Even if your child is an independent sleeper with predictable nap and bedtime schedules, settles into sleep and loves their crib (Yes that is absolutely a thing) there will be times where you may/will notice some disruptions to their sleep. It is inevitable that there will be some bumps in the road.
I have identified 3 of the most common disruptors for you, to be aware of and to feel ready to tackle them.
Developmental Milestones
Developmental surges will disrupt your little ones sleep, especially in the first year. At the 4 month mark they begin to roll onto their side or tummy and often get stuck and don’t quite know how to get back onto their backs. They are not there yet and learning to roll the other way takes some practice.
In the meantime, if your little one can only roll one way – onto their bellies, then it is important that you gently place them on their backs again. Once you shift them onto their backs again, just place your hand on the baby with some gentle pressure for a minute or 2 and then move away and let them sleep. Keep your intervention low key so as not to wake the baby up during the shift.
Other developmental milestones include sitting up or standing up in the crib. With any of these milestones, the key really is to help them “practice” getting out of these positions so that they don’t get stuck in their crib.
For example, if your little one is only rolling onto the belly, lay them on a towel or blanket and roll up the opposite end and gently lift the blanket and encourage the baby to roll the opposite way. The more they get used to rolling the other direction, they will be able to naturally do it on their own over time.
With sitting or standing you can coax the baby down by patting the floor or with a toy so they know how to get back down.
The more practice little ones get with these physical milestones during the day, the more opportunity they have to master the skill and the more confidence you will have to leave them be and not rush in every time you see them standing in the crib.
Language acquisition and babbling in the crib is also a common milestone that may disrupt sleep.
All of these skills take energy. Babies ultimately need the sleep and want to sleep, however these milestones may disrupt sleep for a couple of weeks. The important thing is that you do not start creating new habits in order to help the baby, such as start feeding, picking up as these will disrupt sleep more.
My advice is to ride it out, get the practice in during the day and be patient. This will pass.
Sickness
When our kiddos are sick, and running fevers, it is very hard to watch and parents tend to intervene more at night or with naps. I am a mom too and I totally get it. The thing to remember and keep in mind is that your little one actually needs the rest and sleep to be able to recuperate. However it is tough for them if they are stuffy or coughing.
Be mindful of your intervention if the baby is up. If you typically wait before responding to your little one, forego the wait time and go straight to baby. Go in, wipe their nose, check temperature, give medicine if needed, cuddle and then place them back into their crib to continue their sleep.
The key when a baby is unwell is to avoid starting and creating new habits which can undo all the hard work and effort you have put into sleep. So don’t start feeding or taking the baby into your bed.
If you are concerned it is better to go camp out in your little one’s room for a couple of nights so that you can keep an eye on them whilst they are in the crib. Try not to do this for more than 3 days as that’s the time it can take for a new habit to form. It then becomes doubly hard to break the habit.
Keep your interventions low key and quiet, keep the room dim and once baby is better, get back on track with doing your routine and placing baby into their crib and leaving the room. It may take a couple of nights to adjust, but they will.
Traveling
It’s always exciting to plan vacations with the family. Often we get carried away and schedule so many activities for one day we forget that our little ones may not be able to handle moving from one activity to another all day long. Children often get overtired with the over scheduling and the jet lag catches up with them.
The more overtired your little one becomes, the harder they will scream, cry and protest when trying to settle into sleep. Typically when this happens whilst on vacation we can quickly slip back into past habits, just to get sleep for everyone and try to enjoy the vacation.
My biggest tip to families who are traveling is DO NOT over schedule your days. Plan for a couple of activities for the day to allow some down time between activities.
Pre-planning is always helpful with little ones. I always advise parents that if they cannot do one crib nap at the hotel, then at least plan the day so that your little one is either in their stroller or in the car around their usual nap time. This will not be the same quality sleep they would get in the crib, however it will give them the opportunity to at least get some sleep.
