When Nursing Becomes a Dependency
It’s common knowledge that many babies and toddlers have a strong association between nursing and sleep. Yes, breastfeeding is important for an abundance of reasons, but what happens when it interferes with the ability to sleep well? I’m not talking about very young babies who are too immature to form unhealthy ties between nursing and…
Read MoreA Healthy “Sleep Tank” = A Happy Summer!
Summer is quickly approaching and our kids will soon be getting fresh air, sunshine, and the freedom to work their wiggles out. Yay! Sleep is usually not a huge issue during the summer months if we can keep their “sleep tanks” full. By this, I mean we need to be watchful and aware of how…
Read MoreWhite Noise for Healthy Sleep: Your Questions Answered!
A common concern for parents is the safety and efficacy of the white noise machine. What’s it all about? Is it helpful? Is it addictive? When should we turn it on/off? Which one is best? How loud should it be? When our first baby was born I wrestled with these questions, too. Through research, my…
Read MoreHealthy Sleep Through the Holidays
It’s hard to believe Thanksgiving is approaching so quickly, isn’t it? The holiday season is upon us, and as a parent it’s almost impossible not to get anxious about what’s to come of our children’s sleep. We work so hard to keep them on track, protect their naps, get them to bed on time…what will…
Read MoreHow to Encourage Independent Play
I want to encourage you today to take some time for yourself. If you have a child in the 2-5 year-old range, it can be tempting to “go, go, go” all day, just counting the hours until bedtime when you can finally relax and unwind. Many of us fall into the trap of being our…
Read MoreIs She Too Hot or Too Cold? How to Ensure your Child is Sleeping Comfortably
Now that the colder months are upon us, a question many parents ask is, “What temperature is best for a sleeping baby? And what should she wear?” Being overheated or too chilly can definitely affect sleep quality, and with SIDS warnings we need to be very careful about our babies’ sleep environments. The best…
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