Bringing Up Baby

Does Your Baby Have to Be on a Schedule?

Should your baby be following a strict sleep schedule? In this quick episode, we talk about wake windows, routines, and why flexibility matters when it comes to baby sleep. Learn how to use schedules as a helpful guide without feeling pressured to get everything exactly right.

Find sleep support and parenting resources at Birth Baby Sleep, and don't forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast!

Website: www.birthbabysleep.ca

Instagram: @birth_baby_sleep

In this episode, we’re talking about infertility and the journey to building a family. I’m joined by two of the organizers of Halifax’s first Fertility Matters 6K, Nicole Ford and Kate Elliot, and we share some of our own experiences while talking about the physical, emotional, practical and financial realities that can come with infertility.

We also chat about why having more open conversations around infertility matters, the importance of community and support, and the Fertility Matters 6K Movement happening in Halifax on October 3rd at Point Pleasant Park. The 6K starts at 9:00 a.m., with registration opening earlier in the morning.

Whether you’ve experienced infertility yourself, are supporting someone who has, or simply want to better understand the experience, we hope this conversation helps open up the conversation a little more.

Looking for support?
Halifax 6K Movement Facebook Group - October 3, 2026
Fertility Matters Canada
List of therapists/counsellors local to Halifax area/virtual

For more information about Ashley and Birth Baby Sleep
https://www.birthbabysleep.ca/ 

Today I'm diving into one of the most emotionally charged topics in parenting: sleep training and attachment.

Does sleep training actually harm your bond with your baby? What does the research really say about crying, responsiveness, and secure attachment?

We're breaking down the myths, shares what experts in child development and pediatric sleep research have found, and explores why attachment is built through the overall relationship — not one parenting decision.

If you’ve ever felt torn between supporting your baby’s sleep and protecting your connection, this episode is for you.

Learn more about working with Ashley: Birth Baby Sleep

Follow along on Instagram @birth_baby_sleep

Thinking about dropping a nap? Before you do, there are a few signs your baby or toddler might still really need it.

In this episode, Ashley shares some common situations where parents assume it’s time to drop a nap — but it’s actually too soon. From short baby naps to toddlers who are still sleeping great overnight, you’ll learn a few quick clues that the nap is still serving an important purpose.

If sleep has felt a little messy lately, this episode will help you figure out whether the nap is actually the problem… or still part of the solution.

Learn more about working with Ashley: Birth Baby Sleep

Follow along on Instagram @birth_baby_sleep

If your baby falls asleep at bedtime — only to wake up 30 to 45 minutes later — you’re likely dealing with a false start.

In this episode, we break down exactly what false starts are, why they happen, and what they may be telling you about your baby’s sleep.

False starts are common, and they’re usually explainable. Most often, they’re linked to:

Overtiredness

Not quite enough sleep pressure

Daytime nap timing

Learned sleep habits

We’ll talk through how sleep cycles work, why the first 30–45 minutes of nighttime sleep can be fragile, and how small adjustments to timing or routine can make a meaningful difference.

We also discuss the role of habit and sleep associations — in a neutral, practical way — so you can decide what feels right for your family. If bedtime hasn’t been “sticking,” this episode will help you approach it as problem-solving rather than failure.

Because bedtime matters. And when it feels settled, it changes the entire evening.

Resources: Bringing Up Baby Resource Bundle (Wake window PDF, extra sleep tips and more!) 

Website: www.birthbabysleep.ca

Cord blood banking isn’t something most parents think about—or even hear about—until after they’re already pregnant. In this episode, I chat with Sofia Magana from Healthcord Cryogenics to break it all down in a clear, easy-to-understand way.

We talk about what cord blood actually is, why some families might consider banking it, and what the process looks like at birth. We also go over the difference between private banking and public donation, so you can understand all the options before deciding what’s right for your family.

This conversation is all about giving you the facts—no pressure, no hype—so you can feel informed and confident about whether this is something you want to explore.

