That's Not How A Baby Sleeps

Have you ever wondered if your child's sleep struggles could be related to something more than just sleep?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Elizabeth Turner, an airway-focused dentist, to discuss the often-overlooked connection between airway health and sleep. From mouth breathing and snoring to tongue ties and early airway development, She helps us understand some of the red flags parents may want to watch for and why they matter.

We cover:

• How airway health impacts sleep in babies, toddlers, and children

• The difference between nasal breathing and mouth breathing—and why it matters

• Whether mouth breathing during sleep is something parents should investigate

• If snoring is ever considered "normal" in children

• How tongue ties can affect sleep, even when feeding appears to be going well

• The truth about breastmilk and tooth decay

• How untreated airway issues can show up later in childhood

• Gentle, early interventions that may help support healthy airway development

If you've ever felt like something was "off" with your child's sleep but couldn't quite put your finger on it, this episode is packed with valuable information that may help you better understand what's going on.

As always, our goal isn't to create fear or convince parents that every sleep challenge is caused by an airway issue. It's simply to provide education so families can make informed decisions and know when it may be worth digging a little deeper.

Follow Elizabeth on Instagram @drlizzzt & @untetheredairway

Check out Elizabeth’s website

Check out her Podcast No One Told Me: The Airway Health Connection

Airway Specialist Directory

Find a TOTS Trained Myofunctional Therapist in your area

Alicia & Aleni are both Moms and certified infant and toddler sleep specialists who don't use traditional sleep training methods to support the families that they work with.

Follow along on social media for more sleep without sleep training tips.

⁠Alicia's Instagram⁠

⁠Alicia's Tiktok⁠

⁠Aleni's Instagram⁠

Work with Alicia

• View 1:1 support options and services here

• Purchase our comprehensive sleep courses

• Book a FREE 20 minute clarity call here

• Check out our free resources here

  
  

**The information shared is not medical advice & is for entertainment purposes only

Note: We had a few technical difficulties with recording this week, so this episode is audio only and may sound a little “off” at times — thank you for bearing with us. 💛

This week on the podcast, we’re joined by our Mother’s Day giveaway winner, Kate — a mama of four boys (including her younger twin boys) and a birth doula.

Before the call, Kate tracked her twins’ sleep so we could take a deeper look at their patterns, sleep needs, and overall schedule. In this episode, we walk through our assessment, share what we’re seeing, and talk through what adjustments might better support their sleep.

We also answer Kate’s questions in real time, making this a really honest, practical look at what sleep support can actually look like behind the scenes.

If you’ve ever wondered how to figure out your child’s unique sleep needs or what a sleep assessment actually looks like, this episode is such a good listen.

Follow along with Kate and her work as a birth doula on Instagram

Alicia & Aleni are both Moms and certified infant and toddler sleep specialists who don't use traditional sleep training methods to support the families that they work with.

Follow along on social media for more sleep without sleep training tips.

⁠Alicia's Instagram⁠

⁠Alicia's Tiktok⁠

⁠Aleni's Instagram⁠

Work with Alicia

• View 1:1 support options and services here

• Purchase our comprehensive sleep courses

• Book a FREE 20 minute clarity call here

• Check out our free resources here

  
  

**The information shared is not medical advice & is for entertainment purposes only

Enter our Mother’s Day Giveaway HERE

Motherhood isn’t just physically exhausting.

It’s the constant thinking, remembering, planning, anticipating & the never turning your brain off.

This week on the podcast, we’re talking about the invisible mental load of motherhood — the piece no one really prepares you for, but that impacts everything… including your capacity, your nervous system, and even how you experience your child’s sleep.

Because it’s not just about what you’re doing, It’s about everything you’re holding.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What the mental load actually is (and why it feels so heavy)

• Why it’s often carried disproportionately by moms

• How it impacts your nervous system and daily capacity

• Why “just ask for help” doesn’t actually solve the problem

• How this invisible load shows up at bedtime and overnight

• & what it can look like to start doing less — without the guilt

If you’ve ever felt overstimulated, touched out, or like your brain just won’t shut off… this episode is for you.

