Brand New Little People

Night terrors, sleep talking, confusional arousals, sleep walking, and nightmares, are all common types of parasomnias that can occur during toddlerhood. Parasomnias are undesirable experiences that occur during sleep, that usually aren't harmful, but they can be disturbing and frustrating for parents. In episode 97 of Brand New Little People, Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) explore what causes parasomnias and how you can best manage these in your toddler. ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee! ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0 ❤️ Listen on Amazon Music https://loom.ly/ZsS9sTQfg,

You're finally starting to enjoy some longer stretches of overnight sleep, when suddenly your baby or toddler catches a virus and before you know it you're back to multiple night wakes and tricky settling. Often when our little ones recover from illness, their sleep takes a surprising amount of time to return to normal. This is a well worn path by generations of parents! In episode 96 of Brand New Little People, Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) discuss how to navigate sleep challenges during illness, with your baby or toddler. ⭐️ Join Dr Fallon in the Raising Children Network sleep webinar for babies 4-12 months, it's FREE! Register now. ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee! ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0 ❤️ Listen on Amazon Music https://loom.ly/ZsS9sTQfg,

It's a big concern for so many new parents - the dreaded four month sleep ‘regression'. The science behind sleep regressions is non existent

We all dread the day it happens—your toddler suddenly starts trying to climb out of the cot, and it feels like game over for sleep. Well, good news: it doesn't have to be. While we don't always get to choose when our toddlers transition to a bed, there are plenty of ways to make the shift smoother and keep their sleep (and yours!) on track.

We never recommend the 'Cry It Out' (CIO) approach in our sleep clinics - and for good reason. In this episode, Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) unpack what CIO means, and what alternatives align better with responsive, evidence-based care. We also take a look at the damage that can be done when the term 'Cry It Out' is applied incorrectly and explore why we steer families toward more supportive sleep solutions. ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee! ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts ❤️ Listen on Spotify ❤️ Listen on Amazon Music

Rigid, age-based wake windows are splashed across the internet, promising the solution to all your baby's sleep difficulties. But do they actually work? Mostly, no.

There is nothing better than those sweet baby cuddles when your little one naps, but at some point, you may find yourself wishing you could have your arms back. You're not alone! Contact naps can be precious, but they might not feel sustainable, especially if you've got other children

In this episode, Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) unpack what it means to have a low sleep needs baby or toddler, how to know if your little one is getting the amount of sleep they truly need, and how you can manage their lower sleep requirements across the first few years. ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee: https://loom.ly/gKUHe3M ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0 ❤️ Listen on Amazon Music https://loom.ly/ZsS9sTQ

If you've been trying to get your baby or toddler to go to bed earlier and wake earlier, then the end of Daylight Saving Time (DST) is going to be a huge win for you! But what if you're happy with your baby or toddlers' bedtime and wake time and feel mildly petrified that the end of DST is going to mess things up? Never fear, today Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) explain how you can take pre-emptive steps to ensure a smooth transition when clocks change this coming Sunday, in Victoria, NSW, ACT, SA and Tasmania. PLUS hear answers to parent questions about baby and toddler sleep and settling. ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee: https://loom.ly/gKUHe3M ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0❤️ Listen on Amazon Music https://loom.ly/ZsS9sTQ

You might have worked really hard to build your child's confidence falling asleep in their cot or bed at bedtime. But what happens if you still find yourself sitting in their room near their cot or bed, until they fall asleep? Some parents don't mind this, but others find it difficult, especially if they have other children to get to bed, and for some, their children continue to wake overnight, wondering why their parent isn't still sitting beside their bed, and insisting that they return. Cue parental exhaustion! If you want to reduce your presence at bedtime, using gentle methods, this episode is for you. Join Dr Fallon and Dr Laura (PhD's & Sleep Practitioners) to learn how to gently reduce your presence at bedtime with your child. ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/infant.sleep ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0 ❤️ Listen on Amazon Music https://loom.ly/ZsS9sTQ

