198. [ENCORE] Back to School Sleep Tips: Preschoolers and Daycare
Release Date: 07/28/2025
How Long 'Til Bedtime?
Every child is born with a unique sleep puzzle—and understanding that concept can completely change how you approach sleep challenges. In this episode, Allison breaks down why some children seem to sleep effortlessly while others struggle no matter how closely parents follow the “rules.” If you’ve read the books, followed the schedules, tried multiple methods, and still feel stuck, this episode is for you. Allison explains the idea of natural sleep talent and why sensitive sleepers often need a much more precise approach. Through personal stories from her own family—and a powerful...
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Later bedtimes. Bedtime resistance. A tween or teen who insists they’re “not tired” until 10 p.m. or later. If this sounds familiar, you’re not imagining things—and you’re not doing anything wrong. In this episode, Allison explains what’s really happening inside your child’s body as they move into the tween and teen years. During puberty, the circadian rhythm naturally shifts later, delaying melatonin release and making kids feel alert well into the evening. The problem? School start times don’t shift with them. This biological mismatch often leads to chronic sleep...
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Is your toddler suddenly fighting bedtime, waking overnight, or making you question whether the crib is still working? In this episode, Allison breaks down one of the most common (and stressful) questions parents of toddlers face: Is it time to move from the crib to a bed? This question often comes up during moments of panic—sleep regressions, big life changes, or developmental leaps—but the answer isn’t always what parents expect. Allison walks through the three most common reasons families consider making the switch and offers an honest, experience-based take on each one. You’ll...
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What happens when retirement plans are suddenly replaced by bedtime routines, school drop-offs, and parenting kids after trauma? In this deeply moving episode, Allison sits down with Laura Brazan, host of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren podcast, to talk about the unexpected realities of becoming a full-time caregiver later in life. Laura shares her personal journey of raising two grandchildren after a family crisis — and how sleepless nights, behavioral challenges, and profound grief ultimately led her to create the world’s leading podcast for grandparents in this role. Together,...
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Allison answers five of the most common questions she hears from parents about toddler sleep. If you’re navigating pillows and blankets, sleep regressions, toddler clocks, crib-to-bed transitions, or nightlights, this episode is packed with clear, practical guidance you can use right away. This is a quick, approachable episode designed to give you clarity, reassurance, and confidence as you support your toddler’s sleep. You’ll learn: When it’s appropriate to introduce a pillow and blanket The most common toddler sleep regression and what triggers it How toddler clocks can support...
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We’re replaying this episode because it was the most downloaded, most shared, and most talked-about episode of 2025—and for good reason. Parents consistently told us this conversation changed the way they approached feeding, eased stress at mealtimes, and helped them feel more confident introducing solid foods. In this encore episode, Kim Grenawitzke from Solid Starts joins Allison for a deep, practical discussion on starting solids and supporting kids in becoming adventurous, confident eaters. Kim is the Senior Feeding and Swallowing Specialist at Solid Starts and a mom of two, and she...
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In today’s episode of How Long ’Til Bedtime?, Allison dives into one of the trickiest screen-time boundaries parents face: screens in the bedroom. Allison has always held a strong stance—no TVs, tablets, or phones in children’s bedrooms—and she’s breaking down exactly why this boundary matters, why it’s hard, and how to make it stick, even as kids get older. Inside the episode, you’ll hear: Why screens in the bedroom can disrupt melatonin, sleep onset, and overall sleep quality How the “one more video” cycle impacts bedtime behavior and makes transitions harder The...
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In this episode of How Long ’Til Bedtime?, Allison shares the story behind a moment of holiday reflection that shifted her entire approach to the season. After attending a women’s brunch centered around intention—not perfection—she found herself wondering how she truly wants to move through December, especially in a year filled with travel, transitions, and a quieter Christmas at home. A conversation at the dinner table with her kids opened her eyes to what actually matters most to them during the holidays—and spoiler alert: it wasn’t big events, complicated outings, or long lists...
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In this episode of How Long ’Til Bedtime?, we dive into one of the most common questions parents ask: How long does sleep training actually take — and how can you tell if it’s working? Allison breaks down the realistic timeline she sees when working one-on-one with families, why the process isn’t always linear, and what improvement should look like in the first week. You’ll learn: What progress typically looks like from night one through week two Why night four is a key milestone for evaluating success The difference between night sleep improvements and nap stabilization How...
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Night wakings can be one of the most confusing parts of early parenting — especially when you’re wondering whether your baby is waking out of hunger or habit. In this episode, Allison Egidi tackles one of the most common questions she gets as a certified sleep consultant: How do I know when my baby is ready to sleep through the night without feeding? Allison shares: The difference between true hunger and habitual night wakings Her experience helping her own daughter (and thousands of client families) through the night-weaning process Typical milestones that suggest your baby may be...
info_outlineIt’s that time of year again—school is starting, and for many families, that means earlier mornings, new routines, and some big adjustments in the sleep department.
In this episode, pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi is sharing exactly how to help your toddler or preschooler ease into the school year with a healthy, sustainable sleep schedule. Whether your child is starting preschool, heading to daycare for the first time, or just coming off a relaxed summer schedule, these tips will help your entire household make the transition more smoothly—and with a lot less stress.
What You’ll Learn:
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How to determine your child’s optimal amount of sleep
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Why preschoolers and toddlers benefit from more sleep than you think
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How to shift your schedule gradually before school starts
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When to use “rescue bedtimes” and how they help
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Why waking up naturally is the gold standard for kids
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How to handle early risers while still maximizing sleep
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What to expect (and not stress about!) with daycare naps and preschool cot sleeping
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Strategies for navigating tricky half-day preschool schedules
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