Slumber Time Solutions

👉TIP TUESDAY!👈
If bedtime has shifted later, should you care? 🤷‍♀️​

​​​​​​​​This time of the year, our kiddo’s bedtime tends to shift later due the warm weather and the sun being out so late! Parents often ask me if that’s a problem.

My answer? It depends!

If your child is going to bed later but is making it up by waking up later in the morning and/or napping more, then it’s probably fine.
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But if your child is getting less sleep overall (in a 24 hour period) than they used to, that could be a concern and we want to look at their behavior to figure out if they’re getting enough sleep. If your child has a hard time making it to dinner and/or bedtime without “losing it, or if they act more tired/grumpy in the morning or other times of the day, then it’s likely they could use a bit more sleep.
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To prevent bedtime from shifting too late, do your bedtime routine in a room that is dim. You may even have to start the bedtime routine earlier (and make it longer) so that they have more time to be in a dim room. The change in light helps with the production of melatonin, which helps us go to sleep. And make sure your kiddo’s room is very dark even if the sun is still out!

Questions? Comment below 👇

Thinking about visiting grandparents or friends while potty learning?

Save this post for some helpful 👉 POTTY TIPS! 👈

💬 COMMUNICATE IN ADVANCE: Let your hosts know about your potty training journey ahead of time, so they can be prepared and supportive during your visit. If you get a sense that this will be stressful for them, consider postponing your visit or having them over

🚽 BRING WHAT YOU NEED: Pack a portable floor potty or a portable toddler potty seat to ensure your child has access to a familiar and comfortable potty setup wherever you go

🚽 DECIDE ON A POTTY SPOT: As soon as you arrive, set up a designated potty area in your host’s home. Set up the floor potty, the toilet seat, your wipes, etc. Bring your child so they can get familiar with the space.

📋 CONTINUE WITH YOUR ROUTINE: Stick to your potty training routine as much as possible, including regular potty breaks and reminders for your little one to use the bathroom.

⏲️ BE STRATEGIC ABOUT WHERE YOU SPEND TIME: Consider avoiding areas of your host’s home with delicate furniture or rugs. Skip the white sofa this time, and instead opt for spaces where accidents can be easily cleaned up.

😌 STAY CALM: If your child has an accident, respond the same way you would if you were home. Remember that accidents happen, it’s all part of the learning process. And learning to use the potty outside of home is another big milestone.

🙌 EXPRESS GRATITUDE: Show appreciation for your hosts for their understanding and support during your visit.

With these tips in mind, I hope you can enjoy quality time with families and friends while continuing your potty training journey with confidence.

👉 TIP TUESDAY 👈 Twin tips!

We want to have twins on the same schedule (feeding, sleep) as much as possible. Here are some tips to keep them on similar schedule:​​​​​​​​​

➡️ When one baby wakes up to eat at night, offer a dreamfeed to the other one as well 🍼

➡️ In order to have the same bedtime, wake them up from the last nap of the day at the same time ⏰

➡️ If 1 twin needs less sleep than the other, put her down a few minutes later for her nap 😴

👉 Parents of twins – can you share your tips with us?

👶 Friendly reminder to take a look at the pacifiers this week:

✅ Remember to regularly inspect pacifiers for any signs of wear or damage

✅Clean them properly

✅ Choose age-appropriate pacifiers for your little one

And if it's time to eliminate the pacifier? DM me for tips!

👉TIP TUESDAY!👈 Does your child ask for water at bedtime or in the middle of the night? It could be a stalling tactic, but it could definitely be legit!

​​​​​​​​​🥤Some kiddos (and adults!) get thirsty at night. Consider offering a water bottle or a sippy cup of water at bedtime. Put it in the same spot in their crib or next to their bed at bedtime every night. Make it a step of your bedtime routine and let your kiddo put their water where they want it. Then, if they ask for water at bedtime or at night, remind them that they already have their water and let them find it. At first, you can start with reminding them where it is by pointing, but don’t give it to them. We want them to manage their water independently so they don’t need to ask you for it. With some practice, they will learn to manage their water on their own! 👏

⚠️Note: usually kiddos drink a few sips at a time at night. If your child is gulping LOTS of water throughout the night, something else may be going on, so let your pediatrician know.

