187. Teen Sleep & Anxiety: What a 12th Grader Wants Parents to Know with Lizzie Pisani
Release Date: 05/12/2025
How Long 'Til Bedtime?
Navigating the holidays can be tricky — and if you or someone you love is gluten-free, it can feel downright overwhelming. From family dinners and cookie swaps to travel days and potlucks, gluten seems to pop up everywhere. In this episode, Allison shares her personal system for staying gluten-free through the holiday season without missing out on the fun or driving yourself crazy. Drawing from her own experience living with Hashimoto’s and managing gluten sensitivity, she offers simple, realistic strategies to help you feel prepared, confident, and at ease — no matter what’s on the...
info_outlineHow Long 'Til Bedtime?
If the thought of holiday travel with kids makes your heart race faster than your suitcase zipper, this episode is for you. Pediatric sleep and wellness coach Allison Egidi shares a calm, practical roadmap for keeping your child’s sleep on track during holiday trips—so you can come home with memories, not meltdowns. From car naps to hotel setups, time zone shifts to family expectations, Allison covers every scenario you’re likely to face this season. She also shares the hard-earned lessons from her own “rock bottom” Christmas trip—and how that experience helped her create travel...
info_outlineHow Long 'Til Bedtime?
Labor Day feels like ages ago, the days are shorter, and the holidays are on the horizon—making it the perfect moment to pause and check in on those fall reset goals. In this episode of How Long ’Til Bedtime?, pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi shares an honest update on her own fall reset progress—from waking up at 6 a.m. and walking the dogs after school drop-off, to staying consistent with her morning protein and cutting back on coffee. She also talks about the habits that slipped (like late-night phone time) and how she’s working to get back on track. Allison reflects on what’s...
info_outlineHow Long 'Til Bedtime?
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. If you or someone you love has experienced a loss, please know that you are not alone—and help is available. In this deeply moving conversation, Allison welcomes Andrea Clark, Deputy CEO of Postpartum Support International, to share her personal and professional insights on pregnancy and infant loss. Andrea opens up about her three consecutive losses, the isolation she felt, and how she found healing through faith, community, and service. Together, they explore how to support those grieving a loss, why silence can make healing...
info_outlineHow Long 'Til Bedtime?
The clocks are about to fall back—and parents everywhere are bracing for those dreaded 5 a.m. wake-ups. But the fall time change doesn’t have to wreck your child’s sleep. In this episode of How Long ’Til Bedtime?, pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi shares exactly how to navigate the end of daylight saving time with less stress (and more rest). Learn what really happens to your child’s body clock when we “fall back,” why pre-adjusting bedtime can backfire, and what simple schedule tweaks make all the difference for babies, toddlers, and big kids. You’ll hear: Why Allison...
info_outlineHow Long 'Til Bedtime?
Does your little one nap like a champ at daycare but struggle at home — or the complete opposite? You’re not alone. In this episode of How Long ’Til Bedtime?, pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi dives into the fascinating (and sometimes frustrating) differences between daycare sleep and home sleep for babies and toddlers. You’ll learn: Why toddlers often nap better at daycare than at home The role of structure, routine, and even peer pressure in daycare naps Why infants commonly struggle with short naps in daycare settings What you can do to support your child’s teachers and...
info_outlineHow Long 'Til Bedtime?
Pacifiers: many babies love them… but when it comes to sleep training, they can become a major source of frustration. If you’ve ever played the endless “pacifier pop game” in the middle of the night, you know exactly what that means. In this episode of How Long ’Til Bedtime?, pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi breaks down how pacifiers impact sleep, why you don’t necessarily have to ditch them, and the key shift that can make nights smoother for everyone. What you’ll learn: Why pacifiers can both help and hinder sleep training The truth about whether you need to give them up...
info_outlineHow Long 'Til Bedtime?
If your toddler is suddenly taking forever to fall asleep—or bouncing off the walls when bedtime rolls around—it’s tempting to think the solution is a later bedtime. But that’s actually the wrong move in most cases. In this episode, Allison Egidi, pediatric sleep and wellness coach, explains the #1 mistake parents make with toddler bedtime routines and what to do instead. She breaks down why toddlers resist sleep, what a “second wind” really is, and how to structure evenings so kids can fall asleep more quickly and rest more soundly. You’ll learn: Why pushing bedtime later...
info_outlineHow Long 'Til Bedtime?
Is it possible to sleep train your baby without leaving them to cry it out? The short answer: yes—but probably not without some tears. In this episode of How Long ’Til Bedtime?, pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi breaks down the myths and realities of “no cry” sleep training methods and what parents can realistically expect. You’ll learn: What “cry it out” really means (definitions vary so much) Why even the most gentle, hands-on sleep training methods usually involve some crying Why it’s important to choose the best sleep training approach based on your baby’s...
info_outlineHow Long 'Til Bedtime?
Are you stressing over getting your baby’s wake windows just right? You’re not alone. Wake window charts are everywhere—on Instagram, in parenting groups, and even recommended by some sleep consultants. But here’s the truth: wake windows aren’t evidence-based. In this episode of How Long ‘Til Bedtime?, pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi explains where wake windows came from, why they often backfire, and what research actually shows about healthy baby and toddler sleep. You’ll learn: Why wake windows can create more stress than solutions How circadian rhythm—not wake window...
info_outlineAllison Egidi welcomes a unique and inspiring guest—12th grader Lizzie Pisani—who shares powerful insights from her year-long capstone project on the relationship between teen sleep, anxiety, and screen use.
After struggling with her own sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lizzie became curious about how disrupted sleep impacts mental health in teens. Her passion for the topic led her to dive deep into research, survey her peers, and interview professionals—all culminating in a project aimed at helping teens and parents better understand the connection between sleep and emotional well-being.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
-
What inspired Lizzie to research teen sleep and anxiety
-
The clear correlation she found between poor sleep and higher levels of anxiety in her high school community
-
How screen time and inconsistent sleep routines exacerbate mental health challenges in adolescents
-
Simple, actionable strategies that teens (and their parents!) can implement to improve sleep hygiene
-
Surprising stats about how many teens aren't getting enough rest—and the real consequences
-
Lizzie’s compelling ideas for how schools can support student well-being through sleep education
-
Personal reflections from Lizzie on the challenges and rewards of applying her own sleep tips
Whether you're raising a teen or preparing for the teen years ahead, Lizzie’s thoughtful perspective and practical advice are not to be missed.
🎧 Tune in to hear how empowering teens with knowledge about sleep can make a lasting impact—on grades, mood, safety, and overall health.
Click here to watch or listen on YouTube
Want to hear more from Allison? Provide your email address here to receive Allison’s weekly email about the podcast and other fun topics.
Enjoying How Long ‘Til Bedtime? Please consider rating and reviewing the show. This helps Allison support more parents. Click here, scroll to the bottom, rate the podcast, and select “Write a Review.” And if you’re a Spotify listener, you can now leave reviews on Spotify by clicking here. Also, if you subscribe to the show, you won’t miss any episodes!
Connect with Allison: