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Intuitive Baby Sleep

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intuitivebabysleep

🌙sleep without sleep training
🫶🏻no bad habits
🤎normalizing cosleeping & contact napping
✨empowering parents to trust their intuition

Two years ago today Nic took this photo of O and I

Two years ago today Nic took this photo of O and I without me knowing. And it is to this day it is one of my favourite pictures of O and I during her first year 🤎

You can see that I am tired, with bed head and nursing tank undone. But you can also see joy and confidence in my expression. And a loving gaze between O and I.

I remember this moment vividly. It was 6:30am and I had just finished nursing O for the tenth time since she went to bed the night before.

By four-months postpartum I knew by the third wake what was going on. “Growth spurt” I said out loud to Nic as I pulled O out of her bassinet.

By this point, I knew the drill. O would nurse and sleep around the clock for 24-48 hours, then things would go back to normal.

I remember noticing how unbothered I was. I realized I now not only knew I could cope with this, I actually sort of looked forward to a day of lounging and snuggles.

And then I marveled at how my mindset had changed so much since her first few growth spurts. No more spiraling and thinking:

✨”Is it always going to be this hard?”

✨”What am I doing wrong?”

✨”Is she not getting enough milk from me?”

✨”Did I create a bad habit rocking her to sleep?”

I didn’t worry about a thing. Because I had been there before and knew it would pass.

That to me is one of the most beautiful things about motherhood. Over time, things that were once hard become easier. We find our confidence. We tune into our intuition.

I’ve had many moments like this since: deciding to bedshare, teething, split nights, separation anxiety. Phase where in the beginning our worlds were rocked and I wondered if things would always be this hard.

But overtime we find always find our groove. Things get easier. Confidence is restored. And I know without a doubt “we’ve got this.” And our intuition takes over.

If you’re in the thick of a hard phase right now, mama, I see you 🫶🏻

Not only will it not always be this hard, you’re literally proving to yourself in this moment that you can cope with this. You will find your confidence again. And, if you let it, your intuition will guide you through 🤎

#trustyourintuition #mamafeels #youvegotthismama #sleepwithoutsleeptraining

Capping naps is another one of my top tips for get

Capping naps is another one of my top tips for getting some more predictability in your days.

And it’s often one of my go-to solutions for trying to sort through false starts, split nights and early risings.

Swipe through this quick guide to capping naps to see if it’s something worth experimenting with for your little one 🫶🏻

#naptime #cappingnaps #falsestarts #splitnights #earlyrising #sleepchallenges #normalinfantsleep #normaltoddlersleep #naptransitions #droppingnaps #babyledsleep #sleepwithoutsleeptraining

Have you heard some version of “if you don’t s

Have you heard some version of “if you don’t stop contact napping (or bedsharing or supporting your baby to sleep) now they will never nap at daycare?” Does it make you feel sick thinking about your final days of maternity leave being spent trying to help your baby sleep without you?

I have good news for you - not only do you not have to stop these things, I actually recommend you KEEP DOING THEM!

Starting daycare (or with a nanny or family member) is a huge transition for you both, and your little one will experience so many new things for sleep… new caregiver, new routine, new environment, new sounds and smells while falling asleep…

With so many new things to take in it is not going to matter whether they are used to falling asleep without your support, or are used to sleeping in a crib, naps at daycare are going to take time and practice to become familiar and natural to your baby 🤎

Plus, with so much in their world changing, keeping sleep at home as ✨CONSISTENT✨ as possible will actually help them adapt to the change faster.

And, it is normal and expected that you and your little one are going to crave extra connection, contact and proximity after being apart all day, so you are fighting a very natural, biological instinct to hold them close 🫶🏻

Worried about how your caretaker will support them to sleep if they are used to falling asleep in contact with you? Remember that no matter what, their new caregiver is going to need to find their own way to support your baby to sleep. Your baby will learn in time their new nap routine when they are with their new caregiver, and it is totally fine (and expected) that it will look very different than how you support them to sleep.

So soak up and savour those end of mat-leave snuggles, mama! You and baby have lots of changes coming your way, and the way your baby sleeps when they are with you doesn’t have to be one of them 🥹🤎

Curious to learn more? Sign up for my Sleep and Starting Childcare Webinar this Sunday, September 10 at 10am! Link in bio 🫶🏻

#contactnap #naptrapped #childcare #daycare #sleepmyths #maternityleave #backtowork #nursingtosleep #bedsharing #normalinfantsleep #sleepwithoutsleeptraining

Is your little one starting childcare (or preschoo

Is your little one starting childcare (or preschool or kindergarten) this week?

Being apart and adjusting to this new normal is tough (on you both.) And whenever our littles go through a big change, sleep can be a little disrupted….

Many babies and children will wake more at night, struggle with bedtime, or both. This is because sleep represents major separation and after being apart more than usual they often will seek out extra connection at night 🤎

One way to make this a smoother transition for everyone is to meet their needs for connection before they ask (ie before the bedtime battles and night waking start)

I know, evenings after work are busy. It might feel like an impossible ask to add one more thing to your to-do list. But I promise you, making sure their connection cup is overflowing will go a long way.

Here are a few ways to squeeze in extra connection to an already busy evening:

✨Create a reconnecting ritual when you’re reunited - for example offer to nurse, snuggle or read books when you first get home

✨Make supper together (or meal prep in advance or order takeout and use your typical cooking time to connect)

✨Introduce “special time” - spend 10-15 mins playing whatever your child wants to play before bed

✨Be extra playful and present while going about your usual evening with your child (for example, play a new game or be extra silly while putting on pjs or brushing teeth)

✨Offer more support than usual as your child falls asleep - if they usually go on their own, plan to lay with them until they fall asleep. If you already bedshare, maybe plan to go to bed with your child and snuggle until you’re ready to fall asleep.