We have a tendency to keep our kiddos strapped in a stroller, in the car seat or a high chair at restaurants when on vacation. Do ensure that your little one gets the chance to move around during the day. This will help them exert some energy and this will help them actually be ready for sleep.
I encourage you to create a separate sleep space for your little one so that their sleep is not disturbed. Take a white noise machine, some tape and black garbage bags to ensure the room is dark enough. Be prepared and set up the environment before the first sleep.
Keep in mind that even us adults can take a day or two to adjust to sleeping in a new environment. Give your baby some grace and allow them the space to get used to the new environment and use their sleep skills.
Most of all, have FUN when you are away.
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]]>The post Making the Transition to One Nap appeared first on Sleep Rest and Play.
]]>Dropping from two naps to one, is one of them.
Every child is different and has different sleep needs.
Typically this transition can occur anywhere between 12 months to 16 months.
Here are some pointers to help you decide whether it is time for your little one and how to do it if/when the time arises.
What are the signs?
- Is your little one starting to take one long nap and one short nap?
- Are they taking a longer time to fall asleep before taking a nap or refusing a second nap?
- Do they seem to have more stamina between naps?
- Has this been going on for more than two weeks?
I do have to say this middle of the day nap is awesome once the transition has happened as you get a whole chunk of time to get things done, getting nothing done, put your feet up, take a legitimate nap yourself, read a book, do whatever your heart desires!
This also means that your little one will have more stamina to stay awake for longer stretches and you don’t have to worry about getting them into their crib for two naps.
The key is not to jump to one nap prematurely. Is your little one going through any developmental milestones which could be impacting sleep? Are they learning to walk, babbling more? These milestones can disrupt sleep for about 2 weeks, so if you see these changes, wait before you adjust the schedule. Let your little one ride it out with the two naps. If things do not improve you may need to make the switch.
Once you make the decision to drop to one nap, it is important you stick with it. Napping your little one twice one day and then once another two days will mess with their natural body clock.
So the big question – How do you adjust from two naps to one?
- Delay the first nap of the day by 30 minutes every three days. For example, if nap number one is usually at 9.30, shift to 10 for three days, then 10.30 for three days, then 11 and so on until you get to 12 P.M.
- Your little one will seem tired and fatigued at the usual nap time. Give them some fruit or a snack with natural sugars to perk them up.
- Get some fresh air and natural daylight exposure during their awake time.
- Avoid being in the car or taking them for a stroller ride at the time of their nap as they will more than likely fall asleep.
- If your infant is getting a little tired in the afternoon and the gap between the wake up from nap and bedtime is too long a stretch, then take them for a quick 30 minute car ride or stroller ride total the edge off before bedtime.
- Be prepared to shift bedtime earlier to ensure you get your baby to bed before they become overtired.
- The biggest thing is to give it time. It can take 4 -6 weeks for the body to adjust to the shift from two naps to one. Be patient and be consistent.
If you need further support, book a 15 minute call to discuss what’s going on and how I can help you. https://sleeprestandplay.youcanbook.me/
Sleep Well
Seema
The post Making the Transition to One Nap appeared first on Sleep Rest and Play.
]]>Did you know that I work with children up to 8 Years old?
I actually love working with this age group for a number of reasons. One of them is
hearing about the pride children feel when they are able to do the one thing that seems
to come so easily to their friends and peers, being able to go to sleep and stay asleep
until morning.
With the world the way it is today, I understand that our children are on screens a whole
lot more than usual. Whether it is virtual schooling or playing games online to stay in
touch with friends.
There may also be a lot more noticeable anxiety come bedtime as children have gotten
so used to seeing their parents and being with them this past year. Anxiety can also
increase when children want to go to sleep but can’t.
Here are some tips I want to share with you to help you tackle sleep more easily with
your older child.
