94: Sleep Science Today with Andrew Colsky and guest Allison Egidi94: Sleep Science Today with Andrew Colsky and guest Allison Egidi
UK Health Radio Podcast
Sleep coach Allison Egidi talks with host Andrew Kolsky about infant, toddler and school-age sleep, questioning popular wake-window charts and championing consistent routines and early bedtimes. The conversation focuses on practical strategies for reducing bedtime battles and supporting children’s emotional health and learning through better sleep.
43:43•7 Jul 2026
Cracking Your Child’s Sleep Puzzle with Coach Allison Egidi
Episode Overview
- Paediatricians often receive very little formal training in sleep, so behavioural sleep issues may be better addressed by specialised sleep professionals.
- Wake windows are not evidence-based and can keep sensitive children in a constant state of inconsistency; consistent nap and bedtime start times often work better.
- Some children need very early bedtimes to reset their circadian rhythm and recover from chronic sleep debt, even if this feels counterintuitive for parents.
- Clear, pre-agreed “sleep rules” and routines help reduce toddler bedtime battles and give children a sense of safety and predictability.
- Insufficient sleep in school-age children is linked to problems with emotional regulation, impulse control and learning retention, affecting behaviour and grades.
“Children thrive with structure and routine and what really can help children feel safe is knowing they can count on you and trust you to do what you say you're going to do.”
What secrets to maintaining sobriety can be uncovered without first fixing your sleep – or your kids’ sleep? This chat on UK Health Radio’s *Sleep Science Today* zooms in on paediatric sleep with coach Allison Egidi, and it’s a lifeline for any exhausted parent. Hosted by sleep specialist Andrew Kolsky, the conversation starts with Allison’s own crash course in baby sleep: a Type A ex–investment banker whose first child simply wouldn’t sleep, no matter how many popular books she followed.
After two years of misery, a sleep consultant solved what paediatricians couldn’t, which led Allison to train as a coach herself. You’ll hear why “wake windows” aren’t evidence-based, why some kids have an easy “25-piece chunky sleep puzzle” while others feel like a 1,000-piece nightmare, and how ultra-early bedtimes can be the surprising fix for chronic early rising. Her daughter thrived once she was in bed as early as 6pm, even though Allison dreaded losing that evening time together.
The episode also tackles toddler bedtime resistance and those classic stall tactics: “one more book, one more hug, one more drink of water.” Allison shows parents how to set clear “sleep rules”, prepare kids in advance and stick to the plan without turning sleep into a punishment.
As she puts it, “children thrive with structure and routine and what really can help children feel safe is knowing they can count on you and trust you to do what you say you're going to do.” For parents of school-age children, Allison links lack of sleep to emotional meltdowns, impulse control issues and learning struggles, sharing how changing sleep alone shifted her own child’s grades.
If you’re tired of chaotic bedtimes and worried about the knock-on effects on mental health, this episode offers practical, research-minded ideas you can try straight away. Which piece of your child’s “sleep puzzle” are you ready to adjust first?
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