Nap Trapped {Sleep tip of the month}

Around the time that your little one graduates from being a ‘newborn’ to a ‘baby’ you will notice that their daytime sleep habits change.  Once able to snooze in the car-seat, Ergo, or stroller in loud, bright places, they now start to fight napping in exchange for people watching…  

This is your cue that the time has come for a quiet, dark, peaceful space for your baby to take their naps.  Unfortunately for Mom & Dad this means being stuck inside the house for what feels like forever.

"You think you're trapped at home! Do you have any idea how many hours I spend in this crib?"

This is even harder when you have other children that don’t find sitting at home ‘being quiet’ very much fun!

I don’t have a one-size-fits-all solution to this, and I strongly believe naps should be taken at home in order to establish a good nap routine, but here are some tips on making it more manageable:

• Try to keep the morning nap(s) at home, and the afternoon nap(s)s can be on the go.  The morning naps are always the easiest for babies to master, so give them the opportunity to get into a good routine at home.  Some babies really struggle with the last nap of the day, and if this is the case, let them sleep in the car/Ergo/stroller while you’re out.  Don’t expect these naps to be very long, but they will at least carry them over until bedtime.

• Invite friends over to your house for play dates so that you and your older child(ren) can still have a social life, and you and keep up with the nap training.  Win win!

•  Know that it won’t last forever.  If you have other children, you will remember that sleep patterns change pretty quickly in the grand scheme of things, so enjoy the down time.

Thanks Lauren! This is soooo my life right now! Our once busy mornings have turned into too much TV time and not enough active play for my almost three year old. I keep reminding myself, "This too shall pass."  

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Lauren is a certified sleep coach and DONA trained postpartum doula.  Her passion for helping tired parents began when her own newborn daughter's constant crying and terrible sleep habits finally got the best of her. Visit her blog and Facebook page for more information.

Check out Lauren's other featured posts on Leilaland:

Sleep coach * Postpartum doula {About Lauren}

Babies and Children Sleep Better with a Friend

Sleep: Quality vs. Quantity 

Falling asleep too fast?

Less is not always more

Newborn sleep

Sleep cycle awareness

The 'Big Kid' bed

The 'Big Kid' Bed {Sleep tip of the month}

Lauren is back with a sleep tip...just in time! Leila is napping in her "big girl" bed this week. I will fill you in on how the transition is going later this week.

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Jen and I have been talking lately about Leila's upcoming move from the crib to the 'big girl bed' and I thought it was only fitting this month's sleep tip be on the topic of the move to the big bed.

I told Leila to pretend to sleep. Can you see she's smiling behind that pacifier?

Children under the age of 2 1/2, and even up to age 3, may not have the ability to cognitively understand what 'stay in your bed all night' means.  This is why some parents with otherwise great sleepers will see a big regression in sleep if they move their little one into a toddler bed before they are developmentally ready.

As with any major change, it will take your child a few days to adjust to their new bed, and the freedom of no crib rails, but if you move them and after a week they are still struggling to stay in bed, and stay asleep all night you might consider moving them back to the crib and waiting a couple of months to try again.  Unfortunately there's no real 'test' to check your child's readiness except by trial. 

Some parents think moving their child back to the crib is a regression, but in fact, you're simply allowing your child to do what they are developmentally able to do.  

If you are having trouble with a nighttime 'Jack in the Box' and moving back to the crib is not an option, you will likely have to do some sleep coaching to teach your child what's expected of them (staying in bed all night, quietly).  A wake up light can also be helpful if your child understands colors.  These clocks change colors when its nighttime and daytime and you can use this tool to help them understand when they need to stay in bed.

If you'd like more info on the 'big bed' check out this link.

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Lauren is a certified sleep coach and DONA trained postpartum doula.  Her passion for helping tired parents began when her own newborn daughter's constant crying and terrible sleep habits finally got the best of her. Visit her blog and Facebook page for more information.

Check out Lauren's other featured posts on Leilaland:

Sleep coach * Postpartum doula {About Lauren}

Babies and Children Sleep Better with a Friend

Sleep: Quality vs. Quantity 
Falling asleep too fast?
Less is not always more
Newborn sleep
Sleep cycle awareness

Sleep cycle awareness {Sleep Tip of the Month}

If it's on at bedtime, it stays on all night long.

This goes for anything that makes noise or emits light (think: Twilight Turtle, white noise machines, fans, humidifiers...).

Your baby's sleep cycles are anywhere from 30-60 minutes long. Between each sleep cycle they come to an almost awake state. If they fell asleep to a CD playing music or a nightlight on in their room, and it's not on when they wake up in the night, it can be disorienting or even scary for some kids.  This could be the cause of middle of the night cries or calls for mom or dad to come and help soothe them back to sleep.

Most parents out there are familiar with the 'Sleep Sheep' and other products in that line... Cute and well-intentioned as they may be, they can actually wake kids up! The soothing white noise or heartbeat sound it plays turns OFF after just 45 minutes (the average length of a sleep cycle!) which does not help your child push through to the next sleep cycle.

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Jeff and I have been using this white noise machine in our room forever.  Jeff has had it since living at his parents' house!  It stays on all night long and blocks out most noises.  We ended up buying one for Leila's room and gifted one to my sister for her new baby.  

(source)

We are guilty of using some of the sleep aids Lauren discussed (CD and Cloud B Twilight Ladybug), but luckily they don't interrupt Leila's well-established sleep. 

While we were using the  'Sleep Sheep' when she was a baby, I do remember it causing issues!  Just like Lauren said, when it turned off, Leila woke up.  I plan on using it for Carson only for the stroller and car when another cycle of sleep isn't necessary!

What do you use to help put your child to sleep?  Could it be interfering with their nighttime sleep?

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Lauren is a certified sleep coach and DONA trained postpartum doula.  Her passion for helping tired parents began when her own newborn daughter's constant crying and terrible sleep habits finally got the best of her. Visit her blog and Facebook page for more information.

Check out Lauren's other featured posts on Leilaland:

Sleep coach * Postpartum doula {Guest post}

Babies and Children Sleep Better with a Friend

Sleep: Quality vs. Quantity 

Falling asleep too fast?

Less is not always more

Newborn sleep

Newborns {Sleep tip of the month}

I think it's only fitting that my sleep tip this month be focused on newborns as the arrival of Jen's second baby, Carson, is just around the corner! I look forward to being able to help Jen get little C sleeping like a champ.

Newborns don't know night from day, so you will have to help them learn the difference.

During the day...

• Keep the curtains open and the lights on when he's awake.
• Get outside when the weather is nice - research has shown that exposure to sunlight during the day helps babies sleep better at night (this won't be hard since we live in a city with 321 sunny days each year!)
• Feed him every 3 hours - even if you have to wake him up.

During the night...

• Pull down the shades, dim the lights.
• Switch to quiet activities, like massage, quiet reading or singing.
• Keep nighttime feedings brief and boring.

I feel so lucky knowing Lauren will be here to help me get Carson on the right track with his sleep! 

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Lauren is a certified sleep coach and DONA trained postpartum doula.  Her passion for helping tired parents began when her own newborn daughter's constant crying and terrible sleep habits finally got the best of her. Visit her blog and Facebook page for more information.

Check out Lauren's other featured posts on Leilaland:

Sleep coach * Postpartum doula {Guest post}

Babies and Children Sleep Better with a Friend

Sleep: Quality vs. Quantity 

Falling asleep too fast?

Less is not always more

Less is not always more {Sleep Tip of the Month}

Less Daytime Sleep Means Less Nighttime Sleep...

No, that's not a type-o... Have you ever heard the saying "Sleep Begets Sleep"? Well, it's very true, especially for babies and small children.

My nephew, Jaxon, at 12 days old.

If kids are under-napped during the day, their bodies produce stress hormones to keep them alert (think: second wind). These hormones build up in their systems over days/weeks and make it more difficult for them to sleep at night.

If your little one is having a hard time sleeping at night, take a look at their daytime sleep habits. Click here for a handy reference showing the amount of sleep hours children need by age.

This is such a difficult concept for new (and seasoned) parents.  I find it to be very true with Leila.  What is your experience with the saying "Sleep Begets Sleep"?

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Lauren is a certified sleep coach and DONA trained postpartum doula.  Her passion for helping tired parents began when her own newborn daughter's constant crying and terrible sleep habits finally got the best of her. Visit her blog and Facebook page for more information.

Check out Lauren's other featured posts on Leilaland:

Sleep coach * Postpartum doula {Guest post}

Babies and Children Sleep Better with a Friend

Sleep: Quality vs. Quantity 

Falling asleep too fast?

Falling asleep too fast? {Sleep Tip of the Month}

Is your little one taking long enough to fall asleep at night?

Kind of an odd question, I know.  

I think most parents believe that the quicker their child falls asleep at bedtime, the better, but this isn't always the case.  

A well-rested child that knows how to fall asleep, and stay asleep on their own, should take about 15-20 minutes to fall asleep at bedtime!  Of course, they shouldn't be crying during this time, but will be laying in bed, getting comfy, cuddling their lovey, or even quietly singing or talking to themselves.

  
Experts say that if you're "asleep before your head hits the pillow" you're probably sleep deprived.  This applies to adults and children alike.  

If anyone in your family is falling asleep 'too fast' you might consider making bedtime earlier.

Speaking of bedtimes...What time does your child go to bed each night? Do they take a bit of time before falling asleep?

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Lauren is a certified sleep coach and DONA trained postpartum doula.  Her passion for helping tired parents began when her own newborn daughter's constant crying and terrible sleep habits finally got the best of her. Visit her blog and Facebook page for more information.

Check out Lauren's other featured posts here on Leilaland:

Sleep coach * Postpartum doula {Guest post}

Babies and Children Sleep Better with a Friend

Sleep: Quality vs. Quantity 

Quality and Quantity of Sleep {Sleep Tip of the Month}

Lauren Boston is back on the blog this month sharing another sleep tip just for you.  Lauren is a certified sleep coach and DONA trained postpartum doula.  Her passion for helping tired parents began when her own newborn daughter's constant crying and terrible sleep habits finally got the best of her.

Lauren's Sleep Tip of the Month:

I think it's safe to say that almost everyone knows that sleep is important for babies and children alike, but what some parents don't know is that the quality of sleep is just as important as the quantity.

I don't think this counts as quality sleep.

This means getting:

• The right kind of sleep - unfragmented, uninterrupted, and "motionless."  Don't wake your baby to eat unless they physically need to eat (most babies on a normal growth curve don't need to be fed in the night after 6/7 months of age).  Don't rock, swing or put your baby in the car for their naps, as movement keeps the brain in a lighter sleep, which is not as restorative to the brain as a deep sleep.

• The right timing for sleep - as in consistent bedtimes, wake-up times, and nap times.

• The right amount of sleep - have a look at how much sleep your child should be getting based on their age, and your child shouldn't vary from these averages by more than 1 hour in a 24 hour period.  

Visit my website or Like me on Facebook for more information, and the latest updates on children's sleep!

According to the experts Leila is getting more sleep than the average child needs. 

Did you read the last line of the second paragraph... 
The expert said it, not me.  ;)

Is your child getting enough quality sleep?

Sleeping with a "Lovey" {Sleep Tip of the Month}

Lauren Boston is back on the blog this month sharing a sleep tip that I swear by.  Lauren is a certified sleep coach and DONA trained postpartum doula.  Her passion for helping tired parents began when her own newborn daughter's constant crying and terrible sleep habits finally got the best of her.  Visit her blog and Facebook page for more information.  

Lauren's Sleep Tip of the Month:
Babies and children sleep better with a "friend".

My daughter, Charlie, getting ready for bed with her loveys.

By "friend" I mean a security object, or "lovey".  It could be a stuffed animal, a favorite blanket, or even one of your T-shirts.  It will help your child feel safe and secure if they have the lovey when you're not around - like when they wake in the middle of the night.  

If by the time your child is 6 months old they haven't fallen in love with something on their own, you can pick a lovey for them, and include it in their bed & nap time routines.  

Choose something cuddly and soft, if your child is old enough, let them pick it out at the store or from their existing toys.  Let them hold it when they nurse, play peek-a-boo with it, make it an important part of their day.  

If your child doesn't seem to bond with it right away, give it time, put it in the crib or bed every time your child goes to sleep.  Eventually they will take to it.  

Consider buying duplicates if possible, loveys are notorious for going astray at shopping malls.

Does your child have a lovey?  Did they pick it out or did you choose it for them?

Sleep coach * Postpartum doula {Guest post}

Hello faithful readers of Leilaland!  I was so flattered when Jen asked me to guest blog this month. 

I'm Lauren, Mom to (almost) 2 year old Charlie. You may remember Charlie from such blog posts as: {Our big plan} Skipping a toddler nap.

I'd like to use this opportunity to (shamelessly) plug my budding business.  Here goes:

I recently moved to beautiful San Diego from Vancouver, Canada and have just started a sleep coaching business.  Having had major sleep issues with my Charlie, I am very passionate about helping other tired parents get their sleep back.

Please check out my website www.laurenboston.com and my Facebook page.  

Spread the word!

P.S. - anyone who books a consultation with me and mentions this blog post will get 15% off my services.

Hopefully Charlie and I will continue to be regulars on Leilaland - see you next time!

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I am so happy to know Lauren in real life!  Not only is she my first mommy-friend, she also happens to be an excellent resource for all things related to parenting.  

Luckily I checked out her "Favorite Things"  page on her website before I started packing for our trip.  Otherwise I would have forgotten the baby monitor!