Rest Assured with Yara 

I personally believe that it’s totally possible for your child to fall asleep independently while sick, teething, and on vacation! Don’t automatically assume just because there are a few tears that your child needs to be assisted to sleep. If your child is teething or under the weather, some Tylenol or Advil is probably not a bad idea, combined with some extra snuggles at bedtime. You know your child better than anyone, if he is really struggling, and your instincts are telling you to help them along more than you typically do, then do so. Just be ready to get back on track after any illness.

Traveling with little ones can be exhausting and stressful! It will most likely be impossible to do all naps in a crib or bed, so be flexible and allow naps to happen on the go, but try to get those naps in at the appropriate times. When it comes to sleeping in an unfamiliar environment, it always helps to pack some comfort items from home. Pack some familiar books, a sheet and sleep sack, your sound machine etc. Spend some time playing in the room in or around your child’s sleep spacebefore bed so they are less anxious about falling asleep in a new environment. If you’re traveling to a destination with a time difference, decide whether or not you will try to get onto the local time zone or keep your child in their familiar time zone. I typically advise families to stick with their current time zone if the trip is short, but if you’re going to be away for longer than 4-5 days it makes sense to hop onto the new time zone. Lastly, lower your expectations. This stuff gets easier as your children get older!

I always advise clients and friends to hold off on dropping a nap until it’s really obviously time to do so. I’m a big believer in giving children the daytime sleep that they need. If your child is refusing a nap, consider whether you can shorten the other naps to still allow for that nap that is getting tricky before eliminating it completely. In addition to capping naps, you can also opt for a later bedtime to preserve that last nap for a while longer. Once you feel thatyou’ve exhausted those two options, it may be time to drop a nap.

The most important thing to do is to communicate with your child. Set up some rules and expectations for the transition so they know what to expect. Explain that it’s not safe for them to get out of bed by themselves and they should always call out for a parent if they need help. You can also introduce an “OK to wake clock” so that they are encouraged to stay in bed until a reasonable hour in the morning. Reward good behavior from the beginning to encourage continued good behavior!

Build a positive association with their bedroom by playing there, reading there, cuddling there. Show him it’s a safe, fun, and cozy place to be! Don't send your child to his room as a punishment. If you are going through a temper tantrum ask “seems that you are struggling, do you want to go to your room?” “Do you need some alone time in your own bedroom?”

In toddlers, a late bedtime doesn't necessarily lead to a later wake up time due to their strong internal biological clocks and needs. Their circadian rhythm, which regulates their sleep-wake cycle, often causes them to wake up at the same time each morning regardless of when they went to bed. 

If your child wakes up too early in the morning, or doesn’t take a nap then you can implement a “rescue nap” which is an assisted nap, it can be in the car, in your arms, or co-sleeping. This is sometimes necessary to let them catch up on rest and prevent overtiredness. Try not to let naps go after 4:00 PM.