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.
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.
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.
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.
Routines for Toddlers and Preschoolers: Improve Sleep, Behavior, and Confidence
Sleep expert Meg O’Leary and parent coach Ellie Knott team up to explain how simple routines help toddlers and preschoolers sleep better, improve behavior, and build independence—without rigid schedules.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Toddler Bedtime Battles: Common Problems and Simple Solutions
Struggling with toddler bedtime battles? Meg O’Leary, founder and lead sleep consultant at A Restful Night shares her expert toddler sleep training strategies to stop stalling, fears, and meltdowns.
How to Build the Perfect Bedtime Routine: An Expert Sleep Consultant's 6 Step Guide
Discover the secrets to a successful bedtime with our expert-backed 6-step guide. From timing and predictability to emotional connection and final sleep cues, learn how to craft a bedtime routine that helps your child sleep better and creates peaceful evenings for the whole family.