The term ‘self-soothing' gets thrown around a lot on the internet, but what does it actually mean? In its simplest form, self-soothing refers to the behaviours humans use to calm themselves when feeling upset. For an adult this might mean meditation, deep breathing, or debriefing with a friend, and for a baby this could mean sucking their thumb or fingers, stroking their ears or nose, or rocking their head back and forth. There are a huge number of ways humans can self-soothe. You might have heard that it's impossible for a child under the age of 3 years to self-soothe, but this isn't quite true – even tiny newborns can show some self-soothing behaviours, like sucking their hands – however, it's their capacity to self-soothe that is also tiny and takes time to develop – so we can't expect too much, too soon. In episode 86 of Brand New Little People, Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs) dive deep in to self-soothing, to dispel some myths and help you to recognise your little one's attempts to self-soothe. ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/infant.sleep ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0

Imagine if your toddler's bedtime often took longer than 3 hours

Has your baby or toddler suddenly started to sit or stand in their cot? Have easy bedtimes evaporated in to thin air as you struggle to get your little one to stay lying down long enough to fall asleep?

You've probably heard some advice suggesting that babies and toddlers must sleep in a dark room…. and then moments later heard the exact opposite – that all babies need to learn how to sleep in a brightly lit, noisy room.

When your baby or toddler isn't sleeping well and you're filled with dread at the thought of facing another broken night, it can feel like you are so deep down in the trenches that you might never climb out

In this episode of Brand New Little People, Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) discuss how you can help your toddler adjust to big life changes, with a specific focus on protecting their sleep. Do toddlers who sleep through the night have interrupted sleep after a new baby arrives? What about moving house with a toddler – how do I avoid hiccups with their sleep during such a big change? My toddler has never fallen asleep without me there to settle them and now they're starting childcare – how can I prepare them for this? These are just some of the topics we've been asked to address on the podcast. And they all speak to a common theme – toddlers. We LOVE toddlers – they're curious little scientists, trying to work out how the world works and when their world suddenly shifts, they can find it really tough. ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/infant.sleep ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0

In our sleep clinic it's common to hear parents say they're worried about their baby or toddler's naps. And we completely understand why. Everyone has a different opinion on how long naps should be and it gets tangled up in a lot of emotion. The reality is, the perfect nap for your child might be entirely different from the perfect nap for another, and it might even change day to day. The best nap is the one that leaves your baby or toddler refreshed and ready to go – whether it's a 10 minute powernap or a 3 hour mega nap. In this episode Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) unpick what science says about naps, removing the guilt and empowering you to feel confident in your baby or toddlers daily rhythm. ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/infant.sleep ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0

Some parents believe bed sharing and holding their child for their naps, will create more secure attachment than if their child sleeps in a cot or bed. But actually, where your child sleeps has very little bearing on their attachment style. Secure attachment is built through warm and responsive interactions when your child is awake, not during their sleep. Sharing your bed with your child might work well for you, but if you prefer your child sleeps in their cot or bed then you can feel confident that this won't negatively impact attachment. In this episode Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) unpack the truth about sleep & attachment, so you can ditch the guilt and make decisions that work for you and your family. ☕️ Love our work? Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/infant.sleep ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0

Parents often tell us that there was one particularly tricky night when their baby or toddler just wouldn't fall back asleep, and they finally caved, bringing their child in to their bed, in the hopes of getting more sleep. The problem? Their child realised that bed sharing was an option and decided that this would be the only place they would fall asleep from that point onwards

Cassie had an 8 month old who was waking multiple times each night. When she sought help from a friend she was told that bed sharing would be the best way to maximise her sleep and her baby's sleep too. But instead of helping, bed sharing caused a drastic increase in night waking. Her son was now waking 8-10 times per night and Cassie was more exhausted than ever. But all of this turned around in under a week. In this week's new episode, Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) talk about what Cassie did to get her son sleeping through the night in his own cot. ☕️ Shout us a coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/infant.sleep ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or if you just enjoy a nice break from paid work over the New Year period, you might have questions about how to manage your baby or toddler's sleep. With family gatherings, changing routines, excitement and fun, it can feel a little scary to suddenly have your little one out of routine. In today's episode Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) discuss how you can keep sleep on track during the festive season, so everyone is well-rested. ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0

Your baby is happily playing but then lets out a yawn. What do you do? Do you drop everything and sprint for the nursery, keen to settle them for sleep before they become overtired? Or do you wait longer to see if a collection of tired signs show up? It might surprise you to learn that yawning isn't a reliable tired sign in little babies. It might also surprise you to learn that the haste with which you settle your baby after spotting a tired sign, very much depends on their age. If you're confused, you're not alone! In this week's episode, Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) deliver a masterclass in knowing exactly what tired signs to look for in your newborn, your baby, or your toddler. ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0

The amount of conflicting information circulating about baby and toddler sleep, is wildly out of control

Your baby or toddler wakes in the night and you drag yourself out of bed, exhausted, but by the time you've got them back to sleep and you finally climb back in to your bed…you're wide awake. In the middle of the night, it's easy to begin worrying about anything and everything. Before you know it, your heart rate is up, you're replaying every embarrassing thing you ever did, or doubting your life choices, and you might lie there for ages trying to fall back asleep. In this week's episode of Brand New Little People, Dr Fallon and Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) deliver their best tips for protecting your own sleep from middle of the night rumination, or what some call ‘barbed-wire thinking'. ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0

New parents are told to expect their sleep to change forever—but nothing truly prepares you for the reality of caring for a precious new life on such fragmented sleep. After the blur of the early weeks and months, many parents find themselves ready to make adjustments to where, when, and how their baby sleeps. For some, this shift happens within the first six months; for others, closer to a year; and for some parents, they simply aren't ready to make changes to their child's sleep until their little one is a toddler or preschooler. But one thing remains the same: it's usually the parents who want things to change, not the baby. And that can make the transition challenging. In this week's episode of Brand New Little People, Dr Fallon and Dr Laura discuss what parents can do when adjusting their baby or toddler's sleep turns out to be harder than expected. ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0

Let's talk about the ‘17 diapers' trend happening on TikTok. Hannah is a mum who posted a video counting the number of dirty diapers she could find lying around her house. She found 17. She has a newborn and a toddler, so that's probably 1 days' worth of dirty nappies. Most would find this normal and unsurprising, but over 10,000 people jumped on her post to leave nasty comments criticising her parenting. Thankfully, that wasn't the end of it. An army of mums came to Hannah's rescue, creating their own videos describing what their own version of ‘17 diapers' looked like. TikTok was flooded with videos highlighting the incredibly difficult time that postpartum is for mothers and the sense of comradery this created, was awesome. In this week's episode of Brand New Little People, Dr Fallon and Dr Laura discuss their own ‘17 diaper' stories, and answer questions submitted by parent members of the Sombelle Paediatric Sleep Clinic Programs. Remember! Talk about your own experiences with the mothers around you – so no tired mum feels shamed, or alone. ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0

Welcoming your own little baby to the fold is usually a pretty exciting and thrilling moment. Whilst the majority of new parents experience a lot of joy during this time, for some, the transition to parenthood is lined with trepidation. This is because we don't begin parenting from a clean slate. We all arrive in parenting with our baggage – from our own experiences being parented as children, from the experiences we have birthing our children, and from the expectations set upon us by the societies and cultures we live within. In this week's episode we're going to explore how your experiences can shape how you approach parenting your little one. Tune in to episode 70 of Brand New Little People, to hear Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs) explain how the transition to parenthood can be influenced by our past experiences. Parent questions are also answered, including: Can my baby learn how to fall asleep in their cot when they're so tricky to settle even with hands on support? How do I manage my toddlers nap when it falls at the same time as swimming lessons? My baby is awake for 1.5 hours overnight – is it time to try a different settling approach? Should I be worried that my baby cries very intensely for 30 seconds when put in their cot? How can I prevent sneaky car naps that are making nights tricky? ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0

If you're the parent of a toddler who's had ongoing sleep difficulties since birth, chances are you're battling extreme, unrelenting fatigue. How can parents possibly begin to make changes to their little one's sleep, on the back of months of their own sleep deprivation? Especially when the sleep deprivation has contributed to increased depression and anxiety symptoms. This week we discuss strategies parents can use to manage their own fatigue when working towards improving their little one's sleep. Tune in to episode 69 of Brand New Little People, to hear Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs) unpack parental fatigue and answer parent questions, including: How do I manage my high-needs baby? How can I help my 7-week-old get used to falling asleep in their cot? How can I stop my baby pulling their dummy out? Is it ok to only work on cot settling at the beginning of the night? ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0

Are sleep associations real? Data from thousands of babies, children, and adults concludes that they absolutely are. So why has there been a recent increase in anti- sleep association sentiment on social media? Sleep associations are the things we need present in order to fall asleep and these tend to gradually shift across the lifespan. Tune in to hear Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs) unpack the science behind sleep associations, and the impact sleep associations might have on your baby or toddlers sleep. You'll also learn how to help your little one adjust to the start of Daylight Savings Time. Parent questions are also answered, including: Should my 11 week old be able to link sleep cycles together? What's the best way to deal with early morning wake ups? Why does my baby treat bedtime like nap time? When should I begin to settle my baby in their cot? Is it best to work on cot settling before or after unswaddling my baby? How can I help my toddler settle more easily for their dad? The following research paper is discussed in this episode: Sadeh A, Tikotzky L, Scher A. Parenting and infant sleep. Sleep Med Rev. 2010;14(2):89–96. ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0

Many new parents have to navigate the influx of unwanted advice offered by extended family members. This can be amplified when extended family lives with you or comes to stay for an extended period. Like our anonymous listener, whose mother and sister in law constantly entered the bedroom when she was settling the baby, to tell her how she could be doing things differently. Setting clear boundaries with extended family, early on, can help set expectations and minimise hurt feelings. You are the parent and you set the rules. Tune in to hear Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs) discuss practical strategies for setting clear and reasonable boundaries with your extended family. Parent questions are answered including: How do I identify my baby's unique sleep needs? Should I reintroduce a nap that I recently dropped? Does it matter if my baby changes between 4 and 3 naps per day if the total amount of sleep is still the same? How can I make nap settling easier? What do I do if my baby struggles to resettle during the night? ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0

There are plenty of people who will try to convince you that the only right way to settle your baby for sleep, is their way. They often describe cot settling as being harmful for babies, and when they try to use research papers to back up their opinions, they cite papers that don't even examine sleep (or infants!) or papers that are purely theoretical and which don't report on data from families. It creates an unnecessary minefield for parents and leads to feelings of shame and exhaustion. Tune in to hear why Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs) are pro parent choice, believing that families are best placed to make their own decisions about how to settle their baby for sleep, and learn why there is no shame in cot settling. Parent questions are answered including: How do I navigate the change from 2 naps to just 1 nap for my toddler? Will cosleeping during travel make it harder for my baby to sleep in their cot once I get home? Why did my baby have a random tricky night in amongst other great nights? Is it ok if my baby snoozes during day time feeds? My baby's sleep requirement has been gradually declining – when will it plateau? ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0

When you try a new approach for settling your baby, it's important to persist for a while so you can see if it works for them, and for you! Knowing when to ‘pull the plug' and try something different, will depend on several factors, including how your baby is responding, and how you feel about continuing. There is usually some trial and error when it comes to settling a baby, and that's ok. You and your baby are learning. Tune in to episode 65 to hear Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs) describe the factors parents should consider when deciding whether to persist, or change settling approaches. Parent questions are also answered, including: My baby hates the car, how can I help them get used to it? How can I phase out feeding to sleep? How long should it take my baby to fall asleep in their cot? How can I manage tricky settles? ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0

What should you do if your childcare centre refuses to support your baby or toddler's typical sleep patterns or settling preferences? And what is the best way to approach these tricky conversations? Babies and toddlers often surprise their parents by settling with minimal fuss at childcare, and often sleeping great long stretches with ease. But for some babies and toddlers, this makes their nights very challenging. Tune in to hear Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) discuss how to manage sleep and childcare. Parent questions are also answered including: Why does my baby wake 45 minutes after bedtime? What's the best way to drop night feeds? How can I stop early morning wake ups? ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0

There is no job more demanding or exhausting, than raising a child. Yet sometimes parents focus more on protecting the sleep of the parent who is in paid work, than the sleep of the parent in charge of keeping the little ones alive and thriving. It's not always possible to perfectly split the labour of child rearing, but it's important that whatever the division of labour, both parents' health and wellbeing is protected. After all, that's what genuine partnership is all about! Join Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs, Sleep Practitioners) as they explain what you can do to ensure equity in your partnership as you set out to be the very best parents you can! Parents questions are also answered, including: If I give my baby fewer naps are they more likely to length their naps? Should I assist my baby to sleep longer after a cat nap? How can I teach my baby to knit 2 or more sleep cycles together? What factors should I consider if my child wakes very early? ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0

In this episode Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs) unpack five key factors to consider when addressing your baby or toddler's sleep difficulties. With each of these factors accounted for, you'll be on the path to more restful nights! Tune in to the full discussion in episode 62 of Brand New Little People, as Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs) answer questions from parents including: Should I persist with my current settling approach or is it time to try something new? How can I help my toddler, who has separation anxiety, settle to sleep confidently and independently? Should we take turns settling our toddler, or is it best from one parent to take the lead? How can I stop feeding my toddler to sleep at bedtime when they nod off so quickly? How can I tell if my baby's sleep difficulties are to do with sleep pressure or how they're falling asleep? ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0

This week, Dr Laura (PhD) tells us about a family who were carrying a lot fear and guilt surrounding their baby's sleep, and how they overcame these fears and improved sleep for the entire family. Many parents report feeling upset and conflicted about their child's sleep because they've been told that their child's extreme sleep difficulties are normal, that any number of night wakes or tricky settles is acceptable, and that their job as parent, is simply to endure. These parents are often burdened with guilt for seeking support for their child's sleep difficulties. They've been told that trying to change how they settle their child, no matter how gentle and respectful, will cause irreparable damage to their child. This is, of course, not true. But for many families the damage is already done. In this illuminating episode of Brand New Little People, Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs) unravel the guilt and fear surrounding sleep during infancy and toddlerhood, giving parents permission to fearlessly pursue gentle cot settling when they feel ready to do so. Parent questions are also answered, including: Is it ok to leave my baby's bedroom before they fall asleep? How can I manage toilet training & bedtime? How can I get my toddler to go to bed earlier in the evening? How can I resolve my baby's false starts? My toddler keeps standing up in their cot, what can I do? ❤️ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts ❤️ Subscribe on Spotify

Most little babies love to take some day naps in the arms of a parent, because it feels snug and warm. Contact naps can be blissful in the early days, but often become challenging as babies become heavier and parents need more hands-free time to get things done. In this episode Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs) talk about factors parents should consider when deciding if contact naps will stay or go. As with most parenting decisions, there is no clear right or wrong approach, but having all the facts will empower you to make the best decision for you and your baby. Parent questions are also answered, including: Will my baby ‘grow out' of contact naps? How can I tell if my baby is hungry or just looking for comfort? If I wait long enough will my baby spontaneously sleep through the night? How can I extend my toddler's day nap? How can I support my toddler through moving house? How can I stop feeding to sleep without support from a non-feeding partner? ❤️ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts ❤️ Subscribe on Spotify

Some toddlers are VERY reluctant to stop having milk feeds overnight, even when they no longer need to feed due to hunger or to meet their nutritional requirements. In this episode Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs) discuss what you can do to ease this transition for your toddler, including signs they might not be ready, and tips on how you can support your child to cope with their big emotions during this change. Parent questions are also answered, including: Do I need to stop offering my toddler milk overnight? Is it normal for my toddler to react so strongly when I try to resettle him without a feed? Is the 9 month sleep regression real? What can I do if resettling my baby overnight takes more than an hour? How can I stop false starts? Is my baby overtired or undertired? ❤️ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts ❤️ Subscribe on Spotify ❤️

Developmental ‘leaps' have been blamed for unsettled infant behaviour and sleepless nights for over 30 years, all because of one small, flawed study conducted in the early 90's. But what does the research evidence really tell us about leaps? And why is the idea of leaps so pervasively trusted by today's parents? Tune in to hear Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs) dissect the science behind leaps and learn why parents shouldn't dismiss all unsettled behaviour or persistent sleep difficulties as being due to leaps. Parent questions are also answered, including: Should I stop contact napping? What should I do if my baby is tried and grumpy? Why is my baby so noisy in their sleep? How does bedtime change as my child gets older? My baby's daily rhythm changes drastically day to say – where do I start? What do night terrors look like in toddlers? ❤️ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts ❤️ Subscribe on Spotify ❤️

If you could only nail those wake windows sleep would be perfect…right? Wrong! Following set wake windows might work for some families but for many they don't work, and may even worsen sleep. Every baby has their own unique sleep requirements and the amount of sleep a baby or toddler might need at any age could vary as much as 5 hours from child to child! This means babies and toddlers can have vastly different amounts of time awake yet can still have good sleep health. Tune in to hear Dr Fallon and Dr Laura (PhDs) discuss the lack of science behind wake windows, plus learn what you can do instead of watching the clock! Parent questions are also answered, including: Should my baby be calm and drowsy before I put them in their cot? Should the first or second nap be the longest? Should I feed my baby in a dark or light room before bed? Is it ok for my baby to take powernaps during feeds? Do extended night wakes always mean a sleep pressure problem? ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0

All humans wake multiple times overnight, and we usually don't remember – we do a quick ‘systems check' and then return to sleep in just a few seconds. Some babies & toddlers feel very confident and secure in their cots and upon waking at night will happily fall straight back to sleep – but others wake up very upset or startled, and can't resettle themselves without parent support. Night waking in older babies and toddlers, tends to become problematic when night wakes are prolonged, require intense support, and parents are becoming increasingly exhausted. Tune in to hear Dr Fallon and Dr Laura (PhDs) discuss normal night waking, problematic night waking, and the many variables that can make night waking difficult for parents to manage. Parent questions are also answered, including: Should I follow my baby's lead, or start to work towards some predictability each day? How do I manage my little one's sleep during illness? I tried to drop my toddler to just one nap but it didn't work out, what now? Can sleep requirements increase? Can my 3 month old sleep in her own bedroom? ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0

Social media is full of baby sleep advice and amongst the good advice is some truly alarming and potentially harmful misinformation. Tune in to hear Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs) debunk misleading advice around baby sleep and answer parent questions including: How can I help my baby overcome jet lag? What can I do if my baby won't sleep in anyone's arms but mine? How does day sleep impact night sleep? How to avoid sneaky pram naps that impact my toddler's night sleep? Should I stop feeding my baby to sleep? ❤️ Listen on Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/zui5kX8 ❤️ Listen on Spotify https://loom.ly/ZuBk3N0

Knowing when and how to drop a nap can feel like a minefield. Learn our tips for identifying when to drop a nap and what you can expect while your baby or toddler adjusts to a new daily rhythm. Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs) also answer parent's questions including: Is it ok to bring bedtime slightly earlier when trying to drop a day nap? Should I expect my toddler to add extra sleep to their nights when I drop a day nap? Which should I work on first - dropping a day nap or stopping cosleeping? How can I encourage more night sleep when my baby is so sleepy in the daytime? ✅ If you're ready to resolve your baby or toddler's sleep and settling difficulties, join Sombelle! Members can submit questions to be answered on the podcast each week: https://sombelle.infantsleep.com.au/ ✅ Register for the free Toddler Sleep & Settling webinar hosted by the Raising Children Network and presented by Dr Fallon Cook from Infant Sleep Australia, June 18th at 8pm AEST: https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/podcasts-and-webinars/webinars/helping-toddlers-sleep-and-settle ❤️ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts ❤️ Subscribe on Spotify

Dr Fallon took drastic action when she realised the juggle of paid work plus raising children had become too much to manage. Tune in to hear what prompted a house sale

