Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comYou know that moment when you've tried everything and you're left thinking: am I doing this wrong?
This week's Sleep Detectives is for you. Sally and Bec tackle nine real parent questions about the tricky stuff—swaddle transitions, early rising, feeding to sleep overnight, nap schedules that feel off, sleep training techniques, and the great dummy debate.They break down when to unswaddle (and when to delay it), why 5:30am wake-ups need the early rise protocol, whether feeding back to sleep overnight is actually fine (spoiler: it is, with one caveat), and how to tell if your baby needs the transitional nap schedule.
Plus, they explain why Ferber can work beautifully for clingy, sensitive babies—and why sometimes doing less is exactly what your baby needs.What You'll Learn:• How to transition from arms-down swaddle to arms-out without chaos• Why your 10-month-old's 5:30am wake needs a 9:30am first nap• The difference between feeding to sleep and feeding back to sleep overnight• Signs your 14-month-old is ready for the short-long transitional schedule• When to turn off bounce/motion functions during sleep training• Why 45-minute settling at night one might need troubleshooting• How Ferber creates pattern and space for sensitive babies• Whether to keep or ditch the dummy at 4 months (team Bec vs team Sally)• How to handle sleep when your toddler has hand, foot and mouthChapters:00:00 Intro & question preview03:10 Swaddle transition: arms down to arms out05:36 Nap schedule for 10-month-old waking at 5:30am08:25 Feeding to sleep vs feeding back to sleep overnight (4-month twins)12:19 Signs your 14-month-old needs transitional nap schedule14:55 Should you turn off auto bounce function during sleep training?20:09 10-month-old taking 45 minutes to settle (troubleshooting)25:27 Does Ferber work on clingy, sensitive babies?32:26 Dummy crazed at 17 weeks—how to wean or keep?39:24 Getting back to sleep after hand, foot and mouth🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPEDJoin sleep experts Sally Woods and Bec Maher as they tackle real parent sleep struggles with warmth, science, and zero BS. Nap Trapped makes baby sleep less mysterious and way more manageable.Links📩 Get updates + exclusive tools: Subscribe www.naptrappedpodcast.com
📸 Follow Sally & Bec on
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thesleepconcierge/
https://www.instagram.com/_thesleepcentre/
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
Your toddler's been a great sleeper for months. Then one night they start demanding more books, more cuddles, more everything. You're trapped in the room for two hours wondering what happened to your independent sleeper. This is the 18 month sleep regression, and it's less about sleep and more about boundaries.
Sally and Bec break down why this regression happens right when toddlers learn to use words to influence their world. They explain why giving in to one more book turns into 17 books by night three, how to hold clear limits without negotiations, and why it can still take two hours even when you're doing everything right. Plus the strategies that work throughout the day to fill their cup so you can hold firm at bedtime.
What You'll Learn:
• Why the 18 month regression is about boundary testing, not self-settling
• How language development triggers bedtime battles
• The exact bedtime routine strategy: verbal cues for last book, last cuddle, last kiss
• Why bore-to-reassure works better than negotiations
• Realistic timeline: 2-6 weeks regardless of your approach
• What happens when you try to max them out with long wake windows (spoiler: it backfires)
• Micro-moments of connection and choice throughout the day
• How to avoid creating new sleep associations while navigating the regression
Chapters:
00:00 Intro and scheduling queen banter
04:22 What is the 18 month sleep regression
08:19 Setting clear verbal boundaries at bedtime
11:47 Realistic expectations: how long it actually takes
15:44 Why connection matters but boundaries hold
21:01 This isn't sleep training, it's limit setting
26:41 What NOT to do: extending wake windows
30:21 Filling their cup throughout the day
34:00 Wrap up and encouragement
🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPED
Sally Woods and Bec Maher are baby sleep consultants who believe exhausted parents deserve real answers, not judgment. Each episode of Nap Trapped breaks down one sleep challenge with evidence-based advice and a healthy dose of humor.
