All is Calm Sleep Consulting

Have you heard the phrase “sleep begets sleep”? It’s one of the most common things I share with parents. It often seems counterintuitive. When your little one isn’t sleeping well at night you shorten their naps thinking that will help them be good and tired for bedtime. But less sleep actually has the opposite effect. The better your little one naps during the day, the better they sleep at night! If you’re struggling with getting a decent nap, trying shortening their wake windows a bit instead of extending them. If early rising is a struggle, start bedtime a bit earlier.
MORE sleep is often the answer to BETTER sleep. Give it a try and let me know if sleep improves! 🌟

I hear (and see on social media) so many conversations about sleep training and the perceived harm it causes babies. There ARE harmful methods of sleep training, like crying it out for babies under 6 months of age. The method I use and was trained in is a gentle method created to support your child through learning healthy sleep habits.
I recently had a newborn placed with me in foster care at 3 weeks old. In his first few weeks he had been neglected when crying, was not well fed, and overall did not experience having his needs met. When he came to me he literally wanted to be held 24/7. And I did. Because he needed to learn that his needs WOULD always be met while here. As he bonded with me and his attachment became secure, I started implementing healthy sleep habits.
That initially looked like laying him down once he was already asleep at night. The first week we tried this he woke to eat every 2-3 hours. Then I started laying him down drowsy and allowing him to put himself to sleep (never once leaving him to cry, he usually just looked around a few minutes and then closed his eyes but, if needed, I always picked him back up). By the second week of this he was only waking twice a night. Within another week (around 6ish weeks old) he began waking just once a night around 3am.
Currently he does a 2 hour stretch, then a 7 hour stretch, then another 3-4 hours at night.
Naps are still a work in progress and that is 100% ok. Some days he naps a couple of hours in his bed, other days I hold him for all of his naps.
I share this because I wish everyone could see how beneficial this gentle method of forming healthy sleep habits is. This baby is getting the sleep he needs for healthy development and brain growth. Anyone around him can see how content, secure, and bonded he is.
Sleep training does not need to be a traumatic experience for you or your baby. Reach out for a free 15 minute phone consult if you are interested in learning more about gentle sleep training ♥️

I often see a lot of people on social media openly against sleep training because of what they THINK is happening or their fear of what could happen. Let’s talk for a minute about what sleep training is NOT.
Sleep training is NOT crying it out. Sleep training is NOT teaching your child that you won’t respond to their needs.
Gentle sleep training IS an approach to teaching your child healthy sleep skills and regulation while actively meeting their needs. Sleep training IS often the key to a happier child and parent/child relationship once sleep struggles are eliminated.
Over and over families share how their attachment strengthened and their children were overall happier because of better sleep skills.
If you’ve worked a sleep plan or have done your own sleep training, would you agree with the benefits?
If you have hesitations regarding sleep training share that below as well!

“We reached out to All is Calm, because we needed help. With having an active 20 month old, as well as a fussy 5 month old still getting up multiple times a night, and not taking a nap more than 30 min, was wearing on us. We tried chiropractic, and multiple different things to try and get our little guy to be happier, and nothing was working.
All is Calm helped us achieve long naps, and a FULL NIGHT OF SLEEP, in less than one week! I’m still mind blown 😉.
Our favorite thing, besides the full night sleep, was the accessibility of being able to text/call whenever. That was the reason we reached out to All is Calm, because we wanted a REAL person, and not just a PDF to follow.
All is Calm was so beneficial, I can’t even describe how much happier our baby was within days of getting on a more consistent schedule. We read all the books, and thought we were doing everything right. All is Calm, helped us connect all the dots!
It’s perfect for the parent that thinks that their kid is just a bad sleeper, or the parent that has a fussy baby and no clue what to do. More sleep changed EVERYTHING for us.”

Sweet baby B and his parents have been rocking their sleep plan! And check out the CUTEST sign made!!🌟

If your little one is struggling with sleep I would love to talk with you! Message me for more information!

“I feel like I’m doing all the right things but he still isn’t sleeping!”
This is one of the most common things I hear when families reach out. There are hundreds of tips on google to help your baby sleep well and I’m sure we have all spent hours online searching for answers while still struggling to see progress.
That’s where the benefit of a sleep consultant comes in. When you purchase a package you are getting a customized sleep plan designed specifically for you child and family to address all of your sleep struggles.
There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to sleep and having a plan tailored to your specific child will produce greater results.
🌟 If you’ve worked with me in the past or are currently working a sleep plan I would love it if you shared in a post or story how All is Calm helped you. Anyone who shares (tag me so I can see it!) will be entered to win a Starbucks gift card!
🌟If you haven’t worked with me you can still enter to win some coffee by sharing this post and tagging me!

