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How Your Baby or Toddler’s Schedule Can Be Isolating

I’m an extrovert. Always have been, probably always will be. So much so that I occasionally take on a catering job as a waitress just to get out of the house and talk with people. 😉

Being a mom is the most amazing job I’ve ever had. And I especially love the moments when time just kind of stops and I am overwhelmingly aware of how blessed I am. It often hits me the most after another long day has ended and I’m snuggling with my girls during their bedtime routine. That is my favorite time of day…though pre-sleep coaching, I dreaded it!

I realize I am so blessed! But, to be honest, being a parent has also been super isolating as well. My kids thrive on routine. And while my husband and I used to be very spontaneous (we were married 7 years prior to having kids), our spontaneity has changed since we had children.

If you have a sensitive sleeper, you probably understand why. My oldest daughter, at 4 ½ months, was waking 8 times a night when I contacted Nicole from The Baby Sleep Site^® for help. Through sleep coaching and working with my daughter’s schedule, I was able to help her learn how to sleep well at night. However, as a baby and young toddler, she didn’t sleep well on the go. We made exceptions for special occasions (traveling, day trips), however, for the most part, she slept in her crib, where she slept best. Working my life around her naps wasn’t always convenient, and at times, made me feel stuck at home.

Some people understood my need to make sure she got enough sleep, while others didn’t quite get it.

I oftentimes had to ask myself if I was willing to pay the consequence for a skipped nap or late bedtime. Sometimes an event was worth it, though oftentimes it wasn’t. I remember going to a wedding across the country when she was 18 months. She was in a sleep regression and wasn’t napping well. To spend time with family, I was keeping her up a half hour or so late each night. When the wedding rehearsal came a few days later, she was exhausted! The day of the wedding, she woke at 4 in the morning and never went back to sleep. I tried my best to help her get a long nap that day; however by 8:00 p.m. that night, she was a wreck. We left the wedding early. Some family members understood while others told us to relax! They said, “She’ll sleep in the next morning if you keep her up!” Not my baby…not my experience. 😉

Parenting can be challenging! Making sure your little one gets the sleep they need can feel like a sacrifice. If you’re feeling stuck at home or “controlled” by your little one’s naps, you’re not alone! We, at The Baby Sleep Site^® (I became one of your sleep consultants here!), understand what it’s like to need to put your child’s sleep first, in order for everyone in the house to be happy. However, I promise this too shall pass. My oldest is 4 years old now and thinks taking a nap in the car is an adventure. She and I just traveled 1,000 miles in the car for a two week trip to see family, and it was won-der-ful! And guess what… when we stayed out late, she slept in! So, hang in there! You won’t be stuck at home forever.

Dress for Success: Evening Attire for Tired Twins

By Kimberly Leave a Comment

Dress for Success: Evening Attire for Tired Twins

While there is no hard and fast formula for getting your twins to catch some shuteye, there are a few key components to staying the course to the Land of Nod. To set your littles up for sleep success, you’ll want to create a cozy atmosphere that invites them to get some rest. Lighting and sound are probably the first things that come to mind when one thinks about sleep. But there’s another factor you may not have considered that can make a big difference and that is what they are wearing.

Let’s go beyond fashion and talk about function. What should your twinnies wear to bed? As you can expect with many of the answers to life’s great parenting questions, it depends. Every baby is going to be different (even twins). You will need to consider not only their age, but also individual temperament and any special needs they may have. One twin may love a good swaddle, whereas her brother may need a little more flexibility to kick and twist at night. Here are some key guidelines to consider as you determine how best to dress for rest.

1. Seasonality and Temperature

If you ever experienced summer camp as a child, you probably remember laying in your sticky cabin bed wondering how anyone can fall asleep with sweat dripping off their brow. And who can forget staying up late searching for extra blankets at a friend’s house when the radiators didn’t work quite right? Too hot or too cold make for restless nights. Your little bears want a temperature that is just right. Most experts agree that the ideal temperature range for your nursery is around 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on where you live and time of year, you may not have as much control as you would like over nursery temperature, which will require you to adjust your layering accordingly. Note that even within the recommended temperature range, you will still need to plan to layer, even if it is just a light layer. Getting a handle on temperature ranges to expect in your nursery will help you dress your twinzies just right.

