Did you know that August 20th is World Mosquito Day? At first glance, it may seem odd to dedicate a day to an insect that surely tops the list of “World’s Most Annoying Bug.” However, the day isn’t about celebrating skeeters … it’s also the day that commemorates when Sir Ronald Ross discovered that female mosquitoes transmit malaria 一 and how you can protect your family against mosquito-borne illnesses.
Below, we share our top do’s and don'ts for using bug repellent safely around children.
When it comes to bug sprays, there’s no shortage of options. But how do you know what’s safe for kids? Here are some tips for selecting 一 and applying 一 bug sprays on kids.
Do:
Don’t:
Is DEET safe? The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend any bug sprays for children under two months of age. For older children, they do not recommend using any product with over 30% DEET. If you do use DEET, always follow the instructions and do not overapply the product. If your child has a skin reaction to any type of bug spray or lotion, call your child’s doctor, or in the case of accidental ingestion, call Poison Help.
Although the EPA and CDC attest that DEET is safe (when used correctly), many parents prefer to use more natural solutions.
Although natural options don’t last as long as DEET, you can reapply the more natural options for protection. "Natural" insect-repellent ingredients are often plant-based and include:
As always, follow all instructions on the product that you’ve selected. Some essential oils are not safe for children under the age of two.
Natural options are available in non-pressurized sprays, roll-on oil blends, and candles.
Even if you can’t use bug sprays, there are many ways to help reduce bug bites. If possible, avoid heavily infested areas, such as camping or picnicking near stagnant water. For babies and children who can’t wear bug spray, protect them with clothing. Keeping your skin covered with light colored clothing 一 mosquitoes are more attracted to dark colors 一 can help reduce the number of bug bites.
For babies who may be napping outside, use bug netting. There are many options including nets for playpens and strollers.
If you’re camping, keep your tent door shut, avoid wearing floral perfume, and keep a campfire going. Bugs don’t like the smoke or fire! This is the perfect excuse to whip up a batch of s’mores!
And finally, spend a few minutes on National Mosquito Day teaching your kids about mosquitoes. You can teach them about bug bite safety, where mosquitoes live, and how bugs play a role in nature’s life cycle. Bats, birds, fish, frogs, dragonflies, and turtles all eat mosquitoes. So, it turns out that these annoying bugs do have a purpose!
]]>That’s the beauty of a lazy day. It’s a day to recharge, unwind, and prevent burnout.
As parents, we know it can be hard to soak up some R&R with little kids. That’s why we’ve curated a list of techniques to celebrate National Lazy Day, even if you’ve got a busy household of little ones!
National Lazy Day is the perfect reason to order in, and there’s no reason why you can’t start with breakfast! Here are a few fun ideas to keep breakfast as lazy (but fun) as possible:
Lazy breakfasts are the perfect way to kick off National Lazy Day.
Unless you’re planning on a trip to the park or zoo, why not stay in your jammies all day? Or, at the very least, stay in your jammies for as long as possible before you head out for fun adventures outside of your house.
Of course, you may want to plan a few fun outings, but avoid planning any stressful errands on this day. This can be hard because, as humans, we’re hardwired to work and be busy. Focus on the reason for the day ー to rejuvenate your mind and body ー and save your errands and chores for another day.
One of the downsides of running a busy household is that there isn’t always a whole lot of time leftover for hobbies, but today, make time for your favorite hobby. Whether you like to jog, knit, bake, play an instrument, or draw, find a way to spend some time doing an activity you enjoy.
Scrolling on your phone is oh-so-addicting, but it’s also a few clicks and taps away from emails and news. Work emails and reading the news definitely aren’t part of National Lazy Day! Instead, just ditch your phone (at least for a little bit!) and unwind without any technology.
While you might ditch your phone for a little bit, why not turn on the TV and catch up on your favorite show? You can also watch a family-friendly show with any little ones who aren’t in school yet.