Because you’re not just tired, you’re carrying too much.

Alicia & Aleni are both Moms and certified infant and toddler sleep specialists who don't use traditional sleep training methods to support the families that they work with.

Follow along on social media for more sleep without sleep training tips.

⁠Alicia's Instagram⁠

⁠Alicia's Tiktok⁠

⁠Aleni's Instagram⁠

Work with Alicia

• View 1:1 support options and services here

• Purchase our comprehensive sleep courses

• Book a FREE 20 minute clarity call here

• Check out our free resources here

  
  

**The information shared is not medical advice & is for entertainment purposes only

Why does parenting feel like there is never enough time… even when you’re doing everything?

This week on the podcast, we’re joined by Sondra Fireling, founder of Beyond Delegation, for a powerful conversation about the invisible load so many parents are carrying and why modern family life can feel so overwhelming.

Sondra teaches families how to create time wealth — the feeling of having enough time for what matters most.

We talk about:

• why so many parents feel constantly behind

• the mental load mothers often carry in silence

• why “just ask for help” usually misses the bigger issue

• how to decide what to do, what to drop, and what to delegate

• letting go of perfectionism and unrealistic expectations

• how shared labour can transform family life

• why doing less can actually help you parent better

If you’ve ever felt like you’re drowning in responsibilities, touched out, overstimulated, or like everyone needs something from you all the time… this episode is for you.

Because the answer isn’t always doing more.

Sometimes it’s doing less — on purpose. 💛

Sondra’s website

Follow Sondra on Instagram

Mentioned in this episode:

75 Things to Delegate & Who Can Do Them 

Mindful Delegation® Decision Tree (Freebie)

Community Show Up Sheets 

Fair Play Cards-Eve Rotsky

Alicia & Aleni are both Moms and certified infant and toddler sleep specialists who don't use traditional sleep training methods to support the families that they work with.

Follow along on social media for more sleep without sleep training tips.

⁠Alicia's Instagram⁠

⁠Alicia's Tiktok⁠

⁠Aleni's Instagram⁠

Work with Alicia

• View 1:1 support options and services here

• Purchase our comprehensive sleep courses

• Book a FREE 20 minute clarity call here

• Check out our free resources here

  
  

**The information shared is not medical advice & is for entertainment purposes only

“Not all sleep training is cry it out.”

This is something parents hear all the time… but in reality, many families end up there anyway.

In this episode, we’re unpacking why methods like timed check-ins (Ferber) or the chair method—often labeled as “gentle”—can actually lead to more tears, not less.

If you’ve ever felt like your baby cries harder when you go in to comfort them… you’re not imagining it.

We’re talking about:

• why babies often become more distressed during timed check-ins

• what’s actually happening in their nervous system in those moments

• how this can lead parents to feel like full cry it out is the “better” option

• why temperament plays such a huge role in how babies respond

• and how even “gentle” methods can create mis-attunement when you’re asked to override your instincts

We also dive into a powerful historical comparison—when parents were once told not to visit their hospitalized children because it “made them cry more”… and what we now understand about separation, connection, and emotional safety.

This episode is for the parent who tried the “gentler” way and thought… this feels worse.

And for the parent who’s been told their only options are to either follow through with sleep training or just wait it out.

Because there is another way, one that supports your child’s sleep and their nervous system—without leaving them to cry alone.

Alicia & Aleni are both Moms and certified infant and toddler sleep specialists who don't use traditional sleep training methods to support the families that they work with.

Follow along on social media for more sleep without sleep training tips.

⁠Alicia's Instagram⁠

⁠Alicia's Tiktok⁠

⁠Aleni's Instagram⁠

Work with Alicia

• View 1:1 support options and services here

• Purchase our comprehensive sleep courses

• Book a FREE 20 minute clarity call here

• Check out our free resources here

  
  

**The information shared is not medical advice & is for entertainment purposes only

“If my child cries, I’m doing something wrong”

So many parents feel stuck between two extremes — either never making changes to avoid upsetting their child, or being told they need to ignore the crying altogether.

