Sleep Smart Blog

For health professionals and early years educators. Delivered by Australia's leading infant and toddler sleep consultants.

Helping Toddlers Feel Good about Sleep

author
Cindy Davenport
29 July, 2020
As an infant develops into a toddler, they become increasingly aware of the world around them. This includes the realisation that they are an individual, with a body and mind of their own. As their independence and autonomy flourish, the toddler brain is very much in a state of flux. And while...

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Toddlers and Sleep

author
Cindy Davenport
29 July, 2020
Toddlers have a lot going on! It’s a time of great brain growth as they actively learn new things every day. It is also a developmental period when they can be quite sensitive to change. As a result, they can easily become overwhelmed and overtired by which stage they will be extremely...

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Sleep Associations

author
Cindy Davenport
29 July, 2020
The way a baby drifts to sleep is how they understand sleep. Whatever experience they have had, is what they learn to expect, or what they associate with going to sleep or drifting back to sleep between sleep cycles. There are two types of sleep associations – dependent and independent, and both...

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How Can I Tell if a Baby is Tired?

author
Cindy Davenport
29 July, 2020
How do I know when a baby in my care is tired? This is the age old question. Babies settle to sleep better if they are not overtired. Rather than watching the clock, it’s important to look and listen for signs that a baby is tired. Look out for these tired signs: Glazed eyes or long blank...

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How Much Sleep do Babies and Toddlers need?

author
Cindy Davenport
29 July, 2020
Routines won’t work for all children however creating a gentle pattern can assist with establishing infant sleep. Watching a baby’s cues, working out why they are crying and providing a predictable routine can help to make bedtime a positive experience. There is no absolute norm when it comes to...

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Sleep Cycles Defined

author
Cindy Davenport
29 July, 2020
What is a Sleep Cycle? How is this different for babies and toddlers?The two sleep states as it relates to baby and toddler sleep cycles are called Non REM (Non Rapid Eye Movement) or Deep or Quiet Sleep REM (Rapid Eye Movement) or Light or Active sleep. When a baby or toddler is in quiet...

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Safe Sleep & Settling

author
Cindy Davenport
20 July, 2020
As childhood educators, we know that it is so important to understand and follow safe sleeping guidelines for children in our care. SIDS and SUDI explained You may be familiar with the term SIDS but less familiar with the term SUDI - Sudden and Unexpected Death in Infancy. SUDI does not...

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ABOUT

The Sleep Smart online guide to safe sleeping and settling, has been developed for health professionals and early childhood educators working with families and young children.


At the foundation of our training is the most scientifically informed knowledge and best practice, and an understanding that infancy and early childhood is a critical time for the development of emotional and mental health.