Links
📩 Get updates + exclusive tools: Subscribe www.naptrappedpodcast.com
📸 Follow Sally & Bec on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thesleepconcierge/
https://www.instagram.com/_thesleepcentre/
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
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Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comYou've been sending questions and Sally and Bec are answering them all. This week's Sleep Detectives covers everything from sleep training older toddlers to fixing stubborn 5:30am wakes to figuring out if your baby actually needs medical tests. If you've been stuck on when to drop a nap or how to handle a baby who treats their cot like a playground, this one's packed with practical fixes.Sally and Bec tackle seven different parent questions with their usual mix of evidence and humor. They explain why extinction bursts happen with toddlers (not just babies), how to tell if early rising is a schedule problem or a behavior problem, and when iron or B12 tests are actually worth pursuing. Plus the definitive answer on when to drop to one nap and why your 7-month-old probably still needs three naps even if everyone says otherwise.What You'll Learn:• How to sleep train a 3-year-old (yes, it's still possible)• Why your toddler's extinction burst is different from a baby's• The fix for 10-month-olds standing in the cot during naps• How to treat 5:30am wakes like overnight wakings (delay, delay, delay)• When Sally and Bec refer families for iron or B12 testing• Why your 7-month-old on 2 naps probably needs 3 naps instead• The exact wake windows for 20-month-olds on one nap• When to actually drop to one nap (spoiler: later than you think)Chapters:00:00 Intro and welcome back01:27 Q1: Sleep training a 3-year-old who needs parents to settle05:52 Extinction bursts in toddlers vs babies09:12 Q2: 10-month-old standing in cot and refusing nap 213:32 How to handle new skills (sitting, standing) at nap time14:13 Q3: 7-month-old waking at 5:30am every morning18:55 Treating early rising as overnight wakings19:22 Q4: When to seek medical investigations (iron, B12, etc.)24:26 What Sally and Bec look for in consultations28:42 Q5: 7-month-old on 2 naps but needs 4-hourly feeds33:04 Why this baby needs to go back to 3 naps35:15 Q6: Wake windows for 20-month-old39:56 Bedtime fading technique for older children41:02 Q7: When to drop to one nap (15-18 months)44:06 Wrap-up and outro🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPEDJoin sleep experts Sally Woods and Bec Maher as they tackle real parent sleep struggles with warmth, science, and zero BS. Nap Trapped makes baby sleep less mysterious and way more manageable.Links📩 Get updates + exclusive tools: Subscribe www.naptrappedpodcast.com
📸 Follow Sally & Bec on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thesleepconcierge/
https://www.instagram.com/_thesleepcentre/
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
Subscribers get a full breakdown of the schedules from this ep 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.com
Wondering if you should cap that glorious morning nap? Sally and Bec break down the short/long nap schedule for 9-12 month olds, when to use it, when to skip it, and how to make it work without the chaos of overtiredness.
In this episode, they explain why the OG schedule (two equal naps) is where they always start, but when your baby keeps throwing short second naps or early rising won't quit, it's time to strategically redistribute sleep pressure.
You'll learn exactly how to cap the first nap to protect bedtime and overnight sleep.
What You'll Learn:
• Why Sally and Bec always start with the OG schedule (two equal 1.5-hour naps)
• Signs your baby needs a short/long schedule instead of medium/medium
• How capping the first nap redistributes sleep pressure to nap 2 and bedtime
• Why a 45-60 minute first nap works better than 30 minutes for most babies
• The scheduling formula: wake windows and nap lengths that actually work
• How to handle daycare naps when control is out of your hands
• Why that popular guide with the 30-minute morning nap creates problems
• When short/long is a strategy vs when it's just what your baby needs
Chapters:
00:00 Intro and code names for sleep consultants
04:36 What is a short/long nap schedule?
07:14 The OG schedule: starting with two equal naps
08:36 When babies refuse the medium/medium routine
11:03 Why the second nap must be equal or longer
12:24 Example: 9.5-month-old on short/long to fix early rising
16:50 Using short/long to stop reinforcing early wakes
18:14 Real-life reasons families need short/long schedules
19:22 Daycare naps and working with what you've got
22:25 The 80/20 rule: prioritizing home days to balance childcare
24:47 You still need sleep training, not just schedule changes
27:31 How to structure a short/long schedule (the numbers)
30:48 Why the 30-minute morning nap doesn't work for most babies
35:44 The right age for ultra-short morning naps (hint: not 6 months)
38:06 Next episode: whiteboard edition with all the schedules
🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPED
Hosted by sleep consultants Sally Woods (The Sleep Concierge) and Bec Maher (The Sleep Centre), Nap Trapped helps tired parents solve baby sleep challenges with warmth, evidence, and no judgement. Every week we turn your questions into practical solutions.