But there is a middle ground.

In this episode, we’re talking about how to support your child’s emotions while still making changes around sleep — whether that’s weaning, moving away from nursing or rocking to sleep, or setting new boundaries overnight.

We break down:

• The difference between crying alone vs. crying with support • What co-regulation actually looks like during sleep changes

• Why crying itself isn’t the problem — and what matters more

• How to set loving boundaries without disconnecting from your child

• Why emotions often increase during change (and why that’s not a bad thing)

• How supported emotions actually help build secure attachment

• And why true independence comes from feeling safe enough — not forced

If you’ve been feeling torn between wanting better sleep and wanting to stay responsive, this episode will help you understand how both can exist at the same time.

Because you don’t have to choose between supporting your child and making changes, you can do both 💛

Alicia & Aleni are both Moms and certified infant and toddler sleep specialists who don't use traditional sleep training methods to support the families that they work with.

Follow along on social media for more sleep without sleep training tips.

⁠Alicia's Instagram⁠

⁠Alicia's Tiktok⁠

⁠Aleni's Instagram⁠

Work with Alicia

• View 1:1 support options and services here

• Purchase our comprehensive sleep courses

• Book a FREE 20 minute clarity call here

• Check out our free resources here

  
  

**The information shared is not medical advice & is for entertainment purposes only

Nap transitions are one of the most common questions parents ask about sleep.

One day naps seem to be working… and the next it suddenly feels like everything has fallen apart.

In this episode, I’m breaking down nap transitions from the newborn stage all the way through the toddler years so you can better understand what’s actually happening with your child’s sleep.

I talk about:

• How many naps newborns typically take (and why their sleep feels so unpredictable)

• When the 3 to 2 nap transition usually happens and signs it might be starting

• Why babies sometimes refuse their third nap but then treat bedtime like a nap

• What bridge naps are and when they can help during transitions

• When the 2 to 1 nap transition typically happens

• Different ways to approach moving to one nap depending on your child’s sleep needs and wake window threshold

• And when children usually drop naps completely

If you’re currently navigating nap transitions with your baby or toddler, this episode will help you understand what’s normal and how to approach these changes with a little more confidence (and a lot less stress).

Alicia & Aleni are both Moms and certified infant and toddler sleep specialists who don't use traditional sleep training methods to support the families that they work with.

Follow along on social media for more sleep without sleep training tips.

⁠Alicia's Instagram⁠

⁠Alicia's Tiktok⁠

⁠Aleni's Instagram⁠

Work with Alicia

• View 1:1 support options and services here

• Purchase our comprehensive sleep courses

• Book a FREE 20 minute clarity call here

• Check out our free resources here

  
  

**The information shared is not medical advice & is for entertainment purposes only

Middle-of-the-night moments with our kids can sometimes feel incredibly scary.

Your child suddenly sits up screaming. They look awake but don’t recognize you. Or they start walking around the house while seemingly still asleep.

And if you’ve never seen it before, it can leave you wondering what on earth is going on.

In this episode, we’re talking all about parasomnias — a group of sleep behaviors that include things like confusion arousals, sleepwalking, night terrors, and nightmares.

Parasomnias are actually much more common in childhood than most parents realize, and many of the behaviors that feel alarming in the moment are a normal part of how a child’s brain develops during sleep.

In this conversation we cover:

• What parasomnias actually are

• Why they tend to happen during deep sleep

• The difference between night terrors and nightmares

• What confusion arousals look like in babies and toddlers

• Why things like illness, overtiredness, emotional stress, or schedule disruptions can trigger episodes

• What parents can do in the moment when they happen

• And why trying to wake your child often isn’t necessary

Aleni also shares her personal experience navigating night terrors with her daughter Nora, including some of the triggers they’ve noticed over time.

Understanding what’s happening during these episodes can make those middle-of-the-night moments feel a lot less frightening — and a lot more manageable.

If you’ve ever experienced night terrors, sleepwalking, or strange nighttime behaviors with your child, this episode will help bring some clarity and reassurance.

Mentioned in this episode: S2E8 Hourly Wake Ups: Red Flags & When To Look Deeper

Alicia & Aleni are both Moms and certified infant and toddler sleep specialists who don't use traditional sleep training methods to support the families that they work with.

Follow along on social media for more sleep without sleep training tips.

⁠Alicia's Instagram⁠

⁠Alicia's Tiktok⁠

⁠Aleni's Instagram⁠

Work with Alicia

• View 1:1 support options and services here

• Purchase our comprehensive sleep courses

• Book a FREE 20 minute clarity call here

• Check out our free resources here

  
  

**The information shared is not medical advice & is for entertainment purposes only

Talking to kids about bodies, boundaries, and consent can feel… intimidating.

A lot of us didn’t grow up with these conversations and most parents are quietly wondering:

“Am I starting too early?”

“How much detail is too much?”

“What if I say the wrong thing?”

This week on the podcast, we sit down with sex education expert Kimberly Wolf for a deeply practical and reassuring conversation about how to talk to kids about bodies, privacy, boundaries, and consent — from toddlerhood through puberty.

We cover:

💛 What sex education actually looks like for toddlers and preschoolers

💛 Age-appropriate language for 2–4 year olds and 5–7 year olds

💛 How to introduce consent in everyday parenting moments

💛 How to respond when your child asks a question you weren’t expecting

We also talk about parental discomfort — because so many of us are trying to parent differently than we were parented. Kimberly shares why silence is often more harmful than saying the “wrong” thing, and why starting early doesn’t take away innocence — it protects it.

She also introduces her guide, Tiny Talks to Big Conversations, which helps parents move from small, everyday language shifts to confident, ongoing conversations as their children grow.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about when to start, what to say, or whether you’ve “missed the window” — this episode will feel grounding.

Because these conversations aren’t one big talk.

They’re tiny, connected moments that build safety and trust over time 💛

Visit Kimberly’s website

Follow Kimberly on Instagram

Grab her guide Tiny Talks to Big Conversations

Alicia & Aleni are both Moms and certified infant and toddler sleep specialists who don't use traditional sleep training methods to support the families that they work with.

Follow along on social media for more sleep without sleep training tips.

⁠Alicia's Instagram⁠

⁠Alicia's Tiktok⁠

⁠Aleni's Instagram⁠

Work with Alicia

• View 1:1 support options and services here

• Purchase our comprehensive sleep courses

• Book a FREE 20 minute clarity call here

• Check out our free resources here

  
  

**The information shared is not medical advice & is for entertainment purposes only

This week on the podcast, we’re sitting down with Lauren Weber of Isla Grace Sleep and co-creator of the Baby-Led Sleep Approach — the certification both Aleni and I completed as sleep consultants.

We dive into Lauren’s journey into motherhood, the sleep struggles that shaped her work, and the pivotal shift that so many parents can relate to:

Learning to trust that you actually know your baby best.

Inside this episode, we talk about:

💛 What baby-led sleep really means (and what it doesn’t)

💛 Why so many families feel like they’ve already failed at sleep

💛 Sleep as development, not something to “fix”

💛 The connection between sleep, mental health & the nervous system

💛 How parental sleep struggles often run deeper than we realise

💛 The evolving conversation around adult sleep & regulation

💛 What truly supportive, ethical sleep support looks like

If sleep has ever made you question yourself, your instincts, or your parenting…

This one is for you 💛

Become a certified baby-led sleep coach

Follow Lauren on Instagram

Sleep support for adults

Visit Lauren’s website

Alicia & Aleni are both Moms and certified infant and toddler sleep specialists who don't use traditional sleep training methods to support the families that they work with.

Follow along on social media for more sleep without sleep training tips.

⁠Alicia's Instagram⁠

⁠Alicia's Tiktok⁠

⁠Aleni's Instagram⁠

Work with Alicia

• View 1:1 support options and services here

• Purchase our comprehensive sleep courses

• Book a FREE 20 minute clarity call here

• Check out our free resources here

  
  

**The information shared is not medical advice & is for entertainment purposes only