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April 4, 2015 by Angela Walsh Leave a Comment

How Can I Get My Baby to Nap?

 

 

 

face of a sleeping baby

 

Before I answer that, let me ask, how important is napping for your baby? We all know that babies sleep a lot. What we may not know, is that not all sleep is created equal. Some parents may feel they would rather have most of their baby’s sleep take place at night, but depending on the age, this can be very detrimental for the baby. Babies grow and develop when they nap. Their morning nap is mentally restorative and their afternoon nap is physically restorative. Babies and children who nap, are found to have greater attention spans.

Some parents may also think that if they limit the amount of time their baby sleeps during the day, their baby will then sleep longer and better at night. In most cases this will backfire. We know that “sleep begets sleep,” therefore we also know that the opposite is true-the less your baby sleeps, the less your baby will be able to sleep. Your baby:

  • Will become overtired
  • May experience trouble falling asleep at night
  • May experience several night wakings
  • Wake early in the morning

Based on all this information, it’s clear naps are very important for babies. So back to the original question, How Can I Get My Baby to Nap?  All of us have circadian rhythms, which is basically our internal clock, that determines when we sleep and we are awake. It is best to sleep when this clock dictates. If we don’t, we end up being overtired, cranky, unfocused, and often unable to fall asleep.

Little babies do not develop these rhythms until they are about 16 weeks old. So up until that time, it’s best to put your baby down for a nap when she is showing sleepy signs, but within 45 minutes to 2 hours of wake time, depending on your baby’s age.

Once your baby is about 16 weeks, you now want to put him on a sleep schedule of a morning, afternoon and late afternoon nap. This is where many nap problems occur, because the timing of these naps is crucial to your baby getting restorative and consolidated sleep.

  • Morning nap should begin between 8:15 and 9am and last at least one hour.
  • Afternoon nap should begin between 11:30am and 1pm and last at least one hour.
  • Late afternoon nap may take place anywhere between 3 and 4pm and last 30 minutes or more, but should not go later than 4:30pm

Additionally babies should have their first two naps of the day in their cribs, making sure their room is cavelike-dark and cool(68-70 degrees.) 

It is very important to follow these guidelines to make sure your baby is getting the sleep she needs during the day. Unfortunately, some babies have trouble settling into a good nap schedule, so it’s up to you to be persistent and consistent to see results.

Allowing your baby to get the rest he needs throughout the day, will ensure he sleeps well at night, is happy, healthy and able to learn and grow properly. And as a bonus, you’ll get to sleep too!!  

 Angela Walsh is a Family Sleep Institute, Certified Infant and Child Sleep Consultant and the founder of Babes in Sleepland. She helps sleep deprived babies, children and families, get back on track and get the sleep they need and desire. To learn more about Angela and how she can help you, visit her website: babesinsleepland.com.  Also get sleep tips, the latest research on baby and child products, and be part of her weekly Q and A at her Facebook page: Babes in Sleepland.

Filed Under: baby sleep difficulties, How Can I Get my Baby to Nap?, Infant and child sleep advice, napping, When should a baby sleep

November 24, 2014 by Angela Walsh Leave a Comment

Ten Tips for Colicky Babies and Exhausted Moms

http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-baby-crying-image26123090As most parents know, colic is intense crying that never seems to end. It leaves parents feeling terribly helpless and for new parents, it can be especially frightening. Here, your beautiful little baby seems to be in so much pain, and the piercing cry is almost too much to bear. It most often seems to happen when everyone is tired and cranky-early to late evening. It generally subsides when the baby is three months old.

Often parents think their baby has colic when it could just be general fussiness. I used to think my babies had colic, but the one missing ingredient was the classic ” knees pulled up to the chest.”  They never did this, so I can now say, they didn’t have colic. Yet their early evening, endless crying, left me feeling the same way a parent of a colicky baby would feel. 

 What do Professionals Say Causes Colic and Fussiness?

  1. Intestinal pain.
  2. Swallowing too much air when they start to cry, which in turn causes gassiness, which leads to more crying.
  3. Tension that builds throughout the day.

                  What Can a Parent or Caregiver Do?

  1. Prepare yourself and your environment for the possibility you will have a fussy/colicky baby. Understand that it is normal and many if not most, babies experience it. You are not alone which is so good to remember because you may feel alone.  Talk to your baby’s dad and make sure he understands there could be lots of crying. Keep in mind fussiness begins late in the afternoon and can go long into the evening. Prepare an early dinner for yourself, get other children settled, set up a comfortable room in the house where you have things to keep you occupied and distracted (movies, magazines, snacks) while you soothe your baby.   
  2. Probiotics have been found to relieve colic in some babies.Of course this is never advised unless the pediatrician agrees.
  3. Feed baby small amounts at a time and burp a lot.
  4. Remove cow’s milk from the nursing mom’s diet, and eventually other things such as, caffeine and spicy and gassy foods, if need be.
  5. Use a white noise machine which can calm a baby as it re-creates sounds of mom’s womb.
  6. Sucking-whether it be breast, bottle, or pacifier, this is found to trigger the calming reflex.
  7. Swaddling-babies feel they are back in their mom’s body which brings them comfort and warmth.
  8. Side Sleeping-lying baby on her left side can aid in digestion and inhibit the Moro, also called startle reflex. 
  9. Swinging-movement such as a swing, car ride or rocking reminds baby of his first home.
  10. Shushing– while you walk, hold, or lie with your baby, this sound emulates what he heard in the womb.                                                                                                                                  

                                 As a Last Resort

If none of these things work, it’s best to lay your baby down in his bed and leave him to cry. It may sound cruel, but often your baby needs to cry. Being exposed to so much stimulation throughout the day can be very overwhelming and crying can help relieve this tension. You can try this in five to ten minute intervals. Put him in bed for five to ten minutes, then try to soothe him for five to ten minutes.

