​We’re all willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that our babies are properly nourished, obviously, but as anyone who’s been through this glorious journey of motherhood will tell you, kids are shrewd. They’re unimaginably clever. They will find ways to get what they want, and they will repeat them relentlessly.

Which is not their fault, obviously. They’re just working off of instinct. They know what they like, and at a young age, they like mom— a lot.
I’m talking all mom, all the time. You are to your baby what Pinterest is to middle-aged homeowners. Too much is never enough.

And given the fact that they really only have one method of communicating, if Mom’s not around and they don’t think that’s cool, they fire up their lungs, and they let out a cry.

However, obviously, they don’t only cry because they want Mom. They cry because they’re uncomfortable, or because they’ve got a dirty diaper, or because they’re too hot or too cold, and they cry because they’re hungry.

So when they wake up in the middle of the night and start crying, it’s tough to determine whether they need to eat or just want to see Mom back in the room.
​

​I’m not trying to tell you that you shouldn’t respond to your baby’s crying. You know your baby better than anyone, and I imagine you can tell when something needs to be addressed based on the decibel level, intensity, pitch, and duration. But having said that, if your baby is waking up seven or eight times a night and insisting that you come in and rock her back to sleep, which can have a profound impact on everybody’s sleep, including hers.

​
Many babies have developed a dependency on nursing, rocking, sucking, and so on in order to get to sleep, and it’s not something they can overcome in 15 or 20 minutes. Solving that issue requires some real work and a firm commitment from you, but we can discuss sleep training in a minute.

First things first, here are a few things to consider when you’re trying to determine this oh-so-prevalent parental riddle.

• IS BABY UNDER SIX MONTHS OLD?
Up until about the six-month mark, babies typically require at least one nighttime feeding. Their tummies are small, they haven’t started solid food yet, and formula and breast milk digest fairly quickly, so there’s a good chance they’re going to get a case of the munchies during the night.
​
This isn’t the case for all babies, obviously. Some infants sleep through the night without a feed from a very early age and then pig out during the day, but generally speaking, you can expect to be summoned for a
nighttime feeding up until babies hit about six months.
​

​• DOES BABY FALL ASLEEP INDEPENDENTLY?
Here lies the linchpin. The cornerstone of the whole equation is right here. Can your baby fall asleep on their own?
If you can put your baby down in her crib while she’s still awake, leave the room, and have baby fall asleep without any help from you, without a pacifier, or any other kind of outside assistance. In that case, those nighttime cries are far more likely to mean that she genuinely needs a hand with something when she wakes up crying at night.

Determining whether your baby’s hungry at night is obviously a complicated situation. Calories are vital, but so is sleep, so we typically end up paralyzed trying to balance the importance of the two. This tightrope is immeasurably easier to walk once you’ve taught your baby the skills they need to fall asleep on their own.

Once the habit of feeding to sleep is broken, you can feel much more confident that their requests for a nighttime feed are out of necessity, not just a way to grab a few extra minutes with mom.

And, as always, if you’re looking for some help teaching your little one those essential sleep skills, I’ve got you covered.

- Erin Neri, BA. Psychology, Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant, Infant Mental Health, Integrated Feeding Specialist
​

How Physical Activity Boosts Natural Sleep Hormones in KidsSleep struggles often frustrate parents. But the answer might not always be in a supplement, sleep coaching or screen restriction. Instead, the solution could be as simple as movement. Science now shows that physical activity boosts natural sleep hormones in kids, supporting melatonin and serotonin balance in a powerful way. While bedtime routines matter, what happens during the day plays a larger role than many expect. This article breaks down the connection between movement and sleep.

Why Kids’ Bodies Respond Strongly to Exercise
Children aren’t just small adults. Their bodies change fast, and so do their sleep rhythms. Hormones shift as they grow, and those shifts affect bedtime.

Unlike adults, kids can’t fake energy. If they don’t move enough, it shows. Their brains build energy during rest, but they release that energy through movement. Without that daily release, sleep becomes lighter and less consistent.
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Even short bursts of activity help. A game of tag, a backyard run, or jumping over sidewalk cracks gives the brain a natural push. The body then begins its nighttime hormone cycle on time.