Talk to them about the importance of sleep: Taking some time out to talk about the
benefits of sleep with your child and how it can give you more energy, helps you be in a
good mood, concentrate at school, is helpful. Also talking about how not getting sleep
can affect your day, make you have less energy, feel tired, not want to play outside, etc.
is also helpful. This will allow your child to see that getting to bed on time and sleeping
through till morning is actually helping them. Once you identify why they may be feeling
groggy or less energetic they will be able to relate that back to a lack of sleep and the
negative consequence of not getting the rest they need.
Screen Time: Monitor what your children are doing/watching online. Put limits on
Screen time. You can set a timer on their device. Keep screens outside of the bedroom.
If their desk is in their room and they are attending school online, after school move to a
different room. Turn all screens off 1hour 30 minutes before sleep. Do not charge devices in
their bedroom.
Get Moving: Getting physical activity is key in getting a good night’s sleep. Children
exert energy, get a chance to shake the sillies out, and allows them to build up sleep
pressure and actually be ready for sleep come bedtime.
Set the scene: An hour before bedtime start to dim lighting around the house, this will
help increase your child’s melatonin their natural sleep hormone.
Get them involved in their bedtime routine: Children like to feel like they have some
control. You can sit down together and make a bedtime routine chart. Let your child
decide the order. There should be just 4 or 5 steps in their routine; for example, shower,
pajamas, brush teeth, read a book, stretches, affirmations, get in bed.
Keep the routine 30/40 minutes long: If it goes any more than this it can lead to
children losing focus and track of what the end goal is which is to go to bed. It may
delay bedtime. Avoid moving around the house during the routine or once it is complete.
Use a night light: Sometimes just being in a dark room can make children this age
feel scared or nervous. Do not leave a bright lamp or overhead light on in the room as
this is more disturbing and more likely to rouse them awake at night. I suggest meeting
them halfway and using a plug-in night light. Make sure it is an orange/red tone so it is
softer and gives enough light but also does not disturb their sleep.
Use a clock: Having a visual reference makes it helpful and easier to set a boundary of
when it is okay to start the day in the morning. It helps your child know when it is
morning and it is something you can reference if they are up in the middle of the night or
at the crack of dawn. You can say “…Your clock is not green, it’s still nighttime”.
Use positive affirmations: Providing your child some tools to help them when laying in
bed or if they wake up in the night can help them feel more confident. Here are some
affirmations that can you can use: “Tonight I will be serene like a swan” “Tonight I will
breathe like the tide” Tonight I will float like a cloud” “Tonight I will be calm as a lake.”
Acknowledge your child’s feelings: If your child has big feelings like fear or anxiety
come bedtime, do name and acknowledge these feelings. This will help them feel
heard. Also, let them know of a time you felt these feelings and how you got through it
and emphasize to them that you know they can do it too with some time and practice.
Celebrate their progress: Once your child starts to follow their routine and take less
time falling asleep or has fewer wake-ups in the middle of the night, or stays in their bed
until their clock shows it is morning, give them a high five. Let them know you have
noticed, it will give them an intrinsic motivation to continue to do well.
Most of all, be patient!
Sleep Well,
Seema
The post Sleep and Older Children – From 5 to 8 Years Old appeared first on Sleep Rest and Play.
]]>When should I sleep train my baby is a common question that parents often ask themselves. Some decide at the four-month mark, and some are still asking that question when their kiddo is 7 or 8 years old.
Let me be honest here; it will never feel like the right time. There is no perfect time to implement changes around your child’s sleep. The main reason being…it will take work, it will be tiring (but you are tired already), and you will not be using all the things you are using to survive. You will be starting from scratch.
There will always be changes/developments in life which may cause some disruptions with sleep. A few examples being, going on vacation, a new sibling, moving house, teething, and sickness.
I will tell you this though, the longer you wait, the more sleep deprived you become and the deeper you get into survival mode, creating more “habits.”
The biggest question to ask yourself is, is this sustainable? Can you continue living in this fog and state of exhaustion? Can you stand one more night or months or years of bickering with your partner, having no energy, have your work performance suffer, no time for yourself, and feel anxious every time bedtime rolls around?
