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Videos
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Good news about sleep for babies under 6-months
You may be surprised to hear that there is no research on the need to start before six months on sleep training. This video gives you some good news about working with younger babies.
How self-soothing really develops
Self-soothing is not a skill that appears at birth. It is directly tied to the development of the brain and nervous system and is heavily reliant on parents' help with input that goes beyond what a baby can handle. It's not "sink or swim." It's more like how we teach kids to ride a bike. Watch for more info...
Podcasts
No one told us (Hey, Sleepy Baby)
Episode 71: Temperament, “Livewire” Children, and Sleep Challenges with Macall Gordon
In this episode, Rachael is joined by an expert to discuss one of her favorite topics- temperament and sleep. Macall Gordon is a sleep researcher and author, and today she and Rachael delve into the complexities of a little-known but hugely important factor when it comes to sleep, parenting, and more: Temperament. Specifically, Rachael and Macall discuss what Macall refers to as “Livewire” children- those who are more sensitive, more reactive, and in need of different supports particularly when it comes to sleep
Episode 412: "Kim West and Macall Gordon on Navigating Sleep Struggles in Young Children"
When my child was little, one of the most common sleep training methods was the “cry it out” approach. We tried it briefly, and it felt absolutely terrible for all of us. I know many parents can relate to the desperation and overwhelm that come when a child just isn’t sleeping. I wish I’d known back then about sleep coaches Macall Gordon and Kim West, also known as The Sleep Lady, who have developed a gentler, effective approach to changing sleep patterns. Their method, based on years of research and experience with thousands of families, is especially suited for children who are more alert, intense, and persistent than their peers—and who put up a bigger fight at bedtime.
In their new book, Why Won’t You Sleep?! A Game-Changing Approach for Nonstop, Super-Alert, Big-Feeling Kids, Kim and Macall present a fresh take on sleep training rooted in understanding a child’s unique temperament. In our conversation, we cover common sleep struggles, misconceptions about sleep training, and why a gradual approach is empowering for both parents and children. They also share tips on setting limits for early risers and managing transitions to encourage peaceful nights. If you’re the parent of a child who struggles to fall or stay asleep, I hope you find comfort and practical tips in this episode that lead to more restful nights.
Episode 287: "Sleep hacks for differently wired kids"
In this episode, Macall talks about the unique sensitivities differently wired children have that frequently result in sleep challenges, how she supports families struggling with sleep issues by helping them to introduce a sustainable night routine, and strategies for helping our kids establish better sleep habits. I also asked Macall to share her opinion on co-sleeping and melatonin, which I know so many of us have used with our children, as well as how we can get back on track with a healthy nighttime routine, especially if we’ve done somewhat I refer to as “accidental parenting” and established sleep routines that aren’t going to work in the long run.
Episode 152: "Everything you ever wanted to know about sleep training (research)"
(This episode is listed in the site's "Constructing a solid foundation" series")
In this episode, we talk about the research on popular sleep training methods to see how well they map to both real-world parenting, as well as to those kids who fall outside of the middle of the temperament bell curve. Macall has spent 20 years reviewing the research on common sleep training advice and discusses what we do (and don't) know.
Mindful mama (with Hunter Clarke-Fields)
Episode 573: Why Won't You Sleep?! with Macall Gordon
Do you have a kid who doesn’t want to sleep? This is for you. Hunter talks to Macall Gordon about the challenges of sleep coaching for children, particularly those who are highly sensitive or 'live wires.' They explore the importance of an evidence-based approach to sleep training, emphasizing the need for a middle path that avoids extremes like 'cry it out' methods. They talk about the unique needs of sensitive children, effective strategies for sleep coaching, and the significance of establishing a consistent bedtime routine. Learn about the huge effect of temperament and find out practical tips to help your children develop healthy sleep habits.
Episode 169: Sleep Strategies for Highly Sensitive Intense Kids
Sleep expert Macall Gordon shares why "livewires"—sensitive, intense kids—struggle with sleep & how to help without typical sleep training.
If you have a child who seems to fight sleep with every ounce of their being . . . you’re not alone. While some kids easily drift off, others — especially those who are highly sensitive, alert, and intense — struggle with winding down, leaving parents exhausted and desperate for solutions. In this episode of Chick Chat, I sit down with sleep expert Macall Gordon to discuss why traditional sleep advice often fails these “livewire” children and what parents can do instead. With years of research in infant mental health and temperament-based sleep strategies, Macall shares science-backed insights to help parents navigate bedtime battles with compassion, patience, and a plan that actually works.
THE PREGNANCY TO PARENTING SHOW
(with Elizabeth Joy Presta)
Episode 225: "Baby temperament and sleep with Macall Gordon"
In this episode, we talk about an early alert temperament and how it can affect sleep...and everything else.
Episode 216: "Does Your Child Refuse to Sleep? You might have a 'Livewire' kid with Macall Gordon"
Does Your Child Refuse to Sleep? Macall Gordon, author and certified Gentle Sleep Coach, joins me to share research-based sleep advice and discuss how children's temperaments can affect their sleep patterns.
Episode 103: "Sleep training without shame: Industry myths, research and the need to consider temperament"
Together we shed light on common myths and misconceptions about sleep habits and sleep training, including cry-it-out, and how to find what will work for YOU and YOUR child.
In this episode, we covered...
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The temperament of Livewires and why nothing you've done has worked for them
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Individualism, Self-reliance, and Consumerism: How American culture affects the sleep industry
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Flaws in the way sleep research is established and shared, helping you become an informed, educated consumer and parent.
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the gentle parenting show (with Kim West)
"Sleep training advice based on your child's temperament"
Kim and Macall sat down to discuss sleep training based on a child’s temperament. They speak specifically about alert, high-wired and high-energy children, and how common sleep training advice can be adapted based on this type of child.
the gentle parenting show (with Kim West)
"How to interpret sleep training research and find what works for you"
Kim and Macall sat down to discuss Macall’s critical literature review on the use of extinction in infants under a year, and large parent surveys on experiences with sleep advice, the “upsides” of “difficult” temperament, and the impact of temperament on parents’ experiences with sleep and sleep training.
