Newborns sleep most of the day, sometimes up to 18 hours. The thing is that they don't stay asleep for very long whether it is night or day. They wake up sometimes to be changed, to eat, or just to play. Soon you will know your baby's noises so you will be able to be prepared for what ever your baby needs. If it is night time nad your baby is up to eat just keep the lights dim while you are feeding and then try to get your baby to go back to sleep, this way your baby will see that it is night time.

Labels: baby sleep

There are a couple methods of trying to get your baby to go to sleep. Two pf the more common ones are self-soothing and parent soothing. There are pros and cons to both of these methods and I will list some of them an then it is up to you to choose what is right for your family.

Self-Soothing
Pros
~your baby will learn to fall asleep on their own
~ Won't put comforting and sleeping together
~If baby wakes up in the middle of the night, may be better able to fall back asleep alone

Cons
~There may be nights of having to hear your baby cry out for you
~There is a possibility of having your baby lose trust in your when they cry and you don't come
~There is also a possibility of risking not being as sensitive when your baby cries

Parent-Soothing
Pros
~Your baby will feel good about going to sleep
~Your baby will gain trust in you
~Baby will feel safe and secure

Cons
~If baby wakes in the middle of the night, they will probably need you to get them back to sleep
~Learns to need someone else to get to sleep

Labels: baby sleep

This can be a difficult task if your baby is used to falling asleep in your bed with you, but it is better done sooner rather than later. As you all know I stress routine! That can be very helpful with bedtime as well. It really doesn't matter what kind of routine that you have, as long as you have one. This way they know that bedtime is coming. An example might be to have a bath, put on PJ's and then read a story.

Another important thing is to put your baby in their own bed awake. If you are rocking them to sleep (I used to do this), they will run in your room in the middle of the night because they think that you left them. Trust me this will happen, and every night. Your baby may cry for a while if they are not used to this pattern, but it will get better with time. Just stay strong and don't give in! You can do it!!

Labels: baby sleep

This is different depending on the age of the baby, and who the baby is. Once Alex got out of the newborn stage he took two little hour naps a day. One in the morning around 11 and then another around 2 or 3. Now he takes just one nap a day after lunch. He will nap anywhere from 1-2 hours. It is important to have your baby nap though, because he/she will be so much happier throughout the day if he/she is rested. For some baby's all it takes is a 30-45 minute power nap! Every child is different!

Labels: baby questions, baby sleep

I had a lot of questions on this so rather than just using one I decided to answer them all. I know that it is hard to get your baby to sleep in their own beds, especially if they are used to sleeping with their mommy and daddy. You should not feel bad for having your baby sleep separate. It is what you and your baby need.

Yes, it does get easier. You just have to keep at it. Do the same routine every night, and don't give in, not even once. That one time will make them think that if they cry long enough that you will give in. I'm not saying let your baby cry for 20 minutes until they fall asleep. I never let Alex cry for longer than 5 minutes. I go in and tell him that I love him and that he is safe and calm him down. You don't want your baby to be scared to go to sleep, which is why I go in and talk to Alex.

Labels: baby sleep

Until Alex was a year and a couple months old we put him to sleep at 8:00, and then we went to 9:00. The 9:00 seemed to fit him better, he went to sleep easier and took a better nap in the middle of the day. When you are trying to see what time will work for your baby give it a couple of days to see if it is helping, it is hard to tell after just one night. Whatever you decide just make sure you have a routine and I'm sure it will be good.

Labels: baby questions, baby sleep

Giving your baby/toddler a nap during the day will give you a happier baby! If your baby doesn't get a nap during the day then they are more likely to not only fight sleep at night, but also to be cranky throughout the day. Sleep is important at every age, but especially to a young child. It will also help out greatly if you can develop a routine. Giving a nap at the same time every day will help your baby adjust.

For example, try getting your baby to take a nap after lunch and after a few days of doing this at the same time they will know what to expect!

Labels: baby sleep

There are many benefits of keeping your baby in a routine, for example, a bedtime routine. When bed time comes (which should be the same time every night) your baby will be more likely to cooperate if they know what to expect. Give your baby a warm bath, then tuck them into bed and read them a story. This will give your baby time to wind down. You can even use this method with infants, and in fact, would probably be easier with infants.

One of my favorite parts of this routine, is the fact that no matter what happens throughout the day, I know that every night I will get to read Alex a story and we will have a little talk and then he is off to dream land. It really is a nice feeling!

Bedtime isn't the only routine you can have, there is also eating, napping, and so many other!!

Labels: baby sleep

I would say yes on this one. Even when they are toddlers they really still need at least one nap during the day. This helps them have more energy and to be less grouchy. If you have a little one that has not taken a nap all day by the time you get to 6 or 7 at night there really isn't anything that you can do to please that child. Even putting them bed is going to be a challenge as they are much more likely to fight sleep.