“How do I enjoy summer with a toddler who still needs a nap?”

Flexible schedule vs rigid routine! Your toddler can likely skip an occasional nap and then go to bed early. Skipping naps multiple days in a row can lead to an overtired toddler who won’t sleep but a day here and there is definitely ok! Bring their favorite blankie or stuffed animal for the car ride to encourage a car nap on the drive. Early bedtimes are always a good idea when possible after skipping a nap.

Kids need sleep but their schedule doesn’t have to run your life. Kids are adaptable and packing things like a portable sound machine, pacifier, and blankie will help your little one nap on the go.

What questions do you have about making summer plans with a little one?

This is why I love what I do! The lives of the families I work with are literally changed once everyone is getting good sleep! (Photo is a “before” picture that mom shared)

“I wish I had found Jessica sooner!...about 6 months ago! I have a 1yo that was in daycare from age 3-6mo, and once off that schedule and no longer having other adults take care of him, he wanted mommy to hold him for all naps and bedtime, etc. So he would only nap on the sofa with me by his side and would only fall asleep in my arms for bedtime, which could take an hour to achieve. He would also wake up during the night for 2-3 hours at a time, wide awake, and the only way to get him back to bed was sleeping with him on the sofa.

With Jessica's help, within a week, I was able to put my son in his crib for all naps, and get him to sleep through the night. Her methods are helpful, supportive, and knowledgeable. I highly recommend the deluxe package so you're able to speak with her in detail during the process, as well as being able to discuss how to tackle common things that come up, like late family gatherings that can alter your baby's set schedule, and how to reset the schedule so you're back on track. I also want to note that we live in another state, so we were able to get my son on a schedule with only phone calls and text messages, so you can do this safely from your home.”

Elizabeth C | Chicago, IL

9-15 months! Now we are on two consistent naps each day. The morning nap typically happens around 9am for a 7am wake up. For a 9 month old the first nap of the day is around 1.5 hrs. By 12-15 months the first nap will be around an hour.
The afternoon nap will usually start between 1-2pm. It should start within 3 hours of waking from nap #1 if a good first nap was taken and last at least 1.5-2 hours. If your little one sleeps longer and also sleeps at night, great! These times are a baseline to aim for in order to be sure she’s getting in enough daytime sleep.
If going down for nap time is a struggle be sure she’s exerting enough energy during wake times, try including some time beforehand to wind down, keep her room dark, and be consistent.

Questions about naps for your 9-15 month old? Drop them below!

We know there is no real schedule for the first couple of months of a baby’s life BUT babies can start learning routines as early as 8 weeks and this is a great start to setting up good sleep foundations. Snuggling a sleeping baby is one of my all time favorite things so please know I am NOT advocating a rigid crib nap schedule for your newborn. These are purely suggestions that help to set your little one up for success with sleeping.
1- Be mindful of wake windows. Newborns are often not awake for long periods of time. If you notice that your baby has fussy periods after being awake or has a hard time falling asleep, a likely culprit could be that he is overtired. Keep a log of when he is eating and sleeping that you can refer back to and check for patterns.
2- Occasionally (once a day or every couple of days) try to lay baby down drowsy but awake for a nap. Stay close if needed to pat his belly and give pacifier. If he fights it then refer back to number 1, he’s likely over tired.
3- Swaddle. Swaddling provides security and comfort for babies. It also helps to calm his morrow reflex which can startle him awake. If your baby is frequently breaking out of his swaddle, message me for some swaddling tips!
4- Create a sleep friendly environment. During the first few weeks many babies can sleep anywhere and through anything! If only that last forever, right?! If your baby is having a hard time napping in a bassinet/crib try using a white noise machine and make sure his room is dark.

Have questions about naps during the first couple of months? Happy to answer them below!

Before we get into nap time based on specific ages I wanted to go over a few things that are key for everyone when implementing new sleep habits.
First- patience. Know that things will get better over time and sleep struggles are often not fixed in a day. In fact, oftentimes the first couple of days are harder than they had been.
Second- consistency. Your little one will do so much better with a flexible routine. Intermittent reinforcement when you begin to work on new sleep strategies will confuse your baby/toddler and make the sleep struggles much more difficult. Most of us want the flexibility to veer off schedule and I am all for that once a good sleep foundation has been laid.
Third- unity. It’s so important that you and your partner (if you have one) are on the same page because, like I said above, consistency is key!

