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In this episode of Doula Talk, Doula Deb Jimenez tackles the obsession so many parents have with getting the schedule exactly right, down to the minute.

Deb shares a conversation with a mom who spent three hours debating a fifteen-minute difference in wake windows, and uses it to make a bigger point: a schedule can support sleep, but it can't create it. Before routines, babies need regulation, meaning they need to feel calm, fed, connected, and developmentally supported enough to actually be ready for sleep.

Deb walks through the questions she asks before ever touching a wake window (hunger, comfort, connection, overstimulation, development), explains why wake windows are a guide and not a law, and shares the pattern she sees most often in consultations: families convinced they need sleep training when the real issue is regulation throughout the day.

She also gets honest about something that doesn't get talked about enough: sometimes bedtime dread is less about the baby and more about a parent's own nervous system, or even a sign of a postpartum mood disorder worth checking on.

If you've ever cried over a wake window, this episode is your permission slip to stop chasing perfection and start paying attention instead.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Postpartum Support International (postpartum.net), if you're wondering whether what you're feeling around bedtime might be more than exhaustion.
• Take Deb's free Sleep Readiness Quiz at douladeb.com/sleep-readiness to find your most likely next step, whether that's foundations, coaching, or reassurance.
• Curious whether a Sleep Foundations consult is right for your family? Learn more at douladeb.com.

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Thank you for listening! Tune in next time for more insights and support on your parenting journey.

Contact Information:
Doula Deb: www.DoulaDeb.com
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Disclaimer:
The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized advice and information.