Interestingly, a study showed that babies in the hospital had less colicky type behavior than babies who were at home with their parents. The study concluded that babies in the hospital cannot be attended to the way they are at home.  Therefore, they are exposed to less stimulation, which may actually be the root of the problem.

Remember to take care of yourself.  You are still recovering from childbirth and you need your rest to make sure your milk supply is adequate, so enlist the help of others if you feel overwhelmed.  

                                   Sleep and the Colicky Baby

So now that the colic has subsided you may run into sleep difficulties.  This is one of the things that can happen because colicky babies are held and comforted a lot.  Many have not learned self-soothing skills, and therefore have negative sleep associations, and often a big sleep debt to make up.  At four months of age, a baby’s circadian rhythms develop and it is now important for them to be on a solid nap and bedtime schedule, so that they get the most restorative and consolidated sleep.

If by the age of four months your baby is still not able to settle on her own, wakes frequently throughout the night, wakes very early in the morning, or is not napping properly,  you may need to consider sleep training.  Sleep training will teach your baby not only to sleep well, but to love sleep, and this is key to a well-rested, happy and healthy baby!

 


happy family mother and baby having fun playing, laughing on bed

 

 Does your baby have colic or fussy periods throughout the day?  Let us know what techniques you implement.

Angela Walsh is a Family Sleep Institute, Certified Infant and Child Sleep Consultant and the founder of Babes in Sleepland. She helps sleep deprived babies, children and families, get back on track and get the sleep they need and desire. To learn more about Angela and how she can help you, visit her website: babesinsleepland.com Also get sleep tips, the latest research on baby and child products, and be part of her weekly Q and A at her Facebook page: Babes in Sleepland

 

Filed Under: Baby Sleep, baby sleep difficulties, certified child sleep consultant, how to swaddle a baby, Infant and child sleep advice, is it good to swaddle a baby, Moms and Babies, swaddling a baby

October 16, 2014 by Angela Walsh Leave a Comment

October is Sudden Infant Death (SIDS) Awareness Month-What You Need to Know

 

Portrait of a little baby sleeping

 

In the last 10 years the US has made real progress in reducing the number of babies who dies from SIDS, but the rate is still too high.

What is SIDS?

SIDS is the unexplained death of a baby under the age of one year.

Who is at risk?

Babies under the age of one year.

What can you do?

1. Babies should always be placed on their back for sleep.

2. There should be no loose blankets, stuffed animals or anything at all in bed with the baby.

3. Baby’s mattress should be firm with a tight fitting sheet.

4. The majority of the baby’s sleep should take place in the crib or bassinet where the baby is lying flat. Sleeping in such things as a car seat, swing or stroller can put the baby in a position where there is a risk of suffocation.

5. Room sharing without bed sharing is best. However, if parents choose to bed share:

a) The mattress should be firm.

b) The parents should not be excessively tired, smoke cigarettes or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

c) The sleeping should only take place in a proper bed; not on a couch or reclining chair.

d) Bed sharing should not take place with anyone but the parent(s).

6. Mothers should try to breastfeed for a minimum of six months.

7. Pacifier use at bedtime (not attached to anything.)

8. Baby’s sleep environment should be kept at 68 degrees and the baby should be dressed appropriately for that temperature. The baby should also be checked for perspiration or hot to the touch.

9. Pregnant woman should have regular pre-natal check-ups.

10. Baby’s immunizations should be kept up to date.

11. Anything marketed as reducing the risk of SIDS, should not be used.

12. Don’t give honey to a baby under the age of one, due to the risk of botulism and the relationship of botulism with SIDS

Also counteract back sleeping with tummy time during the day to aid with baby’s development.

For more information on SIDS please visit http:// www.nichd.nih.gov/SIDS

 

Please let me know if you found this article helpful.

Angela Walsh is a Family Sleep Institute, Certified Infant and Child Sleep Consultant, and the founder of Babes in Sleepland. She helps sleep deprived babies, children and families, get back on track and get the sleep they need and desire. To learn more about Angela and how she can help you, visit her website: babesinsleepland.com Also get sleep tips, the latest research on baby and child products, and be part of her weekly Q and A at her Facebook page: Babes in Sleepland

Filed Under: Baby Sleep, certified child sleep consultant, child sleep expert, Infant and child sleep advice, Keeping children safe, napping, Sudden Infant Death, What are the "safe to sleep" guidelines?

December 26, 2013 by Angela Walsh Leave a Comment

My interview with healthylife.net. Did you know up to 69% of children under the age of 11, have some kind of sleep related disorder?

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Infant and child sleep advice, Media Mentions Tagged With: Baby sleep schedules, How to get a child to nap, Night time wakings, The importance of naps for children

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Meet Angela

My name is Angela Walsh.  I am a Child Sleep Consultant Certified by the Family Sleep Institute, and the founder of Babes in Sleepland.  As the mother of four grown children (three boys and a girl), my mission is to help parents like you enjoy every … (READ MORE)

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