Drop any nap time questions below and I will be sure to cover them in the next few posts!

Let’s talk about naps! How many, how often, and how long should they be?

I’ll be covering specifics for each age over the next week but first, let me know what questions you have about nap time!

What age have you found to be the most difficult with naps? What about the easiest?

9 month old Madeline had been waking every 1.5-2 hrs at night to nurse, taking 30 min naps, and needed to be rocked/nursed to sleep.
Her parents began their gentle sleep plan Monday evening and have seen a huge change. Madeline is taking 2 great naps each day, woke just twice to nurse last, and was asleep within 10 minutes at bedtime tonight with no tears!

Her mom said, “When a friend comments on how rested you look after just 3 days you know somethings going right!”

Her dad says, “I’m glad we got our evenings back.”

If you’re in the same boat, don’t wait! Send me a message and I would love to help you and your little one get the sleep you need.

Judah, almost 3, needed his parents in the room to fall asleep, was waking frequently at night, and often skipping naps. 5 days in and he is happily putting himself to sleep, sleeping all night, and taking good naps!
If you have a toddler or preschooler that is struggling with sleep, don’t wait! I would love to help you get some much needed rest and set up a healthy sleep foundation before the busyness of the holidays!

Daylight Savings is here and typically a dreaded time for parents of little ones! Here’s a tip to help make the transition a little smoother.
⭐️Starting 4 days before, move all bedtimes AND meals 15 min later each day.
It’s important to move meals as well so their whole body adjusts to the schedule.
You may still have a crankier baby/toddler in the early evenings during the adjustment but the gradual change will help make things smoother for everyone! Just remember to be patient and give a little more grace for about a week or so.
Other questions about handling the time change? Drop them below!

Hands down the newborn stage is a favorite of mine. The sleepy snuggles, the little noises, the fact that they stay in one place ;)
But I know the lack of sleep and trying to figure out your new baby can also be a big challenge.

I have talked with many families recently who are struggling with short naps and fussy newborns and asking about getting them on a schedule. There really is no schedule for a newborn BUT one of the most helpful tips is to SHORTEN their wake window. Newborns may be content to be awake up to a couple hours at a time but then only take a 30 min nap and the rest of the day goes downhill. Try keeping most of their wake windows in the 45-60 minute range even if they don’t seem sleepy. You will likely see that their naps automatically lengthen because you’re getting them to sleep before they are overtired.

What age is YOUR favorite?

Happy Friday! Does anyone else still have a hard time keeping track of what day it is?? I figured I would do a little introduction for anyone who’s new here.

I’m Jess, mama to 3! My girls are 3 and 4 and were adopted through our local foster care system. We have also had a sweet baby boy living with us for the last year. He turns 1 today and we are all pretty obsessed with him!

3 things I love: summer, the beach, and popcorn. We’ve done so many beach days this summer and I am 100% here for it and already feeling sad about the seasons changing soon!

Now I want to hear from you! It’s been a long week over here and I’m sure we could all use some laughs! Tell me the best excuse your toddler or preschooler has come up with to try and stall bedtime! I’ll go first. A couple days ago my daughter said she couldn’t go to sleep because her legs weren’t strong enough. 🤔😂. Share yours below!!

By popular request I now have links to some of my favorite products in my profile!
Sharing about all of the products in my instagram stories and what I love about them.

What is your must have baby or toddler item? Mine is a tie between the swaddle and the Rohm portable sound machine.

Stressed. Anxious. Overwhelmed. Always thinking about baby’s sleep. Do any of these sound familiar?
Have you wanted to seek help for your little one’s sleep habits but been discouraged by well meaning friends saying it’s normal and will pass?

While it may be true that sleep occasionally gets better on it’s own, more often that not it requires some work from us as parents.

Yes, baby’s are supposed to wake during the night when they are hungry. But did you know that by implementing gentle sleep tricks it helps your baby lengthen night stretches on their own resulting in more sleep for everyone.

Swipe to read a testimonial from someone who did the Newborn Package.