Consider these 4 points to help you make your decision:
- Are you ready for a change? Are you ready to commit? It may not be easy, but there is an end in sight. Seeing a plan through from start to finish in its entirety is essential to be able to see the positive changes your baby is making towards independent sleep.
- Are you and your partner on the same page? Sometimes your baby not sleeping can affect partners in different ways. Have you had a conversation about how this exhaustion is hurting you? Have you sat down and imagined how life would change if everyone were well-rested? Having your partner’s support will also enable your little one to see that both parents are on the same page. This also helps with consistency and essentially makes it easier in the long run when you want to go out on a date night and have another caregiver put them to bed. Your kids will see that no matter who does bedtime, it looks the same. It also takes the pressure of one parent dealing with the brunt of all the wake-ups and bedtime battles.
- Can you clear your calendar for 2 or 3 weeks to implement a plan? A plan needs commitment and most of all consistency. The more consistent you can be for your little one for the duration of the plan, the easier it will be for them to learn independent sleep and help their natural body clocks.
- Are you prepared for some protest from your little one? Change is hard, and even the slightest change to sleep can cause some tears. However, these will lessen with time as your baby gets that independent sleep skill underway
If you are ready to get your life back and have more energy with your child/ren, book a call with me to discuss your options.
Sleep Well
Seema
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]]>The post Help my Baby is Falling Asleep Standing appeared first on Sleep Rest and Play.
]]>So your baby has learned to stand up! Congratulations on this wonderful milestone! It’s such an exciting time to be a parent, and this is such a huge step into the world of development that’s coming your way very soon.
Having said that, a lot of babies run into a bit of an issue when they first learn to stand up; they haven’t learned to get back down yet.
During the day, this doesn’t present much of an issue. Your little one can spend all day practicing going from a standing position to seated, all while you’re next to them helping them through it.
But once nighttime rolls around, this becomes a whole other issue.
I know the Catch-22 this puts parents in, believe me. On the one hand, you can’t just leave your baby in a situation where they might fall down and hurt themselves, but on the other, if you keep going in and laying them down, they don’t learn how to do it themselves. What’s more, they’ll quickly learn that standing up and making a fuss is a pretty effective way to get mom or dad back into their room and paying attention to them.
So there’s a fine line that we need to walk in order to help baby figure out how to solve this little situation they find themselves in without creating a habit that could sabotage their sleep.
If your baby hasn’t started this behavior yet, let me warn you, it’s frustrating. More so than the average middle of the night wake-up, because the solution is so totally obvious. You’ll likely find yourself saying “Just lie down, already!” more than a few times before this gets resolved. I do want to reassure though,any developmental milestone and disruption to sleep should pass within a couple of weeks so hang in there!
As with all things in parenting, patience is essential here. Keep in mind that your baby may not know how to go from a standing position to a sitting one on their own yet, and they may not realize yet that sleep comes a whole lot easier when you lie down. Remind yourself of this when they wake you up for the fifth or sixth time in three hours because they’ve woken up and gotten back on their feet again, fussing because they can’t get back to sleep.
The quickest way through the first part of the equation is to develop that standing-to-sitting skill, so during the day, practice going from standing to sitting any chance you get. When baby pulls herself up to a standing position, try putting their favorite toy or stuffie on the ground nearby, gently encouraging them to go from a standing position back down to ground level in order to get their reward. You can also pat the floor.
Once they’ve got that skill mastered, however, that second hurdle may still be an issue. They may not realize that sleep is a whole lot easier to achieve when they lie down.
It seems like it should be instinctive, I know, but a lot of things seem that way when you’ve been doing them all your life. When you’ve only been around for nine or ten months, it might not seem so intuitive, so again, patience mama!