Links
📩 Get updates + exclusive tools: Subscribe www.naptrappedpodcast.com
📸 Follow Sally & Bec on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesleepconcierge/
https://www.instagram.com/_thesleepcentre/
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comThat dream feed was supposed to help your baby sleep longer, but at 7.5 months it's holding you back from real progress. Sally and Bec break down a real listener question about a baby with solid sleep skills who's stuck with a 10pm dream feed, a 3am wake, and early rising, showing you exactly how to redistribute calories and drop that safety net feed without chaos.In this mini consult episode, they walk through nap timings, solids portions, and the step-by-step plan to ditch the dream feed and push overnight feeds later, giving you the confidence to know when hunger is genuine and when it's just habit.What You'll Learn:• Why the 10pm dream feed is impacting 7am appetite and overnight sleep• The exact nap schedule for 7.5 months: capping morning nap at 45 minutes• How to balance solids and milk feeds so bedtime breastfeeds are full• The simple dinner rule: pull back portions to bring bedtime milk back in• Step-by-step plan to drop the dream feed and resettle until midnight• How to mirror 4-hourly day feeds overnight (12am feed, then 4am minimum)• Why resettling at 10:15pm proves baby doesn't need that feed• The confidence game: knowing the difference between habit and genuine hungerChapters:00:00 Welcome back and episode intro03:02 The listener question: 7.5 month old schedule and feeding04:08 Why this age group is so common for consults05:20 Nap timings: the key to keeping three naps08:27 Sleep totals and distributing pressure to the night10:01 Calorie distribution and the 6:30pm breastfeed issue12:21 Full feeds explained: what counts as complete13:33 Solids timing: big lunch window vs. dinner danger zone16:08 Why two overnight feeds are impacting day appetite17:03 The dream feed discussion: time to ditch it20:04 The plan: drop dream feed cold turkey (with a plan)23:38 Redistributing calories: what you take out, you put back in27:14 The hard work is already done: baby can go 6 hours29:41 When doubt and inconsistency creep back in32:04 Sleep training technique: whatever gets baby back down34:17 Why this is less about sleep training and more about scheduling36:53 Real example: the six-feed overnight baby success story38:44 When sickness or teething happen: getting back on track40:44 Wrap-up: you're so close🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPEDHosted by sleep consultants Sally Woods (The Sleep Concierge) and Bec Maher (The Sleep Centre), Nap Trapped helps tired parents solve baby sleep challenges with warmth, evidence, and no judgement. Every week we turn your questions into practical solutions—with a side of Aldi chocolate.Links📩 Get updates + exclusive tools: Subscribe www.naptrappedpodcast.com
📸 Follow Sally & Bec on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thesleepconcierge/
https://www.instagram.com/_thesleepcentre/
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
Don't miss an episode 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comGot a baby waking at 5AM? Wondering if your nap schedule needs tweaking? This week Sally and Bec answer your real questions about early rising, nap timing, and breaking the feed-to-sleep cycle. They go deep on why 5AM is an overnight waking (not morning), how to future-proof your sleep wins, and the step-by-step approach to weaning from feeding to sleep without chaos.What You'll Learn:• Why your 4-week-old sleeping 5-6 hours overnight is likely fine• Whether to use wake windows or clock time for bedtime• How to spot when a 16-month-old needs a nap schedule shift• Why playing happily in the cot at bedtime doesn't need fixing• The solids timing that supports longer naps at 8 months• How to wean from feed-to-sleep using a sideways step approach• Why 10-hour nights and 5AM wakes need the early rising protocol• The rationale behind holding wake-up time steady at 7AMChapters:00:00 Intro and coffee chat01:31 Q: 4-week-old sleeping 5-6 hour stretches overnight04:01 Q: Wake windows vs clock time for 9-month-old bedtime07:31 Q: 16-month-old nap schedule review (11:30-2PM nap)10:55 Q: 5-month-old plays in cot at night despite schedule tweaks16:31 Q: 8-month-old with 5-minute first nap18:53 Solids timing for 8-month-olds on two vs three naps21:13 Q: Weaning from feed-to-sleep at 12 months29:33 Q: Is 10 hours overnight normal? (7PM-5AM wake)35:17 The early rising protocol explained40:28 Why early rising takes time and stamina44:28 Plans for early rising masterclass and Nap Trapped lives🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPEDHosted by sleep consultants Sally Woods (The Sleep Concierge) and Bec Maher (The Sleep Centre), Nap Trapped helps tired parents solve baby sleep challenges with warmth, evidence, and no judgement. Every week we turn your questions into practical solutions with a side of Aldi chocolate.Links📩 Get updates + exclusive tools: Subscribe www.naptrappedpodcast.com
📸 Follow Sally & Bec on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thesleepconcierge/
https://www.instagram.com/_thesleepcentre/
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comWondering where to even start with nap training? Sally and Bec break down their strategic approach to teaching naps without derailing your hard-won nights. Instead of tackling everything at once, they explain exactly which nap to train first (spoiler: it's not the first one), why staggering the process protects your progress, and what to do when things go sideways.In this episode, they walk through the specific order for 3-nap babies versus 2-nap babies, how to cap naps strategically, when to rescue versus push through, and why nap three stays fully assisted until the very end.What You'll Learn:• Which nap to train first for 3-nap babies (and why starting with nap 2 protects your nights)• The rescue plan when naps don't go to plan• Why you cap the nap even if baby falls back asleep in the last 10 minutes• How to stagger nap training so it feels sustainable, not overwhelming• Which nap to start with for 2-nap babies (9-12 months)• Why trimming