While your kids are at school (or napping), soak in a bubble bath. Keep these tips in mind to make it even more luxurious:
National Lazy Day is the perfect day to lose yourself in a new book. If you have little ones at home, consider setting them up with an activity while you read right next to them. Depending on their age, they may play with playdough, read their own book, or work on puzzles while you read.
Whether you’re playing CandyLand, Monopoly, or chess, there’s a board game for everyone. You can also teach age-appropriate card games to your children, too—some good ones to start with include Go Fish, War, Uno, and Rumi.
National Lazy Day requires a lazy dinner, of course! That means no dishes for you! Whether you order take-out from your favorite restaurant or head for dinner as a family, treat yourself!
It might be a school night, but consider watching a family movie after dinner. Get everyone in their pajamas, snuggle in your bed, and watch a movie together.
Are you planning on avoiding all chores at all costs? Ordering take-out for every meal of the day? Watching movies all day? Let us know how you’ll celebrate this fun day.
White noise is actually a mix of different sound frequencies that creates a static-like sound. This noise that spans multiple bands of sound is also referred to as broadband noise or just static in some cases.
Technically, white noise should contain all frequencies across the spectrum of audible sound in equal measure. However, many use the term to describe a range of steady, static-like sounds that can drown out disturbing noises and help you sleep better.
Researchers have studied the impact of white noise on humans and found evidence suggesting it can help reduce crying in babies and support baby sleep.
Learn More About Why Babies Cry At Night!
Pink noise isn’t exactly the same as white noise, but it does a similar job when it comes to sleep. You may hear it called ambient noise and it can be described as a steady background hum that blocks out other noises. It may also sound more low and deep than white noise which contains higher pitched sounds.
Many examples of pink noise can be found in nature, such as:
Researchers have studied the impact of white noise on humans and found evidence suggesting it can help reduce crying in babies and support baby sleep.
Various studies have been conducted on the effect of white noise on babies. For instance, one 40-baby study found that white noise helped 80% fall asleep in just 5 minutes while another study found that white noise significantly decreases the duration of crying and increases sleep durations in colicky babies.
Health organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics also agree that white noise can be helpful at improving sleep in babies.
Whether it’s due to the soothing effect of white or pink noise on your baby or the fact that it blocks out distracting sounds from outside or other parts of your home, the most obvious benefit of white noise is the fact that it could help your baby fall asleep.
This can be useful if you live in a loud area or if you have other children who are likely to make noise when you’re trying to get your little one down to sleep.
Some babies respond positively to white noise when they are crying or distressed. Playing some to your little one when they’re cranky or overtired may be just what you need to soothe them gently into a slumber or calm them down enough to initiate other soothing or bedtime routine activities.
Discover Our Top 10 Soothing Techniques for Babies
You can buy a white noise machine online or in certain stores if you want a reliable way to produce white noise before naps or nighttime. There are also many white noise cuddly toy options available today where white noise speakers are placed inside a stuffed animal.
However, there are also other ways to produce white noise for baby sleep, such as installing a fan or playing a white noise track on your phone. YouTube has many white noise playlists available, including a range of heavy rainfall tracks.
You don’t want the white noise you play for your baby to be too loud. Based on the findings of the AAP, pediatricians recommend that any white noise machines should be placed at least 7 feet away (200 cm) from your baby’s crib.
Anything above 50 decibels could cause damage to a baby's hearing as well as cause other developmental issues, so always be careful that you don’t automatically leave it on the highest volume setting.
The purpose of white noise is to soothe and distract, rather than overwhelm, so always keep this in mind. If it seems uncomfortably loud to you, then it will no doubt be the same or worse for your little one. Starting low and gradually adjusting it higher to match your baby’s preferences is better than starting at a high volume. You may also want to lower the volume after your child has settled down.
We wouldn’t recommend parents using white noise all throughout the day. As infants develop, it’s important for them to get used to other sounds in their environment and pick up on what they mean and where they come from. As white noise tends to block everything out, this can prevent them from doing that.