2. Ages and Stages

At the newborn stage, safety is going to be the number one concern as you are choosing sleep attire. You will want to make sure to choose something that isn’t too lose or could ride up over the face creating a risk for suffocation. No free blankets should be in the sleep space. One-piece choices with built in feet can be a very good option. With double the diaper duty, many twin parents may prefer open bottom gowns which make late night changes a snap.

Typically, at this age, it is pretty popular to swaddle babies so that they will sleep soundly. Tucking your twins in snug as a bug in a rug will keep them from waking from random autonomic movements as they begin to grasp muscle control. There will be babies who don’t dig this, so study your littles and figure out what is working and what is not. If you do swaddle, be sure to choose swaddles that keep their hips in a healthy position that doesn’t result in malalignment. (Read more about hip health here). Also remember to adjust the thickness of pajamas and your swaddle blanket layer for temperature levels.

It may seem like your chubby cherubs are going to be immobile little blobs of cuteness forever, but you will blink and find yourself in the toddler stage. As they get holder and need a little more freedom to move as they sleep, a sleep sack may be a good choice to keep them comfortably covered, especially as they move about the crib. There are many excellent sleep sack choices that will provide them with lots of room to grow.

3. Material Matters

Choosing the right materials for your jammies and sleep sacks can make a big difference for the peace and comfort of your twineroos. If you little ones tend to get all heated up at the drop of a hat, you may want to focus on using more natural, breathable fibers. Muslin can be a great choice as it breathes to keep them cool in the summer, and holds in heat for warmth in the winter. A nice fuzzy fleece sleep sack can be a great choice in winter, especially in a room that doesn’t hold heat very well.

Finally, it might sound unusual, but wool sleep gear has become an increasingly popular. Merino woolen wear companies claim that wool helps babies to maintain a consistent temperature in both summer and winter, helps prevent overheating, is hypoallergenic, naturally fire-resistant, requires less washing, and is naturally antibacterial and odor resistant. The upfront cost is higher than your usual baby gear, but this may be something worth considering.

Creating a soothing nursery environment with soft light, calming sound, and cozy jammies will set your twins up for a good night’s rest. Rested babies mean rested parents and that, is a win in our book!

About the Author
Out-of-the-box thinker, Krystal Workman, gets creative under stress…and life with twins happens to be full of it! In order to soothe her crying babies while alone, Krystal invented the first ergonomic twin baby carrier—TwinGo Carrier (www.TwinGoCarrier.com)—to cuddle both her babies at the same time. TwinGo now empowers thousands of parents worldwide to keep their babies close. As former President of one of the largest twins clubs in the USA, Krystal assists new parents with babywearing, breastfeeding, sleep coaching, healthy routines, and positive discipline. You can get more twin-related information on the TwinGo Blog.

Controlled Crying – 5 Reasons Why This Could Be The Best Coaching Method For Your Child

By Daniella Knight Leave a Comment

If you have been with The Baby Sleep Site® for some time, or if you have just found our sleepy little village, you know that what sets us apart is our belief that nothing works better for baby sleep than a truly individualized approach. We don’t believe there is one method of coaching that will work for everyone. No “one-size-fits-all” solutions here! Your parenting philosophy, your child’s temperament, and your unique situation will best determine what sleep coaching style will fit best. And, it may change along the way, too! If “Cry-it-Out” is not for you, but “No-Cry” methods are not a great fit, either, Controlled Crying may be the answer. Today we will talk about controlled crying, and 5 reasons why it may be the best fit for you and your little one.

With controlled crying, (also known as Ferberizing and check and console), you essentially allow your child to fuss and cry at bedtime or at the start of a nap (or after a night waking or a too-early nap waking), but you plan to check in with your child at regular intervals. Sounds pretty straight forward, right? Here are 5 reasons why controlled crying would be the best sleep coaching method for you.

