The Responsive Family Sleep Podcast

Your baby isn’t a baby any more – suddenly they are a toddler. After that first birthday the unrealistic expectations just keep coming. We expect so much from our young toddlers that they just aren’t ready for yet. In this 4th episode of my series on realistic sleep expectations by age I’m focusing on younger toddlers between 12-24 months. In many ways these toddlers are more like babies, especially in the first half of this age range. It’s very much an in-between age with widely different capabilities as far as sleep goes.Resources related to this episodeAge by age realistic sleep expectations:https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2018/7/6/developmentally-appropriate-sleep-expectations-birth-to-age-5Connect with KimInstagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Wake windows – helpful or stress inducing….it really depends on the family. However, wake windows are commonly shared as precise, exact rules we must follow or else (insert some fear based message). In this episode I’m sharing some thoughts on wake windows including the fact that they are not an evidence-based concept so you can feel free to ignore them if you find them stressful. I talk you through how I use wake windows as a flexible guide in my own work and as one tool, not as the only tool, for helping create a good spread of sleep throughout the day.Resources related to this episodeCheck out my blog post on wake windows: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2023/8/18/your-wake-window-questions-answeredConnect with KimInstagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Parenting is hard, and there are so many rules, shoulds, and external expectations that can lead to feelings of mom guilt. In this episode I’m joined by Dr. Jillian Neill, a psychologist specializing in the parenting transition. We talk about:What is mom guilt.Guilt verses shame verses regret.The ways in which external expectations, rules, and shoulds create mom guilt.The structural factors and things out of our control that shape our parenting experience.Identifying your values as part of pushing back against mom guilt.The importance of self-compassion.I see so much guilt over normal, healthy tools in so many parents (mostly based on the fear based sleep training culture and unrealistic expectations) and this was such a great conversation to have. I hope it gives you some food for thought the next time you are feeling guilty about something parenting related.About JillianDr. Jillian Neill is a licensed psychologist who specializes in working with parents and aspiring parents on the challenges that come up in the transition to parenthood, including mental health concerns, relationship issues, identity conflicts, and trauma. She provides individual and group therapy to parents across the DC region and beyond as a member of Dr. Emma Basch and Associates. She is a firm believer that mom guilt is bullshit and loves empowering moms to live their values and make parenting and life decisions that support themselves as people, not just parents. Connect with Jillianhttps://www.dremmabasch.com/jillian-neillInstagram: theparentingpsychResources related to this episodeSelf-compassion: https://self-compassion.org/Connect with KimInstagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

There are so many unrealistic expectations perpetuated about older baby sleep that it’s no wonder that so many parents are confused and overwhelmed about what’s going on. This episode is the third in my series on realistic expectations. While you hear a lot about older babies sleeping through the night and not feeding, the reality (and research) tells a very different story. In this episode I help you understand what’s normal and some of the reasons why sleep is very dynamic during this time. The more you can understand what’s normal, the more you can set yourself up for better sleep.Related resourcesCheck out my blog on older babies and sleeping through the night:https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2022/11/28/should-my-older-baby-be-sleeping-through-the-night-a-look-at-the-research-and-reality-of-sleep-developmentDevelopmentally informed sleep expectations by age:https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2018/7/6/developmentally-appropriate-sleep-expectations-birth-to-age-5Connect with KimInstagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

It’s January, and you may be thinking about bringing some order to the chaos that the holidays brought to your sleep routines. In this episode, I’m sharing some tips for getting back on track and into a good rhythm with sleep. This is a good time to keep things simple, work towards more consistent rhythms and routines, and also check in to see if your little’s needs have changed in the midst of the holiday season.It’s also a good time to remember that consistency, time, and patience go a long way to reestablishing good rhythms and routines and the lack of consistency is one of the ways we get off track over the holidays (for a good reason of course).Connect with KimInstagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dcFacebook:  facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdcLearn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

You finally feel like you got the hang of things, and then your baby is in a whole new phase! This is a really common feeling in this phase of babyhood. This episode is the second in my realistic expectations by age short series. I’m sharing some key points about sleep in this very in-between age, and how parents can sometimes be both a step ahead of their baby and a step behind. Throw in all the development that happens during this time and sleep definitely keeps you on your toes.Resources related to this episodeA little bit more about the 4 month sleep regression (and no I generally don’t use that term): https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2022/8/10/to-the-parent-of-a-4-month-old-baby-encouragement-during-the-four-month-sleep-regressionDevelopmentally informed sleep expectations by age:https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2018/7/6/developmentally-appropriate-sleep-expectations-birth-to-age-5Connect with KimGrab 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