We don’t want to create a situation where baby starts relying on you to do the work for her, so avoid repeatedly laying her down when she stands up in the crib. Do it a few times at first to show her what’s expected, but once that’s established, switch to a more suggestive approach that doesn’t involve contact. Pat the mattress and use a key phrase, like, “Lay your head down,” or “Come lie down, baby,” and before too long, they should start to connect the dots and realize that lying down is the best way to get to sleep.
Remember, even though it might appear that your little one is fighting sleep sometimes, that’s almost never the case. They want to sleep, but they just lack the skills necessary to get there on their own, so help them figure it out without doing the work for them and they’ll take care of the rest as soon as they develop a little confidence and ability. So practice, practice, practice!!
if you’re raising baby with a partner, talk this out with them and come up with a plan that both of you can agree on and follow through with. One parent responding with one set of expectations with another responding totally differently is going to confuse baby even further in a situation where they’ve already got a lot to figure out. Both of you will need to respond in the same way in order for your expectation to be clear, and you’ll see results a whole lot quicker if you’re working from the same playbook.
As always, be calm, be patient, and be consistent. The hard work now will pay off a thousand times over when your little one is sleeping soundly through the night and happily going down for naps during the day.
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]]>The post Navigating Bedtime with Multiple Kiddos appeared first on Sleep Rest and Play.
]]>How are the older children going to react to their new sibling? Are they going to embrace the role of older brother or sister? Will they turn into jealous little clingers who need constant attention and reassurance? How will their schedule fit in with your newborn’s naps and feeding times? And maybe most concerning for anyone who’s clawed and scraped to get their little one sleeping through the night, how is this going to affect the older child’s bedtime?
The thought of juggling multiple kids and bedtime can be hugely mind blowing if you’re not prepared for it. Trying to find fifteen minutes to breastfeed your newborn at the same time you’re trying to get your toddler out of the bath can drive you right out of your mind.
I’ve also been in your shoes and am sharing some tips on how to help the process go smoother for all involved:
- Have one bedtime for all the kids in the house.
A lot of parents I work with are surprised when I suggest that their 3 year-olds should be going to bed at 7:00 at night, but even at that age, kids still need between 10-12 hours of sleep a night. That’s not including daytime naps. I’m talking strictly nighttime, so if your toddler needs to be up at 7:00 AM, a 7:00 PM bedtime is not at all unreasonable. - Team up and switch off if you can
If you’re among the lucky ones who has a partner who’s home and available to help you get the kids to bed, put together a list of what needs to get done, split the tasks evenly, and then switch off every other night. Getting your kiddos used to either parent doing bedtime has its benefits. It shows your kiddo that no matter who does bedtime, it’s the same. This also comes in handy when you get a babysitter to go on a date night! This way they also won’t be dependent on one parent always doing bedtime and frees each of you to work late, go the gym, or catch up with friends…yes it’s possible! - Find opportunities to multitask
So being parents, we have all become proficient at multitasking. Trying to run through two or three completely separate bedtime routines is going to leave you exhausted, so double up wherever you can. Let the kids take a bath together, feed your newborn while you read your toddler a bedtime story, sing songs together while you change baby’s diaper, and so on. Wherever you can overlap, do it!! - Stick to a 20-30 minute Bedtime routine.
