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Biological Sleep + Reclaiming Parenthood without Fear (plus EC!): An interview with Taylor Kulik

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Sleep – we all know we need it, but how to get it with a baby or toddler? Should you “sleep train”? What if it doesn't feel right? Who do you turn to for advice?

Today I chat with Taylor Kulik, holistic sleep specialist, who unpacks how reclaiming our intuition around biological sleep yields improved wellness (and sleep!) for babies and their parents.

If you've been looking for help with baby sleep, you don't want to miss today's podcast!

You will hear:

  • why conventional sleep expectations fall short
  • how babies are really meant to sleep
  • troubleshooting the root cause of sleep troubles
  • connection between sleep and breastfeeding (and EC!)
  • the freedom and empowerment of the holistic approach
  • holistic sleep: a solution for postpartum anxiety?
  • Taylor's biggest tip for sleep

Links and other resources mentioned today:

Download the Transcript

If you can't listen to this episode right now (um, sleeping baby!?)...download and read the transcript here:

Transcript download: Biological Sleep + Reclaiming Parenthood without Fear (plus EC!) An interview with Taylor Kulik

Watch the Video Version (new!)

If you want to watch me record today’s podcast episode, you can do that on my youtube version right here:

Thanks for Listening!

To help out the show and help more parents find out about EC:

  • Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.
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  • Share your thoughts by leaving a note in the comments section below!

How do you and your babe get sleep? Have you heard of biological sleep or tried a sleep training approach?
Please leave a comment below and tell me what your searched words were in Google or Youtube!

I look forward to discussing with you in the comments, below!

xx Andrea

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Andrea Olson

About Andrea Olson

I'm Andrea and I spend most of my time with my 6 children (all under 12 yo) and the rest of my time teaching other new parents how to do Elimination Communication with their 0-18 month babies. I love what I do and try to make a difference in one baby or parent's life every single day. (And I love, love, love, mango gelato.)

12 Comments

  1. Avatar Fatima on December 1, 2021 at 1:16 pm

    Dear I m really happy to know about ur sincere intentions towards parents.i have a problem.my 3 nd half year child is still not trained for potty.i tried but I failed.i m a working last nd it’s very difficult for me to manage.please help me

    • Andrea Olson Andrea Olson on December 3, 2021 at 8:16 pm

      Hey there, sorry you are struggling with the potty training. It is a little harder when they are older because they have their own opinions.

      At this age it is best to involve them as much as possible in the process. Pick a day together to get rid of the diapers. Let them help you leave the diapers out for the diaper fairy or toss them in the trash. You can have them help you pick out panties for themselves or do anything that helps get them involved in the process. And since kids are so good at reading us, make sure when you say no more diapers, you really mean it.

  2. Avatar CZ on December 2, 2021 at 1:18 am

    I honestly had never heard of Biological Sleep before this podcast, but had heard about sleep training and knew I didn’t want to do that. My sleep concern before giving birth was, how could I do Safe Sleep while still having my baby close to me for breastfeeding and comforting? I managed to get an approved co-sleeper, but baby girl was still crying every 2hrs to 2mins, seemingly wanting to feed. Eventually through the sleepless nights I realized, she didn’t always want to nurse, she just wanted to be touching me in order to rest. So I made the decision to co-sleep without the co=sleeper…..next thing I knew, both of us were sleeping for longer through the night. Now at nine weeks she’s pretty much sleeping through the night and we both wake up ready for the day, which has made EC more feasible because I’m no longer too tired to get up when she’s signaling that she needs to potty or has clearly/audibly pooped up her diaper. Like Taylor with her son, even when I hardly got any sleep, I didn’t get depressed because I anticipated sleepless nights since I had an infant. I guess I’ve been really picky about what childrearing advice I take, and tended to follow more holistic suggestions, so I never worried that I was ruining my child by not getting them to sleep alone. I guess I’ve been lucky to encounter teachers like you, Andrea, early on, such that I didn’t doubt my intuition really. Thanks so much! I’ve definitely been spreading the word about you!

    • Andrea Olson Andrea Olson on December 3, 2021 at 8:17 pm

      Thanks 🥰

  3. Avatar Barbara on December 3, 2021 at 12:30 pm

    Thanks for all the EC information. I’ll have to research Taylor’s resources, too. I imagine the ideal sequence being something like “breastfeed – sleep – bf – pee – bf – sleep” (repeat). And I appreciate freeing moms from unrealistic expectations for their children’s sleep – I stopped worrying about my then 12 month old still breastfeeding 2-3 times every night when I learned that it’s not biologically necessary for anybody to sleep a certain number of hours in a row. If the chunks add up to an adequate amount of sleep per day, that’s totally ok. The only thing I’m not willing to give in to is bed-sharing, because babies may be created to search for closeness even at night, but they weren’t created to sleep on soft mattresses with suffocating pillows and comforters around them (which causes too many moms to wake up next to a dead baby) – if all is to be as natural as possible, we should also sleep on a mat on the floor with nothing else around us but the baby.

    • Andrea Olson Andrea Olson on December 3, 2021 at 8:26 pm

      Glad you enjoyed all the EC information!

      The research is now suggesting that SIDS is often found in babies that are in a crib in their own room. Even the pediatric academy is now recommending babies room share until age of one! Bed sharing is safe, if done correctly. The most important thing is doing what works best for you and your family.

  4. Avatar Aubri G on December 3, 2021 at 1:17 pm

    I am SOOOO thrilled to see you two join together in this podcast!! I’ve been following you both since before my baby was born (thanks to a free online baby conference you both were in) and have so much to say about the merging of sleep-breastfeeding-hygiene connection. I’m a first time mom( in the middle of the pandemic), and initially really struggled with the idea that I was “missing out” on all the baby classes and wondering how I would know what to do with my baby if I didn’t take the class!? This has been a huge blessing in disguise as I was forced to really lean into my intuition—unobstructed by what was taught in a standard class or what my pediatrician recommended— and parent as I was intended to. I have always appreciated listening/reading both Of your messages that really helped build my confidence in my momma gut. I am really grateful for the supportive communities I have found through you both during this super isolating time.
    I’ve been practicing EC from 3 months old with my daughter (who is now 16 months old) and *almost fully out of diapers. We are working on nighttime EC which has been super intimidating to me because we have struggled with sleep for as long as I can remember. But with both of your help I think I’m in the best place to navigate this next step.
    All I can say is-if you two ever meet up for a dinner and conversation, can I please be invited?!?! So much thanks to you both for doing what you do.

    • Avatar CZ on December 3, 2021 at 1:28 pm

      Go Aubri! I can totally relate, having given birth about 2 months ago—teachers like Andrea & Taylor are who’s gotten me through! Can’t wait to hear how EC and Andrea help Taylor bond with her son as he moves into potty independence! :)

      • Andrea Olson Andrea Olson on December 3, 2021 at 8:28 pm

        🙌🙌🙌

    • Andrea Olson Andrea Olson on December 3, 2021 at 8:27 pm

      Thanks for all the kind words and support! I am glad that you are listening and feeling supported to continue to listen to your gut instincts. ❤️

  5. Avatar Jessi Wermager on January 6, 2022 at 3:24 pm

    I wish that more people would speak to older aged babies and toddlers , like 12+ months who struggle with falling asleep, staying asleep. I feel like sleep experts and coaches don’t ever touch on that. And us mama’s with older babies are super desperate lol

    • Andrea Olson Andrea Olson on January 31, 2022 at 3:31 am

      Yes, it is sad they don’t focus enough on the older babies. As kiddos get older, it’s all about routine! Also, leaving enough time for the transition to bed is very helpful, so you are not stressed if it takes longer than expected.

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