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!
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.
48 Hours in Newport, Rhode Island: Our 10-Year Anniversary Getaway
Planning 48 hours in Newport, Rhode Island? This Newport weekend itinerary shares where to stay, where to eat, and the best things to do in Newport for couples. Follow our anniversary trip to Newport, RI, with Castle Hill, spa time, a sunset sail, harbor views, and ideas for planning a Newport, Rhode Island couples getaway.
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.
When Your Toddler Is Scared of the Dark: Handling Bedtime Fears
Is your toddler afraid of the dark or suddenly scared at bedtime? Learn why toddler bedtime fears start, how to help a child scared of the dark without reinforcing the fear, when a toddler night light can help, and how to tell bedtime fears from toddler nightmares.
Hilton Head With Kids: Where Our Family Stayed, Ate, and Played
Planning a trip to Hilton Head with kids? Our Hilton Head family vacation guide covers where we stayed at Marriott Grande Ocean, things to do in Hilton Head with kids, our favorite Hilton Head family activities, kid-friendly restaurants, and tips for exploring Sea Pines with kids.
The 3-Year-Old Sleep Regression: Signs, Causes, and What to Do
Is your 3 year old suddenly fighting bedtime, waking up at night, waking early, or refusing naps? Learn what causes the 3 year old sleep regression, how to adjust your 3 year old sleep schedule, when toddlers stop napping, and practical ways to get sleep back on track.
How to Get a Newborn to Sleep
Wondering how to get a newborn to sleep? These practical newborn sleep tips cover soothing a newborn to sleep, understanding newborn wake windows, using the drowsy but awake approach, and following safe newborn sleep practices. Learn how to read your baby’s sleepy cues, create a calming routine, and build healthy sleep habits from the start.
The 2-Year Sleep Regression: What to Know
Infant and child sleep expert Meg O’Leary explains the 2-year sleep regression, including common signs, how long it lasts, why your 2-year-old may suddenly stop sleeping, and practical tips for handling naps, bedtime battles, night wakings, and early mornings.
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.
Our Favorite Family-Friendly Destinations in the Northeast
Planning a family getaway? Discover the best family-friendly destinations in the Northeast, from charming coastal towns to mountain escapes that are perfect for family travel with kids. Whether you're traveling with toddlers, exploring Newport with kids, enjoying Lake George with kids, or searching for the best Northeast vacation spots for families, our sleep experts share favorite destinations and practical tips to help your little ones sleep well while you're away.
A Sleep Consultant’s Approach to Screen Time
Wondering how much screen time for kids is too much? This sleep consultant-approved guide shares realistic screen time rules to help families balance technology without disrupting healthy sleep. Learn how toddler screen time, screen time before bed, and the connection between screen time and sleep can affect your child's rest, plus practical tips for managing screen time with less stress and fewer power struggles.
Baby Sleep Products to Avoid: A Safe Sleep Guide for New Parents
Creating a safe sleep environment for babies starts with knowing which baby sleep products to avoid. From questions about baby loungers and sleep to whether weighted sleep sacks are safe, it can be difficult for new parents to separate helpful marketing from evidence-based recommendations. This safe sleep guide for new parents explains the most common unsafe baby sleep products, why they're not recommended for unsupervised sleep, and what your baby actually needs for safe, restful sleep.
Summer Toddler Activities That Set Up Better Sleep
Looking for fun summer toddler activities that won't throw off your little one's sleep? From engaging outdoor activities for toddlers to simple calming activities for toddlers, the right mix of play and downtime can help support healthy toddler wake windows and a consistent toddler sleep schedule. Plus, we'll share why limiting screen time before bed can make all the difference for easier naps and more restful nights.
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.