BLOG

So, what causes jet lag and why does it make some of us feel so crummy? In a nutshell, the circadian rhythm (the internal process that regulates the sleep–wake cycle and repeats roughly every 24 hours) gets out of whack when you cross time zones quicker than your bodies can adapt. Your internal clock is out of synch with the cues of the new time zone. And since the circadian rhythm controls many other functions in the body, such as hormonal secretion, hunger, alertness, and urine excretion, sleep isn’t the only thing that suffers—you may generally feel rotten for a few days until you adjust to the new time zone. This is jet lag.

Spring forward is socially enforced jet lag. The clock time changes but our internal clock (circadian rhythm) does not, just like what happens with Eastward time zone travel. And this makes us feel crummy for a few days as our internal clock reprograms itself. Fortunately, with a little planning ahead, you can cruise through the time change with your littles (and you!) feeling just fine. Keep on reading for simple steps to cruise through the time change, well-rested.

I took the Stellar Sleep course when my son was a newborn, and one of the most impactful takeaways for me was learning about how calm parents = calm babies. I think about it all the time - even now. If my own feelings and emotions are regulated, it is easier for my son to find regulation as well.

But real talk, it is very hard. And it can feel like a lot of pressure.

I call BS on everyone who says there is one “right” way to approach baby sleep in your home. Cry it out, care it out, wait it out, or something in between might be the best path forward for you, depending on your unique family’s needs. But there’s a fundamental piece of the successful sleep puzzle that all of the sleep training methods (which are otherwise quite effective) leave out: YOU. You are the parent. You are the teacher. You are 50% of the baby + parent equation and your feelings matter.

Thinking about teaching your baby to sleep on their own? Or maybe you’ve been researching sleep training online and came across dizzying amounts of conflicting advice? Or maybe you stumbled into one of the vicious debates about sleep training, and want to know what the fuss is all about? Let us help you drill down into what sleep training is and isn’t, and how the Little Dipper approach is different from the masses.

Sleep patterns begin to mature around 3 to 4 months, and this change is permanent. Babies start sleeping in stages and cycles, just like adults. They’ll have a brief period of wakening after each sleep cycle, which is a hard-wired protective behavior designed to keep us humans safe.

So, where they may have slept soundly all night before (if you’ve been one of the lucky ones who probably isn’t reading this blog), or at least for 4 or 5 hour chunks, they now will begin cycling in and out of sleep, every hour or so, ALL NIGHT LONG. And here’s the big kicker: if they don’t know how to get back to sleep on their own, then each time they move from one sleep cycle to the next, they are going to need your help. This is the special nature of the 4 month sleep regression beast. Keep on reading for tips on how to manage this regression and sleep better!

Happy winter solstice, dear parents. Today, the earth’s axial tilt is the farthest from the sun that it will be all year for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. In other words, it’s the shortest day of the year. Or what may be more pertinent to parents -- the longest night.

Traveling with kids around the holidays isn't for the faint of heart. We don't go on "vacations" with our kids, we relocate to Grandma's for a week (or maybe the beach). If you’re like me, you definitely don’t want to miss all of the fun. But if you also don’t want to end up with the tantruming turkey at your holiday gathering, you’ll want to check out these 6 Pro Tips for holiday survival.

Have you ever been out at dusk or after dark with your child, and gazed up at the twinkling stars together? One star and planet coming to light at a time, until the sky is illuminated in a wondrous display of celestial magic? I remember this feeling as a young child, cozied up and star-gazing with the people I loved most. Time stood still and nothing in the world mattered other than being in that moment of sweetness.

When we offer our full presence and give our children our mindful attention, their security buckets and sense of worthiness flourish. In this article, we share four fun and easy baby mindfulness activities to promote balance and connection. You can try them with your toddlers and bigger kids too. Remember: when security buckets are full, sleep is easier!

Essential sleep hygiene tips: everything busy, tired parents need to know about sleep hygiene from a pediatric & family sleep coach

It’s well established that fresh air and exercise are important for overall well-being. But did you know they’re also a crucial part of ensuring a good night’s sleep? The whole family, even babies, will benefit from well timed outings and fresh air.

The secret to a better tomorrow lies in how you end the day today. Moments of stress, separation and distress are inevitable. We can’t prevent this pain - it’s an inevitable part of the human experience. But we can heal those moments of distress, and help our kiddos develop resilience and a positive worldview, with authentic togetherness and connection at the end of the day. Story time is the perfect avenue for these good feelings.

Little Dipper needs a power nap.

When it comes to baby sleep, finding the right timing is paramount. When babies get the proper amount of daytime sleep, at age-appropriate intervals, and bedtime is on target, falling asleep and staying asleep becomes a more peaceful endeavor. Read on to find the right timing for your baby’s stellar sleep.