Sleep Tips: The importance of early bedtimes

Irene Gouge, owner of Loving Lessons Pediatric Sleep Consulting, says keeping kids up too late and letting them skip naps doesn't mean they'll sleep well at night.

Posted 12:50 a.m. Sep 19, 2012 — Updated 12:50 a.m. Sep 19, 2012

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

I introduced Irene Gouge, owner of Loving Lessons Pediatric Sleep Consulting, earlier this week.

The mom of two in Holly Springs helps other families across the Triangle get their kids to sleep. She works with kids ages six months to six years. Read my earlier post for much more information about Gouge.

Gouge will be offering some sleep tips here each Wednesday over the next few weeks. Today, she talks about a big mistake many parents make: Keeping kids up too late or letting them skip naps with the hopes that it will mean they'll go right to sleep at night.

"That will actually backfire on you," Gouge tells me. "You want to look for that just right bedtime."

Gouge offers more tips and suggestions my video interview with her, including when that "just right bedtime" and nap time is for most kids. For more information, watch the video.

Go to Gouge's website for more about Loving Lessons, including a Webinar that she is offering. And check back next Wednesday for another tip.

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