After the Stork Podcast: Infant & Toddler Sleep with Megan Robert

This episode is the second episode of a two parter. Part one is episode 18 of the podcast. One of the most commonly overlooked aspects of sleep when it comes to sleep training is a baby's schedule. But timing of sleep is SO important. If your child is not sleeping at the right time of day for their body and needs, sleep training could potentially be a disaster regardless of the level of engagement you choose for your responses. This episode will help you to understand WHY this is the case. View the show notes and access any links or documents mentioned in this episode at www.afterthestorksleep.com/post/episode20. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message

With several holidays right around the corner, this episode of the After the Stork Podcast is meant to help you keep your napping child well-rested while still enjoying the festivities! Here are the five tips that we will dig into during this episode: Tip 1 - Set realistic expectations for all involved. Tip 2 - Preserve sleep as much as possible when possible. Tip 3 - Beware of overstimulation. Tip 4 - What to consider if traveling for the holidays. Tip 5 - If anything gets thrown off, get right back on track the next day with the morning reset. View the show notes and access any links or documents mentioned in this episode at www.afterthestorksleep.com/post/episode19. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message

Five tips to help your napping child if the fall time change threw their sleep outta whack! This is the most difficult of the two time changes for napping children. But they can get through it! You've got this. View the show notes and access any links or documents mentioned in this episode at www.afterthestorksleep.com/post/episode16. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message

One of the most commonly overlooked aspects of sleep when it comes to sleep training is a baby's schedule. Often the first thought when trying to improve a child's sleep is which sleep training method to use. But, successful sleep training is much more than just figuring out how you will or will not respond to your child at a time for sleep. In this episode, you can expect the following: > brief review of what healthy sleep means or, as I like to call it, "CATRing to your child's age". > brief review of the acronym ESRA+, pronounced ez-ruh-plus. This is a term to help you remember the five main areas to consider when evaluating your child's sleep and creating an effective sleep plan. > description of five circadian rhythms that contribute to sleep development. > list of five major influencers on the circadian rhythms. Aka? Influencers of sleep and timing of sleepl. Note that this episode is only half of the story! This episode will be followed by a part two. View the show notes and access any links or documents mentioned in this episode at www.afterthestorksleep.com/post/episode18. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message

Whether you have a child under one year of age now, are expecting, or work with younger children? This episode is for you. It is never too early or frequent to learn about safe sleep. But it can be too late. Learn or review the nineteen guidelines provided by the most researched, knowledge based, empirical reference we have when it comes to safe sleep. The American Association of Pediatrics. Along with this review, there will be an emphasis on the guidelines that commonly cause confusion for people and that many influencers and professionals seem to either not know or decide to ignore when giving sleep advice. Even if this isn't new to you, repetition is the key! Even Sleep Consultants like myself take safe sleep classes over and over again. Access the Safe Sleep 101 Online Course for FREE at www.afterthestorksleep.com/safesleep. Click here to view the show notes and access any links or documents mentioned in this episode at www.afterthestorksleep.com/post/episode17. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message

The fall time change is right around the corner. November 7th to be exact...if listening in the year 2021. When you were kidless, this might have been your favorite time change! I know it is for me. Minus the getting dark earlier in the evenings. But with kids? That 6AM wakeup call you get?... Will be 5AM. In this episode, we're going to talk about what is happening with the clock for this time change, four different options for helping your child adjust to the fall time change, and whaT to consider when choosing which option to use. Access the Fall Time Change Masterclass for FREE at www.afterthestorksleep.com/falltimechange. Click here to view the show notes and access any links or documents mentioned in this episode at www.afterthestorksleep.com/post/episode16. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message

One of the important elements to sleep is timing. When our children sleep at the right times of day for their age and individual selves, they can achieve better quality sleep. In this episode, you will learn about the six nap phases ranging from those early days of random sleep bouts to those preschool years when the last nap goes. Tune into learn the difference between wake windows and a schedule, the age ranges for the six nap phases, sample schedules and hot tips for each phase. Click here to view the show notes and access any links or documents mentioned in this episode at www.afterthestorksleep.com/post/episode15. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message