Equally, it’s not good if your child becomes too dependent on one sleeping aid or technique. As such, use white noise considerately and always be mindful that the ultimate goal for your child is developing complete sleep independence, which is when they can soothe themselves to sleep each night without the need of their parents or various sleep aids.
]]>Luckily, these periods of sleep regression in babies are completely natural and nothing to worry about. However, as they happen intermittently throughout baby development, it’s important to know what’s happening and what you should do to support your baby.
Sleep regressions in babies typically take place when your child is undergoing a developmental leap, such as a growth spurt or period of cognitive development. Infants learn a great deal of new skills in a short space of time, such as increased movement and language abilities. These are known to impact sleep.
In some cases, the increased energy they use during the day will affect their sleep needs at night, or they may have a busy mind from all the new experiences they’ve had — influencing their ability to settle down and sleep soundly at night.
Sleep regressions in babies typically take place when your child is undergoing a developmental leap, such as a growth spurt or period of cognitive development.
Generally, babies may experience sleep regressions from around 3-4 months. However, as infants are constantly developing, there may be many instances of their sleep being affected during their first 2 years.
Common ages for babies to go through a sleep regression include 8-10 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months. Yet, some regressions are more infamous and receive the most attention from parents, such as the 4 month regression.
Fortunately, it’s uncommon that your child will have a full regression for each and every one of these developmental stages. And it’s true that different children will experience them in different ways, so you may be lucky enough that your little one isn’t affected too seriously at all!
Sleep regressions can last anywhere from two to four weeks, and not every baby will have a sleep regression at the same time. Hopefully, after this period, your baby’s sleep patterns return to normal as quickly as they changed. But to support this, parents should keep up with standard routines and nighttime rituals to instill the necessary consistency their babies need to become strong sleepers.
It’s sometimes hard to distinguish between a sleep regression and lack of sleep caused by something else, such as sickness. However, below are a few telltale signs.
If suddenly your baby is no longer sleeping due to increased night-waking and poor napping, this could be a sign they’re going through a sleep regression.
When babies suffer from lack of sleep combined with the fact their bodies or brains are working extra hard because they’re going through a developmental milestone, it’s likely that they’ll be fussy, cranky and short-tempered. If your baby is normally calm and relaxed before and during sleep, you could be witnessing a sleep regression.
All babies look for soothing and comfort, but if your child is doing this more than usual, it may be because they need additional reassurance during a developmental stage. This may present as a clinginess that disappears after the sleep regression is over.
Growth spurts and baby development naturally makes babies hungrier than usual. When their body’s are working extra hard or they’re tiring themselves out during the day practicing their new skills, like crawling or learning to communicate with adults, this will increase their need for food.
Don’t worry about offering an extra nighttime feeding (or even daytime feeding) here and there. Just remember that you must eventually return to your normal schedule!
If suddenly your baby is no longer sleeping due to increased night-waking and poor napping, this could be a sign they’re going through a sleep regression.
To an extent, parents must ride out sleep regressions and wait until they are over before they enjoy consistent and sound sleep from their babies again. However, there are a few things you can do to help tackle sleep regressions.
Understanding when a sleep regression is taking place is really useful as you can put all your energy into supporting your child in the ways they need rather than giving them remedies and solutions that are ineffective.
Often, babies are just looking for some added comfort and soothing when they go through regression. They may be suffering from lack of sleep and require added attention during the day. Giving your child this can make all the difference.
Discover Our Top 10 Soothing Techniques for Babies
If you have a calming bedtime routine, stick to it — even when your child looks like they’re going through a sleep regression and isn’t influenced by the strategies and tactics they used to be. Continuing with these efforts will make it much easier for them to revert back to being good sleepers without disruption.
Learn How To Help Your Baby Connect Sleep Cycles at Night - A Beginner’s Guide
Don’t introduce unhealthy sleep crutches or aids because your child is having trouble sleeping. It’s important to remember that this is just a growth spurt for your baby and they will once again go back to being good sleepers.