Let’s talk about naps! How much should your little one be napping as they grow?
⭐️Around 4-5 months your baby should start consolidating their naps and forming a better schedule. A 90+ min nap in the morning and afternoon along with a third shorter later afternoon nap.
⭐️Most babies drop the third nap around 9 months but may need it occasionally if their other naps were cut short.
And one of the most frequently asked questions is when to drop the morning nap!
⭐️The average age is 15-18 months old. This isn’t something you don’t want to rush and it’s typically a gradual change- a couple days a week with one nap and a couple days with 2 to catch up.
⭐️Most preschoolers also still need a nap a couple times a week even though you may find them resisting naps a bit more. Having a rest time to allow for sleep is very beneficial at this age.

Any questions about nap times? Drop them below!

I shared something similar to this back in February but it feels worth sharing again because when life feels crazy or overwhelming I find myself grappling for control at home which means a lot of “no, you can’t do that” for the kids. Which then leads to them feeling out of control and acting out. It’s a vicious cycle.
So tonight I said yes. Yes, you can run through the muddy puddles in your church clothes. Did it create more work for me? Yep. But was it worth the giggles and the unprompted “I love you, mommy!”? Absolutely. And after a snack and quick bath they went right to bed with no complaint. (Yes, even a sleep consultant’s kids know all of the stalling techniques 😉)

What is one way you can say YES to your kiddos this week? I would love for you to share below!

There’s just something about a sleeping baby! Any other parents so ready for bedtime but then sneak in to watch them sleep and take their picture? Just me?! 😉

Are you ready to find out the number 1 thing I tell most families? There were so many great guesses on the last post! The answer is....

SHORTEN WAKE WINDOWS/EARLIER BEDTIME!

This is true for all ages and almost always one of the struggles a family faces. Extra fussy baby? Likely needs a shorter wake window. A baby or child waking frequently or super early in the morning? Usually needs an earlier bedtime.
Oftentimes when a child is struggling with sleep the advice given is to keep them awake longer to be sure they are really tired. This almost always backfires to cause more frequent wakings and early rising in the morning. This is true for all ages!
Did your preschooler recently stop napping and start having harder nights? Try putting them to bed at 6:30pm. An earlier bedtime gives them a chance to catch up on missed sleep (restorative sleep).
Does your baby get really fussy before a nap or bedtime? Try getting them to sleep 30 min sooner.

If you have any questions I would be happy to help! And if you try this tip, let me know how it works!!

Did you know there’s one piece of advice I give to almost every family I work with? And this change alone often creates a better sleeper! Any ideas?? Comment below and I’ll reveal the answer soon!
📸:

Tonight I talked with a mama of a 2 month old who was desperate for some help with sleep. She explained that he wasn’t sleeping much during the day and, if he did, he had to be held. We went through a list of tips and tricks and talked about how to set up a healthy sleep foundation for her little guy and a short time later she sent this text.

I LOVE hearing your success stories and seeing parents and little ones get the sleep they desperately need!

*disclaimer: we do not do official sleep training for a young baby but there are many things you can do to work on a healthy sleep foundation*

In 2016 the American Academy of Pediatrics wrote that “adequate sleep duration for age on a regular basis leads to improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, emotional regulation, quality of life, and mental and physical health.” Sleep is so important for growth and development! Think about how you, as an adult, feel after a couple nights of broken sleep. For me, I feel more agitated, less patient, and am not functioning at my best. It’s even harder for our kids.
If you feel that your family would benefit from better sleep, send me a message! So many families have reported that their kids are happier than they ever expected after working a sleep plan!

>>20 minute phone consultation for just $49

Alright mamas, let’s help each other out! What are some of the ways you’re keeping your little ones busy while at home?! The top 2 for us are getting outside and having art stuff out on the table at all times. They color and cut and paste throughout the day! They even love to drop their art in the mail to friends.

What activities are your kiddos loving right now? I’m sure we could all use some new ideas over the next few weeks!

We are planning on lots of outdoor activities to get us through the social distancing! You know what else works well when you’re stuck home for a of couple weeks?! Sleep training! Now is the perfect opportunity to work a sleep plan while you’re home and able to stick with a routine for a couple weeks.
I know many are hesitant to purchase “extras” right now so I will also be offering a payment plan and $50 off the deluxe package for the rest of March! Message me for more information! .

Things I didn’t know about mom sleep before I had kids: Even when my babies started sleeping through the night I would still wake up and check on them. Or when they are gone for the night somewhere I’ve noticed I don’t sleep nearly as well.

What have you noticed about your sleep habits since having kids?