Do you think your child is ready to drop a nap? In this episode, you will learn about the three major nap transitions throughout a child's life, the typical age ranges for when they occur, and the signs to be aware of that could be indicating your child is ready. Click here to view the show notes and access any links or documents mentioned in this episode at www.afterthestorksleep.com/post/episode14. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message

This episode covers a topic that is so valuable but often overlooked. And that is what to consider in order to avoid dropping a nap too early! In this episode you will learn why dropping a nap too early can be an issue, the very first thing to do if sleep is off, and eight areas to consider evaluating before assuming your child is ready to drop a nap. Click here to view the show notes and access any links or documents mentioned in this episode at www.afterthestorksleep.com/post/episode13. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message

You are heading home with your infant, toddler, or preschooler from an outing. You are doing your best to be back for your child's next nap. However, your child falls asleep for even just five minutes! You get all anxious because you know that the chance of them taking a good nap is now shot and your sacred hour or two to get things done and have alone time will possibly be nonexistent. I would bet money that you are shaking your head up and down, snapping your fingers going, "Mmmmmmhmmm!" If this is you, this episode is for you. Hit play to learn why those dreaded car naps throw off sleep, how to avoid them if possible, and what to do when ya just have to embrace them. Click here to view the show notes and access any links or documents mentioned in this episode at www.afterthestorksleep.com/post/episode12. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message

Stork Story Series are episodes consisting of chats with past clients to provide you with the perspective of parents prior, during, and after working with me, an Infant & Toddler Sleep Consultant. This episode is Rachel Radspinner's story of her experience with the sleep of her son Remy. She speaks to how sleep deprivation effected her as an individual and her relationship with her partner, their experience of sleep training for Remy, what shocked her about Remy during the process, and more! Click here to view the show notes and access any links or documents mentioned in this episode at www.afterthestorksleep.com/post/rachel. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message

In this episode of the After the Stork Podcast, you will learn about the common misconception that a child will just start sleeping through the night whenever they are ready. While yes, some children do this. Many do not. Many need you, the parent, to take responsibility in creating the components necessary for them to sleep well. Your child cannot control their sleep environment or when you place them into their crib for sleep. Your child does not know the importance of sleep for their little bodies and how to improve it. Just like it is up to us to provide our children with nutritious food and vaccinations. And like it is up to us to provide our children the space and opportunity to fall down and get back up when learning to walk because it is necessary in their learning of the skill. The same is necessary for sleep! Click here to view the show notes and access any links or documents mentioned in this episode at www.afterthestorksleep.com/post/episode11. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message

In this episode, we are going to explore what to realistically expect throughout the night for your child's sleep due to the nature of sleep, how we define sleeping through the night (STTN) here in the Stork Community, and five different areas that can have an affect on whether or not your child could be sleeping through the night. Click here to view the show notes and access any links or documents mentioned in this episode at www.afterthestorksleep.com/post/episode10. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message

Busting myths and misconceptions left and right. And this one is to let you know that you do not have to accept the false narrative that exhaustion is just part of the whole parenting gig until your child is older. Sure, you might have days. But if you are sleep deprived directly in relation to your child's sleep struggles and want to change that? You don't have to wait until they are out of diapers. Click here for the show notes and to get your copy of The Five Key Components to Consider in Every Infant & Toddler Sleep Plan at www.afterthestorksleep.com/post/episode9! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message

In this episode you will learn about three options for dropping night feedings if you decide this is right for your child and family and the steps to take for each one. To provide guidance while implementing either option, get your free copy of Sleep Training with Night Feedings in the show link. Click here for the show notes at www.afterthestorksleep.com/post/episode8. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message

In this episode you will learn about the common misconception that sleep training means getting rid of all night feedings, potentially depriving a child of food. You will learn about the realistic expectations to set for night feedings and sleep, what to consider when deciding whether or not to keep night feedings, and the steps for how to go about sleep training if keeping night feedings. If your child has night feedings and you are considering sleep training, this episode is for you! If you are a professional who works with parents who have younger children who have night feedings, this episode is also for you! Unfortunately, the idea of sleep training is not fully understood by a lot of people outside of the sleep realm and, thus, there is negative energy around it that passes onto parents. And that negative energy often stems from misconceptions like the one mentioned here. Join me to learn about the reality of night feedings when working to improve sleep and, together, let's change the narrative so that parents know they have options. Click here for the show notes at www.afterthestorksleep.com/post/episode7. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message