There’s no need to revert back to methods you used to use when your baby was younger and less independent, such as feeding or rocking them to sleep and staying by their cribs 24/7. If your child gets used to these things again, it could set them back. Plenty of extra kisses and cuddles are fine, just avoid creating new sleep associations.
Babies need comfy sleeping gear if they’re to have the best chance of sleeping well at night. If your little one is too old for the swaddle, you can consider swaddle transition alternatives that will help give them a similar kind of cosy restriction.
We recommend the Zipadee-Zip for those who are finding that their little one is no longer comfortable in a swaddle. This is a perfect transition for babies that will allow their baby’s body to keep developing healthily but also give them some added comfort.
As long as you do this with caution, it can be helpful to adjust bedtimes to be earlier so you are giving your baby more time to recover from overtiredness.
Finally, below are some tips that might help you during one of your baby’s sleep regressions.
Babies are incredibly sensitive to temperatures and also find it difficult to regulate their body heat – causing them to be at risk of overheating as well as catching a cold. Most pediatricians recommend you keep your baby’s room between 68 to 72 degrees.
Unfortunately, there are certain situations where your baby’s room will be too cold, due to the strength of an air conditioning unit. For instance:
Obviously, if you can control the level of air conditioning in your baby’s room, it’s always important to set it at a suitable temperature for them – keeping them from getting neither too hot nor cold.
If your newborn is under 2 months, they will be especially susceptible to fluctuations in room temperature so it’s important to be vigilant about aggressive air conditioning and how you can compensate for this with clothing or other solutions.
Being too hot or too cold isn’t great for babies. For instance, research shows that you need to keep your baby from overheating because it has been linked to a greater risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
However, being too cold — especially for prolonged periods of time — will make it much harder for your baby to sleep, sap their energy and leave them more vulnerable to catching a cold or other illnesses.
Babies are incredibly sensitive to temperatures and also find it difficult to regulate their body heat.
While keeping your baby’s room at the right temperature is important, sometimes the only thing you can do is adjust your baby’s nightwear to keep them as warm as they need to be in aggressive air conditioning. Luckily, it’s easier to add layers to warm them up than it is to cool them down in extreme heat!
Keep in mind that a good general rule many parents follow is adding an extra later to your newborn than you are comfortable wearing yourself. So the first thing to do would be to get a measure of the situation by considering how many layers you would need to be comfortable at night in the same room.
If you’re reaching for a fleece and extra duvet, you know your little one will suffer if they’re not given enough layers!
Adding a few warm layers underneath a sleep suit or warm baby pajamas is always better than adding any loose blankets or sheets on top of your baby in order to keep them warm. Loose items are known to increase the risk of SIDS and your child will be perfectly happy with a warm romper and suitable sleep suit made from the right material in most cases.
As always, one you’ve made your clothing choice, keep an eye on how your baby responds throughout the night. You may find that they’re shivering and still too cold for the room temperature, or they may even be too hot if you’ve wrapped them up extra tight!
Learn more about choosing the right clothes for your baby in our guide: The Ultimate Guide to Buying Baby Clothes Online
We recommend opting for items that keep your baby’s limbs contained, such as an all-in-one sleepsuit like our Zipadee-Zips. These items trap warm air in and prevent your little one from getting a chill.
When considering how to dress babies for sleep in air conditioning, some parents may want to add socks, mittens and a hat, but when these items are pulled off accidentally in the night, they could cause a choking hazard.
For newborns under the age of 2 months, it’s still safe to swaddle them and this is often the best way to keep them cozy, warm and content at night. Just make sure you follow all the ABCs of safe sleep for babies, such as:
You can also opt for a premade Zippy Swaddle wrap like our Zippy Swaddle! This gives you a reliable way to make your baby feel safe and comfy at night — while also locking in important warmth so they don’t get too cold in aggressive air con.
