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The Sleep Edit

The Sleep Edit

By: Craig Canapari MD and Arielle Greenleaf
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 Join Dr. Craig Canapari and Arielle Greenleaf as they explore the intricacies of children's sleep issues with clarity and a touch of levity. They'll unpack the science behind sleep and offer evidence-based strategies to improve nighttime routines. As the director of Yale's Pediatric Sleep Center and an accomplished author, Dr. Canapari brings a wealth of knowledge, while Arielle's expertise as a Pediatric Sleep Consultant provides practical insights for parents seeking tranquility at bedtime. Together, they're your guides to better sleep for your little ones—and for you.© 2024 Evidence Based Parenting LLC Hygiene & Healthy Living Parenting & Families Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships
Episodes
  • Episode 15: Napping Spectacular!

    Episode 15: Napping Spectacular!
    Oct 6 2025
    Why do some toddlers nap like champs while others refuse entirely? In Part 1 of our Napping Spectacular, Craig and Arielle unpack what the science says about total sleep needs, how nap patterns change across infancy and early childhood, and the very real “art” of troubleshooting naps at home. We cover when to drop naps, how brain development (especially the hippocampus) affects nap transitions, what to do about short naps, and how to keep daytime sleep from stealing restorative overnight sleep. We also talk through safe approaches to contact naps and why it’s normal for newborns to have unpredictable naps and periods of crying. Key takeaways Think in 24 hours: aim to balance daytime sleep with restorative overnight sleep.AASM consensus ranges: infants 4–12 mo (12–16 h), toddlers 1–2 y (11–14 h), preschoolers 3–5 y (10–13 h), school-age 6–12 y (9–12 h), teens 13–18 y (8–10 h).Nap transitions are tied to brain maturity; as memory systems develop, many preschoolers naturally nap less.Typical goals for many infants: at least two naps of ~1 hour each and ~10 hours overnight (individual needs vary).Independent sleep skills are the linchpin for extending naps beyond a single 30–45 minute sleep cycle.Watch sleepy cues, but remember boredom can masquerade as tiredness in older infants.Contact napping can be soothing, but it’s risky if the caregiver is truly exhausted—prioritize safe sleep.Newborn naps are erratic; you can practice gentle routines, but you can’t “schedule” a newborn.Consistency across naps and nights helps babies learn faster than a mix-and-match approach. Links CIO episode of the Sleep EditDr. Canapari’s article on Le Pause Sleep trainingPeriod of purple cryingDr. Canapari's article on nappingDr. Canapari's article on sleep needs in childrenArielle's website Chapters 00:00 Intro and disclaimer01:10 Why naps feel harder than nights; personal stories03:00 What parents often misunderstand about naps04:00 How much sleep kids need (AASM consensus)06:00 Why naps matter for mood and learning06:40 Brain development and nap transitions (hippocampus)07:00 Average nap duration by age; variability is normal09:10 How many naps per day; typical progression through early childhood12:00 Galland review; why transitions are tricky in real life14:00 The “art” of troubleshooting naps15:00 Naps vs. nights: balance the 24-hour total18:00 Targets for infants; prioritizing overnight sleep22:00 High vs. low sleep-need babies23:00 Nap routines vs. bedtime routines; wind-down for toddlers25:00 How to get longer naps: schedule fit and independent sleep27:00 Evidence-based infant sleep tips (INSIGHT and SAAF principles)29:00 Reading sleep cues without getting trapped by rigid schedules30:30 Overtiredness vs. boredom; case example34:00 Can you sleep-train for naps but not nights? Why consistency wins36:00 Typical nap times by age; capping late naps39:00 Newborn nap reality check40:00 Contact napping and safety42:00 Period of PURPLE Crying and parental stress45:30 Wrap-up and preview of Part 2 References Paruthi S, Brooks LJ, D’Ambrosio C, et al. Consensus statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine on the recommended amount of sleep for healthy children: methodology and discussion. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. 2016;12(11):1549-1561.Spencer RMC, Riggins T. Contributions of memory and brain development to the bioregulation of naps and nap transitions in early childhood. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2022;119(11):e2114326119.Staton S, et al. Many naps, one nap, none: A systematic review and meta-analysis of napping patterns in children 0–12 years. Sleep Medicine Reviews. 2020;50:101247.Galland BC, Taylor BJ, Elder DE, Herbison P. Normal sleep patterns in infants and children: A systematic review of observational studies. Sleep Medicine Reviews. 2012;16(3):213-222.Horváth K. Spotlight on daytime napping during early childhood. Frontiers in Psychology. 2018;9:1238.Wolke D, Bilgin A, Samara M. Fussing and crying durations and prevalence of colic in infants: Systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of Pediatrics. 2017;185:55-61.e4.Lavner JA, Hohman EE, Beach SRH, Stansfield BK, Savage JS. Effects of a responsive parenting intervention among Black families on infant sleep: Secondary analysis of the Sleep SAAF randomized clinical trial. JAMA Network Open. 2023;6(3):e236276.Paul IM, Savage JS, Anzman-Frasca S, Marini ME, Mindell JA, Birch LL. INSIGHT Responsive Parenting Intervention and infant sleep. Pediatrics. 2016;138(1):e20160762. Contact Listener questions: sleepeditpod@gmail.com
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    47 mins
  • Episode 14: Summer and Back to School Sleep Challenges

    Episode 14: Summer and Back to School Sleep Challenges
    Jul 28 2025

    Tips for Infants, Toddlers, and Teens In this episode of the Sleep Edit podcast, hosts Dr. Craig Canapari and Arielle Greenleaf provide evidence-based tips and strategies to help parents manage their children's sleep during the summer and back-to-school transitions. They discuss common issues such as later bedtimes, disrupted routines, increased screen time, and the impact of travel on sleep patterns.

