Many toddlers wake up before it's truly time to start the day, or before their wake up light turns green. When that happens, parents often wonder:

Should I let my child quietly play with toys until it's time to get up?
And is it okay to let kids bring toys into bed at bedtime or nap time?

At first glance, both of these solutions can feel harmless or even like a parenting win. But in reality, they can sometimes create habits that make sleep more difficult.

In this episode, Allison answers these two common questions and explains why protecting the sleep environment matters more than many parents realize.

You'll learn why toys can make it harder for children to fall asleep efficiently, how early morning play can reinforce early wakings, and what boundaries help toddlers and preschoolers get the sleep they need.

Allison also shares realistic alternatives, including when comfort items and loveys are perfectly fine and how wake up lights can still work well with the right structure.

If your toddler or preschooler struggles with bedtime stalling or early morning wakings, this episode will help you create a sleep environment that supports rest instead of competing with it.

Click here to listen to the episode on YouTube

Looking for expert guidance on your child's sleep? Allison offers two free age-specific guides to help you discover how much sleep kids need to thrive—at any age. Get your free copy now: 0-2 Years Old or 3 to 10 years old

From baby sleep to toddler sleep, daycare naps to sleep training—How Long 'Til Bedtime? is the podcast for parents who want practical, guilt-free sleep tips they can actually use.

Hosted by pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi, each episode delivers real solutions for every stage—from navigating newborn sleep struggles and weaning night feedings to helping your 3-year-old fall asleep independently (and stay asleep!). Whether you're trying to make sense of daycare sleep patterns, craving your evenings back, or simply need a working mom podcast to keep you grounded, you're in the right place.

Want more from Allison? Sign up here to get her weekly email with podcast updates and other helpful parenting topics.

Enjoying How Long 'Til Bedtime?

Your rating and review help Allison reach and support more parents.

• On Apple Podcasts: Click here, scroll to the bottom, rate the show, and tap "Write a Review."

• On Spotify: Click here to leave a rating or review.

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If you have twins and are struggling to get any consolidated sleep, you're not alone and you're certainly not doing anything wrong.

In this episode, Allison dives into the unique challenges of twin sleep and shares practical strategies to help you build rhythms that work for both babies and for you.

From syncing overnight feeds to navigating naps when your twins have completely different sleep temperaments, this episode walks you through the simple adjustments that can make twin sleep far more manageable.

Because while sleep advice for single babies often focuses on following each baby's cues, parenting twins requires a different strategy, one that prioritizes synchronizing schedules so parents can actually get rest, too.

You'll learn how to:

• Sync nighttime feedings so you aren't awake all night

• Keep feeding schedules aligned in the early months

• Navigate naps when twins have different sleep abilities

• Build a simple bedtime routine that works for both babies

• Begin practicing drowsy but awake sleep skills

• Use white noise effectively when twins share a room

If you're expecting twins or currently parenting newborn twins, this episode offers reassurance, realistic expectations, and practical tools to help you find your rhythm.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Episode 197. Drowsy But Awake: Your Key to Avoiding the 4-Month Sleep Regression

• Episode 224. Your Child's Sleep Puzzle: Why Some Kids Sleep Easily (and Others Don't)

• Yogasleep Dohm white noise machine (Allison's favorite white noise machine)

Click here to listen to the episode on YouTube

Give your child the gift of better sleep. Allison's free, age-specific guides show you exactly how many hours of rest kids need to grow, learn, and thrive—no matter their age. Get your free copy now: 0-2 Years Old or 3 to 10 years old

From baby sleep to toddler sleep, daycare naps to sleep training—How Long 'Til Bedtime? is the podcast for parents who want practical, guilt-free sleep tips they can actually use.

Hosted by pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi, each episode delivers real solutions for every stage—from navigating newborn sleep struggles and weaning night feedings to helping your 3-year-old fall asleep independently (and stay asleep!). Whether you're trying to make sense of daycare sleep patterns, craving your evenings back, or simply need a working mom podcast to keep you grounded, you're in the right place.

Want more from Allison? Sign up here to get her weekly email with podcast updates and other helpful parenting topics.

Enjoying How Long 'Til Bedtime?

Your rating and review help Allison reach and support more parents.

• On Apple Podcasts: Click here, scroll to the bottom, rate the show, and tap "Write a Review."

• On Spotify: Click here to leave a rating or review.

Don't miss an episode—subscribe so you're always up to date!

Connect with Allison:
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What does sleep look like for a child who doesn't have a bed?

In honor of National Sleep Awareness Week, Allison is spotlighting a foundational—but often overlooked—piece of healthy sleep: having a bed. In this episode, she's joined by Lauren Evans, mom of two and Executive Director of Beds for Kids, an organization serving more than 1,000 families each year by providing beds and essential furniture to children and parents in need.

Lauren shares how becoming a parent shaped her passion for this work, the moment she first realized furniture poverty existed, and how Beds for Kids grew from a small garage operation into a large-scale nonprofit serving families across the Charlotte area. Together, Allison and Lauren explore why sleep is so deeply connected to stability, safety, and emotional well-being and how the absence of something as basic as a bed can ripple into every part of a child's life.

The conversation highlights the impact of sleep deprivation on children facing housing instability or trauma, as well as the toll it takes on parents who are already juggling immense stress. Lauren explains how providing beds, cribs, and furniture helps families establish routines, improve sleep, and begin to feel truly settled in their homes.

Allison and Lauren also dive into the innovative and sustainable model Beds for Kids uses to source furniture, including partnerships with colleges, universities, and retailers that keep tens of thousands of items out of landfills each year. You'll hear how volunteers power the mission, how families (including children) can get involved, and exactly what different donation amounts make possible.

During Sleep Awareness Week and beyond, it's worth remembering that for many families, better sleep starts with access to something most of us take for granted - a bed.

Visit Beds for Kids to learn more about this important work or to support their mission

Click here to listen to the episode on YouTube

Give your child the gift of better sleep. Allison's free, age-specific guides show you exactly how many hours of rest kids need to grow, learn, and thrive—no matter their age. Get your free copy now: 0-2 Years Old or 3 to 10 years old

From baby sleep to toddler sleep, daycare naps to sleep training—How Long 'Til Bedtime? is the podcast for parents who want practical, guilt-free sleep tips they can actually use.

Hosted by pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi, each episode delivers real solutions for every stage—from navigating newborn sleep struggles and weaning night feedings to helping your 3-year-old fall asleep independently (and stay asleep!). Whether you're trying to make sense of daycare sleep patterns, craving your evenings back, or simply need a working mom podcast to keep you grounded, you're in the right place.

Want more from Allison? Sign up here to get her weekly email with podcast updates and other helpful parenting topics.

Enjoying How Long 'Til Bedtime?

Your rating and review help Allison reach and support more parents.

• On Apple Podcasts: Click here, scroll to the bottom, rate the show, and tap "Write a Review."

• On Spotify: Click here to leave a rating or review.

Don't miss an episode—subscribe so you're always up to date!

Connect with Allison:
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If bedtime in your house is full of stalling, endless requests, or sudden separation anxiety, it may not be about sleep at all. It may be about connection.

In this episode, Allison explains how a small tweak to your language - and just 10–15 minutes of intentional one-on-one time each day - can dramatically reduce bedtime resistance and improve behavior throughout the day.

You'll learn:

• Why attention is currency for young children

• How unmet connection needs show up as bedtime battles

• The three simple rules that make "special time" effective

• How to implement it realistically, even with a busy schedule

• Why naming and framing the time is what makes it stick

When children feel seen and register that their emotional cup has been filled, bedtime often gets easier, often without changing your routine at all.

If evenings have been feeling harder than they should, this episode offers a simple shift you can start today. Because sometimes bedtime resistance isn't about sleep. It's about connection.

Click here to listen to the episode on YouTube

Looking for expert guidance on your child's sleep? Allison offers two free age-specific guides to help you discover how much sleep kids need to thrive—at any age. Get your free copy now: 0-2 Years Old or 3 to 10 years old

From baby sleep to toddler sleep, daycare naps to sleep training—How Long 'Til Bedtime? is the podcast for parents who want practical, guilt-free sleep tips they can actually use.

Hosted by pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi, each episode delivers real solutions for every stage—from navigating newborn sleep struggles and weaning night feedings to helping your 3-year-old fall asleep independently (and stay asleep!). Whether you're trying to make sense of daycare sleep patterns, craving your evenings back, or simply need a working mom podcast to keep you grounded, you're in the right place.

Want more from Allison? Sign up here to get her weekly email with podcast updates and other helpful parenting topics.

Enjoying How Long 'Til Bedtime?

Your rating and review help Allison reach and support more parents.

• On Apple Podcasts: Click here, scroll to the bottom, rate the show, and tap "Write a Review."

• On Spotify: Click here to leave a rating or review.

Don't miss an episode—subscribe so you're always up to date!

Connect with Allison:
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If time changes make you anxious every year, you are not alone—but the good news is that the spring time change is typically the easier one to manage. In this episode of How Long 'Til Bedtime?, Allison walks you through exactly how to adjust your child's sleep when the clocks spring forward, without triggering early mornings, short naps, or a full-blown sleep regression.

You'll learn why you don't need to prepare days in advance, what to do on the actual day of the time change, and how to get your child fully back on track by Monday morning. Allison also answers the question many parents secretly hope the answer to: Can daylight saving time be used to permanently shift an early riser to a later wake time?

This episode includes clear, practical guidance for babies four months and older, toddlers, and young children, plus specific advice for families with newborns. Allison also shares a free Spring Time Change Cheat Sheet you can download by CLICKING HERE to easily map out your child's adjusted schedule.

• Why the spring time change is easier than the fall time change

• Why gradually adjusting bedtime before daylight saving time can backfire

• Exactly what to do on Saturday night and Sunday morning

• How to adjust naps and bedtime on the day the clocks spring forward

• When (and if) you should wake your child proactively on Sunday

• How to avoid short naps and early morning wakings after the time change

• How long it typically takes children to adjust

• Whether you can use daylight saving time to create a later morning wake time

• Special guidance for newborns who aren't on a set schedule

• Spring Time Change Cheat Sheet
  Download Allison's free printable guide to plug in your child's schedule and follow a clear plan for the time change.

• Episode 227. Should Your Baby or Toddler Have a Set Morning Wake Time?

Click here to listen to the episode on YouTube

Give your child the gift of better sleep. Allison's free, age-specific guides show you exactly how many hours of rest kids need to grow, learn, and thrive—no matter their age. Get your free copy now: 0-2 Years Old or 3 to 10 years old

From baby sleep to toddler sleep, daycare naps to sleep training—How Long 'Til Bedtime? is the podcast for parents who want practical, guilt-free sleep tips they can actually use.

Hosted by pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi, each episode delivers real solutions for every stage—from navigating newborn sleep struggles and weaning night feedings to helping your 3-year-old fall asleep independently (and stay asleep!). Whether you're trying to make sense of daycare sleep patterns, craving your evenings back, or simply need a working mom podcast to keep you grounded, you're in the right place.

Want more from Allison? Sign up here to get her weekly email with podcast updates and other helpful parenting topics.

Enjoying How Long 'Til Bedtime?

Your rating and review help Allison reach and support more parents.

• On Apple Podcasts: Click here, scroll to the bottom, rate the show, and tap "Write a Review."

• On Spotify: Click here to leave a rating or review.

Don't miss an episode—subscribe so you're always up to date!

Connect with Allison:
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In today's conversation, Allison breaks down why when your child starts their day plays a surprisingly powerful role in naps, bedtime, and overall night sleep. She answers a common question parents ask: Should my baby or toddler wake up at the same time every morning? The answer is yes… with important nuance.

You'll learn how morning wake time sets the rhythm for the entire day, why too much variability can throw off naps and bedtime, and what a "consistent" wake time actually looks like for babies and toddlers (spoiler: perfection not required). Allison also addresses early morning wakings, explains why wake windows may work against you in certain situations, and shares two practical adjustments that often help families move in the right direction.

If sleep has felt unpredictable or hard to stabilize, morning wake time may be the overlooked piece of the puzzle.

• Why morning wake time influences naps, bedtime, and night sleep

• What "consistent" wake time really means (and why kids aren't robots)

• How shifting wake times can create nap and bedtime chaos

• The role of circadian rhythm in baby and toddler sleep

• Why wake windows aren't evidence-based and when they may backfire

• What to do if your child sleeps in after a rough night

• Why early bedtimes can actually lead to later mornings

• How early feeding times may reinforce early wake-ups

• Practical steps to create more predictable, restful sleep days and nights

• Episode 205: Baby Sleep Myths: Why Wake Windows Aren't Evidence-Based (and What to Do Instead)

• Learn more about working with Allison and her team at sleepandwellnesscoach.com

Click here to listen to the episode on YouTube

Wondering if your child is getting enough sleep? Allison's free guides take the guesswork out of bedtime. Learn the optimal sleep ranges for every age so your little one can feel their best—day after day. Get your free copy now: 0-2 Years Old or 3 to 10 years old

From baby sleep to toddler sleep, daycare naps to sleep training—How Long 'Til Bedtime? is the podcast for parents who want practical, guilt-free sleep tips they can actually use.

Hosted by pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi, each episode delivers real solutions for every stage—from navigating newborn sleep struggles and weaning night feedings to helping your 3-year-old fall asleep independently (and stay asleep!). Whether you're trying to make sense of daycare sleep patterns, craving your evenings back, or simply need a working mom podcast to keep you grounded, you're in the right place.

Want more from Allison? Sign up here to get her weekly email with podcast updates and other helpful parenting topics.

Enjoying How Long 'Til Bedtime?

Your rating and review help Allison reach and support more parents.

• On Apple Podcasts: Click here, scroll to the bottom, rate the show, and tap "Write a Review."

