How Long 'Til Bedtime? | Sleep and Parenting Podcast

Are you wondering if your kindergartner needs more sleep? In this episode, you'll learn how much sleep is ideal for 5-6 year olds and how to spot the signs that your kindergartner would benefit from more sleep. Allison will offer solutions for making sure your child gets the sleep they need to be ready for the big adjustment to kindergarten. Click here for information about the September 2023 sess...

Bringing a new baby into the home is a big adjustment for everyone in the family, including older siblings. Suddenly your toddler isn't the baby of the family and this new baby needs a lot of attention. This can result in a lot of big feelings and can also trigger a sleep regression. In this episode, Allison is providing tips for keeping sleep on track for your toddler when you're going to be welc...

This episode is the third in our three-part Summer Pediatrician Series with Dr. Stephanie Grice. In this episode, Allison and Dr. Grice are discussing how to evaluate when your sick or injured child needs to be seen by a doctor.   Dr. Grice shares what symptoms warrant a visit to the doctor, how to decipher whether your child has a virus, what injuries should be seen by a doctor right away, the ro...

Parents often report to Allison that their child naps really well on a cot or mat at daycare and they are wondering if that is an indication that their child is ready for a big kid or toddler bed. Today, Allison is providing an answer to that dilemma. If your child naps well on a cot or mat at daycare, does that mean they will do well sleeping on a big kid bed at home?  Click here for information...

Allison is often asked about the ideal age to introduce a pillow and blanket to a toddler. In today's episode, she's sharing her thoughts on timing, as well as three tips to help as you make the transition.   Links Allison mentions in the episode: Episode 46. The Key to Success with a Toddler Clock Episode 76. Q&A - When should I stop putting my child in a sleep sack? Little Sleepy Head Toddler Pi...

The idea of removing toxins from your home can be overwhelming. When Allison got diagnosed with an autoimmune disease a few years ago, she set out to make some changes in her life to improve her overall health. She focused on three areas -  her diet, physical strength and environment. Today, she's sharing the five ways she addressed reducing the toxins in her home environment.   Links Allison ment...

This episode is the second in our three-part Summer Pediatrician Series with Dr. Stephanie Grice. In this episode, Allison and Dr. Grice are discussing the growth charts pediatricians use to track a child's growth.  The way a child "scores" on the growth chart can often cause anxiety for parents. Dr. Grice addresses this concern and explains why your child's placement on the growth chart isn't nea...

Consistent bedtime routines are a key component to healthy sleep habits. Allison believes that bedtime routines should be short and sweet, completed in 30 minutes or less. In this episode, she's detailing the steps of her ideal bedtime routine. This is a routine you can implement with your infant, and then follow as your child grows into a toddler, preschooler and then early elementary age child....

After each guest interview we do for the podcast, Allison asks our guests some rapid-fire questions unrelated to their area of expertise. Today's episode is a compilation of all the great "bonus answers" they shared with us in the last six months. These five guests will share their best parenting advice, book and podcast and show recommendations, favorite meal they prepare at home, and the persona...

Allison is joined by Stacey Olson, a Leadership and Positive Psychology Certified Coach, for an in-depth conversation about topics we know many parents struggle with – mom guilt, setting boundaries and creating balance in the many areas of our lives.  Request your copy of Stacey's resource Learn more about Stacey: Website LinkedIn Instagram Click here to watch or listen on YouTube   Want to hear m...

In today's episode, Allison is answering a question that parents of newborns often ask her – should you wake your baby to feed them during the night?  There is no one right answer to this question, but if your goal is to help your baby naturally learn how to sleep for longer stretches at night, check this episode out! Check out Allison's free class -  5 Common Mistakes That Can Undermine Your Newb...

This episode begins our three-part Summer Pediatrician Series with Dr. Stephanie Grice. In this episode, Allison and Dr. Grice are discussing well child visits. They cover how you can prepare for these important visits when your child is an infant or toddler, and then as they grow into a preschooler and an early elementary age child and beyond.  Dr. Grice shares how much time is typically allotted...

