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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pack ‘n Play Sleep: How to Help Your Baby or Toddler Sleep Well While Traveling
Are you nervous family travel will ruin your child’s sleep? In this guide, certified sleep consultant Meg O’Leary shares practical, parent-tested strategies to help your baby or toddler sleep well in a Pack ’n Play—whether you’re heading on spring break or navigating sleep on the go. Learn how to build independent sleep skills, set up a travel-friendly sleep environment, and confidently manage bedtime away from home so your whole family can enjoy smoother nights while traveling.
How to Stop Early Morning Wake-Ups in Babies & Toddlers (5-6:00 a.m. Fixes That Actually Work)
Stop 5–6 a.m. wake-ups with practical, science-backed strategies. Sleep Expert Meg O’Leary reveals the most common causes of early rising in babies and toddlers—including sleep skills, schedules, habits, and environment—plus simple fixes that help your child sleep later and start your day with predictability.
Baby Rolling & Sleep: How Mobility Milestones Impact Your Baby’s Sleep
Rolling is an exciting milestone, but it can temporarily disrupt your baby’s sleep. Pediatric sleep consultant Meg O’Leary and pediatric physical therapist Dr. Erica Law explain when babies start rolling, why babies roll onto their belly at night, and how parents can safely support sleep through this developmental stage.
Cold & Flu Season Sleep Tips: How to Support Rest When Your Child is Sick
Winter brings cold and flu. Then, allergy season is just around the corner! Learn expert tips for managing symptoms and sleep from A Restful Night founder and mom of 4 Meg O’Leary.
Daylight Saving Time & Kids: Your Step-by-Step Plan for Spring Forward
Spring forward doesn’t have to mean lost sleep for your child. On March 8, 2026, clocks move ahead one hour, and with a few simple strategies, your child can adjust quickly. From gradual bedtime shifts to jumping right into the new schedule, this step-by-step guide from pediatric sleep expert Meg O’Leary helps families navigate Daylight Saving Time with minimal disruption.
Choosing the Right Sleep Space: Cribs, Floor Beds, Toddler Beds & What to Avoid
With all the options out there, it can be difficult to understand which sleep space will actually support healthy, independent sleep for your child. Expert sleep coach Meg O’Leary breaks down the safest and most effective options for infants and toddlers, including what to avoid and when to transition from crib to bed.
8-10 Month Sleep Regression: Why It Happens and How to Handle It
The 9 month sleep regression often shows up anytime between 8–10 months, when babies are mastering crawling, standing, and experiencing separation awareness. In this guide, founding sleep consultant Meg O’Leary explains why we refer to it as the 8–10 month sleep regression, what’s actually happening developmentally, and how to protect your baby’s sleep without creating new habits.
Common Baby Nap Transition Timing: When and How to Navigate Schedule Changes
Trying to understand your baby’s nap transition? Learn the exact timing for dropping naps, from 4 to 3 naps, 3 to 2 naps, and 2 to 1, plus signs of readiness, wake windows, and step-by-step strategies to help your child adjust. Perfect for parents navigating baby sleep schedules, toddler routines, daycare nap shifts, and developmental transitions.