If you feel your child is still too cold, you can add layers underneath the swaddle too or use a swaddle wrap that is made from a thicker material than standard cotton, such as fleece.
Sometimes a little creativity goes a long way when figuring out how to dress your baby for sleep in air conditioning. While you won’t want to rely on anything too “makeshift” for longer periods of time, having a few hacks in your back pocket when you turn up in a hotel room or relatives with aggressive air con can be priceless!
Finally, always consider asking maintenance, the hotel staff or whoever is in charge of the AC unit in the property to lower the strength of it. It may be easier than you expect for them to do this and could save you time finding creative solutions to keep your baby comfortable.
Use a crib that doesn’t have gaps or a flannel/fabric sheet that blocks some of the airflow from the air conditioning.
Safe sleep is about more than just temperature. There are a number of practices you should follow in summer and winter to keep your little one healthy during quite a vulnerable time in their development. A few things worth keeping in mind are:
Dressing your baby for sleep in air conditioning isn’t that different to keeping them warm during winter or in colder climates.
There is an added risk that aggressive air con units will blow out air in an unnatural and potentially dangerous way for your child, but there are also a few creative ways to lessen the impact of this on your little one. However, we’d always recommend get broken air conditioning units fixed rather than relying on short-term solutions.
]]>Rest assured, this is usually completely normal in most cases, but in this post we explore the potential reasons your little one might be perspiring more than usual at night as well as offer some solutions for how to regulate their temperature when they’re too hot.
A baby’s body is not able to regulate temperature as well as an adults. One thing they are able to do is sweat in order to cool the body down — which is an entirely natural process for all human beings. This is often the cause for increased baby sweating in most cases.
When dealing with higher or lower than normal temperatures, babies must rely on their parents and carers to adjust room temperature and clothing to keep them from overheating or getting too cold. If too many layers are given to a child, this will cause them to overheat.
During the night, you may notice your baby sweating more than usual. This is normal, but it’s true that sweating could be a symptom of an underlying health issue too. Signs that there may be something to worry about include:
When you notice the above, it’s worth checking with your doctor to double check that your baby’s sweating is completely normal.
Baby sweating at night, aka night sweats, can happen to children of any age. Many of the causes of this are entirely normal and just a part of their development. When they get older and more able to regulate their body temperature as well as tell adults when they’re too hot, spontaneous night sweating will be easier to avoid.
A warmer than usual summer is affecting many parts of the world today. If the temperature has been creeping up in the place you live, or if you are visiting a part of the world where it’s hotter, don’t worry too much if you’re seeing your baby sweat more than usual.
Making sure they’re hydrated, kept in the shade and cooled down when possible is the primary thing you can do. Aircon and fans also help if they’re available. And if it is impossible to keep your baby cool, consider letting them sleep in fewer layers than you would normally dress them in for sleep.
Overheating can increase the risk of SIDS according to health organisations like the NHS. And babies can overheat because of too much bedding or clothing.
Many parents will naturally dress their children in more clothes than needed in order to protect them from chills. However, there is such a thing as over bundling and babies are typically happier sleepers in cooler room environments than their parents realise.
Removing layers can let their skin breathe and prevent the trapping of body heat — helping to reduce sweating and keep them calm and cool during bedtime.
Many parents will naturally dress their children in more clothes than needed in order to protect them from chills.
You may find that sweating will increase when your child is crying or fussing incessantly. This is normal as babies will use a great detail of energy when crying and their excited state can lead to higher body temperatures. This is natural, but it's important to check that your baby is not crying due to any underlying health issue or pain rather than a general inability to sleep alone.
Baby Crying At Night? Learn Why and How to Stop It!
Allergies such as hay fever can also lead to increased sweating in babies. It’s not always easy to spot the signs of an allergic reaction for the first time, but these can include rashes, runny noses or sneezing. Removing things like pets from their environment could help, as well as closing nearby windows to reduce the pollen levels in the air.
