Lullaby Luna Services and Pricing Have Been Changed

Check out new Lullaby Luna services and pricing.

Sleep Ponderings from Me: Summertime Travels and Sleep

As I think about traveling this summer and all the joys and miseries of travel with young children, I am reminded of a recent experience that I think could easily transfer to better sleep in small confined space during travels this summer.

Recently, due to finances my family had to rent out our house and move in with my parents for 7 months. We just moved back and our happy to be in our own space and thankful to my parents for extending their gracious hand...

But, while we were staying with them my three children had to share a bedroom. When we moved in they were 4, 2, and 6 months. My youngest and oldest had been sharing a room successfully since my baby was a couple months old. My two-year old son had had his own room and struggled to go to sleep in the same room as his sisters nightly. I identified this struggle as related to his crazy boy nature and his age. Eventually, we just started putting him to sleep at night in our room and then moving him when we went to bed. This was difficult since our room was really our only quiet space... but we dealt.

Towards the end of our stay, I had been reading a book called Raising Godly Tomatoes by Elizabeth Krueger. (This book is Christian based but no matter your beliefs it has many valuable lessons to teach). Anyways, she talks about having your children always obey and wait for them to do it versus solely disciplining them for not obeying and moving on. She also talks about having them practice the behaviors you want them to do. As I reflected on this thought, I was shocked I had never come up with it on my own. As a teacher, I knew the huge importance of modeling and practice. I often had my children practice different things, and I often modeled the correct way to respond to something (whether that be without an attitude or using please/thank you...). But, I had never completed the connection with following up disobedience with practice, modeling, and waiting for them to obey.

One evening, as I was getting ready to put my son to bed in my bed and the girls in the kids room, I stopped. I had stuff I needed to do- pay bills, sit in silence... I decided that we should practice having all the kids sleep in the same room right then. So, I had my son and oldest daughter get in their beds and we turned off the light and then practiced "sleeping" without messing around or talking to each other. Then, I had them get up quietly and practice leaving their room (the baby usually gets woken up by the older two in the morning). Then, we practiced this a few more times. That night my kids all went straight to sleep without a peep... and the next night... and the next...

My son was a bit older at the time I did this training than when we moved in, and they had been living in this situation for months. These could have been factors that effected the situation and outcome. But, we need to take a minute and think that sometimes we have expectations for our children to do things that that they may not completely grasp. It is amazing what a bit of practice, modeling, and clear guidance can do for our children's understanding in any situation.

This summer as you share a hotel room, or a tent, or have to sleep in the car on a long road trip... instead of just telling your children to go to sleep in the new situation and then getting frustrated with them when they don't... take the time to model for them what you expect this to look like. And then have them practice a few times to get the feel for what you are expecting. It may make a world of a difference.

*Also, try to recreate your child's sleep environment to the best of your ability: bring their lovies, read a story if that is part of your routine, bring a sound spa- they take batteries, try to make it dark (hotel rooms are great for this). Try to follow a similar routine to the one you follow at home.

Sleep Product Review: Night Lights

Please check out the following link Babble Best Night Lights to see a review on some fun and interesting night lights.

National Sleep Awarness Week

National Sleep Awareness Week

Follow this link to stay up-to-date- tips, sleep information...

Article Review: "Sleep Baby Sleep: Parents' Behavior has Direct Impact on Children's Slumber

I just read an article conducted by the Department of Psychology at the Universit de Montral and its affiliated hospital. This study "investigated how parenting can affect sleep in children."

So, you are wondering? Can I mess up my baby/child's sleep? This study indicates that "the way parents put their babies to bed has a direct impact on how well children sleep when they reach four to six years old." I have always known that the way you put your baby to sleep is extremely important and lasting, but here you can statistically see how much it impacts them.

"The researchers found that the manner 29-to41 month old toddlers were put to sleep influenced how they would slumber between the ages of 4 to 6. Parents behaviors that most affected childrens' sleep included:

• Giving children food or drink after they awoke, which provoked bad dreams, sleep of less than 10 hours or delays in falling back asleep.
• Co-sleeping with children when they awoke delayed their falling back asleep by 15 minutes."

The researchers also found:

• Mothers often think that infants cry only when hungry and so they may continue to respond with food or drink when 29-41 month old toddlers awake- which can cause bad dreams and shorter total sleep when children reach 4 to 6 years old.
  
• "Parents often opt for co-sleeping as a reaction, but co-sleeping is not the best option to prevent future sleep difficulties. Co-sleeping and other uncommon parental behaviors have negative consequences for future sleep."

I just heard a mother of six speak on Creating Independence in Your Children, she said to be careful that when you make a parenting decision you are making it as a choice on how you want to parent and not as a way to avoid a struggle. Keep this principle in mind as you decide how you want your infant, baby, child to go to sleep for naps and each night.

Question for You

Answer the following questions yes/true or no/false.

1. My child/children wake me up on a regular basis.

2. My child/children have sleep "issues".

3. I am always tired.

4. I do not know how to get my child to sleep through the night.

5. I do not know how to get my child to take a nap.

6. We do not have a sleep routine in our house.

7. We do not have a sleep schedule in our house.

8. I have never thought about a child's sleep environment.

9. My child has consistently poor behavior where it is hard for them to keep it together.

10. My child goes to bed when I do.

11. My child cannot go to sleep unless I am holding him.

12. My child cannot go to sleep unless he is moving (car, swing...).

13. My child cannot put himself back to sleep.

14. My child falls asleep in class.

15. My child has problems focusing and paying attention in class.

If you answered yes to more than one of these questions you may be in need of a sleep consultant.