• On Spotify: Click here to leave a rating or review.

Don't miss an episode—subscribe so you're always up to date!

Connect with Allison:
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If you're navigating the tricky transition from two naps to one, this episode is for you. In this short and practical episode of How Long 'Til Bedtime?, Allison breaks down when babies are actually developmentally ready to drop to one nap—and why making the switch too early can disrupt night sleep.

Allison addresses a growing trend she's seeing with families of 10–12 month olds being told (or feeling pressured) to drop to one nap, often due to daycare policies or sudden nap resistance. She explains why most babies aren't ready for this transition until closer to 15 months—and sometimes even later—and how to protect your child's sleep in the meantime.

You'll learn:

• The ideal age range for transitioning from two naps to one

• Why early nap transitions often lead to night wakings and regressions

• What to do if daycare moves your baby to one nap early

• How to use early bedtimes and weekend schedules to protect sleep

• Why nap resistance doesn't always mean readiness

• Simple schedule tweaks that can help preserve two naps

If your baby is under 15 months and naps suddenly feel harder—or sleep has gone off the rails—this episode will help you understand what's normal, what's not, and how to move forward with confidence.

Wondering if your child is getting enough sleep? Allison's free guides take the guesswork out of bedtime. Learn the optimal sleep ranges for every age so your little one can feel their best—day after day. Get your free copy now: 0-2 Years Old or 3 to 10 years old

From baby sleep to toddler sleep, daycare naps to sleep training—How Long 'Til Bedtime? is the podcast for parents who want practical, guilt-free sleep tips they can actually use.

Hosted by pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi, each episode delivers real solutions for every stage—from navigating newborn sleep struggles and weaning night feedings to helping your 3-year-old fall asleep independently (and stay asleep!). Whether you're trying to make sense of daycare sleep patterns, craving your evenings back, or simply need a working mom podcast to keep you grounded, you're in the right place.

Want more from Allison? Sign up here to get her weekly email with podcast updates and other helpful parenting topics.

Enjoying How Long 'Til Bedtime?

Your rating and review help Allison reach and support more parents.

• On Apple Podcasts: Click here, scroll to the bottom, rate the show, and tap "Write a Review."

• On Spotify: Click here to leave a rating or review.

Don't miss an episode—subscribe so you're always up to date!

Connect with Allison:
Instagram | Facebook | Website | YouTube

Many parents use bedtime mantras to help their child feel calm and secure at night. In theory, it's a beautiful idea—predictable, soothing language meant to support rest. But what if the words we're using are actually doing the opposite?

In this episode, Allison explores a bedtime phrase that's become incredibly common—"you are safe"—and explains why, for some children, especially sensitive or anxious ones, this well-intentioned mantra can unintentionally increase bedtime worry.

Allison breaks down how a child's brain processes language at bedtime, why timing and repetition matter, and how certain phrases can shift the brain into "monitoring mode" instead of rest mode. She also shares a personal story that illustrates when reassurance is necessary—and when it's better to let the brain settle without added prompts.

You'll learn:

• Why some bedtime mantras can increase anxiety instead of reducing it

• How a child's brain interprets language right before sleep

• When reassurance about safety is helpful—and when it isn't

• Simple, comforting alternatives to common bedtime phrases

• How small language shifts can make a big difference at bedtime

If bedtime has started to feel harder, or your child seems more anxious at night despite a consistent routine, this episode offers a gentle, practical reframe that may help sleep feel easier again.

Click here to listen to the episode on YouTube

Looking for expert guidance on your child's sleep? Allison offers two free age-specific guides to help you discover how much sleep kids need to thrive—at any age. Get your free copy now: 0-2 Years Old or 3 to 10 years old

From baby sleep to toddler sleep, daycare naps to sleep training—How Long 'Til Bedtime? is the podcast for parents who want practical, guilt-free sleep tips they can actually use.

Hosted by pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi, each episode delivers real solutions for every stage—from navigating newborn sleep struggles and weaning night feedings to helping your 3-year-old fall asleep independently (and stay asleep!). Whether you're trying to make sense of daycare sleep patterns, craving your evenings back, or simply need a working mom podcast to keep you grounded, you're in the right place.

Want more from Allison? Sign up here to get her weekly email with podcast updates and other helpful parenting topics.

Enjoying How Long 'Til Bedtime?

Your rating and review help Allison reach and support more parents.

• On Apple Podcasts: Click here, scroll to the bottom, rate the show, and tap "Write a Review."

• On Spotify: Click here to leave a rating or review.

Don't miss an episode—subscribe so you're always up to date!

Connect with Allison:
Instagram | Facebook | Website | YouTube