Today, we're cutting through the noise to bring clarity to some common pediatric sleep myths that frequently confuse tired parents. Dr. Canapari and Arielle are tackling:

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In this episode, we talk about the controversial method of 'Cry It Out' (CIO) or Extinction Sleep Training. This approach, often misunderstood and feared, can be a quick and efficient method to improve a child's sleep. We go deep on the criteria for its successful implementation, discussing age-appropriateness, parental consistency, and prioritizing safety and health. We also cover that the method is not suitable for all children or families, and alternative methods like bedtime fading and pick up/put down are also considered. Finally, we cover importance of sleep training for both children and parents to improve the overall family dynamic. (Full transcript and a video are available here).

Be open to trying different sleep training methods - What works well for one child's temperament may not work for another. Give a new method 3-5 nights before deciding if it's effective.

"Gentle" is not always better - Sitting in the room while ignoring crying (camping out) can actually prolong upset in some young babies. More separation may help them learn to self-soothe faster.

Cry it out is generally safe when done responsively - Research shows no long term emotional harm. But if excessive crying persists beyond expectations, reevaluate and adjust. Be responsive to your baby's needs.

Assistant producer: Theodore Canapari

In part two of our discussion on helping kids sleep through the night, pediatric sleep expert Dr. Craig Canapari and sleep consultant Arielle Greenleaf tackle night wakings and feedings.  (You can find part 1 here, including a video of both episodes). They provide guidance on when night feeds may or may not be necessary, how to handle night nursing for comfort vs nutrition, and tips for transitioning toddlers away from nighttime calories.

- Only a small percentage of sleep issues are caused by medical problems. Most kids need some type of sleep training or behavioral intervention.

- Check with your pediatrician before dropping night feeds - make sure your child is getting enough calories during the day first. 

- Night nursing is about more than nutrition - it also provides comfort. Wean slowly if desired.

- Toddlers generally don't need extra calories at night. But there is little guidance given on transitioning from milk feeds to solids at this age.

"I always like to say I am not, if a sleep consultant starts working with someone and says, without any digging, we're going to eliminate all feedings overnight really fast, we're just gonna take 'em all away, run for your life." - Arielle Greenleaf

"Honestly, a normally growing child over a year of age doesn't really need those calories at night. And if you find that you are meaning to give milk or anything else during the night you, I give you permission to cut it out and you may want to wean it slowly." - Dr. Craig Canapari

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Night time awakenings are THE most common reason that parents bring their child to a sleep physician or consultant. Dr. Craig Canapari and expert sleep consultant Arielle Greenleaf join forces to give advice on the most common reasons that kids wake up at night. The first step to getting your child to sleep through the night is understanding why they are waking up. They address the concept of sleep regressions, the impact of medical conditions such as asthma, acid reflux, and ear infections on sleep, and the importance of consulting a professional when these issues arise. Greenleaf discusses her own journey from a sleep-deprived mother to a pediatric sleep consultant, highlighting the valuable role of sleep consultants in helping families achieve better sleep. Canapari reminds listeners that the goal isn’t about achieving “perfect” sleep but about achieving sleep that enables everyone in the family to feel good and function well in the morning. (Note that this is such a big topic we split it in two-- here is part 2).

Parenting is hard-- especially when your child isn't sleeping well. Because that means you aren't sleeping well. I'm excited to launch a new podcast tackling the most common sleep issues that parents are facing these days. Why does my child wake up every night? How do I get him out of my bed? Is melatonin safe. Join us twice a month as Dr Craig Canapari (author, sleep expert, and director of the Yale Pediatric Sleep Center) and Arielle Greenleaf (noted sleep consultant) give you the best, evidence based information you need so EVERYONE in your home can sleep better.