As babies are unable to regulate their temperature well, there may always be a certain amount of sweating in order for them to cope with their environments. Babies still have active sweat glands despite being much smaller than adults and they have not yet learned to balance their body temperatures — which may simply lead to occasional sweating at night.
Genetics may also play a role. In the same way that some adults may have more active sweat glands than others, babies are the same. If you or other family members are known to sweat more, they may simply be presenting this quality too.
There is always a chance that your baby’s sweating may be caused by some kind of sickness or underlying issue. For instance, the human body often sweats as a way to regulate temperature in response to inflammation, infection or trauma.
Babies who suffer from congenital heart disease may also sweat much more frequently as their bodies work harder to pump blood around. However, many different conditions and illnesses may result in increased sweating too so it’s always important to try and identify what’s causing perspiration and address it with the help of a doctor.
If you notice any of the below symptoms in addition to sweating, it is worth contacting your child’s pediatrician.
While the solution to a sweaty baby will always depend on what’s causing them to perspire at night, below are some useful ideas to try with your sweaty baby.
An obvious one, but something still worth saying — if it’s possible, lower the temperature in your child’s room to see if this stops them from sweating so much.
Many households don’t have air conditioning so it’s sometimes necessary to get creative, such as drawing blinds or creating makeshift curtains to block out the intensity of the sun; installing a fan; or, opening multiple doors in your home to allow a current to circulate air through the room.
Ideally, your baby’s sleep environment should stay between 68 to 72°F (20 to 22°C). And if their room doesn’t have a thermometer, you can easily purchase a portable one to put next to your baby’s crib. If you’re lucky, your child’s baby monitor may also report the internal room temperature for you.
If it’s possible, lower the temperature in your child’s room to see if this stops them from sweating so much.
Hydration is key. Making sure your little one gets enough fluid will prevent them from becoming dehydrated when they sweat more. Making up for the loss of fluid during sweating will help to keep them healthy and happy.
If your baby is crying hard at night for one reason or another, it is likely that this is causing them to sweat more. Until you can calm down your little one, it may be impossible to get them to stop sweating.
Consider adjusting your nighttime routines and ways to optimise their sleeping environment to help them relax and sleep well at night.
You shouldn’t be adding any loose bedding such as blankets or sheets to your baby’s crib anyway, but if you are, take these away.
Also, consider dropping any additional layers that might be causing your baby to overheat. In some temperatures, it’s perfectly fine for your little one to sleep in just their diapers. However, if they crave the comfort of something more restrictive, consider buying swaddles and sleepsuits that are made from lighter and more breathable materials.
Learn more about choosing the right clothes for your baby in our guide: The Ultimate Guide to Buying Baby Clothes Online
It’s very normal for babies to sweat. In most situations, their perspiration will be a natural part of being a baby or caused by their inability to regulate their temperature as well as an adult. As a parent, look for ways to keep them at an optimal temperature and adjust things like their clothing to keep them cool.
If you are worried about their sweating being caused by something else, it’s always worth contacting a doctor for advice. As temperatures rise in many parts of the world, as you travel to warmer climates on holiday or just when summer weather hits, it’s always worth being vigilant about your baby overheating.
We explore a few ways you can increase the chances of your baby embracing the all-important crib — a fundamental step in their journey towards becoming completely independent sleepers.
A combination of bedtime routines, suitable baby clothing, a sleep-conducive bedroom atmosphere and a consistent approach to sleep training is the best way to get your baby to sleep in a crib!
It’s not necessarily the crib itself that your baby doesn’t like. One of the major reasons you’ll find your little one protesting is that they still crave security and comfort from their parents. And even if the crib is in your room and close to your own bed (as health organizations such as the AAP recommend), they can feel too far away from their caregivers and desire for more attention.
Babies are incredibly sensitive to things like their parent’s touch, to the extent that they won’t settle down properly unless one of their parents is the one to put them to bed. