197. Drowsy But Awake: Your Key to Avoiding the 4-Month Sleep Regression
Release Date: 07/21/2025
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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_outlineIs the 4-month sleep regression inevitable? Not necessarily. In this episode of How Long 'Til Bedtime?, pediatric sleep specialist Allison Egidi explains how practicing “drowsy but awake” before 4 months can help your baby sleep longer stretches and avoid the most disruptive parts of this sleep shift. Learn what "drowsy but awake" really means, how to start practicing it, and what to do if it’s not going smoothly.
Whether you’re a brand-new parent or you’ve got a 3-month-old who’s suddenly waking every 45 minutes, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can start using right away.
What you’ll learn:
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What the 4-month sleep regression really is—and why I call it a progression
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Why sleep starts to fall apart around this age (and what to do about it)
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What “drowsy but awake” actually looks like in real life
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A simple, gentle approach to helping your baby fall asleep in the crib
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How to build the skill gradually—starting with just one nap a day
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What to try if your baby wakes the second they hit the crib mattress
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How to troubleshoot naps and wake windows to make sleep easier
Resources mentioned in the episode:
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🎯 Have Baby, Need Sleep Program: Get week-by-week personalized guidance from birth through 20 weeks
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📋 Listener Survey + Free 15-Minute Call: Tell me what you love, what you want more of, and get a free consult
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🍼 Want help teaching independent sleep? Book a private consultation with Allison or a member of her team here
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