The Responsive Family Sleep Podcast

Is it normal for my toddler to still wake? Surely they should be independent by now….. Even the most responsive parents can sometimes feel like toddler sleep should be easier than it is. In this last episode of my realistic expectations mini series I’m talking about 2 and 3 year old sleep. Older toddlers can still need your support at bedtime and in the night. They also do have a lot more capacity for independence and long sleep stretches than they did as a younger toddler or baby. Older toddlers need a lot of the same supports as babies and younger toddlers like good sleep hygiene and connection, and they also need support strategies that can draw on more general parenting tools like empathetic limits and playful transitions.Resources related to this episodeAge by age realistic sleep expectations:https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2018/7/6/developmentally-appropriate-sleep-expectations-birth-to-age-5Toddler waking norms: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2021/1/27/is-it-normal-for-my-toddler-to-still-wake-at-nightConnect with KimInstagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Feeding and sleep are two of the most individual and emotive topics in early parenting. In this episode I’m joined by Kassi Reyes, IBCLC to talk about navigating your feeding journey, especially when things don’t go as expected. We talk about the importance of support and accurate information, and also that a lactation consultant’s job is to support you to meet your feeding goals as defined by you. Our conversation touches on the emotions that can come up when navigating feeding challenges and how important it is to check in with your self to make sure that any interventions feel sustainable. We both share how valuable feeding support groups can be in the various stages of lactation to normalize and validate just how hard parenting a baby is and how constant things change. We wrap up our conversation with some tips for processing the emotions that come from a feeding journey that doesn’t go as planned so that you can still enjoy the love, snuggles, and bonding time with your little one.About KassiKassi Reyes is a Clinical Educator, RN, IBCLC Lactation Consultant, and a mamá. She’s worn many hats in her career including - nursing professor, lactation consultant, postpartum nurse, and doula, but being amamá and helping other moms is her favorite.Kassi’s journey into lactation support started when she was working as a doula and felt unsure about how to help her clients with feeding challenges. That uncertainty pushed her to become an IBCLC, a process that took four years and taught her a lot about the gaps in lactation education for birthworkers.Determined to make lactation support more accessible and less intimidating, she founded the Bridge Advanced Lactation Training Program to give birthworkers and providers the skills they need to supportfamilies with confidence. She’s passionate about helping birthworkers feel prepared and empowered because she knows the more feeding knowledge everyone on the care team has, the more successful and supported familieswill feel.When she’s not teaching or helping families, you’ll probably find Kassi enjoying a (hopefully hot) cup of coffee, practicing yoga, spending time outside, or planning her next travel adventure. Kassi Speaks English and Spanish.Connect with Kassiwww.kassireyes.comInstagram: @lactationforthepeopleYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/KassiBrookeReyesFree ResourcesDoulas and other birthworkers: Quick Start Baby Feeding Guide for Birthworkers: Answers to the 10 Feeding Questions your Client WILL ask. Get your copy here:https://www.kassireyes.com/f/top10Parents: Lactation Survival Guide Days 1-5: https://kassi-reyes.newzenler.com/f/lactation-guideConnect with KimInstagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Your baby isn’t a baby any more – suddenly they are a toddler. After that first birthday the unrealistic expectations just keep coming. We expect so much from our young toddlers that they just aren’t ready for yet. In this 4th episode of my series on realistic sleep expectations by age I’m focusing on younger toddlers between 12-24 months. In many ways these toddlers are more like babies, especially in the first half of this age range. It’s very much an in-between age with widely different capabilities as far as sleep goes.Resources related to this episodeAge by age realistic sleep expectations:https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2018/7/6/developmentally-appropriate-sleep-expectations-birth-to-age-5Connect with KimInstagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Wake windows – helpful or stress inducing….it really depends on the family. However, wake windows are commonly shared as precise, exact rules we must follow or else (insert some fear based message). In this episode I’m sharing some thoughts on wake windows including the fact that they are not an evidence-based concept so you can feel free to ignore them if you find them stressful. I talk you through how I use wake windows as a flexible guide in my own work and as one tool, not as the only tool, for helping create a good spread of sleep throughout the day.Resources related to this episodeCheck out my blog post on wake windows: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2023/8/18/your-wake-window-questions-answeredConnect with KimInstagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Parenting is hard, and there are so many rules, shoulds, and external expectations that can lead to feelings of mom guilt. In this episode I’m joined by Dr. Jillian Neill, a psychologist specializing in the parenting transition. We talk about:What is mom guilt.Guilt verses shame verses regret.The ways in which external expectations, rules, and shoulds create mom guilt.The structural factors and things out of our control that shape our parenting experience.Identifying your values as part of pushing back against mom guilt.The importance of self-compassion.I see so much guilt over normal, healthy tools in so many parents (mostly based on the fear based sleep training culture and unrealistic expectations) and this was such a great conversation to have. I hope it gives you some food for thought the next time you are feeling guilty about something parenting related.About JillianDr. Jillian Neill is a licensed psychologist who specializes in working with parents and aspiring parents on the challenges that come up in the transition to parenthood, including mental health concerns, relationship issues, identity conflicts, and trauma. She provides individual and group therapy to parents across the DC region and beyond as a member of Dr. Emma Basch and Associates. She is a firm believer that mom guilt is bullshit and loves empowering moms to live their values and make parenting and life decisions that support themselves as people, not just parents. Connect with Jillianhttps://www.dremmabasch.com/jillian-neillInstagram: theparentingpsychResources related to this episodeSelf-compassion: https://self-compassion.org/Connect with KimInstagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

There are so many unrealistic expectations perpetuated about older baby sleep that it’s no wonder that so many parents are confused and overwhelmed about what’s going on. This episode is the third in my series on realistic expectations. While you hear a lot about older babies sleeping through the night and not feeding, the reality (and research) tells a very different story. In this episode I help you understand what’s normal and some of the reasons why sleep is very dynamic during this time. The more you can understand what’s normal, the more you can set yourself up for better sleep.Related resourcesCheck out my blog on older babies and sleeping through the night:https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2022/11/28/should-my-older-baby-be-sleeping-through-the-night-a-look-at-the-research-and-reality-of-sleep-developmentDevelopmentally informed sleep expectations by age:https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2018/7/6/developmentally-appropriate-sleep-expectations-birth-to-age-5Connect with KimInstagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

It’s January, and you may be thinking about bringing some order to the chaos that the holidays brought to your sleep routines. In this episode, I’m sharing some tips for getting back on track and into a good rhythm with sleep. This is a good time to keep things simple, work towards more consistent rhythms and routines, and also check in to see if your little’s needs have changed in the midst of the holiday season.It’s also a good time to remember that consistency, time, and patience go a long way to reestablishing good rhythms and routines and the lack of consistency is one of the ways we get off track over the holidays (for a good reason of course).Connect with KimInstagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

You finally feel like you got the hang of things, and then your baby is in a whole new phase! This is a really common feeling in this phase of babyhood. This episode is the second in my realistic expectations by age short series. I’m sharing some key points about sleep in this very in-between age, and how parents can sometimes be both a step ahead of their baby and a step behind. Throw in all the development that happens during this time and sleep definitely keeps you on your toes.Resources related to this episodeA little bit more about the 4 month sleep regression (and no I generally don’t use that term): https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2022/8/10/to-the-parent-of-a-4-month-old-baby-encouragement-during-the-four-month-sleep-regressionDevelopmentally informed sleep expectations by age:https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2018/7/6/developmentally-appropriate-sleep-expectations-birth-to-age-5Connect with KimGrab a free sleep myth busting guide and learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdc

We tend to think of baby and parent as separate beings, separate nervous systems. And yet in so many ways they are part of an inter-connected, inter-dependent system.In this episode I’m talking with Meaghan Beames, an experienced Registered Massage Therapist, CST practitioner, mom, and the founder of the Beames CST Training Center. Our discussion focuses on regulation, coregulation, and the parent baby nervous system. While we do talk about the role of body work in supporting parent baby functioning and regulation, our conversation goes beyond the body work piece for a more comprehensive conversation about parent baby regulation. We discuss:What is polyvagal theoryThe interconnectedness of parent baby nervous systemsBaby’s need for coregulationHow the pregnancy and birth experience impact the bodyHow bodywork can support regulation and better functioningEmotions, physical symptoms, and the body’s stored memory of our experiences.Ways to support regulation and coregulationThis was a really great and insightful conversation. I’d love to hear your biggest takeaways.About MeaghanMeaghan founded the Beames CST Training Centre, offering tailored global learning for health professionals. Her mission is to ensure every family in North America has access to qualified craniosacral therapists to help their babies cope with colic, latching issues, and all the growing pains that can make life with a newborn harder than it needs to be.In 5 years, she's treated 700+ babies, taught more than 100 health professionals CST, and built a thriving practice in Toronto with multiple practitioners working under her. Her knowledge goes beyond just the practical applications of bodywork and spreads out into being a leader and growing a business.She's also the host of The My Baby Craniosacral Podcast.Connect with MeaghanInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mybabycst/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beamescst/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beamescst/Website: https://mybabycst.com/Website: www.beamescst.comConnect with KimGrab a free sleep myth busting guide and learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdc

What is normal for newborn sleep? How can parents have more realistic expectations? Our culture is full of unrealistic expectations about baby sleep and it creates so much stress, worry, and anxiety. This episode starts a short series I’ll be weaving through my other episodes over the next few months on realistic expectations by age. In this episode, I’m focusing on some important points about newborn sleep and just how immature and ever changing their sleep is during this phase.Resources related to this episodeHow to think through a family sleep plan in the 4 th trimester:https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2023/11/30/4pkldijw88upqr7xe2w56a01wruqn5What is normal newborn sleep: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2021/3/30/normal-newborn-sleep-whats-going-on-in-the-4th-trimesterRealistic expectations by age: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2018/7/6/developmentally-appropriate-sleep-expectations-birth-to-age-5Connect with KimGrab a free sleep myth busting guide and learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdc