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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
Separation Anxiety or Normal Maternal Biology?
When is it parental separation anxiety and when is it simply normal biology? In a culture that values separation and independence, where is the line between a parent’s instinct that they and their baby aren’t ready to be separated around nighttime sleep verses anxiety around separation. In this episode I’m unpacking this complicated topic.
I discuss some important cultural and historical context that shapes how we think about separation between parent and baby. I also talk through context that matters such as the parent’s preferences, the likely stress level of baby, familiarity with other caregivers, and other signs of anxiety. It’s not ok for a parent to feel pressure to be away from their baby or toddler overnight before they are ready, but it’s also good to support anxiety if that is the driving factor.
Connect with Kim
Grab the free guide busting common sleep myths and learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/
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