This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, we're back with ONE parent & our returning guest Dr. Ari Brown (Pediatrician + Author of the iconic 411 series) for the SLEEP episode every parents needs!

We start with why sleep is SO important (for both kids AND parents), how to create a healthy sleep routine from DAY ONE, and the "sleep crutches" you need to AVOID if possible (s/o to any parent who has been the human Uber to the land of nod hahaha). Then we get into what to ACTUALLY do when your baby/toddler wakes up in the middle of the night and why Dr. Ari likes to refer to “sleep regressions" as PROGRESSIONS (mind blown!!).

Plus (random tangent), Dr. Ari's take on melatonin & traveling time zones (the ONE time she'll recommend it). Then, the ideal nap schedule from baby through toddler, and the #1 biggest mistake parents make around sleep (which we 100% have been guilty of).

Then we get into some of the tactical stuff: should you EVER give your toddler a bottle before bed? Crib vs. co-sleeping vs. bed sharing (without the shame!), and when to actually transition from crib to bed (spoiler: longer than you think!!). We also break down what an ideal toddler bedtime routine looks like, how screens are impacting your kid's sleep, and how diet & physical activity actually move the needle. Plus, a fun rapid-fire game: COMMON SLEEP ISSUE vs. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR.

Finally, it’s not a sleep episode without Dr. Ari's take on sleep training & cry it out (and the protest vs. crying it out distinction that totally clicked for us), and she shares her famous S.L.E.E.P. plan 💤

LOVE YOU GUYS!

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast! (The 411 with Dr. Ari Brown: Sleep)

00:01:07 Just how important is sleep for kids (and parents!)? (+ how much sleep kids actually need)

00:08:42 How to create a healthy sleep routine from day one

00:10:17 Baby/toddler "sleep crutches" you to AVOID

00:12:57 What to do when your baby wakes up in the middle of the night

00:16:20 When should you actually call your pediatrician?

00:20:29 Why sleep regressions are actually PROGRESSIONS

00:23:10 Melatonin & traveling across time zones (when it's actually OK to use!)

00:26:24 The ideal nap schedule from baby through toddler

00:28:40 The #1 biggest mistake parents make around sleep

00:34:44 Crib vs. co-sleeping vs. bed sharing

00:40:31 When to transition from crib to bed

00:43:44 What the ideal toddler bedtime routine looks like

00:45:40 How screens are impacting your kid's sleep

00:46:48 How diet & physical activity impact sleep

00:47:12 COMMON SLEEP ISSUE vs. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR

00:55:09 Sleep training & cry it out: protesting vs. crying it out

01:06:44 Dr. Ari's S.L.E.E.P. plan

01:08:46 Is teething ACTUALLY ruining your kid's sleep?!

01:10:54 THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

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*GOODLES: Pick up GOODLES on your next shopping trip… it’s available nationwide at Target and Walmart, plus many other major grocery stores and retailers!

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TODDLER 411 (On Sale: 5/26/26): Preorder your copy here: https://www.qr.prh.com/1m0om

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Key Words: Two Parents and a Podcast, Two Parents & A Podcast, Alex Bennett, Harrison Fugman, Dr. Ari Brown, Toddler 411, Baby 411, toddler sleep, baby sleep, sleep regression, four month sleep regression, sleep training, cry it out, CIO, ideal bedtime routine, bedtime routine, sleep crutches, melatonin, co-sleeping, bed sharing, crib to bed transition, nap schedule, night terrors, teething, pediatrician, parenting podcast, motherhood, newborn sleep, sleep tips

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