We tend to think of baby and parent as separate beings, separate nervous systems. And yet in so many ways they are part of an inter-connected, inter-dependent system.In this episode I’m talking with Meaghan Beames, an experienced Registered Massage Therapist, CST practitioner, mom, and the founder of the Beames CST Training Center. Our discussion focuses on regulation, coregulation, and the parent baby nervous system. While we do talk about the role of body work in supporting parent baby functioning and regulation, our conversation goes beyond the body work piece for a more comprehensive conversation about parent baby regulation. We discuss:What is polyvagal theoryThe interconnectedness of parent baby nervous systemsBaby’s need for coregulationHow the pregnancy and birth experience impact the bodyHow bodywork can support regulation and better functioningEmotions, physical symptoms, and the body’s stored memory of our experiences.Ways to support regulation and coregulationThis was a really great and insightful conversation. I’d love to hear your biggest takeaways.About MeaghanMeaghan founded the Beames CST Training Centre, offering tailored global learning for health professionals. Her mission is to ensure every family in North America has access to qualified craniosacral therapists to help their babies cope with colic, latching issues, and all the growing pains that can make life with a newborn harder than it needs to be.In 5 years, she's treated 700+ babies, taught more than 100 health professionals CST, and built a thriving practice in Toronto with multiple practitioners working under her. Her knowledge goes beyond just the practical applications of bodywork and spreads out into being a leader and growing a business.She's also the host of The My Baby Craniosacral Podcast.Connect with MeaghanInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mybabycst/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beamescst/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beamescst/Website: https://mybabycst.com/Website: www.beamescst.comConnect with KimGrab 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

What is normal for newborn sleep? How can parents have more realistic expectations? Our culture is full of unrealistic expectations about baby sleep and it creates so much stress, worry, and anxiety. This episode starts a short series I’ll be weaving through my other episodes over the next few months on realistic expectations by age. In this episode, I’m focusing on some important points about newborn sleep and just how immature and ever changing their sleep is during this phase.Resources related to this episodeHow to think through a family sleep plan in the 4 th trimester:https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2023/11/30/4pkldijw88upqr7xe2w56a01wruqn5What is normal newborn sleep: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2021/3/30/normal-newborn-sleep-whats-going-on-in-the-4th-trimesterRealistic expectations by age: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2018/7/6/developmentally-appropriate-sleep-expectations-birth-to-age-5Connect with KimGrab 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

Early parenting is an intense time that can challenge us physically, emotionally, and mentally. A wonderful tool for coping with the intensity, challenges, and changes that come with parenting a young child is mindful parenting. In this episode I’m joined by Sultana Karim, a therapist with a specialty in both the perinatal period and trauma. Our conversation springs from a wonderful parenting group she runs and focuses on regulation, mindfulness, and self compassion. We discuss:Radical acceptance, and how not accepting our reality creates more suffering.Mindful parenting and how it can help you be aware of your own needs and balance meeting your needs with meting your babies needs.How we can regulate ourselves so we can approach parenting with more creativity and problem solving abilities.The importance of coregulation and how our littles look to our nervous systems to help them regulate.Mindfulness as a regulation tool in parenting.Self compassion, self kindness, and reframing negative thoughts.It was so fun seeing how much of my work overlaps with Sultana’s work as far as the non-therapy specific suggestions she shares. There’s so much great wisdom in this conversation, and Sultana is deeply knowledgeable. I hope you enjoy it.About SultanaSultana Karim is the Owner and Licensed Therapist at Karim Counseling Services, PLLC. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in MD, VA, DC, & MI, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), Registered Yoga Teacher, Certified EMDR Therapist, and a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional (PMH-C). She has over 12 years of clinical experience andspecializes in treating sexual and domestic violence, perinatal/ maternal mental health, pregnancy and infant loss, birth trauma, and childhood/attachment trauma in her practice. She strives to help parents to connect to their minds, bodies, and relationships. She also co-facilitates monthly healing circles for moms with Villa Advocacy Group. She is one of the founding members of the Virginia Maternal Quality Care Alliance and a member of the Perinatal Mental Health Coalition of Virginia and the PUSH Coalition. In these organizations, she strives to advocate and educate the community on maternal/perinatal mental health, maternal mortality, community-based collaboration and solutions, trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and implicit bias. Connect with SultanaWebsite: www.karimcounseling.orgIG: www.instagram.com/karimcounselingFB: www.facebook.com/karimcounselingConnect with KimGrab 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

To those in the US who celebrate, Happy Thanksgiving. This is a short episode to kick off the holiday season. There’s so much pressure to create traditions and have perfect family holiday rituals right from the start. In this episode, I encourage you to consider what you’d like to carry forward from your own childhood, allow for organic traditions to unfold, and remember you don’t have to have it all figured out now in the early years – you can always create new traditions as your kids get older. Enjoy the holidays!Connect with KimGrab 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