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. McCall 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. Inside this game-changing episode: McCall shares her personal experiences with her 'livewire' child and discusses the importance of understanding different temperaments in your babies and children.  the signs of “high sensitivity”, the challenges of sleep for these children, and the limitations of traditional sleep training methods  the need for tailored approaches to parenting that consider a child's unique temperament and sensory processing needs. The realities of sleep training for babies and children, and what the research really says about it practical strategies for parents, including establishing consistent bedtime routines and recognizing the signs of overtiredness.  encouragement to exhausted parents, highlighting the non-intuitive nature of parenting and the need for self-compassion.  Macall has a B.S. in Human Biology from Stanford University and an M.A. in Applied Psychology from Antioch University, Seattle. She has conducted and presented research worldwide on sleep training advice, parenting, and the effect of temperament on sleep. She is also a certified Gentle Sleep Coach in private practice as well as with the women’s telehealth platform, Maven Clinic and has just published a book on sleep and temperament called "Why Won't You Sleep?! A Game-changing Approach for Exhausted Parents of Nonstop, Super Alert, Big Feeling Kids." She comes to this work because she had two of these children, and didn’t sleep for 18 years. Mentioned in this episode: Rachael's free sleep guides Rachael's next TEMPERAMENT + SLEEEP WORKSHOP is Jan 30! Sign up here http://www.littlelivewires.com  http://www.whywontyousleep.com Take the Temperament Quiz Macall’s new book on Amazon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Om Podcasten

No One Told Us the truth about parenthood. WHY?! Welcome to No One Told Us, the podcast where we uncover the raw, unfiltered truths about parenthood. I'm your host, Rachael Shepard-Ohta, mom of three and founder of Hey, Sleepy Baby. Each week, join me as we dive deep into the joys, challenges, and surprises of raising children with a mix of expert insights, personal anecdotes, and candid conversations. From navigating postpartum anxiety to mastering the art of making mom friends, and from introducing solids to tackling tantrums, we cover it all. Whether you're a first-time parent or a seasoned pro, this podcast is your go-to resource for honest advice, relatable stories, and plenty of laughs along the way. Join me as I sit down with experts in their fields, as well as friends, family, celebrities, and influencers, to share their experiences and wisdom on everything from sleepless nights to rocky relationships. No topic is off-limits, and no story goes untold on No One Told Us. So grab a cup of coffee, pop in your headphones and join the conversation. This is the podcast everyone needed before they had kids- because now that those little ones are here, there's a lot to unpack. So let's pull back the curtain on becoming a first-time mom (or dad!) to share the good, the bad and the ugly. A little education, a little fun, and a whole lot of heart goes into each and every episode of No One Told Us to have you feeling less alone and way more empowered.