Featured in the washington post

I checked in with Irene Makriplis, a certified pediatric sleep consultant at Lullaby & Me.

“Toddlers want a lot of physical contact, which is separation anxiety more than a sleep issue,” Makriplis explained. “With kids ages 2 and up, it’s up to the parent: how you talk to your child, how firm you are.”

Her words made perfect sense, but being firm with a little one isn’t easy. Unlike an infant, our daughter can get out of bed. And open doors. She can ratchet up tearful wails, wheedle in her lispy voice and come up with negotiating tactics that make me marvel.

“Give cuddles before bedtime, so she’s feeling fulfilled by the time she goes to bed,” Makriplis recommended. She suggested gating off our daughter’s room to establish a boundary, and pointed me to a gentle sleep-training method known as the Sleep Lady Shuffle.

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Darkness is a crucial element of sleep hygiene, and noise can significantly disrupt your sleep, whether it’s from traffic, neighbors, or household sounds. Luckily, our experts have shared some tips to improve both darkness and noise control in your bedroom: 

“To create the perfect bedroom for sleep, focus on a dark, quiet, and cool environment. Use blackout curtains to block out light and promote natural melatonin. Consider using a sound machine to minimize disruptive sounds and help connect sleep cycles more effortlessly.” Irene Makriplis from Lullaby & Me

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