Guest Bio:
Sofia Magana is a biomedical professional at Healthcord Cryogenics, specializing in cord blood and stem cell education. With a background in biomedical engineering and translational research, she works closely with healthcare providers and families to translate complex stem cell science into clear, practical, and evidence-based information.

Optional Listener Discounts:
If you decide cord blood banking is something you want to explore,Healthcord Cryogenics has provided optional discount codes:

$450 off Cord Blood + Cord Tissue Banking – use code BIRTHBABYSLEEP450

$300 off Cord Blood Banking – use code BIRTHBABYSLEEP300

These codes are completely optional, and this episode is for educational purposes only.

Learn more about working with Ashley: Birth Baby Sleep

Explore classes and support inside the Bringing Up Baby VIP Community

Follow along on Instagram @birth_baby_sleep

If you find yourself worrying about what's to come in regards to your baby's sleep, you're not alone!

Have you ever heard about "The 4-Month Sleep Regression?" 
I know... Silly question.

But whether it's your baby about to be ~4 months of age, you are planning how you'll get them to sleep without being swaddled or wondered if you'll ever feel ready to put them in a crib in their own room, this episode is for you!

The episode is all about easing anticipation anxiety and re-framing transitions as a normal part of your baby's growth - not a sign that something is going wrong. 

Learn more about working with Ashley: Birth Baby Sleep

Explore classes and support inside the Bringing Up Baby VIP Community

Follow along on Instagram @birth_baby_sleep

If this episode was helpful, please consider subscribing, sharing with a parent who needs reassurance, or leaving a review — it helps more families find this support.

If you’ve ever found yourself Googling “is this normal?” in the middle of the night, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Ashley breaks down some of the most common baby behaviors that cause parents stress, anxiety, and second-guessing — and explains why many of them are actually developmentally normal. Normal doesn’t always mean easy, but understanding what’s typical can help reduce unnecessary worry in those early months.

Why newborn sleep can be surprisingly noisy

The truth about short naps in the first few months

What cluster feeding really means (and what it doesn’t)

Why wanting to be held isn’t a “bad habit”

Why you might be concerned if Baby sleeps too long

Whether you’re pregnant, in the newborn stage, or supporting someone who is, this episode will help you feel more confident and less alone.

Learn more about working with Ashley: Birth Baby Sleep

Explore classes and support inside the Bringing Up Baby VIP Community

Follow along on Instagram @birth_baby_sleep

If this episode was helpful, please consider subscribing, sharing with a parent who needs reassurance, or leaving a review — it helps more families find this support.

In this episode, Osteopath Kaitlyn Sobey breaks down what’s really happening in babies labelled with reflux or colic, and how some birth experiences can create tension that affects feeding, digestion, and comfort. We explore common signs of tension parents can spot at home, when collaboration between an osteopath and lactation consultant is most helpful, what changes to expect after treatment, and how to tell when a baby is truly relaxed in their body. A clear, calming guide for parents navigating early feeding and settling challenges. 

HOST: Ashley Cooley, owner of Birth Baby Sleep  |  WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM

GUEST: Kaitlyn Sobey, Osteopath with Cornerstone Naturopathic  |  WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM

In this episode, we chat with speech-language pathologist Juliana McLaren about how babies develop chewing and feeding skills.

Juliana breaks down when and how chewing emerges, what really matters when starting solids, and how different feeding approaches — from baby-led weaning to spoon-feeding — shape oral development. She also shares practical tips for supporting your baby’s feeding journey, and signs it might be time to seek help.

For more information:

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital's Feeding According to Development Level chart. 

Host: Ashley Cooley, owner of Birth Baby Sleep
Website: www.birthbabysleep.ca
Instagram and Facebook @birth_baby_sleep

Guest: Juliana McLaren, owner of One Bite at a Time: Swallowing and Speech Services
Website: www.1biteatatime.ca
Instagram @1biteatatimeca