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Archive for March, 2010Easter Baby GiftsMonday, March 29th, 2010I love Easter. It was an important day in our house when I was growing up. The Easter Bunny would bring a little basket for my sister, my brother, and me, filled with pocket money size gifts and a chocolate egg. We always had an Easter egg hunt in the garden, and had a big family lunch. Do people still do this? This year, for my four year old, Laurie, I’ve bought a bucket and trowel for the garden and filled it with: (more…)  An Alternative to White Noise!Friday, March 26th, 2010Here’s one alternative to white noise to help calm your crying baby! For something a little more portable, try our baby sleep CD! Handling Your Baby’s Sleep when the Clocks go ForwardThursday, March 25th, 2010The clocks go forward on Sunday 28th March, but our babies will, of course, have no idea. If you have a baby who has a regular sleep routine and you’re worried the clocks going forward might affect this, here’s how you can keep your baby’s sleep on track. (more…) Bamboo Baby Bedding and Baby SleepwearMonday, March 22nd, 2010Here at Sleepytot, we love bamboo bedding and sleepwear for our babies. It is a little more expensive than cotton and other fabrics, and here are six reasons why: (more…) My Baby Wakes for the DummySunday, March 21st, 2010If your baby is waking throughout the night and all you need to do is pop the dummy in her mouth to help her fall back to sleep, then your baby is probably waking for the dummy and you may have a negative sleep association on your hands. Your baby has learned to use the dummy to self soothe and fall asleep. All babies wake a few times in the night. Those who can self soothe will normally go straight back to sleep. Those who can’t will call for someone to help them. If your baby is able to use the dummy independently, pops it back in her mouth when she wakes, and goes straight back to sleep, then I would say the dummy is a positive sleep association. It’s something that helps your baby sleep through the night without your involvement and provides her with comfort. (more…) Do you Need Blackout Blinds in your Baby’s Nursery?Friday, March 19th, 2010People often say to me that they have chosen not to use blackout blinds in the nursery because they don’t want their baby to get so used to only sleeping in the dark, that they can’t then sleep when out and about or on holiday and so on. I completely understand this and if you have a baby who naps well, sleeps through the night and doesn’t wake at 5am, then please don’t bother investing in blackout blinds or anything else to help your baby sleep! However, if your baby naps poorly or is an early riser, then blackout blinds can make a significant difference to your baby’s sleeping habits very quickly. (more…) Is “Controlled Crying” Safe for Babies?Tuesday, March 16th, 2010Using behavioural techniques including ‘controlled crying’ to help infants to sleep does not lead to later emotional and behavioural problems, according to new research by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute. The world-first study followed up 225 six-year-old children who had received behavioural sleep intervention as babies to assess their health including emotional wellbeing, behaviour and child-parent relationship. (more…) Motherhood and Handling GuiltMonday, March 15th, 2010If we’re honest, we sometimes feel guilty as parents, right? My two small people were poorly last night with a tummy bug and awake for most of the night. So I’m tired today. Snappy and grouchy. I’m looking forward to 7:30pm when I can close the boys’ bedroom door and have some grown up time watching Eastenders. Yes, I watch it, it’s true. But I know it won’t work like that. I’ll feel guilty instead. Cross with myself for all the times I was irritated in the day, sorry for responding grumpily, for rushing through bedtime and hurrying my little children into bed. I’ll want to get them back out of bed and tell them just how much I love them. Of course I’m only human, and who spends the day feeling like Pollyanna when they’re seriously sleep deprived? It’s the curse of being a mum – feeling guilty for not being perfect. (more…) How Not to Teach Baby to Sleep in her CotThursday, March 4th, 2010If you’re finding it hard to teach your baby to sleep in her cot or crib, this video won’t help. But it will make you smile! For a little more help with your baby’s sleep, visit our community area. A Bedtime Routine for your Baby or ToddlerMonday, March 1st, 2010Here’s an example of a bedtime routine which you and your baby or toddler will love. You’ll want to adapt this depending on your little one’s age. But remember that it should be focused and not too long. 20 minutes for an 8 week old baby, moving to a maximum of 45 minutes for a toddler is ideal. (more…) |