nap 1 gives you better success with nap 2• The contingency plans when baby doesn't link sleep cycles• Why nap 3 stays fully assisted and why that's totally fineChapters:00:00 Intro: No niceties, straight to nap training02:15 Starting with nap 2 for 3-nap babies08:41 The short-long-short structure explained12:29 The thoughtfulness behind the plan16:16 Why the 3-nap age is ideal for sleep training19:59 Capping naps and protecting your schedule24:37 Where to start with 2-nap babies28:44 Why we stagger instead of all at once33:19 The Holy Grail: synchronized nap schedules🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPEDHosted by sleep consultants Sally Woods (The Sleep Concierge) and Bec Maher (The Sleep Centre), Nap Trapped helps tired parents solve baby sleep challenges with warmth, evidence, and no judgement. Every week we turn your questions into practical solutions—with a side of Aldi chocolate.Links📩 Get updates + exclusive tools:
Subscribe www.naptrappedpodcast.com
📸 Follow Sally & Bec on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thesleepconcierge/
https://www.instagram.com/_thesleepcentre/
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comRoom sharing with siblings? Resettling overnight without feeding? Tried sleep training but still stuck? This week Sally & Bec tackle your real questions from the trenches.In this episode, they walk through moving a 7-month-old in with her 4-year-old brother, how to handle that tricky 12am resettle when you're trying to push feeds later, and why your baby absolutely can learn to self-settle (even if it hasn't worked yet).What You'll Learn:• When to move baby into their own room vs straight into sibling sharing• Why resettling before midnight feels harder than bedtime (and what to do about it)• The fragile sleep cycle changeover at 12am that trips up so many parents• Whether your 8-month-old needs 2 x 90-minute naps or a short-long setup• Why pick-up-put-down stops working as babies get older• The real reasons sleep training might not have worked (yet)• Why sleep schools and gentle-only consultants sometimes leave families stuckChapters:00:00 Intro00:37 Q1: Moving 7-month-old into sibling's room or solo first?04:55 The sideways option when you have no spare room07:18 Q2: 8-month-old nap structure - two 90s or short-long?10:25 Q3: 6am family walks and 11-hour nights - add daytime sleep?12:56 When this stops working on a 2-nap schedule13:31 Q4: 5-month-old hungry boy - why overnight resets feel impossible16:11 The 12am sleep cycle transition explained18:26 Why crying feels louder at midnight19:22 When pick-up-put-down becomes too stimulating22:02 Low-grade grizzling vs escalated crying23:49 When your technique has a shelf life26:21 The accidental 4-minute resettle success story29:15 Q5: I've tried consultants and sleep school - can my baby not self-settle?30:38 Is it possible a baby can't learn this skill?31:16 When readiness for change isn't quite there33:20 Why some techniques don't work for every baby34:43 The truth about hands-on vs sleep training38:56 Why our packages work (the dance of scheduling + support)41:51 The importance of connection and why with your consultant44:36 Wrap-up🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPEDHosted by sleep consultants Sally Woods (The Sleep Concierge) and Bec Maher (The Sleep Centre), Nap Trapped helps tired parents solve baby sleep challenges with warmth, evidence, and no judgement. Every week we turn your questions into practical solutions—with a side of Aldi chocolate.Links📩 Get updates + exclusive tools: Subscribe www.naptrappedpodcast.com📸 Follow Sally & Bec on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thesleepconcierge/
https://www.instagram.com/_thesleepcentre/
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
Struggling with nap transitions? Get free bonus resources:www.naptrappedpodcast.comMade the schedule change but your baby is only taking short naps? You're not alone. Sally and Bec break down the real troubleshooting that happens after nap drops—the short cycles, the refused naps, the overtired afternoons—and give you the exact tools to fix them.In this episode, they walk through how to tackle the 2-1 transitional schedule when things don't click right away, why rescuing naps isn't a backward step, and when it's time to actually nap train.What You'll Learn:• Why nap transitions require more than just a schedule change• How to rescue and resettle naps without losing progress• The critical timing difference between a 30-minute and 35-minute first nap• When assistance is strategic vs when it's time to nap train• Why falling asleep at 10:32 means a 15-minute nap, not 30• How to handle short naps after dropping to one nap• The early rising protocol applied to mid-nap wake ups• Real talk about nap training from sleep consultants who've done it tooChapters:00:00 Intro: School holidays in Wangaratta03:36 The work behind nap transitions07:39 Short long nap structure explained08:25 When schedules need help: rescuing vs training10:11 Rescuing the afternoon nap without losing progress12:51 Schedule changes and overnight wake ups14:41 Using motion as your wingman16:24 The critical 30 vs 35 minute timing17:17 Why 2.5 hours between naps matters19:30 First nap timing troubleshooting22:09 The 15 minute rule when falling asleep late24:15 One nap drop success then short naps26:44 Real life: Sally's 5:30am early rise reset28:26 When you have to do the hard work30:58 Nap training is real (Bec did it too)31:31 The goal isn't falling back asleep right away32:34 Sleep consultants are coaches not fixers🎙 ABOUT NAP TRAPPEDHosted by sleep consultants Sally Woods (The Sleep Concierge) and Bec Maher (The Sleep Centre), Nap Trapped helps tired parents solve baby sleep challenges with warmth, evidence, and no judgement. Every week we turn your questions into practical solutions.Links📩 Subscribe for bonus content: www.naptrappedpodcast.com
📸 Follow Sally & Bec:https://www.instagram.com/thesleepconcierge/
https://www.instagram.com/_thesleepcentre/
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
Is your 6-9 month old waking up too early? Parents assume that dropping the third nap will improve their baby's sleep - but it often backfires.
In this episode, Nap Trapped sleep consultants Sally and Bec break down why holding onto the third nap is crucial for better nights. Through real case studies and expert strategies, they share how to structure naps to avoid early rising, overtiredness, and bedtime battles.
Whether you're struggling with false starts, 4 AM wake-ups, or short naps, this episode will help you adjust your baby's schedule with confidence.Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.com
⏰ JUMP TO...0:25 Welcome to Nap Trapped1:43 Why the third nap matters5:48 Case study: Sarah & Oliver's 4 AM wake-ups12:42 Signs of dropping the nap too early16:06 How to structure the perfect schedule19:07 Making the third nap work (even if it's tricky!)22:53 When to actually drop the nap25:41 Real-life success stories🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS• Why dropping to two naps too early can backfire• How to cap naps strategically to keep the third nap• Signs your baby is truly ready for two naps• Practical solutions for making the third nap happen• Why the third nap is your "insurance policy" against overtiredness🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPEDHosted by sleep consultants Sally Woods (The Sleep Concierge) and Bec Maher (The Sleep Centre), Nap Trapped helps tired parents solve baby sleep challenges with warmth, evidence, and no judgement. Every week we turn your questions into practical solutions—with a side of Aldi chocolate.Links📩 Get updates + exclusive tools: Subscribe www.naptrappedpodcast.com📸 Follow Sally & Bec on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thesleepconcierge/
https://www.instagram.com/_thesleepcentre/
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comWelcome back to Sleep Detectives!
Sally & Bec tackle your real sleep questions, from early morning wakings to feeding schedules and tricky toddler sleep challenges.This week they investigate:
What You'll Learn:
• When 5am wakings aren't actually early rising (and why that's normal)• How to troubleshoot anchored feeds with overnight wakings• The key to successful nap transitions: anchoring that first nap• Why holding wake windows is crucial even when babies show tired signs• Toddler sleep strategies that work (spoiler: stay in the cot!)• Environmental factors that disrupt early morning sleepChapters:00:00 Welcome & intro00:34 Case 1: 13-month-old early morning wakings07:06 Case 2: 3-month-old anchored feeds & overnight wakings 16:46 Case 3: 10-month-old nap transition challenges21:34 Case 4: 3-year-old twin overnight sleep issues28:38 Wrap-up & confidence boost🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPEDHosted by sleep consultants Sally Woods (The Sleep Concierge) and Bec Maher (The Sleep Centre), Nap Trapped helps tired parents solve baby sleep challenges with warmth, evidence, and no judgement. Every week we turn your questions into practical solutions—with a side of Aldi chocolate.Links📩 Get updates + exclusive tools: Subscribe www.naptrappedpodcast.com📸 Follow Sally & Bec on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thesleepconcierge/
https://www.instagram.com/_thesleepcentre/
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.com
Wondering if bridging naps are the answer to your baby's early rising or short afternoon naps? Sally & Bec break down exactly when these strategic power snoozes work—and when they backfire.
In this episode, they walk through real scenarios where bridging naps can help (hello, 5-month-old with a 30-minute second nap) and when they actually reinforce the problems you're trying to solve. Plus, their ice cream preferences that will make you question everything.