Saturday Sleep Tip: SIDS

I just read an article stating that ""Infant mortality rates attributable to accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed have quadrupled since 1984," the CDC's Carrie Shapiro-Mendoza and colleagues wrote.

Wow! Parents of infants/newborns I would take a minute and read this article: Infant Suffocation Rates Quadruple.

SIDS prevention tips:

• put your baby to sleep on her back
• avoid soft bedding
• never smoke in her room
• don't share a bed with your baby
• keep a fan running during sleep: portable or ceiling

*And having a carbon-monoxide detector is a good idea.

Sunday Sleep Dilemma

Q: What is up with evening fussiness? I feel like my baby gets good naps all day and then is tired but won't go to sleep in the evening?

A: This is a part of how the newborn stage goes for many babies. Continue with making sure they get naps after only being awake every 1-2 hours (Note: If you think they are tired after 30 minutes or 45 minutes by all means put them down- YOU WANT TO AVOID HAVING THE BABY GET OVERTIRED). And continue making sure they eat often enough (I have always done every 3 hours) and get a full feeding, so they are always well fed. Fussiness usually peaks around 6 weeks of age and then begins to decrease.

Ideas for dealing with the fussiness:

• Have them take a nap in a sling, swing, or such
  
• Use a paci (and the sling)
• Go on a walk or go out and run errands- sleep-on-the-go idea- if they aren't going to sleep at home go out
• Swaddle!
• Have an evening routine- bath, cuddles, feeding...
• Set a time for their last feeding (I always did 10pm) and then put them down for the night

*Marc Weisbluth, author of Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child states that night sleep begins to develop around six weeks of age because of the following (make sure you are allowing this to happen): darkness serves as a time cue, slowing down activities and becoming quieter at night, we behave as if we expect the baby to sleep.

Sunday Sleep Dilemma

Q: How do I get my child to wake up later? There wake up time is messed up from the time change.

A: If you want them to get up at 7 every morning don't go and get them until 7. It may take a little bit to adjust them to the new time. Remember, every time you go and get them at the earlier time that is extending the process and helping them form a habit. It is always sad to listen to them cry... but we always need to stay focused on the fact that they need the sleep, and we need the sleep.

Sleep "Product" Review

Magazines are full of articles related to sleep- some helpful, some not. I just read an article in Babble (on-line http://babble.com/Bedtime-An-expert-troubleshoots-your-sleep-training/). It summarized three of the most common bedtime mistakes according to Dr. Carol Ash (medical director of Sleep for Life).

1. Thinking 8 is enough- our kids need more than 8 hours of sleep. Our kids are not us and have different sleep needs.
2. Rocking or singing your kid to sleep- our kids need to learn to soothe themselves to sleep and the sooner the better. You are a guide in the process not doing it for them.
3. Putting a basketball court in the bedroom- we need to create an environment conducive to sleep- try dark, white noise, cool, no TV or other media

Sunday Sleep Dilemma

Q: Some nights I get home from work after my kids bedtime? How do I find time with them and meet my work needs?

A: Each situation is different. I encourage you to set your child's sleep as a high priority at your home. It will make everyone happier to be well-slept. It is also important for school performance, behavior, good daytime sleep, brain development, and more.

Now, finding time for you and your child on the days you don't make it home. Ideas: spend some special time in the morning if that works out, go home for your lunch break if possible, try using Skype to talk and see each other over the computer or just use a phone, leave them sweet notes or pictures in their lunchbox/with their dinner/with their toothbrush... , ask them to write or dictate a note to you telling about their day, lay out their pjs and a special story or right them a little bedtime story to have read to them, tell them that you will come in and cuddle with them when you get home (and do it- you will both appreciate the physical touch- even if they are asleep- don't wake them), set aside a large chunk of time when you can to really connect with them.

Saturday Sleep Tip

A house rule: NO Night Owls Allowed

Note: Kids age 5-12 need 10-11 hours of sleep a night.

Sleep Ponderings from Me

I just returned home from a 12 day vacation with the family. Husband, wife, three kids drive 2000 miles in 12 days touching five states. It was quite the trip. And I would have to say that my kids (ages 4 1/2, 2 1/2, and 5 months) were absolutely amazing!

So, how did they sleep you wonder? They missed a couple naps when we were driving- just depended on what we did that day and where we had to stop, but overall their sleep stayed on schedule. My 5 month old took great naps on the road, and she would take 3 hour naps on the beach (in her pack'n'play, covered with a blanket, with her noise maker). She woke up at night some of the nights- but 4 of us were staying in the same room. It is vacation; you can't expect perfection.

My other two kids went to bed a bit later a couple of the nights- had to be flexible for the extra fun things you do on vacation, but they went to bed easily, took good naps and were amazing.
Thanks to them getting to sleep well on the trip they were able to keep great attitudes.

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.

Sunday Sleep Tip

Sleep begets sleep. I think many of us are under the natural assumption that the later we keep our kids up the later they will sleep. This idea is false. My kids sleep best when they are well slept. Simply remember that sleep begets sleep.