When to Encourage Active Play
Not all physical activity supports good sleep. Timing matters more than most people think.

Exercise early in the day sets the stage for restful nights. The brain links daylight and movement with a healthy circadian rhythm. Children who play in the morning or afternoon usually fall asleep faster at night.

Evening exercise might delay that cycle. If your child runs around too close to bedtime, they may struggle to calm down. While some evening walks are fine, rough play or intense sports should wrap up by dinnertime.

Here’s when to aim for movement:

• Before school: A walk, dance session, or bike ride
• After lunch: Playground, stretching, or light chores
• Before dinner: Calm, slow movement like yoga or nature walks

The Benefits Go Beyond Sleep
Physical movement doesn’t just help sleep—it supports nearly every part of a child’s development. In fact, the many benefits of physical activity for children include stronger bones, improved balance, and sharper focus.

When kids move, they gain body awareness. They learn what tired feels like. They begin to recognize rest as a reward, not a punishment. This mindset helps them ease into sleep without resistance.

Exercise also decreases screen time, which helps sleep by itself. Active kids are less likely to stay glued to devices, which can delay melatonin production.

What Sleep Hormones Actually Do in the Brain
Melatonin often gets the spotlight, but it’s only part of the picture. Serotonin—the hormone linked to calmness and happiness—also sets the tone for sleep.

Physical activity raises both of these hormones in natural ways. As kids move, their brains respond with a healthy dose of serotonin. Later, as darkness sets in, that serotonin helps the body create melatonin.

This internal process works best when it follows a routine. The brain wants consistency. Random bursts of activity won’t help much. Instead, a regular pattern allows the brain to predict when it’s time to rest.

Parents who support daily movement are giving their children the tools to rest well, not just now, but long into adulthood.

Is your once-solid sleeper suddenly fighting bedtime, waking up during the night, or throwing a tantrum when it’s time for a nap?

You may be facing the 18-month sleep regression—a very real and very frustrating phase that can catch even the most well-rested families off guard.
As a certified pediatric sleep consultant, I’ve supported many families through this particular regression, and here’s the truth: this one is a little more emotional, a little more dramatic—and a lot more behaviour-driven.
​
Let’s talk about why this regression happens, how long it lasts, and what you can do to support your toddler through it without backtracking on sleep.

At 18 months, your toddler is in the thick of major developmental and emotional changes:

• Language development is exploding
  
• Big feelings with limited ways to express them
  
• Separation anxiety peaks again
  
• Independence and willpower show up in full force
  
• Teething (molars!) may still be happening
  

The result?
Your toddler suddenly says “No!” to bedtime, refuses naps, or wakes up at 2:00 a.m. demanding snuggles, snacks, or songs.
This is when many parents feel blindsided and start to wonder: Are we doing something wrong?
You’re not. This is all part of toddlerhood—and it’s temporary with the right approach.

​The 18-month sleep regression typically lasts 2 to 6 weeks, but it can drag on longer if your toddler starts to rely on new habits like sleeping in your bed, needing to be rocked to sleep again, or getting snacks at night.
The key is staying consistent and supportive—without giving in to every protest.

The 18-month regression can feel like toddler sleep has completely unraveled. If you’re unsure whether it’s just a phase—or if it’s time for more structured support—I’m here to help.
🎯 Book an Ask Me Anything Call here
We’ll talk about:

• Your current routine and boundaries
• Whether your toddler’s behavior aligns with a regression
• Strategies that balance firm limits with big toddler emotions

It’s a short 30-minute call, but it can make a big difference.

​My Sleep Regression Solution Guide is your go-to toolkit for navigating the most common sleep setbacks—without creating new habits you’ll have to undo later.
Inside, you’ll find:

• Clear explanations of what’s happening at 4, 8–10, 12, 18, and 24 months
• Age-appropriate, step-by-step strategies to help your baby or toddler sleep better
• Scripts, bedtime routines, and nap schedules
• Gentle techniques to handle separation anxiety, bedtime battles, and nighttime wake-ups
• Guidance on sleep props, fear-based stalling, crib-to-bed transitions, and more
• Tips to adjust sleep routines with confidence—and avoid burnout

👉 Download the Sleep Regression Solution Guide and feel confident no matter which regression shows up next.