1. You Want a Method That’s Flexible
Your little one is waking up many times a night, or taking tiny naps, and you are both exhausted. You know that you need to begin sleep coaching, but you don’t know where to start. With controlled crying, you can set the rules and the method to work for you and your child, as well as tweak it along the way. One of the main benefits of this method, is that you can start as gradually as you like. For example, you can choose to be in the room during the entire sleep training process, or leave during the intervals. You can start with intervals as short as 2-3 minutes, or as long as 10 or more minutes. You can also choose how much soothing you provide when you check on your child. This can be a brief reassurance with only your voice or little to no touching, to completely calming them down with picking up and hugging. You can also try different approaches to see what works best for your individual needs.

2. Your Little One is Persistent
When we sleep coached our oldest daughter, I spent months trying to help her adapt to gentle, no-cry sleep methods. But despite my best efforts, she persisted for hours each time, and seemed to cry anyway! I know many parents out there with strong willed little ones know what I mean. With a persistent child, if mom is right there providing soothing, but what the child really wants is to nurse, or to be held, for example, nothing else will do, and there will be fussing and crying no matter how much gentle soothing you try to provide. So, in these situations, sometimes the best thing to do is to simply give your child some space to learn independently. You might be surprised it may mean less tears in the long run!

3. You Have a Full Plate
I know what you’re thinking – which parent doesn’t have a full plate? I know, you are right! Some of us are working parents with babies or toddlers in daycare, and even if you aren’t, we are performing multi-tasking feats that would put any circus juggler to shame. It’s true. But for some parents, gentle, no-cry methods would be simply impossible. I found this out when our second baby was born. For parents of more than one child, spending an hour or more sleep coaching one of them, could potentially mean ignoring your other child for that entire time completely! Can you imagine sitting crib-side nap coaching your baby for an hour while your 2 or 3 year old has the run of the house? With controlled crying you can check on your baby periodically, while still ensuring your 3 year old didn’t glitter glue the dogs’ ears together. 😉

4. You Need Results, Fast!
Yes, we would all love to be sleeping through the night and have a champion napper with just 24 hours of effort. Who doesn’t want results fast?! However, we work with a lot of parents for whom chronic sleep deprivation simply isn’t an option. There is no question that all of us are healthier, smarter and more alert with optimum sleep, but for some, being tired could be downright dangerous! So, if you are one of our families where a parent has to drive a work vehicle the next morning, or be in surgery at 7:00 am sharp, you will want a sleep coaching method that provides quicker results.

5. Your Perceptive Child Won’t Fall Asleep While You’re in the Room!
A lot of parents will tell us that they simply don’t want to leave their little ones in the room alone to cry. It’s not easy, we understand. But we have also realized that there are many children who simply won’t fall asleep with mom, dad or a caregiver in the room. If they do, it will be hours later and they will already be overtired! Some babies, especially perceptive babies, seem to endlessly want to interact with a caregiver, and do anything and everything except focus on going to sleep. If you have been sleep coaching, but your little one simply seems to be distracted or frustrated by your presence – “why aren’t you rocking me to sleep mom?,” controlled crying is likely a good fit for you.

So, there you have 5 reasons controlled crying may be the right sleep coaching method for you and your family. If you aren’t sure, we’re happy to hear your background and help you figure it out!

Are you considering using controlled crying to help your child learn to sleep independently? Have you used controlled crying as a sleep coaching method? We love to hear from you!

5 Tips for Using Toddler Clocks to End Early Waking

By Danielle Summerville Leave a Comment

It’s no surprise that children like to keep parents on their toes! Just when you thought all of your sleep issues were sorted out, your toddler starts waking up early. When they are in their “big” kid bed, they no longer have the confinement of the crib. What should you do to keep them from appearing at your bedside during the wee hours of the morning? Luckily, our sleep consultants have had personal experiences with this very issue with our own toddlers.

What’s helped many of us?? ….Toddler clocks. What’s that, you ask? These cute little clocks are very effective in helping to teach children to stay in their beds/room until the clock hits a certain time, or turns a certain color.

There are several versions of toddler clocks on the market. Bonnie, a veteran sleep consultant, says, “We use the ‘Teach Me Time’ clock and it’s awesome. My daughter waits for it to turn green and then she’s free to go. She loves it.”

