Ahhh hindsight, my beautiful friend! 😅 Looking back, I can’t help but chuckle at my naivete when I became a new parent. If only I had a handy list of essential sleep lessons before my first baby arrived, it would have saved me so much stress, guilt, and endless second-guessing.

When I first stepped into parenthood, I decided to just “wing it,” based on exactly zero research. I thought I’d figure it all out as I went along… but how wrong I was! 🥲 What actually unfolded was a whirlwind of sleepless nights, an overwhelming sense of dread and anxiety about sleep, and a perpetually exhausted and irritable baby.

Eventually, after much trial and error, I learned these five key lessons that turned things around for us. Trust me, knowing these before my baby arrived would have made all the difference!

1. It's okay to want better sleep for yourself too

As new parents, it’s easy to feel guilty about prioritizing sleep. But here’s the truth: a well-rested parent is a better parent. Period. When you’re well-rested, you have more patience, clearer thinking, and the ability to be more present and attuned for your little one. A client recently described this as baby-life balance. Everything can't be all about the baby at the expense of the parents. If it is, the effects of neglecting yourself *will* eventually trickle down to your baby. There is nothing selfish about getting the sleep you need.

2. Consistency is the secret sauce

I quickly learned that success comes from sticking to a plan. When my husband or I tried to make sleep adjustments, we were really just throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what would stick. But we never tried anything long enough to see it through and actually give it time to work! The best sleep training method is the one you can commit to consistently. Whether it’s a bedtime routine or a sleep training strategy, consistency helps your baby understand what to expect, making it easier for them to settle into sleep. This is a great quick read if you find yourself struggling with consistency and you feel like you've "tried everything."

3. Your child will adapt—trust their resilience

I wish I had known how adaptable babies really are! When you're a first time parent, you feel like your baby is so fragile and vulnerable. And don't get me wrong- babies need constant love and care but they are also extremely resilient. They are learning and growing and changing so quickly when their little and the good part of that is they are able to handle sleep changes you want to help them with. With the right sleep habits, they can adjust and thrive. Your little one is resilient, and with patience and encouragement, they’ll find their groove. Believe in their ability to adapt!

4. Sleep regressions are a normal part of progress

Setbacks don’t automatically mean failure! Baby sleep isn’t linear; it's good to expect ups and downs along the way. Sleep regressions are common, especially during growth spurts and developmental milestones. Instead of getting discouraged, remember that these phases are often temporary and can be navigated with the right strategies. Plus, we want to look on these developmental changes as a positive sign (how great is it that my baby is developing into the person they will be one day?!) instead of have a woe is my attitude that the deck is stacked against us. If you're in the thick of sleep regressions right now, check out my low-down on the most common sleep regressions here.

5. You don’t have to do it alone

Asking for help doesn’t make you weak! That goes for tagging your partner in (which is oh so important), accepting help from your in-laws (who may not do everything exactly as you do), or even from hiring a professional to help you navigate sleep. In fact, support from a sleep consultant or coach can make all the difference in your journey to better sleep. Don’t hesitate to seek guidance when you need it—having someone to lean on can bring confidence and calmness to the process. And don't feel guilty about the ways you managed baby sleep when you were stuck in survival mode. As a sleep consultant, trust me, I've seen it all and I will never judge you or your situation. What matters is that you've reached the point where you're ready to get out of survival mode and work towards more sustainable sleep habits. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to begin, I’m here to guide you every step of the way! Let’s work together on a personalized sleep plan that fits your family’s needs. Remember, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone; support is just a message away! 🌙

Ready to tackle your current sleep issues? I'm here to offer a solution. 

Look no further than my affordable Classic Consultation:

With the Classic Consultation you can get accessible sleep help to confidently sleep train without all the second guessing! Imagine doing your bedtime routine, kissing your baby goodnight, walking out of the room + knowing that your baby will sleep long stretches at night and both of you will wake up feeling refreshed!

So if you're ready to stop feeling stuck, it's time to own your hard, commit to change & better sleep, and head over to check out the Classic Consultation today: https://allthesleeps.com/sleep-plan