The start to Daylight Saving Time is approaching! This means we spring forward an hour on the clock, "losing" an hour of sleep from Saturday, March 13th to Sunday, March 14th. For example, what is now 6:30AM will become 7:30AM. You might be tempted to have your child sleep in on Sunday. And this MIGHT be a good option for your child. However, if you need to keep your child on the same current clock schedule, you will want to consider how you plan to help your child adjust to the new time. You can help your child gradually adjust to time change in a few of ways. This episode and the free Sleep Guide for the Spring Time Change covers four options. Click here for the show notes at www.afterthestorksleep.com/post/episode6. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message

First ever Stork Stories episode! Stork Stories are chats with past clients to provide you with the perspective of parents prior, during, and after working with me, an Infant & Toddler Sleep Consultant. In this Stork Story, we dive into so much thanks to Alyssa's willingness to open up about her experience. First, you will hear Alyssa's journey with her son Nolan prior to hiring me. She touches on when sleep became a struggle, what she tried prior to reaching out, how it effected her as an individual, and her experience and thought process with finding a sleep consultant. Then, you will hear about her perspective with sleep training prior to the process, her concerns, and how it ended up benefiting Nolan and her entire family. Last, you will hear Alyssa talking about the changes she made during the sleep training process that helped with Nolan's sleep and the lessons that came from it that still affect her family over two years later! Click here for the show notes at www.afterthestorksleep.com/post/alyssaking. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message

ESRA+, an acronym I mentioned in episode three regarding the five components I consider when evaluating sleep. The E is for the sleep ENVIRONMENT. This episode dives into the elements of the sleep environment to make it ideal for your infant or toddler. Click here to view the show notes and get your Sleep Environment Checklist at www.afterthestorksleep.com/post/episode5. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message

Often when the words sleep training spill out of someone's mouth or from their fingertips to the keyboard, many automatically assume that the individual is referring to cry-it-out or CIO as you will see it often written. So this episode is all about debunking this myth that sleep training means cry-it-out. Cry-it-out, or another term for it unmodified extinction, is only one of so many options. Before choosing which level of involvement and specific sleep training method you will use, reflect on the five questions presented in this episode. And remember! Sleep training is more than just choosing a method. Click here for the show notes and to get your copy of The Five Key Components to Consider in Every Infant & Toddler Sleep Plan at www.afterthestorksleep.com/post/episode4! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message

In this episode, you will learn about ESRA+. ESRA+ is an acronym to help you remember the five components to evaluate when you are helping your little one to achieve better sleep. ESRA+ is how we define "sleep training" in the Stork Community. The term often gets a bad rep. But sleep training is just the word we use when referring to being intentional with helping children to achieve the healthy sleep they biologically need. In this episode I dive into this definition a bit more and explain what is entailed with sleep training. It is more than just choosing a sleep training method. It does not have to be CIO. And it does not mean your child has to be "sleeping through the night" and dropping all night feedings. Join me to make sure that in future episodes we share the same sleep training definition in order to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding. Click here to view the show notes and access any links or documents mentioned in this episode at www.afterthestorksleep.com/episode3. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message

One of the main goals as a parent is to keep our children healthy. When it comes to sleep, what does this mean? In this episode, I dive into the four key elements that make up healthy sleep. To help people remember, I like to say "CATR" to your child's age. Listen to dive into each one of those components to better understand healthy sleep for your little one. Click here to view the show notes and access any links mentioned in this episode at www.afterthestorksleep.com/episode2. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message

This is my journey of finding my calling as an Infant & Toddler Sleep Consultant and the three common key factors to reach a sleep goal. Serving families while on their sleep journeys since 2015 has given me time to evaluate and pinpoint what leads to "success". I refer to these factors as the Phases of the EPS. Whether being proactive or working through any sleep struggles for your baby, these are the key factors with which to armor yourself when guiding your child to better sleep. Click here to view the show notes and access any documents or links mentioned in this episode at www.afterthestorksleep.com/post/episode1! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message

Want to find out if this Podcast is right for you? Listen here to quickly learn who Megan is, what her philosophies as an Infant & Toddler Sleep Consultant are, and what her objectives are with this podcast. www.afterthestorksleep.com/post/introduction --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afterthestork/message