Blog
Moving to a Bed (from a Crib)
Posted July 28, 2010
This is absolutely the way/time I like the transition to a big bed to happen. By waiting until age 3 (+-) it gives the child time to become interested and curious about the transition and feel in charge of it. Her timing is good and I see no big reason to make her work around the moving time. So my advice is to follow her lead. Two important things:
- Let her know that in order to keep her safe and for you to know where she is, only parents will be in charge of when her door closes or opens. I suggest you find a method you are comfortable with (white door-knob cover? hook and eye lock on outside?) so you can stay 100% in control of where she is, just as if you have turned her whole room into one large crib. (I would leave the crib up for a week or so, just in case she needs to make a few trial runs...)
- I suggest you leave the soother in place, for now. After the move and once she is a good sleeper in her new bed (glitches do arise, occasionally, even at this age), it will then be a good time to take the soother away. To do that, you can tell her "Tonight is the night you will be able to fall asleep without the soother, just like you do at daycare. (warning her ahead only creates anxiety) If she tries to talk you out of it, let her know it's OK if she needs to cry because crying will help her get to sleep faster." Then, you just do it. Give her something new to suck on (she probably won't use it) and tell her you know she can do it. In the meantime, you can let her know that if she loses her soothers in her big bed, she can get out of bed and look for it. Let her know that her soothers are up to her, now. (put an extra in a box on a shelf and let her know the location?)
- Generally, I do not recommend a child participates in the "loss" of soothers. When/why they go should be an adult decision, and if you can avoid feeling sorry for her (hard!) she'll feel more confident in the long run.
Filed under: Sleep
Baby-Tested “Lovies” for Self-Calming
Posted April 3, 2010
I'm remembering a question that was raised at a recent Sleep from the Start prenatal seminar: "When I lay my baby in her crib - awake - and trust her to get herself to sleep without rocking her or feeding her to sleep, is there anything I can safely put into the crib to help her with self-calming?"
My answer was "Yes", and I want to share some ideas with you. Several companies have released carefully designed, suck-able, non-toxic and organic items which are easy for babies to grab ahold of (accidentally or on purpose) and bring to the mouth to suck on or to simply hold onto tightly... as they put themselves to sleep. You may need to ignore the marketing blurbs that promise eye/hand coordination or better brain development. We are just looking for safe, attractive items to become your child's "lovey." Handy to take on planes and makes it easier for your baby to maintain their self-calming strategies in new beds, new places.
Sophie the Giraffe is made by this company. BPA-free, suck-able and easy to grasp neck. ( I wish Sophie didn't squeak)
Nature Babies at Calgary Farmer's Market. I bought a Teething Carrot (100% organic cotton) to send to a friend. Clutchable, inexpensive.
A favorite swaddling blanket 100% muslin, prewashed, large and stretchy so it won't come loose in the night. Breathable fabric to prevent over-heating.
This is not an exhaustive list, by far, but I don't think you'll be disappointed with any of these choices. And if you do not want to make a purchase, consider using one of your soft, cloth dinner napkins, tied with a knot in the middle. Highly breathable, small enough to be safe in the crib and very clutchable by your baby.
Does your baby have a favorite item he/she uses for self-calming? Drop us a comment!
Filed under: Sleep
An App for White Noise - Wow!
Posted January 26, 2010
I'm thankful to a parent wrote to tell me about an Application she downloaded to her ipod which allows her to play white noise in her baby's room during naps and nights. This App costs around $2.00 and has a choice of several sounds (waterfall, heartbeat, ultrasound and even a hair dryier). Parents can set a timer to determine when it goes on and off. I suggest you leave it on all night and for the duration of each 2-hour nap.
Commercial white noise machines now on the market turn off automatically after playing for only 60 minutes. I think this renders them useless - and might even wake the baby in the process. Instead these downloadable programs give parents complete control of the type of sound as well as the length of play. Here is a link to download this App.http://appadvice.com/app/337495029
I don't have an ipod so I was happy to learn that I could download a similar program from Itunes ($.99) on to my MacBook Pro. I can choose from many sounds and put it on a playlist and set it on repeat for the night. (itunes>white noise babies) Rather than buying an album (it will switch around sounds) I purchased just one sound ($.99) and put it on repeat for the night.
Advantages of white noise:
- White noise, especially any "sssshhhh"-like sound is a wonderful way to contribute to your newborn's self-calming skills.
- White noise in a toddler or preschooler's room muffles the sound of a baby's cry in the room next door, making it less likely that a parent feels the need to rush right in
- White noise in parent's room helps parents remember that they are actually "off duty" for the night. Add a pair of earplugs and you are good to go!
- White noise on your holiday when you all have to sleep in the same room, allows your baby to hear familiar sounds from home- and muffles your unavoidable noises and whispers.
Once you've said "It's nighttime, I love you, I'll see you in the morning," you can leave the room knowing you are leaving your children with peaceful, sleep-inducing theraputic sounds to comfort them as they put themselves to sleep.
Filed under: Product Reviews, Sleep
