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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

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?

June 19, 2014 by Angela Walsh Leave a Comment

How Being a Baby Sleep Consultant Helped Me in the Animal World

 

IMG_0154One month ago we had to say good-bye to our beautiful ten year old Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie), named Katie. It was so hard for our family and we miss her terribly. But just the other day we brought home a new Sheltie, and our hearts are beginning to heal as we fall in love with Rylee.

I had forgotten what it is like to have a puppy. IMG_1298   It’s almost like a baby; my house is a mess all the time with toys and puppy equipment everywhere. I cannot take my eyes off him for a second when he’s not in his crate, and when I’m away from him, he’s constantly on my mind. But there’s one good thing-I’m not an exhausted new mother.

Rylee is a good little puppy; he has a wonderful temperament and is very playful and affectionate. What I have learned as a baby and child sleep consultant is:  even though he is a dog, he is still a baby, and therefore he needs to be on a schedule and get a lot of sleep to grow strong and healthy (just like a baby.)    IMG_1283

It’s tempting to think that if a baby or puppy sleeps less during the day, they will sleep more at night.  Certainly for babies and children this is not true.  In fact the opposite is true.  When they don’t get the proper amount of sleep during the day they become overtired, which leads to trouble falling asleep at night and waking frequently throughout the night.

I am letting my little Rylee sleep as much as he likes and needs, during the day.  This keeps him happy and healthy.  He gets a lot of attention from my kids when they come home, and from visitors who pop over.  If he wasn’t well rested, he wouldn’t be able to handle all the handling and attention and he would get very overwhelmed.  And so far, all this sleep during the day has not at all interfered with his sleep at night. We’re both well-rested.

Babies are not puppies, but they do share some things in common. They are cute. They depend on us.  They bring us joy and love. They need our love and care to grow strong, healthy and happy- and they need their sleep!

Thankfully, I am not an exhausted new mother; those days are behind me. But I know so many of you are in the thick of it. In order to get the sleep you need, make sure your baby gets the sleep he/she needs.

What about you?  Have you ever tried keeping your little one up thinking he/she will sleep better at night?  Let me know how it turned out?

 

Filed Under: Baby Sleep, baby sleep difficulties, certified child sleep consultant, child sleep expert, Don't wake a baby, happy babies, napping, When should a baby sleep, Why not to wake a baby

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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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