. But that's actually the wrong move in most cases. In this episode, Allison Egidi, pediatric sleep and wellness coach, explains the #1 mistake parents make with toddler bedtime routines and what to do instead. She breaks down why toddl...

Is it possible to sleep train your baby without leaving them to cry it out? The short answer: yes—but probably not without some tears. In this episode of How Long 'Til Bedtime? , pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi breaks down the myths and realities of "no cry" sleep training methods and what parents can realistically expect. You'll learn: What "cry it out" really means (definitions vary so much)...

Are you stressing over getting your baby's wake windows just right? You're not alone. Wake window charts are everywhere—on Instagram, in parenting groups, and even recommended by some sleep consultants. But here's the truth: wake windows aren't evidence-based. In this episode of How Long 'Til Bedtime?, pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi explains where wake windows came from, why they often backfi...

Labor Day has passed, the kids are back in school, and it's the perfect time for a fall reset routine. After a summer of looser schedules, many parents and caregivers find themselves craving structure, healthy habits, and simple wellness swaps that create a greater sense of balance. In this episode of How Long 'Til Bedtime?, pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi shares her personal fall reset habit...

When life turns upside down, helpers appear. In this heartfelt episode, pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi shares a deeply personal story following a tragedy in her own neighborhood. Amid loss and devastation, she reflects on the healing power of helpers—the neighbors, friends, and community members who show up with compassion and kindness in times of need. Allison explores: Why witnessing kindne...

Mornings can set the tone for the entire day—especially during the school year. If you've ever felt frazzled trying to get your kids out the door, this episode is for you. Allison shares her tried-and-true strategies for creating a smooth, stress-free morning routine, whether you're sending your child to daycare, preschool, or elementary school. From the three simple things she preps the night bef...

Kindergarten is a major milestone—for both kids and parents. So how can you best support your child's transition and set them up to thrive, not just academically, but emotionally and socially? In this encore episode, pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi is joined by veteran kindergarten teacher Meg Franco for a warm and insightful conversation about what families can do before and during the school...

Sending your child off to preschool can be exciting—and emotional. But how can you really prepare your child (and yourself) for that big transition? In this encore episode, Allison sits down with preschool teacher Elizabeth Lane to talk about everything she wishes parents knew before the first day of school. From fostering independence to navigating drop-off emotions to the real role parents play...

As the new school year approaches, it's time to bring structure back to our children's sleep schedules. In this second installment of Allison's back-to-school sleep series, we focus on elementary-aged children—a group especially impacted by the transition from summer to school routines. Pediatric sleep coach, Allison Egidi shares practical tips to help parents reset their kids' internal clocks, pl...

It's that time of year again—school is starting, and for many families, that means earlier mornings, new routines, and some big adjustments in the sleep department. In this episode, pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi is sharing exactly how to help your toddler or preschooler ease into the school year with a healthy, sustainable sleep schedule. Whether your child is starting preschool, heading to...