Reply To: The sleep fighter

[Emma H]

Hi Monica,

It sounds like the past few weeks have been challenging for you. You’re doing an amazing job, and I want to make sure I provide the right advice. So, when you have a moment, could you please answer a few questions to help me better understand your little one’s routine? I completely understand that this might feel like extra work, so thank you in advance for taking the time!

1. Does your little one have a consistent wake-up time? If so, what time is it?

2. During the day, are you following a wake, feed, play, sleep routine, or is it more of a wake, feed, play, feed, sleep routine?

3. How many naps is she taking each day?

4. You mentioned recently extending her wake windows, which seems to have helped—great work! How long is she staying awake between naps now?

5. Can you describe your nap and bedtime routines? (For example, any activities you do to help her wind down before sleep.)

6. How are you currently helping her fall asleep?

7. Once she’s asleep, are you holding her for the entire nap, or do you lay her down in your bed?

8. What is the environment like where she is sleeping – eg. is it cool, dark and quiet?

9. What time is her bedtime?

10. Is she waking during the night? If so, what times does she typically wake, and are you feeding her during any of these wakings?

11. Since she’s sharing a bed with you, I’m assuming she’s wearing a sleeping bag with her arms free—does that sound correct?

12. Is she using a pacifier?

13. Has she started rolling over from back to tummy or tummy to back yet? Once she can roll over, it’s perfectly fine for her to sleep on her tummy. Just a quick reminder: to keep her sleep environment safe, make sure there are no loose blankets or sheets, and that the mattress is firm to ensure her airways stay clear.

Thanks,
Emma