**What You'll Learn:**
- What bridging naps actually are and how they work
- When to use them for younger babies (3-6 months) vs older ones
- The 10-minute rule for strategic afternoon bridging
- Why early morning bridging naps have an age cutoff
- How to avoid getting stuck in a bridging nap cycle
- Real examples of when to skip them entirely
**Chapters:**
00:00 Ice cream chat (and lactose intolerance confessions)
07:09 What are bridging naps and when do we use them?
09:27 Real case study: 5-month-old with short second nap
11:47 The power of the boob snooze technique
13:53 Age cutoffs: when bridging naps stop working
16:37 Early morning bridging: 4:20am wake-ups
18:13 Why bridging isn't the answer for 9-month-olds
20:05 Short-term solutions that become long-term problems
21:18 When life happens: accidental bridging naps
🎙️ **ABOUT NAP TRAPPED**
Hosted by sleep consultants Sally Woods (The Sleep Concierge) and Bec Maher (The Sleep Centre), Nap Trapped helps tired parents solve baby sleep challenges with warmth, evidence, and no judgement. Every week we turn your questions into practical solutions—with a side of Ben & Jerry's Tonight Dough.
**Links**
📩 Get updates + exclusive tools: Subscribe www.naptrappedpodcast.com
📸 Follow Sally & Bec on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thesleepconcierge/
https://www.instagram.com/_thesleepcentre/
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.com
When can you start sleep training? How do you handle a 9pm flight with your toddler? What about when your sleep-trained baby suddenly refuses naps?
In this Sleep Detectives episode, Sally & Bec tackle your real questions with practical, no-nonsense answers.
From understanding the difference between sleep shaping and formal sleep training, to managing travel schedules and nap strikes—they break down exactly what to do when sleep hits a snag.
What You'll Learn:
Chapters:
00:00 Intro & coffee catch-up
01:15 When to start sleep training: the complete answer
16:41 Managing a 9pm Europe flight with a 1-year-old
21:13 Sleep-trained baby refusing naps: troubleshooting guide
27:28 Assist vs overtiredness: 10-month-old nap strategy
38:38 Wrap-up & persistence pep talk
🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPED
Hosted by sleep consultants Sally Woods (The Sleep Concierge) and Bec Maher (The Sleep Centre), Nap Trapped helps tired parents solve baby sleep challenges with warmth, evidence, and no judgement. Every week we turn your questions into practical solutions—with a side of Aldi chocolate.
Links📩
Get updates + exclusive tools:
Subscribe www.naptrappedpodcast.com
📸 Follow Sally & Bec on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thesleepconcierge/
https://www.instagram.com/_thesleepcentre/
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.com
Night three of sleep training and suddenly everything's gone pear-shaped? Before you panic or give up, Sally & Bec explain the extinction burst—that predictable wobble where babies test whether the new sleep rules are here to stay.
In this episode, they walk through why half of all families hit this speed bump around night 3-5, what it looks like (spoiler: it feels like going backwards), and exactly how to push through without undoing your progress.
What You'll Learn:
Chapters:00:00 Intro & bakery preferences chat06:59 What is an extinction burst?08:16 The "old way vs new way" confusion09:32 Why it feels like going backwards11:03 When confidence gets wobbly12:32 Starting from scratch vs pushing through14:19 Multiple extinction bursts (dropping feeds)16:17 Night 5: the extra rude surprise17:16 Is baby sick or just testing?19:27 Why sleep success isn't linear21:27 Using extinction bursts as practice24:41 What Sally & Bec would do26:54 Wrap-up & pistachio donut chat
🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPEDHosted by sleep consultants Sally Woods (The Sleep Concierge) and Bec Maher (The Sleep Centre), Nap Trapped helps tired parents solve baby sleep challenges with warmth, evidence, and no judgement. Every week we turn your questions into practical solutions—with a side of Aldi chocolate.
Links📩 Get updates + exclusive tools: Subscribe www.naptrappedpodcast.com
📸 Follow Sally & Bec on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thesleepconcierge/https://www.instagram.com/_thesleepcentre/
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
Never miss an ep bcome a Nap Trapper
Welcome to Sleep Detectives! Sally & Bec dive into your detailed questions and create mini case studies to solve real sleep challenges.
This week they tackle the messy 2-1 nap transition (spoiler: it's normal to flip-flop between schedules), standing cot acrobatics, early morning wake-ups, and when you can finally let your 12-month-old sleep in. Plus practical answers on hydration during feed drops and the perfect timing for nap training.