Alex takes one nap during the day and it is right after lunch and he sleeps for about and hour and a half to two hours. I have also met kids his age that take two 30 minute naps and are much happier that a child that hasn't had a nap at all.

Labels: baby questions, baby sleep

There is a trick to getting your baby to sleep well by themselves. They have to fall asleep by themselves. It sounds easy, but its not at all, this means not rocking them in your arms and letting them fall asleep. They will get scared when they wake up and you are not there.

Wait until your baby is very sleepy, and read them a story, then lay them down and walk away. The younger this pattern is started the better. The longer you wait the harder is gets for everyone! Be prepared to wake up some in the middle of the nights for the first little while, and you will be tempted to just bring them in bed with you, but you have to be firm!!

It will get easier, and everyone will get a good night sleep!

Labels: baby sleep

My opinion in the question would be, never unattended, and not while you are sleeping too. The thought of this would make me nervous, just because it would be so easy for a baby to suffocate. If your baby is still where he/she can't roll over alone, and you are talking about sleeping with you through the night, be really careful. When you move so does the bed. If you move to much it could cause waves in the bed, which could then roll the baby. Again I am not a Dr. and you should double check with yours, but if it were me, I don't think that I would take a chance.

If you want to keep your infant close, bring a bassinet in your room and put it near your bed. Maybe this will prepare you more for when your baby needs a crib, and will be in his/her own room.

Labels: baby questions, baby sleep

Although your newborn baby will sleep 16 hours or more in a day doesn't mean it will happen all at one time. Your baby has such a small belly and can't hold enough food to keep him/her satisfied throughout the night.

For the first couple of weeks you will probably be getting up every 3 to 4 hours, if you are bottle feeding, to feed your baby. Some Dr's will even recommend waking your baby to feed them. Check with your Dr. and see what is right for you. They may not know if it is day or night, but they do know when they are hungry!

Labels: baby sleep

It can be hard to tell if you baby is having a nightmare in the middle of the night if they can't use their words to tell you.

Alex had his first nightmare on our vacation. I could tell by his cry that it was a nightmare. It was a very scared cry, also he is normally a really good sleeper so when he woke up like this I was pretty sure that is what it was. I went in and held him until he was calm. I talked to him and told him that he was safe.

It can be hard to tell why they nightmares I still don't know cause Alex's. We were on vacation, so it could have been because he didn't know where he was. A good way to help prevent nightmares is to have a relaxing routine. Warm bath, and a sweet book with your baby maybe even sitting in your lap!

Labels: baby sleep

On average babies age 1 to 3 year old needs anywhere from 10 to 13 hours of sleep a day. Try to make sure that they have a least one nap a day to help prevent a grouchy baby when trying to go to bed. Also if you put him/her to bed drowsy but not asleep, it will help them get used to the idea of sleeping in their own bed.

Labels: baby sleep

The DaVinci Kalani 3-in-1 Crib is another crib designed to be used from birth through the toddler years. This one can even be adjusted so that it can be used by an adult!

I wrote about a more expensive model that does something similar a couple of days ago: Walnut Stokke Sleepi Mini Crib System.

While these adjustable cribs are more expensive than normal cribs you may actually save money over time since it adjusts to your child's growth unlike a normal crib (where you'd have to buy a new crib to accommodate your child's growth.) This crib lists at $399.

Click on the photo below to learn more about the DaVinci Kalani 3-in-1 Crib (it can be purchased online.)

Labels: baby sleep

Today I'm featuring a high end crib system from Stokke (by high end I mean high quality and also very expensive: $849 for this product.)

This "Sleepi System" is designed to grow as your baby grows. It's designed to fit your baby from infancy through the toddler years. It can fit your baby until they are five years old!

Curious about the walnut colored Stokke Sleepi Mini & Crib System? Click on the photo below to learn more about the product (you can purchase it online from the babycenter store.)

Labels: baby sleep

You may be thinking that if your baby doesn't take a nap all day then maybe he/she will sleep better throughout the night. That could back fire. They might be more likely to fight sleep at night time if they are tired, and no nap could cause them to be grouchy during the day.

One idea is to have them take a couple of short naps during the day. Another is to maybe take one long nap in the middle of their day. A well rested baby is a happy baby!

Labels: baby sleep

Keeping your baby on a schedule will not only help you, but your baby as well. It is easier to plan your day if you know when your baby is going to eat and when your baby is going to sleep.

Developing a pattern at a young age helps your child as they grow up. Think about everything your child will be doing in life. It may be day care, school, or even when they get to work, all of these things will have them on a schedule.

Life is on a schedule and if you want your baby to be ready for life then you'll be doing them a favor getting them used to a schedule now.

Labels: baby sleep