Bedtime routines are absolutely vital to getting your kids sleeping through the night. It’s a great cueing system to the mind and body that it is time to wind down and rest. This stimulates melatonin production and dials things down internally to prepare for a long, rejuvenating night’s sleep. A bath is a great place to start since it’s so noticeably different from everything else kids do during the day. It’s a strong signal that sleep is just around the corner. - Save a special activity for bedtime
Typically it will be the older child who’s capable of entertaining themselves for a little while as you’re busy finishing up with your youngest. It’s not always the case, but whichever way it breaks in your house, come up with a non-screen-related activity that will keep your toddler entertained and quiet, and make it exclusive to that fifteen minutes or so that you need one-on-one time to put the baby down. Don’t make it too stimulating or open-ended. A special coloring book is a great option. - Get Your Older Kiddo involved
Toddlers love structure and predictability, so giving them a helper position when you’re putting your younger child to bed is a great way to keep them occupied and give them a feeling of accomplishment just before they head to bed. Show them where the diapers are stored and have them bring you the goods as you’re getting your baby for bedtime. - Stick to the rules you set
Toddlers test boundaries in a constant, systematic fashion. And now that you’re splitting your attention between them and a new baby, you might feel a little indebted to them. That’s totally natural, but changing or bending the rules is likely to upset them more, not less. As I mentioned previously, kids thrive on predictability and structure. If they suddenly get the feeling like the fences are down, they typically feel a little lost and that’s going to lead to more tantrums, not fewer. So keep the routine and the expectations as close as possible to the way they were before their sibling arrived. - Don’t use screens to occupy your Toddler
I know how quickly and effectively putting your child in front of the TV or handing them your phone can buy you a few minutes of peace and quiet, however it becomes counter productive so close to bedtime. These screens are omitting blue light which ultimately interferes with melatonin. So those fifteen minutes of peace and quiet could very easily cost you hours of trying to get your overtired child to settle down for the night. - Accept the fact that it’s not always going to go smoothly.
These are, after all, young children we’re dealing with, so if things start to go off the rails a bit, don’t look at it as a failure on anyone’s part. They’re going to have regressions, tough nights, and the occasional meltdown. Stay calm, don’t re-introduce previous sleep props or start to introduce new things to “help” them get to sleep. Calm and consistent is the way to go. - Embrace the peace and quiet
Once you’ve got everyone in bed, wait at least five or ten minutes before you check your email or your phone, just let yourself unwind. Then, eat your hot dinner, relax on the couch, watch Netflix, have a conversation with your partner, catch up on work, read a book, what ever you choose. Fill your own cup and re-charge so that you are ready to tackle tomorrow.
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]]>The post How to Choose the Right Sleep Consultant for You appeared first on Sleep Rest and Play.
]]>When your little one is not sleeping, you are not sleeping and you don’t often have the time to read books about sleep schedules, or if you do they don’t seem to fit with what’s going on with your child. If you do have time to do some research or to go on a Facebook group, you will find so much advice and different methods that things can become confusing and frustrating because these only seem to be short term solutions.
That’s where a Sleep Consultant comes in. I have to say it really is reassuring to see that sleep consulting is becoming a growing profession. It means that the stigma of asking for help is lifting and that more families and babies are getting the rest they need and deserve.
Now that there is a growing list of Sleep Consultants, there are some things I believe should be taken into consideration before you hire someone.
1/ What method do they use
As you have probably found in your research, there are many different methods of “sleep training”, Some involve extinction and Cry it out, some a gentler method, some take months, some a short two weeks. Whichever method you choose it is important to have the conversation with the Consultant about your expectations and what you are comfortable with. I will say from having done this as long as I have, i don’t know of any method where there is no crying involved, however learning about the crying and digging deeper with a Consultant can be helpful.
2/ Do they have specific Training in Sleep
It is important to check that the Consultant has specific training in Sleep and is affiliated with a credible Sleep organization. This ensures that your consultant is doing on going trainings and has accountability.
3/ Personality
Let’s face it, you are going to be in a pretty close relationship with your consultant, in contact regularly and talking about something raw and at times difficult. You need to feel comfortable with who you work with and supported. Being able to talk about your concerns and successes with someone who gets it and gets you can really help the process along.
4/ Type of Follow up Support
Only you know the type of support you do well with, whether it’s needing someone to be with you on the first night of training or whether you feel comfortable with speaking on the phone . Understanding follow up support and the level of intervention from the consultant from the get go should help you make a decision as to what will work for you.
Try and let go of the expectations we place on ourselves as parents and give yourself permission to seek help if needed.