What You'll Learn:
Chapters:00:00 Intro & shameless review request (help!)02:15 Case study: 15-month-old struggling with 2-1 nap transition07:55 Quick fix: Hydration during feed drops09:25 Standing cot syndrome - less is more approach14:19 When can you stop waking baby at 7am?18:19 Perfect wake windows for 9-month-olds19:24 Ideal nap timing for 12-month-olds (listen to last week!)20:24 Nap training timing after night success
🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPEDHosted by sleep consultants Sally Woods (The Sleep Concierge) and Bec Maher (The Sleep Centre), Nap Trapped helps tired parents solve baby sleep challenges with warmth, evidence, and no judgement. Every week we turn your questions into practical solutions—with a side of Aldi chocolate.
Links📩 Get updates + exclusive tools: Subscribe
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comContact naps divide the sleep world—but Sally & Bec are here to settle the debate once and for all. Spoiler: they're team contact nap.In this episode, they debunk the "junk sleep" myth and explain why holding your baby for naps isn't building a rod for your back—it's actually a powerful tool for better nights. They walk through exactly how to use contact naps strategically during sleep training, when babies start showing they're ready for cot naps, and why that third nap should stay assisted as long as possible.What You'll Learn:• Why contact naps aren't "junk sleep" and actually restore your baby• How to use assisted naps strategically during sleep training• Why working on nights first makes everything easier• Signs your baby is ready to transition from contact to cot naps• The rare scenario when contact naps can plateau night progress• Why nap three should stay fully assisted until you drop itChapters:00:00 Intro: Sally & Bec's contact nap confession00:58 Debunking the "junk sleep" myth02:33 Why contact naps don't build bad habits04:45 How assisted naps protect bedtime success07:16 Why nights come first in sleep training08:44 Contact naps for transitioning co-sleeping families11:38 When babies show they're ready for cot naps14:08 Building confidence through successful nights17:48 The rare plateau scenario with too much assistance21:53 Why nap three should stay contact until you drop it24:18 Wrap-up: Permission to snuggle your baby🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPEDHosted by sleep consultants Sally Woods (The Sleep Concierge) and Bec Maher (The Sleep Centre), Nap Trapped helps tired parents solve baby sleep challenges with warmth, evidence, and no judgement. Every week we turn your questions into practical solutions—with a side of Aldi chocolate.Links📩 Get updates + exclusive tools: Subscribe www.naptrappedpodcast.com
📸 Follow Sally & Bec on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thesleepconcierge/
https://www.instagram.com/_thesleepcentre/
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.com
In this week’s Sleep Detectives, Sally & Bec tackle three big questions from parents:
1️⃣ What’s really behind the so-called 18-month regression?
2️⃣ How do you manage naps when you’ve got a baby on two naps and a toddler on one?
3️⃣ What should you do if your 5-month-old screams the second they hit the cot?
Along the way, they dig into separation anxiety vs “regression,” short–long nap timing, and why overtired and undertired can look confusingly the same.
What You’ll Learn:
• Why the 18-month stage feels like a regression (and what’s really happening)
• How to survive juggling sibling naps without losing your mind
• The key difference between protesting and “crying that does not stop” in the cot
• Practical tweaks for schedules at 11–13 months
• The role of feeds when dropping bottles alongside nap transitions
Chapters:
00:00 Intro – why Sleep Detectives is unscripted
03:37 Q1: Is the 18-month sleep regression real?
16:22 Q2: Baby on 2 naps, toddler on 1 – how do I cope?
19:49 Q3: 5-month-old cries in the cot and does not stop
23:07 Wrap-up
🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPED
Hosted by sleep consultants Sally Woods (The Sleep Concierge) and Bec Maher (The Sleep Centre), Nap Trapped helps tired parents solve baby-sleep challenges with warmth, evidence, and zero judgement. Every week we turn your questions into practical solutions—with a side of Aldi chocolate.
Links
📩 Get updates + exclusive tools: Subscribe www.naptrappedpodcast.com
📸 Follow Sally & Bec on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thesleepconcierge/
https://www.instagram.com/_thesleepcentre/
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
Exclusive Nap Trapped caps have dropped!
Is spaced feeding starving babies? Or does it actually create better sleep and calmer days? After seeing a viral TikTok about breastfeeding “on demand vs spaced,” Sally & Bec break down what’s really going on, with warmth, honesty, and a lot less smugness than the internet.
This is not about judging how you feed your baby. Whether you breastfeed, bottle feed, or combo feed, this episode explains why consolidating feeds (not dropping them) often helps babies tank up properly, nap better, and sleep longer at night.