Jessa, another one of our expert consultants, says, “We use the ‘Ok To Wake’ clock, it’s great! My son (who is almost 3) always waits for his “green light” to turn on before he starts the day! We’ve turned it into a game and he’s proud to say he woke up before or after his “green light” comes on. He really likes it because it makes faces if you push some of the buttons, so anytime we travel it’s one of the first things he packs!”

The OK to Wake and Teach Me Time clocks are very similar, however the OK to Wake clock has a nap button which has come in very handy with my own son while we are currently in the midst of transitioning from nap time to rest time. He is almost 4 and I am able to set the clock for a 1 hour countdown and he knows that rest time is over once his light turns green.

Alternatively, other families have great success using a “regular” digital clock as a toddler clock simply by covering up the minutes so when the clock turns a certain number (i.e. 7), their child knows it’s time to wake up. What can I say? I’m full of tips. 😉

So when is a good time to start using a toddler clock? Our recommendation is to start between 2.5-3 years old to be sure that your toddler is developmentally able to grasp the concept. You will want to be sure that you include your child in the process and that they are able to fully understand the new expectation. Once you have decided that the toddler clock method is for you, there are a number of things that you can do to make the outcome more positive.

Here are 5 Tips for Using a Toddler Clock, so that you can put an end to your toddler’s early rising once and for all:

1. Get your toddler to buy into it: Buy your clock and set it up together! Make your child a part of setting it up. The more they are involved, the more they will likely be excited to use their new clock.
2. Talk it over: Talk it over a few days before you begin using the clock. Once you begin using your clock, explain the rules and review before bedtime and/or nap time. Make a game out of it and role play what it looks like to wake up when the light is on versus when its off.
3. Positive Reinforcement: Introduce some form of positive reinforcement; verbal praise, sticker charts, marble jar, etc.
4. Review and repeat: Review the rules and practice, practice, practice.
5. Don’t give up: Stay consistent, patient and committed!

Like with most things, children learn by repetition. The same goes for using a toddler clock. It may take some time, but with consistency and repetition, your child will start to understand the concept. I have found that with my son, I had to find his “currency,” so to speak. What motivates him is earning a reward, so I had to really up the ante when it came to using positive reinforcement with his toddler clock.

Toddler clocks are great because they take YOU out of the equation. This is especially helpful when you have a strong-willed child (like I do!). You can blame the clock for it not being time to wake up. This is one of the first steps in teaching your child self control and it helps to lay the foundation for teaching your child how to take responsibility for their choices. By choosing to stay in their room/bed until the clock says to get up, they will start to feel empowered!

If you are finding that you are struggling with your toddler’s early rising, you should consider giving a toddler clock a try!

5 Probiotics To Use During Motherhood

By Neosha 2 Comments

Every now and then we like to take a moment to reflect on things outside of baby and toddler sleep (not many, but they happen!) ;). Today’s post is a very special one brought to you by Helen Sanders, chief editor at HealthAmbition.com. She’ll be discussing 5 probiotics she believes to be the best for you to use to get you through this crazy thing called motherhood! Without further ado, here’s Helen, in her own words.
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As a mother of two, I can say that I’m far too familiar with the physical and emotional changes that occur during pregnancy and motherhood. Your body feels “off”. You’re bloated, food you used to enjoy suddenly makes you feel sluggish, and your energy levels have depleted. Probiotics are synonymous with gut health, but many overlook their benefits for mothers. While doing research for my piece on the best probiotics I found out some of their fascinating benefits.

Probiotics are living organisms – mostly bacteria – found in your intestinal tract. During pregnancy and in the early stages of motherhood, this gut flora can be influenced by stress. The “bad bacteria” can proliferate and overtake the “good bacteria” that support digestive health. I also had peace of mind knowing that I was breastfeeding naturally enriched milk that will support my child’s developing immune system.

