Ditch the Dummy? Settle Flailing Arms? Your Questions, Solved - Q&A

Ditch the Dummy? Settle Flailing Arms? Your Questions, Solved - Q&A

Author: Sally Woods and Bec Maher July 17, 2025 Duration: 26:47

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In this week’s Sleep Detectives, Sally and Bec go deep on real listener questions — from ditching the dummy to stretching feeds and starting newborn routines. This is the episode to queue up when you need practical advice from two seasoned sleep consultants who’ve seen it all (flailing arms, 5:30am wakeups, and yes, the dummy battle).

They don’t just give tips — they break down why it happens, what’s normal, and how to get through the trickiest transitions with less stress (and fewer tears).


🎧 What You’ll Learn

  • What to do when your baby flails their arms after unswaddling

  • The right way to ditch the dummy (and when to keep it)

  • Why 5:30am dummy wakeups aren’t always “bad”

  • How to know if it’s time to drop a night feed

  • When to start a routine with a newborn (8 weeks)

  • How to stretch a baby from 3-hour to 4-hour feeds (without meltdowns)


⏱ Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Sleep Detectives
00:30 Should I hold baby’s arms down to settle?
02:40 Tips for dummy weaning (without wrecking naps)
08:30 Is a 5:30am dummy resettle normal?
10:45 When to drop night feeds at 4 months
13:50 Can you start a routine at 8 weeks?
20:30 How to stretch baby’s feeds to 4-hourly

🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPED
Nap Trapped brings together baby sleep experts Sally Woods (The Sleep Concierge) and Bec Maher (The Sleep Centre) to answer the real sleep questions you’re too tired to Google. Practical, evidence-based, and always judgement-free.

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📸 Follow Sally & Bec

  • Sally on Instagram

    Bec on Instagram


  • 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts


  • Ever found yourself stuck on the couch, scrolling in the quiet, while your little one finally sleeps? You're not alone, and that's exactly where Nap Trapped finds its groove. Hosted by Australian sleep consultants Sally Woods of The Sleep Concierge and Bec Maher from The Sleep Centre, this podcast meets you in that exhausted, sometimes isolating space. It’s a direct conversation between two experts who are also mums, blending solid, evidence-based strategies with the real-world chaos of family life. They break down the 'why' behind restless nights and short naps, moving beyond rigid rules to offer adaptable, practical solutions that actually fit your day. The tone is all solidarity and zero judgment, recognising that every family's sleep journey is different. You'll hear honest stories, debunk common myths, and get actionable advice that aims to bring more rest to your household, not just your baby. Tune into Nap Trapped for a genuinely helpful mix of professional insight and relatable commiseration, all delivered with a warm, Aussie sensibility. It's the kind of podcast you listen to while you're, well, nap trapped, and finish feeling equipped and understood.
    Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 82

    Nap Trapped
    Podcast Episodes
    Sleep Detective Q&A: Early Rising, 40-Min Naps & Night Feed Timing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

    Duration: 34:40
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    Want our FREE Pre-Sleep Training Checklist?For show subscribers hereThe two-year sleep regression is brutal — but dropping the nap isn’t the fix. In this episode, Sally and Bec break down exactly why this tricky stage ha…
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    Duration: 32:50
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    Are We “Gentle”? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

    Duration: 15:56
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    Fast Five (Q&A): Night Feeds, Dummy Drama & When to Sleep Train [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

    Duration: 16:32
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