However you fit this time in, remember that if your child is seeking extra connection or if sleep is a bit (or really) off, it is completely normal and expected.

This is a big change for you both and you’re doing an amazing job, mama 🫶🏻

Interested in learning more about how to support your little one while they start childcare? Register for my upcoming Sleep & Starting Childcare Webinar on Sunday, September 10 at 10am ADT. Link in bio 🤎

#childcare #backtoschool #preschool #connection #sleepwithoutsleeptraining

Often when sleep gets a bit off course and bedtime

Often when sleep gets a bit off course and bedtime gets later than usual, lots of sleep experts will recommend a consistent bedtime.

But I actually often recommend working in reverse… start with a consistent WAKE UP TIME.

I know, I know, the idea of waking your peacefully sleeping baby or toddler in the morning instead of sipping your coffee while it’s hot (or sleeping in yourself) is tough…

BUT a consistent wake-up time can often be more effective in resetting the circadian rhythm for a few reasons, but the main reason is…

✨ you have WAY more control over waking up your child then you do getting them to sleep ✨

You actually have zero control on when your child falls asleep. You can set them up for success by having a solid bedtime routine, the perfect sleep environment and a handful of sleep associations, but the rest is up to them.

Instead of setting yourself up for frustrating bedtime battles, wake them slightly earlier every few days until you reach your ideal wake-up, and naps and bedtime should naturally begin to shift earlier as well.

Then aim to consistently wake your little one around the same time everyday (within a half hour is often what I recommend.)

And if you can get into sunshine (or in natural light inside) within a half hour of waking, even better! Sunlight first thing in the morning helps establish the circadian rhythm by signaling to our bodies that it is time to wake up. Even a few minutes can make a huge difference! whole family.

For some families a consistent wake up time isn’t possible (shift workers for example) and that’s ok! Like all the tips I offer on here, not everything will work for every family (PS I’ll be sharing more getting back into routine tips throughout September.)

But if you have the ability to play around with a consistent wake up time as you get back into routine this September, I highly recommend it.

Planning to give a consistent wake up time and sunlight a shot this week? Let me know in this comments!

#normalinfantsleep #babyledsleep #routine #sleepingin #latebedtime #circadianrhythm #sleepwithoutsleeptraining

Another Floor Bed Success Story! Swipe to read h

Another Floor Bed Success Story!

Swipe to read how a floor bed made nighttime parenting more enjoyable for S and M, and how it gave S and M more confidence in their ability to support their daughter back to sleep at night 🤎

#floorbed #toddlerbed #normaltoddlersleep #nursingtosleep #nightweaning #responsiveparenting #sleepwithoutsleeptraining #babyledsleep #babyledsleepandwellbeingspecialist

✨GIVEAWAY CLOSED✨ I am seriously SO excited a

✨GIVEAWAY CLOSED✨

I am seriously SO excited about this upcoming webinar that I’ve decided to do a GIVEAWAY!

ONE mama is going to get to attend the Sleep & Starting Childcare Webinar for FREE 🤎

To enter:
✨Like this post
✨Tag a friend in separate comments (each tag is an additional entry)
✨BONUS ENTRY: share on your stories and tag @intuitivebabysleep

The giveaway closes on Thursday, August 31 at 8am ADT. The winner will be announced before registration opens Thursday at 10am.

Best of luck, mamas 🤎

#giveaway #webinar #childcare #babyledsleep #attachment #connection #responsiveparenting #normalinfantsleep #normaltoddlersleep #sleepwithoutsleeptraining

By popular demand, the Sleep and Starting Childcar

By popular demand, the Sleep and Starting Childcare Webinar will be LIVE two weeks from today on Sunday, September 10 at 10am ADT.

Going back to work is a huge transition for both baby and mama. It’s normal to feel anxious or worried about how that transition might go (and how sleep might be impacted.)

You are probably wondering (or Goggling) how will my baby nap at daycare? Should I stop contact napping to get them ready? Will our nights be a mess until my baby adjusts?

Whether you’re going back full-time or part-time, starting day care, hiring a nanny or leaving your baby with a friend or family member, you will feel CONFIDENT navigating sleep while starting childcare.

Here is what you will learn during this 60-minute webinar:

Attachment & Separation: how children attach in the first six years and how to tap into attachment instincts when you are apart.

Emotion & Tears: learn how to support your little one’s tears and big feelings.

Tips for preparing mom: why your feelings and confidence are KEY in making this a successful transition and how to build up your village of support during your return to work.

Tips for preparing baby/toddler: simple and practical things you can do in advance to get your child ready, including what changes to sleep you can make, and what things to keep consistent until after the transition takes place.

A drop off and pick up you feel good about: how to say goodbye, how to bridge separation and tips for reconnecting after pick-up (and how this helps with sleep.)

What to expect for sleep for the first month after starting daycare, including naps at daycare and nights at home.

Troubleshooting common challenges: Nap strikes, special considerations for highly sensitive children, communicating your parenting values around sleep to your provider or family member, and navigating naps for cosleeping and contact napping only babies.

Registration opens Wednesday, August 30 at www.intuitivebabysleep.com

Can’t make the love event? No worries! You will have access to the recording for 30 days after the webinar.

Hope to see you there!

#childcare #webinar #attachment #babyledsleep #daycare #daycarenaps #sleepwithoutsleeptraining

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