Many mothers may be a bit hesitant about consuming probiotic rich foods. I know I was. Something about consuming foods containing live cultures didn’t sit well with me at first. However, the risk of the “good” bacteria becoming a problem is extremely low. Probiotics are very unlikely to reach the systemic circulation of a growing fetus. Analysis of probiotics’ role in a woman’s pregnancy has been carefully carried out. A systematic review of eight control trials spanning more than 1500 pregnant women, ultimately found that probiotic strains had no adverse effect on pregnancy.

It’s important to consume probiotic products that specifically cater to your stressed body and your growing child.

Lactobacillus Casei

A type of lactic acid, L. Casei combats pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as stomach upset stemming from antibiotic use. Chronic fatigue syndrome is helped with a probiotic formulated with L. Casei, as many of the symptoms of the syndrome correlate with a flora imbalance. Chronic fatigue syndrome could be problematic during pregnancy, with 29% of new mothers experiencing worsening of symptoms.

Common sources of L. Casei includes fermented products like yogurt. Yogurt is traditionally made to preserve the live bacterial colonies, giving it its texture and taste. To ensure that your yogurt is enriched with probiotics, look for the “Live and Active Cultures” label mandated by the National Yogurt Association.

Streptococcus Thermophilus

This probiotic circumvents the adverse effects of antibiotics on the gastrointestinal tract, with S. Thermophilus jump-starting the production of beneficial bacteria. Breast milk will also help enhance the gut flora of the child. S. Thermophilus is known to help decrease the occurrence of baby colic.

A study examined 50, 15 through 120-day old infants with colic that were assigned medicine fortified with S. Thermophilus. 82.6 percent were largely relieved of symptoms, compared to the 37.5% that were on a placebo. S. Thermophilus is found in yogurt and fermented food.

Lactobacillus Plantarum

Postpartum depression and anxiety affects 1 in 7 mothers. Even though there is no single cause of postpartum depression, it requires comprehensive planning to cope. L. Plantarum can be part of that plan.

A clinical trial assigned subjects affected by clinical depression with either a probiotic or a placebo over the span of 8 weeks. The probiotic, consisting of 2 billion colonies forming units of L. Plantarum, helped alleviate symptoms. Participants who took the probiotic scored lower on the Beck Depression Inventory. This probiotic is naturally occurring in fermented products like sauerkraut.

Bifidobacterium Breve

Children delivered via cesarean section have a reduced amount of beneficial bacteria when compared to naturally delivered babies, taking up to 6 months to reach a healthy balance. During a standard delivery, the baby’s initial exposure to gut microbiota when it passes by the rectum and through the birth canal.

B. Breve allows the child’s gut bacteria to proliferate and reach optimal levels. Examinations of preterm infants that were given B. Breve have shown improvement in their gut flora, as the probiotic was able to “colonize the immature bowel” efficiently.

B. Breve has the unique ability to grow and thrive in different types of milk. Like most probiotics, B. Breve can also be found in yogurt and fermented foods.

Bacillus Coagulans

Highly resistant to the stomach’s acids, B. Coagulans is very effective at recolonizing the gut bacteria of a new mother. Stress from motherhood can cause bacteria to change in size, consistency, and number; adversely affecting the immune system.

A naturally occurring spore, B. Coagulans aids with the digestion of lactose by helping break down their enzymes. The probiotic helps with vaginal health as well, with a study showing that women who consumed B. Coagulans daily experienced regulated vaginal pH levels, with most participants noting a reduction in vaginal pain.

B. Coagulans is found in fortified natto, a Japanese dish consisting of fermented soybeans.

These probiotic strains are favorites for expecting mothers and those who are well on their journeys of parenthood. They will help your body break down food, making your digestive system more productive, and helping you feel more energized.

Note that it’s recommended that you meet with your family doctor before supplementing with a probiotic to ensure that there aren’t any underlying issues.
–Sources–
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/09/gut-feeling.aspx
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3056676/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24962875
http://www.apa.org/pi/women/resources/reports/postpartum-depression.aspx
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19430378
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9135288
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23997330

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Helen Sanders is chief editor at HealthAmbition.com. Established in 2012, Health Ambition has grown rapidly in recent years. Our goal is to provide easy-to-understand health and nutrition advice that makes a real impact. We pride ourselves on making sure our actionable advice can be followed by regular people with busy lives.