In the early weeks you're trying to figure out swaddling, and then you start to wonder when you should stop swaddling and how the heck you're going to do that. After you figure out which swaddle works best for your baby, it can be a lifesaver in the sleep department, particularly if you have a baby with a strong moro startle reflex. As soon as you start to see the positive effects of using the swa...

It's widely believed that a consistent bedtime routine is important. Today, Allison wants to highlight one particular step in your child's routine that she believes to be particularly worth your attention – the bedtime song. In this episode, she's explaining the many benefits to ending your child's bedtime and naptime routine with a simple song. Allison mentioned  Episode 26. 5 Myths About the Cri...

May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness month. Regular listeners know how much importance Allison places on maternal wellness. Today, we are looking at maternal wellness from yet another angle. For this episode, Allison is joined by Kayce Hodos, a maternal mental health therapist and coach. Allison and Kayce are discussing proactive steps you can take to support a new mom's mental health during he...

Most parents want to have a child who is flexible when it comes to their sleep. And children can really vary as to how well they can handle flexibility in their sleep schedule and where they sleep. While Allison doesn't think you can determine where your child naturally falls on the sleep flexibility scale, she does believe that there are things you can do to maximize your child's sleep flexibilit...

Last May, in recognition of Maternal Mental Health Awareness month, we shared several very personal stories of postpartum anxiety and depression across four episodes of How Long 'Til Bedtime. As we discussed then, it is believed that 1 in 5 new moms experience some level of perinatal mood or anxiety disorder. And when a new mom experiences postpartum anxiety or depression, her partner is 50% more...

If you do any research into how much sleep your toddler or preschooler needs, you'll likely find a range of about 10-14 hours for children ages 2 to 5 years old. That's a really big range. And each child's sleep needs are different. How do you know how much sleep YOUR child needs? And how much of it should be nighttime sleep versus daytime naps?  Allison has learned quite a bit on this topic over...

The thought of breaking a child's thumb or finger sucking habit causes a lot of stress for many parents Allison works with. Today, she is sharing the approach she encourages all of her clients to take. Spoiler alert: having a plan and preparing your child are crucial. Listen in to hear the strategy and language to use with your child in anticipation of the transition and as you're moving through i...

Today, Allison is making her case for a consistent nap and sleep schedule for your baby or child. Allison knows that many parents initially resist the idea of putting their baby on a schedule, and often set out as new parents with the goal of being flexible and continuing the "go with the flow" lifestyle they led before becoming parents. She was one of those parents, too – initially. But through h...

In today's episode, Allison has a conversation with Michelle Streeter, an infertility and IVF support coach and founder of thrIVF. Michelle opens up about her own experience with infertility and IVF and offers suggestions for how women can cope with the challenges that often come up along the way. Caring for yourself as you go through this process is paramount and Michelle offers advice on finding...

Providing a consistent sleep environment for your child is important. Two parents living together and parenting as a couple often find it difficult to stay on the same page when it comes to sleep. Obviously, things can be even more challenging when you are co-parenting with a parent who lives in a different home. In today's episode, Allison is sharing strategies for helping your child maintain hea...

Sleep sacks are safe, wearable blankets. Allison often recommends them to her clients, but likely not for the reason most people would suspect. She believes they play a very important role in keeping our toddlers in the crib as long as possible. In this episode, Allison answers the question of how long she recommends parents continue to put their children in sleep sacks. Check out  Episode 26. 5 M...

We know busy parents love to try products that come highly recommended from people in their lives. From time-to-time Allison creates an episode highlighting her favorite products. Today, Allison shares 5 products she's currently loving.  You can use these links to check out these products: Laundry Bar Laundry Brush Book: Summer Island Makeup Spatula Over The Sink Drying Rack Souper Cubes Explore A...

Managing bedtimes and midday nap times when a toddler and a baby share a room can be very tricky. And making sure each child gets the sleep they need can be a real challenge. In today's episode, Allison is offering suggestions for preparing your toddler and baby to share a room, and tips for solving the challenges that often come up along the way. Allison mentions: Episode 46. The Key to Success w...