Sleep Well,
Seema
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]]>The post Your Baby Will NEVER Sleep Through the Night appeared first on Sleep Rest and Play.
]]>It’s a normal, natural part of the human sleep cycle. Yes sleep can be disrupted by stress, caffeine, lack of exercise, however waking up multiple times is to be expected.
We’re all familiar with the various stages of sleep from our own experience. You might not be able to put a name to them, but you’ve certainly felt the difference between waking from a light sleep and a deep one.
Simply put, when we fall asleep, we spend a little while in a light stage of sleep and gradually progress into a deeper one. We stay there for a little while and then gradually re-emerge into the lighter stage, and when we do, there’s a good chance that we’ll wake up.
That all sounds great, right? You fall asleep at eleven or so, hit that deep stage by midnight, hang out there for six hours or so, and then start to come back to the surface around 6:00 or 7:00, gradually waking up refreshed and ready to face the day.
Except the whole process only takes about an hour and a half.
That’s right. From start to finish, going from light sleep to deep sleep and back again takes between 90 – 110 minutes.
Luckily for us the process repeats itself pretty easily. Either we’ll wake up for a minute or two and fall right back to sleep, or we might not even really break the surface at all.
Ideally, this happens five or six times in a row. We get a restful, restorative snooze in the night, and we reap the benefits of it throughout the day.
Infants, despite their increased need for sleep, have a much shorter sleep cycle than adults. On average, an infant goes from light sleep to deep sleep and back again in about 45 mins to an hour.
Now when it comes to baby sleep, more often than not, they are reliant on something external to “help” them fall asleep. whether it’s rocking, being fed, the pacifier, motion. What ultimately happens when baby then shifts through a sleep cycle is that they wake up more fully looking for that help to fall back asleep. So those natural wake ups turn into hour long productions of getting baby back to sleep.
By teaching a baby independent sleep skills and them being able to fall asleep on their own, they’ll wake up after a sleep cycle, their brain will signal them to go back to sleep, and that’s exactly what they’ll do.
So although your little one is going to wake up numerous times a night, every night, they can quickly and easily learn the skills to get back to sleep on their own. It will only seem as though they’re sleeping straight through the night.
Sleep Well,
About Seema, Founder of Sleep, Rest & Play, Ltd.
Hi there – I’m Seema Bhambri, a Certified Sleep Sense Consultant and founder of Sleep, Rest & Play, LTD. I was born and raised in London, England and in 2007, I moved to New York. I have two adorable children, Avani and Anaya. Parenthood is one of the most amazing and challenging roles I’ve taken on. My role as a mom is one of the reasons I became a sleep consultant. I want to show the importance of sleep for their little ones and parents. With good sleep habits, the entire family can be healthier, happier, and more energetic.
I’d like to offer you a FREE 15-minute call with me to discuss your child and learn how with my private consultations could help you and your little one. You can also call me directly at (516) 506-0456 or e-mail [email protected].
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]]>The post How Kiddos Not Sleeping Can Cause a Strain on Your Relationship with Your Partner appeared first on Sleep Rest and Play.
]]>What I often hear from families I work with is that they want to claim their bed back, they want to feel supported by their partner. They want to go on date nights and spend time with each other rather than spend their evenings arguing about whose turn it is to rock the baby back to sleep or lay with their toddler. This alone has been the motivating factor for parents to reach out and seek help regarding their kiddos sleep. And rightly so! If I have learnt anything through this parenting journey and through my work, it is that parents can absolutely have their evenings to re-connect and look after themselves and have their kiddos sleeping well. Waving goodbye to sleep is not/ does not have to be a rite of passage into parenthood.
Here are some things parents have said once their kiddos sleep has gotten back on track:
“It’s so easy to get him to bed now that we have even been able to go on several dates while leaving Travis in the hands of my FIL or my mother; both who have had no issues getting him to bed with ease”.
