Are you wondering which of my classes is best for your baby? Let’s talk about it.

Where do I start?

Start with your baby’s age! Each of my classes emphasizes meeting babies where they are developmentally. Because of that, I always encourage families to buy the course that matches their baby’s age.

In cases where a baby was born prematurely (before 37 weeks), we’ll use adjusted age to help decide which course is the best option. Now, if your baby was born after 37 weeks…

Let’s talk about naps and nap schedules. If naps are a struggle for you, you’re not alone.

Please remember naps ARE important. We know “sleep begets sleep.” This means that adequate daytime rest leads to fewer night wakings and longer night sleep. However, naps can be so difficult to navigate through without any guidance. Let me help you.

Please use the nap schedule guidelines set forth based upon your baby’s age, watch your baby and adjust your routine accordingly. Understand…

Separation anxiety: when suddenly (or not so suddenly) your baby becomes nervous whenever they lose sight of you! If you’ve experienced it, you’ve likely noticed that separation anxiety can impact all aspects of your baby’s life including nap and bedtime.

Let me help!

Separation anxiety is a normal part of infant development. You may see increased clinginess, more crying, and even tantrums when you put your baby down, walk out of the room, or leave. I know it’s hard to handle,…

Your baby’s first birthday has arrived! She is learning so much, moving all over the place, and getting into everything! During all of this physical, mental, social, and emotional growth, sleep can become a little tricky. This is sometimes called the 12 month sleep regression. I want to help!

What is a sleep regression?

When a baby’s brain is going through huge developmental changes, sleep can be impacted. Here’s what I want you to know: Sleep regressions are a sign of…

You’ve probably heard that bedtime routines are an important piece of your baby’s nighttime sleep. Wondering why they’re important, when to start, and what to include? Let’s talk about it.

Why are bedtime routines so important?

Babies thrive on predictability and routine. Their little worlds are full of action and stimulation, but providing a consistent routine offers safety and security.

Did you know that by 8 weeks of age, your baby can recognize a bedtime routine? It’s…

Toddlers are natural-born boundary pushers. If you have a toddler, I bet you’ve seen this. Maybe you’ve even seen your toddler fighting bedtime. It can be tempting when every boundary is a battle to simply give in and let your toddler have what she wants in the moment. But, can I tell you something? When it seems like “giving in” must be the answer, remember that loving boundaries lead to secure little ones.

So, what’s a parent to do?

First, it’s important to understand that…

Toddlers are natural-born boundary pushers. If you have a toddler, I bet you’ve seen this. Maybe you’ve even seen your toddler fighting bedtime. It can be tempting when every boundary is a battle to simply give in and let your toddler have what she wants in the moment. But, can I tell you something? When it seems like “giving in” must be the answer, remember that loving boundaries lead to secure little ones.

So, what’s a parent to do?

First, it’s important to understand that…

Are you struggling with false start bedtimes? This is when you put your baby to sleep for bedtime and then 30 or 45 minutes later…surprise, “I’m awake! I’m all done sleeping.” If you’ve seen this, you know it can be really tough and so frustrating.

Let’s talk through 5 common causes of false starts and what we can do about them:

1. Your baby is younger than 3-4 months and simply needs a later bedtime.

At this age, false starts can be common. For babies who have a bedtime…

Aren’t babies incredible? In a short time, they go from tiny sleepy bundles to active little ones. You are so proud when they start rolling over, sitting, walking, talking and so much more. Each of these new skills is a huge accomplishment for your baby!

Here are a few tips that can help you avoid sleep battles while they master this new skill:

1. Practice during the day.

Help your little one practice new skills on the floor. Did he learn to roll? Do lots of tummy time…

How do you dress your baby so they’re comfortable for sleep? I know that this can cause parents so much stress. Why? Well, we know that overheating a baby isn’t safe and that cold babies don’t sleep well. Let’s talk about how to dress your baby for sleep and how to know if they are comfortable.

Is there a perfect temperature for sleep?

You may see recommendations for room temperatures between 68℉ and 72℉ degrees for sleeping. Before you adjust your thermostat, I want you to…

Traveling between time zones with a baby is tough! Many parents worry about how to adjust their baby’s sleep to a new time zone when traveling.

Here are some things to consider:

How long are you going to be away?

If you are traveling for only a few days, I would encourage you to stay on your home time, if possible.

Which direction are you traveling?

Traveling east to west:

Maybe it’s 7pm at home, but only 4pm in the new time zone. What do you do? One…

If you’ve been here awhile, you’ve probably heard me talk about evidence-based research or evidence-based practice. Maybe you’re wondering what that means, especially what it means when we think about how to handle baby sleep. Let me tell you.

Evidence-based practice is a combination of three things: evidence-based research, clinical experience, and the personal priorities and experience of a family.

You’ll find evidence-based practice in everything Taking Cara Babies offers:…

I want to tell you about my journey with sleep training. My entire life, more than anything else in this world, I wanted to be a mom. That’s what I wanted. My heart’s desire was to be a mom. And then, I had Ella.

Here I am, a baby nurse; her dad is a pediatrician. Wouldn’t you assume we’d be incredible? We thought “How hard can it be? We’re good at taking care of babies!”

As a doctor and nurse, we knew the importance of baby sleep. We know how vital sleep is for a baby’s…

Baby suddenly taking short naps and you’re not sure why? Or maybe your baby only ever naps for 30 minutes? I know short naps can be challenging for both you and your baby. I can help! Let me answer your questions about short naps and give you tools to help your baby sleep longer at nap time.

How short is too short for naps?

Short naps are typically naps that last less than one sleep cycle (about 50 minutes). A nap 50 minutes or longer demonstrates your baby’s ability to…

Pacifier, Binky, Nuk, Soother, Dummy. I love pacifiers….yes, even for newborns, sleeping babies, and breastfed babies! I get so many questions from parents about newborns sleeping with a pacifier. Let’s talk about why I love pacifiers, how to introduce the pacifier, and what to do if the pacifier keeps falling out of your baby’s mouth.

Should my baby use a pacifier?

My answer will always be “It’s up to you and your little one!” There truly is no “right or wrong” approach when it…

Pacifier, Binky, Nuk, Soother, Dummy. I love pacifiers….yes, even for newborns, sleeping babies, and breastfed babies! I get so many questions from parents about newborns sleeping with a pacifier. Let’s talk about why I love pacifiers, how to introduce the pacifier, and what to do if the pacifier keeps falling out of your baby’s mouth.

Should my baby use a pacifier?

My answer will always be “It’s up to you and your little one!” There truly is no “right or wrong” approach when it…

It has always been a dream of man to simply spread his arms and take off like a bird. For us, birds are a symbol of longing, freedom, and peace. So it is a wonderful idea to give your child such a meaningful name, in the hope that they will always be free as a bird.

There are a surprising number of names for girls and boys whose meanings have something to do with birds. We have collected the most beautiful names for you. The (u) stands for unisex names.

Should your baby be a…

Autumn-inspired names for girls born in the fall

The leaves turn orange, red and yellow, the weather gets windier, it gets dark and rainy and Christmas is nocking on the door: autumn is coming!

These are the cosy days between hot summer and cold winter, when it smells of pumpkin and the squirrels bury their nuts. A great time to give birth to your child.

If you’re pregnant and due to have your little girl in September, October or November, check out these stunning autumnal…

If you read my post a few months ago, I talked about how I went for a cyst surgery and the doctor advised me to try more often in the following months as there is a higher chance of getting pregnant. Hoping that was it, we gave our best shot (or he did, HAHAHA!).

It has been 5 months since and we have not seen any results. So we thought maybe it’s time to seek help again. We did our fertility check 2 years ago and felt that we should go for another round of checks together. So after…