Excited for the new month!

🌻 My Weekly Sleep Support group has a new time - we meet at 10:30 am on Tuesdays!

🌻 The next Baby Sleep Basics class is coming up on June 3. We have a good group already and have space for a few more expecting parents.

🌻 And I love to visit the New Mom School! This time I get to talk about newborn sleep. Check out all the groups at New Mom School - it's a great way to expand your community, gain knowledge and enjoy motherhood!

DM me for details!

Don't forget to sign up for the next Baby Sleep Basics class! ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​This live online class is designed for families who are expecting and/or have a baby 0-3 months old.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​⁣👶

In this class, you will learn how sleep develops in babies and what to expect during the first 6 months. You will get lots of practical information and helpful tips and tricks you can use at every stage.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​⁣👶

By the end of the class, you will have a clear roadmap of what to expect and what to focus on each month, giving you the tools to lay a healthy sleep foundation for your baby and encourage better sleep from the start!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

You will learn:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
👣 Basics of sleep science – understanding how sleep works helps us get more of it!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
👣 Sleep environment and safety​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
- Overall sleep development and important stages​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
👣 Sleep development by month: what to expect & focus on every month - and what not to worry about!

Don't miss it! Comment SLEEP and I will send you the link to register!

👉TIP TUESDAY👈​​​​​​​
Does your kiddo ever get their “second wind”? 🤪​

✳️ When kiddos get to the end of their “awake window” and are naturally sleepy, it’s easier for them to go to sleep. If we miss that window and they stay awake too long, they get overtired. Their body responds by producing more cortisol, which is like giving them an espresso shot – it wakes them up! Getting overtired can look different for different kiddos: some get a burst of energy, some get extra silly, others get clumsy or grumpy, etc.

✳️ When kiddos are overtired, they often have a harder time falling asleep. And often they don’t sleep as well: waking up more frequently throughout the night and/or earlier in the morning. ​​​​​​​

✳️ So we really want to avoid overtiredness when we can! We want to find that that sweet spot and do lights out when your kiddo is tired but not overtired. You can keep a sleep log for a few days and see what timing seems to work best. And remember that as your child gets older, their windows will get longer! ​​​​​​​​⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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📞 If you’re not sure what your child’s awake windows are, I would be happy to help you figure it out! DM me details!

👉 SLEEP TIP TUESDAY 👈⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Do you have a baby and an older kiddo who go to sleep around the same time? Is it tricky to manage their 2 separate routines? 😣

Instead of doing 2 separate routines, try combining at least parts of the routine.
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➡️First, get both kiddos ready: diaper, potty, pajamas.

➡️Then I like to go to the older sibling’s room and reading some books together. You can offer a feeding to baby while you are reading.

➡️After a few books, leave the oldest one alone (with a book, an audio book, or a special quiet toy) and go put baby down. Read 1 more book with just baby, or sing 1 song. Then put baby down. 😴

➡️Finally, come back to your oldest, snuggle and talk for a few minutes together and then turn off the light and leave.

I would love to hear how you combine your kiddos’ bedtime routine!

👉 TIP TUESDAY 👈⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Naps evolve a lot over time.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀​​​​​​​​

👶 Newborns can take 5-6 naps/day​

👶🏿 By 4-5 months, they usually take 4 naps/day⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀​​​​​​​​

👶🏽 Around 6 months, babies usually settle into 3 naps/day. Usually the first 2 are longer and the last one tends to be a shorter "cat nap"

👶🏼 Between 6-9 months, they drop the 3rd nap and take 2 naps/day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀​​​​​​​​

🧒🏻 Between 15-18 months, they transition to 1 afternoon nap. I find that this transition can be pretty challenging for a few weeks as kiddos adjust to the longer awake windows.
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🧒 Some kids start skipping some naps around 2.5 yo and drop their nap completely between 3-5 years old. Others keep napping! (yes, that’s a big range!)

What phase are you in? If naps are hard or confusing, reach out!