What You’ll Learn:
• The difference between topping up vs tanking up• Why spaced feeding ≠ underfeeding• How bottle-fed babies get stuck in snack cycles (and how to fix it)• Why full feeds build appetite for solids and better naps• How spaced feeding works for breastfed babies too• The NICU truth: even the sickest babies are space fed
Chapters:00:00 Intro – Dinner vs movies & spicy margaritas06:03 The viral TikTok that ruffled our feathers07:25 The “two glasses of milk” demo explained09:22 Why the sip-sip-sip analogy is misleading12:49 Tanking up vs topping up explained15:32 Real client case: switching to 4-hourly feeds17:23 Why breastfed babies can thrive on spaced feeds20:30 How supply builds between feeds (and why that matters)22:38 Busting the myth: spaced feeding = starving24:43 Listener call-out – send us the myths you want busted25:59 Wrap-up
🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPED
Hosted by sleep consultants Sally Woods (The Sleep Concierge) and Bec Maher (The Sleep Centre), Nap Trapped helps tired parents solve baby-sleep challenges with warmth, evidence, and no judgement. Every week we turn your questions into practical solutions—with a side of Aldi chocolate.
Links
📩 Get updates + exclusive tools: Subscribe www.naptrappedpodcast.com
📸 Follow Sally & Bec on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thesleepconcierge/
https://www.instagram.com/_thesleepcentre/
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.com
Rolling babies stuck on their tummies, confusing wake windows in the 2–1 nap transition, and the never-ending question: does the 6-month regression actually exist? In this week’s Sleep Detectives, Sally & Bec answer your real questions—straight from Instagram, Spotify comments, and inbox DMs.
What You’ll Learn:
• What to do when your 6-month-old rolls onto their tummy and cries
• Why the “short–long” nap structure makes sense at 12–15 months
• Avent bottles: classic vs anti-colic—do the options matter?
• How to shift a snacker onto 4-hourly feeds (without endless crying)
• Dressing for 20–21°C nights: TOG ratings explained
• Why Sally & Bec don’t buy into a true “6-month regression”
• Why 6 months is actually the perfect age for gentle sleep work
Chapters:
00:00 Intro – Sleep Detectives in the house!
00:59 Q1: 6-month-old rolls to tummy at night—help or leave?
05:32 Q2: Transitional schedule wake windows (2–1 nap)
13:07 Q3: Avent bottles – anti-colic vs natural/classic
14:56 Q4: Transitioning a snacker to 4-hourly feeds
20:11 Q5: Dressing baby for 20–21°C nights (TOG guide)
27:04 Q6: Do we believe in the “6-month regression”?
31:34 Why 6 months is the sweet spot for sleep work
32:25 Wrap-up + future Nap Trapped package idea
🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPED
Hosted by sleep consultants Sally Woods (The Sleep Concierge) and Bec Maher (The Sleep Centre), Nap Trapped helps tired parents solve baby sleep challenges with warmth, evidence, and no judgement. Every week we turn your questions into practical solutions—with a side of Aldi chocolate.
Links
📩 Get updates + exclusive tools: Subscribe www.naptrappedpodcast.com
📸 Follow Sally & Bec on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thesleepconcierge/
https://www.instagram.com/_thesleepcentre/
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.com
Your baby skips a feed they “always” woke for—what now? Do you feed them earlier the next night, or hold the boundary and resettle? In this episode, Sally & Bec unpack a listener’s real-life case of a 7-month-old who suddenly dropped their 10pm feed, and explain the golden rules for weaning night feeds without backsliding into more wakings.
What You’ll Learn:
• Why anchoring day feeds sets the stage for night weaning
• The two golden rules: don’t bring back dropped feeds + always protect the 7am feed
• How to handle “false starts” (waking at 12:20 after managing 1am the night before)
• The role of trial and error with feed volumes at 5am
• Why many babies organically stretch nights once calories are locked into the day
• The Tim Tam analogy for night wakes (you’ll never forget it!)
Chapters:
00:00 Intro – Listener question via voice memo
01:42 The case: 7-month-old skipping 10pm feed, now waking at 1am
02:55 The power of anchoring four-hourly day feeds
04:46 What to do at 1am vs 5am feeds
06:09 The golden rule: protect the 7am feed
07:33 Once a feed is dropped, don’t bring it back
09:27 Why feeds must be tanked-up to make resettling work
11:20 Handling “false starts” – 12:20 wakes vs 1am benchmark
14:27 The Tim Tam analogy (babies will always take it!)
16:17 Two rules to follow for night weaning success
17:32 Listener shout-out + wrap-up
🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPED
Hosted by sleep consultants Sally Woods (The Sleep Concierge) and Bec Maher (The Sleep Centre), Nap Trapped helps tired parents solve baby-sleep challenges with warmth, evidence, and zero judgement. Every week we turn your questions into practical solutions—with a side of Aldi chocolate.
Links
📩 Get updates + exclusive tools: Subscribe www.naptrappedpodcast.com
📸 Follow Sally & Bec on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thesleepconcierge/
https://www.instagram.com/_thesleepcentre/
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts