This "extinction burst" expression sounds like a scary word when it comes to sleep training but let me explain to you exactly what it is and how it could actually be a sign of sleep progress!  
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Extinction burst - A term used in the behavioural sense that describes an “undesirable” behaviour worsening before it improves. Many of us are not familiar with this term even though we may actually see it in our children especially toddlers and often. 

This blog I explain exactly what it is, an example and when you may see child is experiencing one.

Have you heard that phase “don’t wake the sleeping baby”? Well I am here to tell you ignore that phase! Of course there are conditions, but what are they and why am I telling you to wake your baby from a nap?
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Well in this blog today I am going to explain exactly why and when you need to wake your baby. 

Meet Ralph! Ralph is 3 and half! He was a great 11 hour sleeper when he was a baby right up just before his 3rd birthday. 

Then, a little holiday away everything changed. Ralph liked to have a story read to him to fall asleep, he then wanted to sleep with Mummy and Daddy. On return home after a week away bedtimes became harder, he started refusing to put pyjamas on and taking up to an hour to fall asleep. He always found an excuse not to sleep, teddy fell out of bed, and his covers fell off, another story and then another then another then another! 

Ralph was full of questions as well! He liked to know things especially if he was going to nursery the next day and who will be there! His parents tried to leave the room but it never happened easily or without a battle. 

​Then Ralph started to wake in the night and not go back to his bed unless Mummy or Daddy came with him. ​4.30am became a favourite for Ralph to start the day!

Does the thought of having a routine frighten you or calm you? Are you a go with the flow family following baby’s cues 100% of the time or strict follow the clock family? I am definitely the latter, always have been… I firmly believe routine is KING! Why? Babies thrive off a routine.

Now my children are older (4 and 6 years) we can be much more flexible with meals and bedtimes.

But what difference does it really make not having a routine in place?
​I am going to explain this in today's blog post. Keep reading…you may be surprised what you find out….

So your baby was a great sleeper until they reached 4 months. “She slept so well and then those 5 hour stretches went to hourly and now I don’t know what to do, even the naps in the day time seems to have gone to pot…”

These are the words I hear often when a family get in touch with me and please know you are not alone. What is happening here is actually a wonderful thing, even though it is ever so exhausting...
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It is a sign that your baby has reached a milestone and is developing and that is surely a positive thing!