You don’t have to let this phase undo your progress. With the right support, your toddler can get back to sleeping soundly—and so can you. 💛
​
— Erin, B.A. Psychology, Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant, Infant Mental Health, Integrated Feeding Specialist

It’s happened.  Your child has discovered that sucking her thumb is even better than her favourite stuffed cat and Winnie the Pooh blanket when it comes to comfort. She sucks her thumb while falling asleep while watching TV, when she’s scared, when she’s upset.  And maybe it hasn’t been an issue until now, as she was only using it for a few minutes to soothe herself, but now you think it’s time to try to cut this habit out.


While it’s perfectly reasonable to want your child to stop, it might be helpful to know that some of the perceived dangers of thumb-sucking might not be based on fact. Here are some common misconceptions:


The myths about thumb-sucking

1. My kid will still be sucking his thumb when he’s 12!
Not likely. Statistics show that less than 9% of children who suck their thumbs continue over the age of 5, with the vast majority breaking the habit between the ages of 2 and 4. And of those kids still sucking their thumbs at 5, most will stop as they start to identify with their peer groups and don’t want to be the only one in kindergarten with their thumb in their mouth at storytime.


2. It will ruin her teeth.
This can be true, but only after the kids get their permanent teeth, which will start to happen between 6 and 8. In older kids, prolonged thumb sucking can begin to change the shape of the oral cavity. But luckily, the vast majority of kids will have stopped on their own by then, anyway.


My own little guy was an avid finger sucker when he was a baby. I mean, he had those two fingers in his mouth ALL the time, day and night. He was extremely late to the game as far as getting his first teeth goes. So when he got his first 2 top teeth around one year old, it created an owie on his fingers, and he stopped sucking his fingers cold turkey.



3. He’s using it as a crutch.
While it’s true that young children who discover their thumbs do use it for comfort, this doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t be able to learn coping mechanisms for dealing with stress or self-soothing later in life.


4. A pacifier is a better choice.
Many parents tell me they would rather their child use a soother because at least they can take it away. But in my experience, lots of parents say this and then don’t take it away! If the soother is their child’s sleep prop, and they use it for comfort, then it becomes just as challenging to take away from the child.


Many parents let soother-use linger on way longer than planned. A Colleague had a client who confessed that she still let her 5-year-old sleep with his soother because of this very reason.


My second little one had a soother stuck in his face literally from the day he was born. I was unaware that newborns were even capable of keeping a soother in their mouths for longer than 30 seconds; I know my first son could not keep it in. But his little brother was a champion soother sucker, and you’d think this would mean that he was a champion sleeper! But ya, NO!! He is the reason that I became a sleep consultant!


I needed to help him learn his sleep strategies, and he was waking every hour and a half all day and all night to be near me. So, because I didn’t actually know any better, I did my sleep training while letting him keep his soother. He only ever used it in his crib. But like I said, it absolutely never fell out; he never woke up for the soother to be replaced, so it ended up not being an issue once he was sleeping his consolidated 13-14.5 hours at night.


Then he turned three years old, and the dentist said: “It’s time to get rid of the soother; his palette is getting higher, and his teeth are crowding.” So it was time for the ‘Soother Fairy’ to come and scoop up his two soothers to bring them to a new baby who needs them more”. It was a couple of tough nights with a new stuffy from the ‘Soother Fairy,’ and he went back to sleeping like a champ!


So, with these common fears out of the way, there really is no right or wrong, only a personal preference of the parents. Just like some mothers use bottles and others breastfeed, or some parents use time-outs and others don’t, there are many different ways of doing things. If you’ve decided that thumb-sucking needs to go, here are some ways to help your child give it up for good. These tips are designed for kids three years and up.
 
The key to solving thumb sucking is getting to the heart of why your child sucks her thumb. Every child is different; some might only use their thumb when trying to sleep, others only when upset, and others at every opportunity! In each case, it has become a habit; as we all know, habits are hard to break.  One really useful tool is the reward system. Offering a benefit to NOT sucking their thumbs is sometimes all the encouragement kids need.


But first, it’s essential to determine why and when your child turns to her thumb.
 
Step 1. For the first week, keep a pen and paper handy and write down every single time you see your child’s thumb in her mouth. At the end of the week, go through your list and see if there are any consistencies. Does she always suck her thumb around 4 p.m. while watching her favourite show? Does he suck his thumb around the other toddlers at the playgroup because he’s nervous or shy?
 
Step 2.  Identify what the payoff is for your child. For example, if you
notice that she sticks her thumb in every time she hurts herself, then a
conclusion would be that her thumb helps her deal with pain. If you notice that the thumb goes in whenever she’s watching TV, then the thumb is being used when she’s idle.
 
Step 3. Remind and distract: Now that you know what she’s using it for, you can offer her something in exchange for the thumb. For example, if she’s about to watch her favourite show. Offer her a bowl of grapes to eat while the show is on. If he sucks his thumb when he gets hurt and he just tripped on the stairs, you can rush over and offer him a long hug followed by a quick distraction like a game or a favourite toy.
 
Step 4. A reward chart for a day completed with no sucking can be helpful. You can offer your child a treat or small toy at the end of the day if she’s successful. I also find that the more immediate the reward, the better the outcome. If your child is old enough, suggest that she tell you whenever she feels like sucking her thumb and doesn’t so that you can offer up a reward. It doesn’t have to be a big treat, just one M&M or gummy bear for each time she resists the urge.


Nighttime thumb-suckers: Bedtime tends to be a very popular time for thumb-sucking, so you will need to find another alternative that can be just as comforting. Tying a ribbon around the thumb or a light pair of gloves can work as a reminder, so when your child brings his thumb to his mouth, he gets an instant reminder about what the goals are. You can also buy your child a new sleep toy that has a texture that he can rub his thumb against instead of sucking it. 

Remember that bad habits are hard to break, so take time and encouragement. I don’t find punishment or nagging works well when discouraging a habit. Children are notorious for power struggles; you don’t want to turn it into a battle of wills.


If the child is old enough, you can sit him down and tell him about a habit you tried hard to break (drinking coffee or nail-biting, for instance) and make it clear why you’d like him to stop this behaviour. If you can think of a way to make it about him rather than you, you’ll have better success. So, for example, if you’re worried about his teeth, you could say how great it would be if he had the best smile at soccer pictures next week. This will help internalize the process.


Once your child sees that there are other things she can do to self-soothe and has been reminded enough times to take her thumb out of her mouth, she’ll stop sucking her thumb before you know it!

Sleepovers are a treasured childhood experience, offering fun memories and a chance for kids to build social skills. However, these gatherings can also be overwhelming if boundaries aren’t respected, particularly when it comes to sleep. Teaching kids about sleep needs and boundaries helps make sure that both they and their friends enjoy the sleepover while getting enough rest. This balance between fun and respect for personal space and rest is key to making sleepovers a positive experience for everyone.

Why Sleepovers Are Beneficial for Kids

​Sleepovers offer more than just a fun night with friends. They help children learn independence, practice social skills, and strengthen friendships. By staying away from home, kids learn how to manage themselves in a new environment. This teaches responsibility, decision-making, and flexibility. Sleepovers also allow kids to learn about sharing personal space and following rules in someone else's home. The experience is enjoyable, but it also provides life lessons in understanding personal space and respecting others' needs, including when it’s time to sleep.

Teaching Kids to Set Personal Boundaries

​Setting boundaries is an important skill for children; sleepovers offer an ideal opportunity to practice this. It is important to teach your child to express their needs clearly and respectfully, especially when it comes to sleep. Encourage them to tell their friends when they’re feeling tired or if they need quiet time. Boundaries can also apply to personal space, such as not invading others’ sleeping areas or disturbing someone trying to rest. Helping kids understand that it’s okay to say no or ask for quiet will ensure they get the rest they need and encourage mutual respect during the sleepover.

Preparing for a Sleepover: Setting Expectations

Before sending your child off to a sleepover, setting expectations is important. Discuss their routine for bedtime with them, including how they feel about staying up late. If they have specific needs—such as a nightlight or a special blanket—make sure they pack these items. You can also help them understand that it’s perfectly okay to ask for some quiet time if they feel tired earlier than others. Creating a plan together helps your child feel more in control and comfortable with their boundaries, reducing anxiety and stress.

Preparing for Sleepovers in a New Home

If your family has recently moved into a new home, hosting a sleepover can be a fun way for your kids to start feeling more comfortable in their new surroundings. It allows them to share their excitement about the new space with friends. It also establishes new routines and creates lasting memories. Set up a cozy sleepover area to ensure the sleepover is a success. It should have familiar items like their favorite blankets, pillows, or nightlights to help them feel more at ease. If you're still in the process of moving or settling in, moveinterstate.com can make the transition smoother. Their expert services will take the stress out of relocating, allowing you to focus on creating a welcoming environment for your child’s sleepover and helping them adjust to their new home more comfortably.

Teaching Kids About Sleep Needs and Boundaries

An important lesson for any sleepover is respecting one's own sleep needs and those of others. Kids should learn to be aware of when their friends might need to rest or have personal space. This includes not being too loud when others are trying to sleep avoiding waking someone up early in the morning. It also involves giving a friend some space if they seem homesick. By being considerate of others' sleep needs and boundaries, your child will help create a more comfortable and enjoyable environment for everyone at the sleepover.

Addressing Common Challenges

Sleepovers can be full of excitement, but they also come with potential challenges. Kids might stay up too late, feel homesick, or struggle to sleep in a new environment. Teach your child how to handle these situations in a way that respects everyone’s boundaries. For instance, if they feel homesick, encourage them to ask their host if they can call home or step aside for some quiet time. If other children are still awake while your child feels tired, remind them that it’s okay to excuse themselves and go to bed early. Helping them prepare for these moments will reduce stress and ensure they feel more confident about managing sleepovers.

Encouraging Proper Etiquette

Naturally, parents play an essential role in promoting good sleep etiquette during sleepovers. If you’re hosting, establish clear rules for bedtime and quiet time to make sure that all the children get adequate rest. Creating a comfortable sleeping space with pillows, blankets, and maybe some white noise can help kids feel more at ease. For parents sending their child to a sleepover, it’s important to communicate with the host family. You should talk about your child’s sleep needs and any routines they follow. This way, all parents can ensure that needs and boundaries are respected during the event.

What to Do When Boundaries Are Overstepped

Sometimes, despite planning, boundaries can get overstepped during a sleepover. Your child may feel uncomfortable, or someone else’s sleep may be disturbed. Teach your child to handle these situations calmly and respectfully. If someone invades their space or keeps them awake, encourage them to politely ask for quiet or explain that they need some rest. Let them know it’s okay to speak when boundaries are crossed, but they should do so kindly to avoid conflict. After the sleepover, have an open conversation with your child about how things went and if any adjustments are needed.

Building Confidence and Responsibility

Sleepovers offer a unique chance for kids to grow in confidence and responsibility. You give your child important life skills by teaching them to understand and manage sleep needs and boundaries. These skills will extend far beyond sleepovers. These lessons will help them navigate school trips, shared rooms, and even future college dorm life. More importantly, children who learn to respect their own and others’ boundaries develop better self-awareness and empathy. This will create stronger relationships with their friends.

In Conclusion

Teaching kids about sleep needs and boundaries during sleepovers allows them to have fun while respecting their own and others' rest. These early lessons in setting boundaries and understanding personal space will help them build confidence and develop healthier relationships. Whether hosting or attending, your child will benefit from knowing how to balance the excitement of a sleepover with the need for sleep and respect. With clear expectations, thoughtful conversations, and a little practice, sleepovers can be a positive experience for everyone involved.

Images used:
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