    • 00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer
    • 01:09 Meet the Hosts
    • 01:24 Summer Sleep Challenges
    • 03:55 Pandemic Sleep Patterns
    • 05:08 Structured Days Hypothesis
    • 07:57 Managing Heat and Sleep
    • 09:58 Travel and Sleep Tips for Infants and Toddlers
    • 16:06 Vacation Sleep Realities
    • 19:47 School-Age Sleep Strategies
    • 20:50 Replicating Schedules for Special Needs Children
    • 21:47 Bedtime Recommendations for Different Age Groups
    • 23:07 Managing Screen Time During Summer
    • 24:01 The Benefits of Summer Camps and Jobs
    • 24:49 Camping as a Sleep Reset Tool
    • 26:41 Traveling to Adjust Sleep Schedules
    • 27:25 General Summer Sleep Tips for Parents
    • 32:23 Adjusting Teen Sleep Schedules Before School Starts
    • 37:38 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
    Links

    The Structured Days hypothesis

    Study of 9-15 year olds showed that later shift was associated with poorer dietary cohoices

    Resources (slides and references) from Dr. Canapari’s talk on Covid-19 and sleep

    The Forbidden Zone and what it means for putting your kid down

    Vacation “sleep”: How to get shuteye when on the move

    Dr. Canapari’s article on summer sleep and back to school

    Camping as a way to reset sleep schedules
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    39 mins
  • Episode 13: Toddler Night Wakings, Early Rising, and Nap Refusal: Your Pediatric Sleep Questions Answered

    Episode 13: Toddler Night Wakings, Early Rising, and Nap Refusal: Your Pediatric Sleep Questions Answered
    Apr 30 2025
    This episode of The Sleep Edit is all about you—our listeners. We’re tackling the most common (and frustrating) pediatric sleep challenges straight from your inbox: What to do when your toddler suddenly won’t napHow to handle a preschooler who wakes five times a nightWhen to push bedtime later—and when not toStrategies for night weaning, managing anxiety, and fixing early morning wake-upsPlus: Why our parents swear we were “better sleepers” back in the ’80s and ’90s Whether you’re a parent in the trenches or a sleep consultant supporting families, this episode is packed with actionable insights and real-world context. ⏱️ Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 — Welcome & Disclaimer 01:55 — How Long Should a One-Nap Schedule Last? A parent asks how long to let a toddler nap after transitioning to one nap—without disrupting night sleep. 04:24 — Does Your Toddler Need a Later Bedtime? Signs that bedtime might be too early and what research says about optimal timing. 07:15 — Arielle’s Take on 24-Hour Sleep A fellow consultant asks Arielle how she explains this foundational concept. 10:32 — What Is 24-Hour Sleep Anyway? A parent wants to understand how to think about total daily sleep needs. 12:59 — Easiest Way to Night Wean a Toddler Strategies for toddlers waking twice a night for milk. 16:05 — Why Were 80s Babies “Better Sleepers”? Craig answers a fun cultural question: Have parenting expectations changed—or is it selective memory? 21:18 — 4-Year-Old Suddenly Waking All Night (Tried Everything) Becky shares a sleep regression story after months of solid sleep and multiple failed interventions. 26:45 — 2-Year-Old Needs Touch to Fall Asleep, Progressive Breaks Failing Charlotte asks whether this method is right for her daughter after meltdowns. 32:17 — 7-Year-Old with Bedtime Anxiety & Nightmares A parent shares a common dilemma: supporting an anxious child without becoming a permanent bedtime fixture. 39:12 — 5-Year-Old Calls Out But Stays in Bed Carys from the UK wonders how to manage frequent call-outs from a child who does fall asleep independently. 44:06 — Toddler Wakes at 5 a.m.—Can We Shift Later? Anjo asks how to extend a solid 7–5 schedule without creating new problems. 46:50 — Sibling Sleep Chaos: Two Kids, Two Problems Pat shares a double trouble scenario: one kid waking for milk, another up too early and waking the house. 51:03 — Nap Refusal at Home, But Not Daycare Morgan asks how to handle nap refusal at home after major life changes (new baby, new daycare). 55:10 — Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up Links Arielle’s new website : Expect to Sleep Again Arielle on Instagram: @expecttosleepagain Research links: Metanalysis showing that earlier bedtimes led to more sleep Small study of infants showing sleep extension with earlier bedtimes Dr. Canapari’s articles: Do Wake Windows Help Babies and Kids Nap Better? How to Stop Night Feedings Huggy puppy intervention for night time fears Early morning awakenings: What to do about them Bedtime pass for middle of the night awakening Accommodations and anxiety Progressive breaks sleep training method Camping out method sleep training
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    1 hr and 2 mins
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