Courtney's Sleep Tips on Momtrends

Friends,
Check out Nicole Feliciano's blog, momtrends.blogspot.com. The August 24th entry features some back-to-school sleep tips from me and other back-to-school tips. Enjoy.

I will be out of town for a week and will resume blogging on my return.

Happy Sleeping!!

Sleep Product Review: The Ultimate Out and About Sleep Set-up

The best place for a baby to take a nap is in their bedroom, but let's face it there are times when we can't or don't want to stay at home so our sweet little babies can take all their naps in their peaceful bedrooms. Sometimes we want to go to breakfast or take our other children to the park. Or sometimes we just have to take the other kids to ballet or gymnastics or wherever. There are solutions to allowing your precious little baby get their nap and still be out. Here is one option a friend of mine came up with:

Description:
Inside of a stroller that has a bassinet type option or possibly inside of their carseat create a sleep environment as close to their one at home as possible:

The Stroller
She uses the Easy DuoWalker (http://www.easywalker.nl/usa/duowalker.html) with the CarryCot (GREAT set-up). I have used my Graco stroller- fully reclined with the feet part up so it turns into a bassinet (http://www.gracobaby.com/catalog/product.aspx?modelNumber=7B11CAD3&CategoryID=12).

Noise Machine: Put some batteries in yours and take it along- put it right inside the bassinet. She uses the same wave sounds that she uses in her sons bedroom.

Sleep Positioner: Grab the sleep positioner from their crib (If they are out of this now- skip it).

Swaddle: Swaddle your baby just like you would at home (If they have outgrown the swaddle skip it too).

Darkness: Lay a breathable blanket to create the same dark environment at home over the top- block out that sun.

Binkie/Paci: She gives her little guy his favorite, loves the sucking and sleeps longer with it (just like she does at home).

The Goal: to create the same sleep environment you have created at home- to maximize the nap on-the-go.

Thank you DeNai for sharing. And good luck creating your sleep environment on-the-go. Please share any other sleep set-ups you have created for sleeping on-the-go.

Sleep Dilemma

Q: How do I keep my independent three- year old in his big boy bed?

A: There are a number of options for attacking this problem... all of which you may have to try in an attempt to rectify the situation... and you will have to figure out what works for your child.

• Set an appropriate bedtime based on your child's age-appropriate sleep needs.
  
• Make sure that you have a calming, consistent, and concise bedtime routine- possibly a bath, a story (not a library but a couple and not TV in place of a story), and to bed- avoid long drawn out routines, lists of excuses, and whatever else your creative child may conjure up.
• Have children get a drink and go potty before you put them in bed- take care of those inevitable excuses before they use them.
  
• Take the sleep environment into consideration. Turn off the lights- a dark room triggers sleep. Other sleep environment pluses: cool temperature, quiet, white noise.
• Maybe your child needs something comforting to sleep with: stuffed animal, blanket.
• Development of nighttime fears is normal and common at this age- leave their door open a crack if that helps them feel better, but I would avoid leaving bedroom lights on or forming any other habits that you don't want to continue. Also, think about the things that they watch- we don't want to give them something for their fears to feed on.

So, that covers everything to do to help prepare your child to stay in bed and fall asleep easily.

BUT, what if they don't stay in bed?

• Create a list of sleep rules along these lines: stay in bed, lay still, stay quiet, go to sleep (suggested from Healthy Sleep Habits). Go over these with your child before they go to sleep. Maybe demonstrate what this looks like or coach them through each of these actions, "Show me how you close your eyes sweetie." etc.
• If they get out of bed, silently walk them back to their room/bed. Don't give them any positive or negative attention- anything to converse about or add to staying up later. Do this again and again if it happens.
• Create an award system. Possibly give them a sticker on a card each night that they stay in their bed and when they get five stickers they get ___. Whatever is motivating to them.
• Call me or another sleep consultant to help you and your child get the sleep you need.
  

Saturday Sleep Tip

Set an early and appropriate bedtime and STICK TO IT. Preschoolers need between 10.5 and 13 hours of sleep a night. Toddlers need between 12 and 14 hours of sleep per night. Figure out what time they wake up or what time they have to be up for preschool or whatever your morning needs are and decide on a bedtime accordingly. Fight against falling into their persuasions of staying up later. Good luck.

Ponderings from Me: Transition to NO Nap

The dreadful transition from that oh so precious afternoon nap to no nap occurs sometime between age 3 and age 6. Marc Weisbluth, author of Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child states that at age 3- 91% still nap daily, at age 4- 50% still nap about 5 days a week, at age 5- 25% still nap about 4 days a week, and at age 6 the nap is pretty much gone.
My daughter transitioned out of her afternoon nap at around 3 1/2. She had been a good sleeper and good napper since she was 5 months old. Always had an early bedtime and no problem going to sleep at night. Then, around 3 1/2 my great napper started staying awake for hours when I put her to bed at night... just talking in her bed or whatever until 10 o'clock or so. This went on for a week or two. (I was not ready for her to not have a nap.) Finally, one day we skipped her nap and did a quiet time instead. That night she went right to sleep at 7 o'clock. From then on, she has been fine without a nap and goes to sleep immediately at 7 o'clock and wakes up at about 7 o'clock every morning. A nice, solid 12 hours of sleep.
And then, then follow-up question: what do they do during their past naptime? How can I continue to get stuff done?
I have a bunch of quiet activities that my 4-year old pulls out during her "quiet time". She knows that I have stuff to do during naptime and has become quite good about finding quiet activities to occupy herself. You may also try having them play in their room, spending sometime with them alone, having them watch a short show, giving them a stack of books to "read" on your bed, or?? Readers please share any of your ideas. And good luck finding solace in no naptime.