“My husband and I are able to enjoy dinner together, and spend some time together having peace of mind that Hadley is sleeping quietly in her room. We aren’t anxious anymore or waiting for her to wake up screaming… and I’m not in her room all night trying to settle her back to sleep anymore”.
“It is amazing to have our evenings back. My husband and I are able to relax after we put her to sleep and actually have quality time without anticipating when she would be waking up. We finished an entire movie—in one night! Believe it or not before starting the plan this was not possible ?”
“Having come out of the other side and having kids who have a predictable bedtime and morning wake ups – I am happy to report that my husband and I’s disagreements are now not due to lack of sleep, but more so due to being stubborn after 14 years marriage :)”
Sleep well,
The post How Kiddos Not Sleeping Can Cause a Strain on Your Relationship with Your Partner appeared first on Sleep Rest and Play.
]]>The post What Should My Baby’s Nursery Look Like? appeared first on Sleep Rest and Play.
]]>It’s every parent’s dream and goal to get the nursery ready for when baby arrives. There are so many things in the baby stores that get us to hook, line and sinker. The fancy bedding, the cute mobiles, the light shows, and the music boxes. The list is endless. We want to create the perfect sanctuary and the process of doing so is so much FUN!
I clearly remember when my eldest daughter was born. My husband and I were so excited to hang the zoo animal mobile on her crib, the one that has a remote and you can turn it on if it stops. (This was 9 years ago mind you, I am sure there are more high tech ones out now!)
When I visit families to conduct an in-home consultation, one of my tasks is to conduct a nursery evaluation. My job is to ensure babies room is conducive to sleeping and that it is safe. I often find that this is not the case.
So I thought I would share 4 simple steps to help you create the best sleep environment for your little one:
Keep it DARK
When I do my visits, parents often tell me the bedroom is dark, I ask them to draw the blinds or curtains. And guess what? There is always some light peeking through the blinds, even if they are blackout. I always suggest that you tape down those blinds, cover the windows so that the room is pitch black. Any light peeking through can rouse a baby awake in the early hours of the morning and can be the cause of short naps. If you do need a night light in the room I suggest getting a soft red tone plugin.
Keep it COOL
The best temperature to keep your babies nursery is between 68 to 72 degrees. It is better to sleep in a cold room and be covered in a sleep sack than sleep in a warm room with no cover. Babies can get overheated quickly. This can lead to discomfort. Check your thermostat.
Keep it COMFORTABLE and SAFE
Babies sleep for nearly half the day, so a great mattress is a sound investment. It’s well worth your time to do some extensive research and spend the money you had set aside for mobiles and plush toys on the surface baby’s going to be spending the vast majority of their time on. Make sure there are no loose blankets hanging off the side of the crib and no bumpers.
Keep it BORING
So those mobiles and cute nursery accessories I refereed to do the total opposite of what you want to create for baby’s sleep space. They are stimulating and are more likely to keep baby up than help them to fall asleep. The light projectors can rouse baby up when shifting through sleep cycles, and the music is just too distracting. We want baby to make the connection that their nursery is a calm, restful place to sleep in, not to play. It will make the transition from play to rest a lot easier.
Let me help you get back on track.
Sleep Well,
About Seema, Founder of Sleep, Rest & Play, Ltd.
Hi there – I’m Seema Bhambri, a Certified Sleep Sense Consultant and founder of Sleep, Rest & Play, LTD. I was born and raised in London, England and in 2007, I moved to New York. I have two adorable children, Avani and Anaya. Parenthood is one of the most amazing and challenging roles I’ve taken on. My role as a mom is one of the reasons I became a sleep consultant. I want to show the importance of sleep for their little ones and parents. With good sleep habits, the entire family can be healthier, happier, and more energetic.
I’d like to offer you a FREE 15-minute call with me to discuss your child and learn how with my private consultations could help you and your little one. You can also call me directly at (516) 506-0456 or e-mail [email protected].
The post What Should My Baby’s Nursery Look Like? appeared first on Sleep Rest and Play.
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