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How Long 'Til Bedtime? | Sleep and Parenting PodcastAuthor: Allison Egidi Pediatric Sleep Coach
From baby sleep to toddler sleep, daycare naps to sleep trainingthis is the podcast for parents who want practical, guilt-free sleep tips. Hosted by pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi, How Long 'Til Bedtime? delivers real solutions for everything from navigating newborn sleep struggles and weaning night feedings to helping your 3-year-old fall asleep independently (and stay asleep!). Whether you're trying to make sense of daycare sleep patterns, desperately want your evenings back, or just need a working mom podcast to keep you grounded, we've got you covered. Language: en Genres: Kids & Family, Parenting Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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261. Can't Fall Asleep Because Your Mind Is Racing? Plus 2 More Great Sleep Questions from Students and Parents
Episode 261
Tuesday, 13 October, 2026
What do you do when your child's brain won't shut off at bedtime? Can years of poor sleep habits be changed? And how long should you give a new sleep strategy before deciding whether it works? In this episode, pediatric sleep and wellness coach Allison Egidi answers three thoughtful questions she received from middle school students, high school students, and a parent during recent sleep presentations at a school in Washington, DC. First, Allison tackles a common challenge for tweens and teens: trouble falling asleep because of racing thoughts. She explains why the brain can become especially busy once the distractions of the day disappear and shares two simple strategies to help kids settle their minds at bedtime. She also answers a question many teens may wonder about: Can a messed-up sleep schedule during the teen years affect sleep as an adult? Allison shares her own experience of struggling with sleep throughout childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood before learning how to sleep well later in life. Her message is encouraging: it is never too late to improve your sleep, but that doesn't mean teens should wait. Sleep matters for their health, mood, learning, focus, immune system, athletic performance, and safety behind the wheel right now. Finally, Allison talks about how long to try a new strategy when you're working to improve your child's sleep. She encourages parents to think of sleep changes as an experiment. In this episode, Allison discusses: Why tweens and teens may have racing thoughts at bedtime How guided sleep meditation can help kids settle their minds Why counting backward from 100 can be an effective sleep strategy Whether poor sleep habits during adolescence can be changed later Why teen sleep matters for health, learning, mood, sports, and driving safety How to approach sleep changes as an experiment Which sleep changes may produce quick results Why other sleep changes can take a few weeks What parents should track before bedtime to identify sleep patterns Why it's never too late to learn how to sleep well How parents can keep talking to their kids about why sleep matters Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 187. Teen Sleep & Anxiety: What a 12th Grader Wants Parents to Know with Lizzie Pisani Episode 252. Middle School & High School Sleep: How to Help Your Child Succeed This School Year Chapter Markers: 00:00 – Why Kids' Sleep Questions Matter 03:24 – Can't Fall Asleep Because Your Mind Is Racing? 05:50 – How to Calm Racing Thoughts at Bedtime 08:15 – Should Phones Be Used for Sleep Meditation? 09:10 – The 100-to-Zero Sleep Trick for Kids 10:35 – Can a Teen Sleep Schedule Affect Adult Sleep? 12:59 – Why Teen Sleep Matters Right Now 14:10 – How Long Should You Try a New Sleep Strategy? 15:22 – Treating Sleep Problems Like an Experiment 16:45 – How Quickly Can Sleep Changes Work? 17:48 – Sleep Routines That Help a Racing Mind 19:05 – How to Track What's Affecting Your Child's Sleep 20:17 – Keep Talking to Your Kids About Why Sleep Matters Give your child the gift of better sleep. Allison's free, age-specific guides show you exactly how many hours of rest kids need to grow, learn, and thrive—no matter their age. Get your free copy now: 0-2 Years Old or 3 to 10 years old From baby sleep to toddler sleep, daycare naps to sleep training—How Long 'Til Bedtime? is the podcast for parents who want practical, guilt-free sleep tips they can actually use. Hosted by pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi, each episode delivers real solutions for every stage—from navigating newborn sleep struggles and weaning night feedings to helping your 3-year-old fall asleep independently (and stay asleep!). Whether you're trying to make sense of daycare sleep patterns, craving your evenings back, or simply need a working mom podcast to keep you grounded, you're in the right place. Want more from Allison? Sign up here to get her weekly email with podcast updates and other helpful parenting topics. Enjoying How Long 'Til Bedtime? Your rating and review help Allison reach and support more parents. On Apple Podcasts: Click here, scroll to the bottom, rate the show, and tap "Write a Review." On Spotify: Click here to leave a rating or review. Don't miss an episode—subscribe so you're always up to date! Connect with Allison: Instagram | Facebook | Website | YouTube