Question for You

How much sleep does your preschooler get a day?

Sleep Product Review: Petunia Pickle Bottom Sojuourn Sling

I have the Petunia Pickle Bottom Soujourn Sling that I LOVE!! (http://www.petunia.com/collections/original/sojournslings/) I have used it since my baby girl was born in March. It keeps them all tight (much like a swaddle), warm, and snuggly- a great sleep environment- when you have to be out. I would just put her in there, give her her paci and she would be out. I have also nursed in it numerous times- easy! This is great when you have older kids in school or activities and your little baby needs to sleep during one of these activities. As much as I hate for my little one to have naps on the go it happens.
I just used it on my trip to Oklahoma- she nursed in there, slept in there on the plane ride to and from and did wonderfully. It is also compact- fold up and throw in your purse. You can use it in three different positions- cradle, front, and hip. (http://www.petunia.com/questions/). We have actually just started using the front position which also works well (not for sleeping on the go but for carrying)
So, why do I love this one? I have actually used four different sling brands. I have liked them all. But, I honestly like this one the best for a variety of reasons: stretchy and soft fabric (I have not used one that is as stretchy), great pattern(s), comfortable to wear (more comfortable than the other four I have used), reversible, organic fabric.
The Serenity Sling does not have the same stretch, but fits differently making getting baby in and out easy and is just as cute! For more detailed descriptions visit their site: www.petuniapicklebottom.com

Sunday Sleep Dilemma: Preschoolers

Q: My preschooler comes home from school wired. He has no interest in taking a nap but needs to, what do I do?

A: Preschool can leave a child very excited about their day. If you can leave sometime between preschool pick-up and naptime that would be ideal. You may need to eat lunch (do that first). Then, depending on the amount of dirt and sweat he accumulated in his busy day a bath may be a good idea. Then, take some time to cool down and calm down: read a few books, have him tell you about his day, cuddle. Maybe just take 10-15 minutes but make it calming. And then explain that he needs to take a nap for a little bit so that you guys can have more fun in the afternoon. Also, make sure that the naptime isn't too late- you don't want him to become overtired, and you want to leave enough wake time before bedtime. Be calm, firm, and consistent in your naptime routine. Also, remember that sometime between age 3 and age 6 kids drop their naps... look for more on that later this week.

Saturday Sleep Tip: Preschoolers...

Create a short and calming sleep routine. Take care to not give into all the pre-sleep requests and excuses- it is okay to say no.

Sleep Ponderings from Me: How much sleep is enough sleep?

Does your baby, toddler, child get enough sleep? Do you know what signs to look for in your children that tell you if they have gotten enough sleep? They are probably fairly obvious- although we sometimes misinterpret them. They may even be similar to the signs we show when we are tired.
Possible signs that your child is NOT getting enough sleep: cranky, irritable, falls asleep in the car, you have to wake them up every morning, hyperactivity, falling asleep in class, acting out.
Possible signs that your child IS getting enough sleep: happy, alert, has organized sleep.
Important to sleep: consolidated sleep, soothes self back to sleep, regular sleeptimes.
Dr. Marc Weisbluth, in his book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, reminds us that it is never too late to help healthy children sleep better.

Question For You

What excuses do you hear from your children at bedtime? How do you combat these excuses?

Sunday Sleep Dilemma

Q: How can I let a babysitter put my kids down to bed? I just haven't been able to let this happen.

A: First, you need to find a babysitter that you trust and that likes kids.
Second, you need to just do it and let what happens happen- babysitters are quite a blessing- you need to be able to go out with spouse, friends...
Third, you need to prepare your children for the babysitter- explain your expectations of them and what the night will look like for them (if they are at the appropriate age for such an explanation- otherwise skip this step).
Fourth, write out directions for your babysitter and your phone number (add tips like how the baby likes to be put down- they are not going to know these things. May even want to add things like don't put them down on their tummy- if the baby doesn't do this.)
Fifth, go over these verbally with the babysitter- show them where things are- paci, swaddling blanket, PJs, etc. Show them how to do anything they have questions about- they may be nervous about asking questions so be attentive to that. Also, you may want to do somethings for them- close the blinds, turn on noise makers, put out water cups, put out toothbrushes...
Sixth, go, have fun. And when you get back don't be cheap paying them- you want them to come back.
Seventh, reuse the good babysitters, get rid of the bad ones. It is nice when a babysitter starts to learn your routines and your kids like the consistency. We have a few favorite babysitters- and my kids love them, they know our routines, and my kids listen to them- even about bedtime. They do a great job!!

Saturday Sleep Tip

Although the time after your children go to sleep is such a sacred time where you get stuff done, relax, unwind... tomorrow will come quickly... figure out how you can get a nice 8 hours of sleep for yourself based on when your children wake you from your slumber. You and your children deserve it.