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The Responsive Family Sleep Podcast
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting sleep information; frustrated by sleep advice that felt wrong; or searched for a truly gentle, responsive alternative to sleep training, then you are in the right place. In each episode I’ll be answering your most pressing baby and toddler sleep questions, dispelling common sleep myths, deepening your understanding of biologically normal sleep, and encouraging you to trust your intuition. And because sleep is rarely just about sleep, you may just find some responsive parenting, lactation, or self-care tips sprinkled in along the way.
I’m your host, Kim Hawley, MA, MPH, IBCLC Holistic Sleep Coach, Lactation Consultant, Peaceful Parenting Educator, and mom. My specialty is truly holistic, developmental, attachment focused sleep support – no hidden sleep training here!
The Responsive Family Sleep Podcast
How To Make Bedtimes Easier: Your Parenting Superpower
Sleep is separation, and connection is our best tool to support through a separation challenge. And in fact, connection is almost always part of the answer to most parenting challenges. In this episode, I’m talking about the role of connection in the evening to set you up for better sleep - Connection through the bedtime routine, but also in the hours ahead of the bedtime routine. I discuss 3 key ways to think about connection:
- intentional, focused connection – be fully present with your kids.
- Play - use play to connect with your littles, laugh, and even navigate transitions with connection for toddlers and big kids.
- Connect through emotions – hold space if they have emotions to offload in the safety of your love and presence.
Connection is your parenting super power and prioritizing it in the evening can lead to better bedtimes and nighttime sleep.
Resources related to this episode
Special time: https://www.peacefulparenthappykids.com/read/How-To-Special-Time
Connection blog post for toddlers: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2022/11/28/5-ways-to-use-the-magic-of-connection-to-support-easier-toddler-sleep
Connect with Kim
Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dc
Facebook: facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdc
Learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/