The Responsive Family Sleep Podcast

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/Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdc

Mom guilt is such a huge challenge for so many new moms. In this episode, I’m joined by Alysia Lyons, mom, author, and coach, to talk about mom guilt. We talk about how mom guilt is a notification that your actions are out of alignment with your values, and how self-compassion is essential when looking back at past actions. We then unpack how that shows up in responsive parents and attachment based sleep including guilt about what ‘good’ sleep is supposed to look like and what a ‘good mom’ is supposed to do. We explore the idea of self-trust verses outside opinions, especially those opinions coming from people with more cultural authority. Alysia shares one of her own mom guilt stories with us, and I’ll put a gentle content warning here for mention of childhood inappropriate touch by another child – I know this can be a triggering topic for some. About AlysiaAlysia Lyons is a certified Master Neurotransformational Results Coach, author, Usui Reiki master, and tarot reader dedicated to helping moms release guilt and find peace in their lives. Alysia specializes in guiding women through guilt and overwhelm and helping them build healthier relationships, achieve emotional balance, and embrace self-care. With a holistic approach that blends practical strategies and spiritual insights, Alysia empowers her clients to navigate the chaos of parenting while fostering personal growth and transformation.In addition to her coaching practice, Alysia has been a surrogate multiple times, inspiring her to write Creating Little Miracles. Through her surrogacy journeys, Alysia discovered the profound joy of helping others build their families, which has deepened her passion for connection, healing, and support. When she’s not coaching or writing, Alysia enjoys walking with her two dogs, spending time with her fiance and son, and living a life rooted in gratitude and purpose.Connect with Alysiaalysialyons.com@coachalysialyons on socialConnect with Kim Grab 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

It’s summer travel season! So many parents worry about the impact of travel on sleep. In this episode I’m talking about some tips for common travel concerns. I talk about some mindset tips around how well your baby or toddler travels and ways to think about being both flexible and still provide some consistency. I share some things to think about for sleep set ups and strategies for supporting sleep. I also talk a little bit about managing time zone changes. This is an overview episode designed to get you thinking through common sleep factors when traveling with littles. Resources related to this episode Summer travel time zone blog post: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2023/5/25/how-to-help-your-baby-adjust-to-a-new-time-zone-while-traveling Connect with Kim Grab 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

Anyone with a baby somewhere around 4-6 months has probably heard the advice to start solids to help improve sleep. And yet, the reality of the impact of solid food on baby sleep doesn’t back up this common advice. In this episode I’m talking about the popular sleep advice to start solids to improve nighttime sleep. I discuss the reality of solids food having a neutral to negative impact on sleep and the reasons for this including:Waking isn’t just about hunger.Solids generally aren’t very calorically dense.Babies don’t generally eat a lot of solids at first.Digestive issues can happen as baby adjusts to solids that disrupt sleep.Shifting calories to the daytime may help if baby is reverse cycling.Resources related to this episodeSigns of readiness for solids: https://kellymom.com/nutrition/starting-solids/solids-when/Reverse cycling tips: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2023/6/27/reverse-cycling-why-your-baby-is-suddenly-feeding-more-at-nightConnect with Kim Learn more about working with Kim and grab your free sleep myth busting guide: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdc

Transfers are hard! And yet the thought of putting your baby in the crib awake and them peacefully drifting off to sleep is laughably unrealistic. In this episode, I’m sharing my best transfer troubleshooting tips. I also share a few thoughts on when to work on transfers to start building some positive momentum. Some babies just struggle with transfers no matter what you do, so I also share some alternative ideas for avoiding transfers all together. Resources related to this episodeTransfer tips: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2021/4/29/how-to-transfer-baby-from-arms-to-sleep-spaceConnect with Kim Learn more about working with Kim and grab your free sleep myth busting guide: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdc

Do you struggle with being a perfectionist in your parenting or life in general? If you answer yes, then you are definitely not alone. I support so many parents who struggle with perfectionism and perfectionism doesn’t blend well with the messiness that is sleep and development. In this episode I’m joined by Jillian Scott, a trauma informed health and wellness coach to talk about perfectionism. We talk about the ways perfectionism shows up in parenting, and how its roots are often from our own childhoods. Jillian shares how perfectionism and people pleasing can often go together. We discuss how parents have a powerful opportunity to notice perfectionist tendencies and reflect on them so that we can shift the patterns we are modeling for our children. We talk through common situations that many parents navigate, and how working through that perfectionist tendency can look. I hope this episode gives you some insight and things to consider as you work through your own perfectionist tendencies for yourself and for your littles. About JillianJillian Scott is a certified, trauma-informed life and health coach, and creator of the Hungry for Love Podcast. She specializes in empowering clients to overcome the aftermath of emotionally abusive relationships, heal their relationship with food and body, and develop unwavering self confidence and self belief.Connect with JillianWebsite: https://www.bodyyoucrave.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillianamadea Podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/30xmKmwsGaIKSkTSuPpsyhPodcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/body-you-crave/id1573281085Connect with KimInstagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

In a developmental and attachment based approach to sleep, success is as much about the process as where the process gets us. Outcomes matter, but they have to be understood within the context of your individual baby or toddler’s unique needs and capabilities. I share some of my key success points with the families I work with – that sleep is easier, more restful, and that they navigate any changes with connection. I also want them to understand their baby’s needs and feel more confident in their responsive approach. Beyond that, it’s about taking the next step towards their goals and seeing the big picture.Connect with KimInstagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

So many parents I support (and let’s be real, my family as well) struggle with too much stuff, too many commitments, too much busyness. Simplifying parenting and life seems like an amazing dream, but one that can feel so hard to achieve. And yet my guest for this episode breaks down small and actionable ways to simplify family life. In this episode I’m joined by Jenna Michael, a coach specializing in simplified and intentional living for families. We discuss the idea of simplifying parenting – from identifying your individual and family values to how to translate those values into making decisions about your family priorities. Jenna shares tips for including your kids in the process of value identification and ways to understand family values as an on-going process. She then shares examples of how those values can guide your decisions around where you spend your time, money, and energy. We talk about how you can start with small steps and small shifts. And also, how there is an element of boundary setting and learning to say no to stuff – something so many adults struggle with. About JennaJenna Michael is a wife, mother, author, and coach specializing in simplified and intentional living for families. Her writing covers topics such as family-friendly activities and events, wellness, travel, gifts, and essential parenting tips. Her coaching helps moms turn these valuable insights into practical action, reduce clutter and chaos, and ultimately pursue a life of purpose on purpose. In her free time, you can find her at the gym, curled up with a book, or enjoying the outdoors.Connect with Jenna Website: yourpurposefulparenting.comSocials: @Purposeful__ParentingConnect with KimInstagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Our culture is so anti bedsharing that we tend to only hear (or interpret) bedsharing stories as scary, bad, worse case scenario situations. In this episode, I’m unpacking the idea that bedsharing is a bad habit or a tool parents are scared of using. So many parents feel like if they bedshare they’ll get stuck bedsharing for forever and look at other families’ long term bedsharing as a cautionary tale, rather than a tool that worked for that family. I share some thoughts around the fact that bed sharing is biologically normal, and  many babies transition in and out of bedsharing relatively easily. I also discuss the babies who do struggle with the transition away from bedsharing with the context that these babies were also struggling with sleeping separately and generally bedsharing reduces that struggle. If the goal is to prioritize sleep, then use the tools that prioritize sleep and change them when you are ready to down the road. Resources related to this episodeBedsharing safety podcast episode: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/podcast/2023/10/6/how-to-bedshare-safelyCosleeping tips and tricks episode: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/podcast/2024/3/14/tips-and-tricks-for-enjoying-bedsharing-with-tiffany-from-cosleepyConnect with KimInstagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Nap struggles are frustrating, but they don’t always mean it’s time to drop a nap. In this episode I’m talking about nap transitions. I share  common times for nap transitions as well as the fact that transitions are often messy times with sleep. I give some context for when fighting naps and skipping naps mean it’s time to drop a nap and when it means it’s time to troubleshoot your current nap rhythm first. Nap rhythms change a lot over time and it’s normal to need to tweak and adjust sleep timings as your little grows. Connect with KimInstagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/