“Responsive Settling”: Is it Responsive? Effective?
New research suggests a method of "responsive settling" actually can improve infant sleep as well as extinction methods. Is this wholly accurate?
“Sleep Regressions”: Why It’s Not Actually a Regression
We often hear people talk about sleep regressions, but this can send parents off on a tangent, fearing their child is losing skills they once had. Understanding what's happening is essential to helping parents cope with these times and truly help their kids.
Should babies sleep alone? An Analysis of the INSIGHT Study’s Findings on Infant Sleep by Location
New headlines suggest solitary sleep can improve infant sleep, but digging deeper makes it clear that this suggestion is not only wrong, but potentially dangerous.
Helping Baby Sleep: Does Extinction Sleep Training Improve Baby’s Sleep?
Many people report trying extinction methods of sleep training to "help" their baby sleep better, but what does research tell us in terms of the efficacy of these methods for baby's sleep? Does the reasoning hold up?
Sleep Training Yourself
For those families considering extinction sleep training methods, I want to ask them to try something first. Something that I hope will change their minds.
“No Bedsharing Under Four Months of Age”: The AAP Evidence
The AAP recently suggested that bedsharing should never occur with infants under 4 months of age, leaving many breastfeeding families wondering what they should do for sleep. I look at the evidence for this recommendation to see if it holds up.
Acute Stress Affects Cognition in Infancy
New research examines the effects of acute stress on cognitive functions in infants. Contrary to the idea that "a bit of stress is good for them", this research finds that stress inhibits flexible thinking.
New AAP Sleep Guidelines: Same Old Line or Something New?
The AAP has released their updated Safe Sleep Recommendations so it's time to take a look at what they say and how it applies to families.
Does the Recommendation to Avoid Bedsharing Hurt Breastfeeding Rates?
Some have suggested that bedsharing and breastfeeding inherently go hand-in-hand. Some suggest it's simply a great tool for breastfeeding families. Two pieces of research attempt to examine this and I take a close look at both to determine what we can take home.
Controlled Crying, Cortisol, and Attachment: A Critical Look
New research is making the rounds claiming that there are no negative effects to controlled crying, and the press is lapping it up. The question is: Does the claim hold up?