Here are Dr Fallon & Dr Laura's top 5 tips for helping your baby or toddler happily fall asleep in their cot or bed. These are the tips they discuss with families every day in their paediatric sleep clinics. This episode will empower you with the skills to work on settling your baby or toddler in their cot or bed, when you feel ready to do so. ❤️ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts ❤️ Subscribe on Spotify

This week's episode is entirely dedicated to you, the parents! Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhD's) answer questions about sleep and settling submitted by Sombelle parents. Ranging from tiny newborns to pre-schoolers, this episode covers the most common sleep & settling difficulties you're likely to face with your little one during the first few years. Questions answered include: After a stretch of great sleep, why is my baby's crying suddenly increasing at bedtime? Why does sleep sometimes randomly worsen? When should the longest day nap happen? Which parent should take the lead on settling? How can I manage two children with very different sleep needs? When should I work on cot settling with my newborn? When can I move my baby and toddler in to the same bedroom? How do I get my toddler out of a cycle of early rising? ❤️ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts ❤️ Subscribe on Spotify ❤️ Subscribe on Google Podcasts

To celebrate our 50th episode, we are sharing the story of 6.5 month old baby *Lucy. Dr Laura explains the struggles Lucy's parents were facing with her sleep and settling, including difficult settling and up to 8 overnight wakes. Lucy's parents felt exhausted and nervous about making changes after reading conflicting advice online. Hear how Laura carefully crafted an approach to suit Lucy's temperament and unique sleep needs, whilst also ensuring the approach felt comfortable for Lucy's parents. Lucy's sleep quickly improved and she's still sleeping well several months on. Tune in to learn about how you too can support strong sleep health in your baby or toddler, as Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhD's) discuss this interesting case study. Parents questions are also answered, including: Do sleep requirements increase when babies start day care? How do naps influence night time sleep? How long do we try an approach before giving up and trying something new? Will settling be easier if our baby is in their own bedroom? ❤️ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts ❤️ Subscribe on Spotify ❤️ Subscribe on Google Podcasts

If you're struggling with overnight wake ups in your baby or toddler, tune in to hear Dr Fallon & Dr Laura (PhDs) discuss the 5 key factors that hold the key to more restful nights for you and your little one. This episode is your ultimate guide to reducing night waking! Parents questions are also answered, including: My baby wakes for 3 hours in the middle of the night and refuses to fall back asleep in their cot. How do we stop these extended night wakes? My toddler used to wake 15 times per night and now only wakes once or twice, but has started to wake very early. How do we resolve this early waking? Why is my baby suddenly very upset at nap time? How do I fit my baby's naps around the school drop off/pick up for my older children? ❤️ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts ❤️ Subscribe on Spotify ❤️ Subscribe on Google Podcasts

Everyone struggles to find a daily rhythm when managing a newborn baby plus older children. Keeping older children entertained, fed and safe, whilst also cycling through endless feeds and newborn cuddles, does get easier and you will find your feet. In this episode of Brand New Little People, Dr Fallon and Dr Laura (PhDs & Sleep Practitioners), share their best tips on how to manage a new baby whilst also caring for their older sibling/s. Parent questions are answered, including: How do I move my toddler from their cot to a floor bed? When should my toddler drop from 2 naps to just 1? How can I reduce overnight feeds in my 8 month old? ❤️ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts ❤️ Subscribe on Spotify ❤️ Subscribe on Google Podcasts

Age-based sleep schedules are all over the internet, but are they any good? Most overestimate how much sleep babies actually need and this can lead to settling difficulties, excessive night waking, and exhausted parents. In this episode of Brand New Little People, Dr Fallon and Dr Laura (PhDs & Sleep Practitioners), explain how to find your baby or toddler's perfect daily rhythm that caters to the amount of sleep they actually need. Parent questions are answered, including: My toddler becomes hysterical if I don't feed him to sleep, what can I do? Why does my baby cry the moment I take them in to their nursery? Should I always put my baby back down awake after night feeds? At what age can I use a schedule? How can I manage sleep during and after illness? ❤️ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts ❤️ Subscribe on Spotify ❤️ Subscribe on Google Podcasts