Ask us anything #1 (Ep 6)

In our first mailbag episode, Arielle and I take a deep dive into your most pressing sleep-related questions, from the perfect setup for your toddler's room to managing sleep challenges in children with autism. We took YOUR questions from email and Instagram.

Timestamps:

• [00:02:00] "What should the light setup be in a toddler's room?"
• [00:03:23] "Can you immediately stop using a pacifier when sleep training?"
• [00:05:39] "How to introduce room sharing?"
• [00:08:31] "Tips for jet lag when flying overseas with kids?"
• [00:11:30] "How much movement during sleep is typical in an elementary schooler?"
• [00:15:05] "Is it okay to use melatonin for sleep issues in kids?"
• [00:22:44] "How to manage bedtime for children with autism?"
• [00:28:47] "Dealing with night nursing and weaning issues."
• [00:36:00] "How do we break the cycle of bottle feeding and rocking to sleep for a 2-year-old?"
• [00:39:00] "Will removing a nighttime sleep crutch result in split nights?"
• [00:51:27] "Should weekend naps match daycare schedule for a 6-month-old?"
• [00:53:10] "Recommendations for a 3-year-old inconsistent in taking naps."
• [00:55:00] "How to handle a baby's strong preference for one parent at bedtime."
• [00:57:16] "Helping a 6-year-old with congenital heart disease to sleep better."

Notable Quotes from the Episode:

• "It should be dark enough in your kid's room that you can't read a book by the light." - Dr. Craig Canapari
• "The sooner you can eliminate the pacifier, the better." - Arielle Greenleaf
• "Kids adjust more quickly to new time zones than adults do." - Dr. Craig Canapari
• "Melatonin is not a magic bullet. It's part of a broader strategy." - Dr. Craig Canapari
• "Natural light is very helpful for adjusting to new time zones." - Arielle Greenleaf
• "Being a little bit careful with screens before bedtime can help with jet lag." - Dr. Craig Canapari
• "Restless leg syndrome in kids is typically associated with both sensory and sleep issues." - Dr. Craig Canapari
• "Swap your child's fear of not having the pacifier with germophobia and you're all set." - Dr. Craig Canapari, humorously suggesting a strategy for weaning off pacifiers.

Links

• Sleep edit episode with Dr. Garay
• Room sharing links: Dr Canapari article in the NYT ; Dr Canapari article on his website
• Melatonin for Children: A Guide for Parents
• Melatonin overdoses are on the rise: why parents should worry
• Solving Sleep Problems in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Guide for Frazzled Families
• How to stop night feeds
• AAP Safe Sleep Guideline 2022
• Want to stop cosleeping? Here’s how
• List of sleep training methods
• Early morning awakenings: what to do about them

Got sleep questions? Drop us a line for a future episode

Originally published April 2024. Last reviewed/updated by Dr. Craig Canapari, MD in April 2024