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.



Key Takeaways:



- 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.



Notable Quotes:



"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



Subscribe & Follow:



Don't forget to subscribe to "The Sleep Edit" podcast and follow Dr. Canapari and Arielle Greenleaf on social media for more great sleep advice!




00:02 Introduction and Disclaimer



01:18 Understanding Sleep Disorders in Children



02:03 Medical Problems and Behavioral Interventions



05:14 The Role of Bedtime and Nighttime Awakening



05:18 Feeding and Sleep Patterns



13:44 Adjustment Issues and Sleep Disruptions



18:02 Addressing Nighttime Fears



20:24 Imagining Bedtime Stories



20:41 Addressing Children's Fears



21:13 The Huggy Puppy Intervention



21:55 Dealing with Trauma and Sleep Difficulties



23:18 Environmental Causes of Nighttime Awakening



24:44 The Impact of Light and Shadows



25:14 The Creepy Doll Story



25:53 Technology and Sleep



26:40 Sensory Disorders and Sleep



27:54 Too Much Time in Bed Syndrome



36:14 The Importance of Independent Sleep



38:28 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information




Links:




Huggy puppy intervention for night time fears



Brett Kuhn Ph.D



Why is your toddler waking up at night



How much sleep does your child need at night?



How to address night feedings