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 episode

Transfer tips: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2021/4/29/how-to-transfer-baby-from-arms-to-sleep-space

Connect with Kim

Learn more about working with Kim and grab your free sleep myth busting guide: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

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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 Jillian

Jillian 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 Jillian

Website: https://www.bodyyoucrave.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillianamadea

Podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/30xmKmwsGaIKSkTSuPpsyh

Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/body-you-crave/id1573281085

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Learn 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.

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Learn 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 Jenna

Jenna 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.com
Socials: @Purposeful__Parenting

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Learn 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 episode

Bedsharing safety podcast episode: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/podcast/2023/10/6/how-to-bedshare-safely

Cosleeping tips and tricks episode: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/podcast/2024/3/14/tips-and-tricks-for-enjoying-bedsharing-with-tiffany-from-cosleepy

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Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dc
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Learn 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.

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Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dc
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Learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Throughout human history new parents had support with their newborns around the clock from their friends and family. Now, most parents don’t have friends and family who are able to help overnight, and postpartum doulas are an option for nighttime support to help you get more rest.

However, if you are a parent looking for someone who is knowledgeable and comfortable with nurturing biologically normal sleep and lactation then it’s important you hire the right professional. In this episode, I’m joined by Alex King, a postpartum doula who exclusively does overnight support. We talk about what a postpartum doula is and how they are different from night nurses and newborn care specialists. We share some questions parents can ask to get a good sense of the doulas lactation knowledge and comfort with supporting normal sleep and an attachment-based approach to sleep.

We discussed what some red flags and green flags might be to show where a doula is on the same page as them and where they may not be aligned. It’s all about finding the right fit and as a parent, being clear about what you are looking for. Alex shares some of the ways her support helps parents create more of a set nighttime, helping circadian rhythm develop. And she reminds us that you are inviting a person into a very personal time and space so it’s important that you are really comfortable with them. I hope this episode will give you some ideas if you want to hire a postpartum doula for nighttime support whether you are pregnant with your first baby or looking ahead to a second baby or more.

About Alex

Alex King is a certified postpartum doula in Los Angeles California who specializes in working with families overnight. She is passionate about setting up babies, mamas, and families for success in the delicate postpartum period so they can enjoy the magic a new little one brings.

Connect with Alex

Instagram: @doula.alex.king

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Learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/

Modern life is not sleep friendly for any of us. While there are many ways to better support and optimize baby and toddler sleep, let’s not forget that there are often simple things that adults can do to support your own sleep (no matter how your child is sleeping). As the days get longer (and warmer), it’s a good time to check in with yourself and what small steps you can take to better support your own sleep. In this episode I’m walking you through a few easy but powerful things you can do to improve your sleep quality. I talk about morning sunlight, the timing of your coffee, blue light blocking in the evening, and mindfulness, de-stressing rituals ahead of bedtime.

Resources related to this episode

Check out this blog post on light and the circadian rhythm: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/blog/2023/3/7/lets-talk-light-and-the-circadian-rhythm

Connect with Kim
Instagram: instagram.com/intuitive_parenting_dc
Facebook: facebook.com/intuitiveparentingdc
Learn more about working with Kim: https://intuitiveparentingdc.com/