Posts Tagged ‘help baby sleep’
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 MoreThe Pacifier: When and How to Help your Baby or Toddler Learn to Sleep Without it
Pacifiers can be a godsend for young babies who have a strong need to suck, but they can quickly become a sleep association that many parents come to despise. The constant sprint to replace them can be exhausting, and frustrating, and disruptive to everyone’s sleep! When is the best time to drop the pacifier, how…
Read MoreToys in the Crib: A Help or a Hindrance?
Thanks to the SIDS “Safe to Sleep” campaign, most parents know that it’s unsafe to put stuffed animals or blankets in the crib with a sleeping infant under 12 months of age. But what about board books, and “safe” toys like rattles or small soft toys? What about entertaining mirrors, mobiles and play mats that…
Read MoreDaylight Savings: “Spring Forward” Without the Stress!
The “spring forward” jump is an easy one for most children – especially early risers! Give yourself permission to relax about this time change. Our tendency as parents is to over-think it, and in the process our kids feel an undercurrent of stress that negatively impacts their sleep patterns. Plan to keep all sleep periods…
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