Expert advice curated by
A Restful Night’s sleep consultants
Your child's sleep journey is an ongoing process which can change as they develop. A Restful Night aims to be a source of information for you as your child grows. Check out the blog for updates and articles around sleep tips, products and more!
False Starts: When Your Child Wakes 30 to 45 Minutes After Bedtime
Is your baby or toddler waking 30 to 45 minutes after bedtime? Learn what causes a false start bedtime, from overtiredness and wake windows to nap schedules and sleep associations, plus how to stop false starts and help your child stay asleep after bedtime.
18-Month Sleep Regression: Why It Happens and How to Handle It
Dealing with the 18 month sleep regression? Learn why your 18 month old is waking up at night, fighting bedtime, refusing naps, or climbing out of the crib, plus how your toddler’s sleep schedule, independence, and behavior may be contributing and what you can do to get sleep back on track.
Shorter Days, Darker Mornings: Helping Your Child Sleep Through the Fall Light Shift
Daylight Saving Time can disrupt baby and toddler sleep long after the Fall Back time change. Learn why darker mornings and shorter days affect your child’s circadian rhythm, cause early morning wake-ups, and make bedtime harder, plus how to adjust your child’s sleep schedule throughout the fall.
Why Your Newborn Only Sleeps When Held (and Won’t Settle in the Bassinet)
Does your baby only sleep when held or wake the second you transfer them to the bassinet? Learn why contact naps are so common, how the startle reflex affects newborn sleep, and how to get your newborn to sleep in the bassinet with swaddling, safe sleep practices, and simple bassinet transfer tips.
Your Back to School Sleep Reset
Infant and child sleep expert Meg O’Leary shares her best back-to-school sleep tips to help reset your child’s sleep schedule, bedtime, wake time, and daily routine for an easier transition from summer to school.
How to Adjust Sleep When Starting Daycare or Preschool
Starting daycare or preschool can bring big changes to your child’s sleep. Learn how to navigate the daycare sleep transition, protect your child’s daycare nap schedule, maintain independent sleep skills, and adjust bedtime when naps don’t go as planned. These practical tips can help make starting preschool or daycare sleep easier for the whole family.
3 Month Old Wake Windows: Building a Rhythm That Works
Looking for guidance on 3 month old wake windows? At this age, your baby is beginning to settle into a more predictable rhythm, but flexibility is still key. Learn what a realistic 3 month old sleep schedule and 3 month old nap schedule can look like, how much 3 month old awake time is appropriate between naps, and how baby wake windows change as your little one grows. We'll also explain wake windows by age and share simple, practical ways to create a consistent daily rhythm—without following a rigid schedule.
6 Month Sleep Schedule: Naps, Wake Windows, and What to Do When Sleep Gets Weird
If you're wondering what the right 6 month wake windows look like, you're not alone. Around this age, your baby's sleep needs are evolving, making it important to balance awake time with naps. In this guide, we'll cover a sample 6 month sleep schedule, 6 month nap schedule, how baby wake windows by age change, signs of baby overtiredness, and when to expect the 3 to 2 nap transition.
White Noise for Baby Sleep: What Parents Need to Know
White noise machines are one of the most commonly recommended infant sleep aids, but many parents have questions about how they work, whether they create a baby sleep prop, and how to use them safely. In this guide, you'll learn the benefits of white noise, best practices for white noise volume safety, and practical tips for weaning white noise when the time is right. Whether you're considering your first white noise machine or reevaluating your current sleep setup, this guide will help you make an informed decision for your family.
Will Fireworks Ruin My Baby's Sleep? A Sleep Consultant's Fourth of July Guide
The Fourth of July can bring late bedtimes, loud fireworks, missed naps, and overstimulated little ones—but one holiday doesn't have to derail your child's sleep. In this guide, certified sleep consultant and mom of four Meg O'Leary shares practical tips to help babies, toddlers, and young children navigate fireworks and holiday celebrations while protecting the healthy sleep habits you've worked hard to build.
How Allergies Affect Baby and Toddler Sleep
Allergies affecting baby sleep can lead to congestion, frequent wake-ups, and restless nights. From baby congestion sleep issues to toddler night waking allergies often cause, understanding the connection between child sleep and allergies can help parents reduce allergy sleep disruption and support better rest during seasonal allergies toddler sleep challenges.
How to Get Dad Involved in the Bedtime Routine
Learning how to get dad involved in bedtime routine can reduce burnout, build confidence, and help your child feel comfortable with multiple caregivers. From creating a consistent partner sleep routine to navigating toddler parent preference, this guide shares practical tips for sharing infant and child bedtime duties.
Summer Sleep Tips: What to Do When the Weather Warms Up
Summer sleep doesn’t have to fall apart when routines shift. In this practical guide, infant and child sleep expert Meg O’Leary shares realistic summer sleep tips for babies and toddlers, including how to manage later bedtimes, naps on the go, travel, heat, and changing schedules while still protecting quality sleep for the whole family.
Wake Windows By Age: Your Complete Guide
A complete guide to wake windows by age, from newborns to toddlers, straight from leading sleep expert Meg O’Leary. Learn what wake windows are, why they matter, and how to use them without being rigid.
Everything You Need to Know About 7 Month Old Sleep
A Restful Night founder Meg O’Leary combines her unique blend of personal experience and professional expertise everything you need to know about 7 month old sleep: wake windows, nap schedules, night wakings, and how to support independent sleep skills.
Toddler Naps on the Go: How to Make Them Count
Toddler naps on the go do not have to derail your child’s sleep routine. Leading infant and child sleep expert Meg O’Leary shares real-life strategies from navigating sleep with four busy kids in tow. Learn when to protect the nap, when to stay flexible, and how to make stroller naps, car naps, and early bedtimes work when life takes you out of the house.
The First Month of Newborn Sleep: What to Expect
Especially in the first month, newborn sleep can feel unpredictable. In this guide to newborn sleep first month, we break down how much newborns sleep, why short sleep cycles and frequent wake-ups are completely normal, and how feeding patterns shape your baby’s day and night. You’ll learn what a typical rhythm looks like, how to create a safe sleep environment, and how to navigate this stage with more confidence and less stress.
Quiet Time Ideas: What to Do When Your Toddler Stops Napping
Discover practical quiet time ideas for toddlers who have stopped napping. Learn how to transition from naps to a calm midday routine that recharges your child, supports better overnight sleep, and keeps afternoons peaceful. From books and crafts to music and low-stimulation play, these tips make quiet time easy, enjoyable, and effective for toddlers aged 2.5–4 years.
12-Month-Old Sleep: Schedules, Regressions, Nap Transitions & What to Expect
Navigate your baby’s sleep at one year with this complete guide to a 12 month old sleep schedule, the 12 month sleep regression, and the 2-to-1 nap transition. Learn how much sleep your one-year-old needs, how to handle nap resistance and bedtime struggles, and how separation awareness impacts sleep. Includes sample schedules, expert tips, and practical strategies to support healthy, independent sleep at 12 months.
The Door Checks Method: A Structured Approach to Sleep Training
The Door Checks Method is a structured sleep training approach designed for toddlers and preschoolers who already have independent sleep skills but need help staying in bed. Using timed check-ins and clear, consistent boundaries, this method allows parents to remain responsive without reinforcing bedtime struggles. Meg O’Leary teaches when to use it, how it works step-by-step, and how to avoid common mistakes for better sleep success.
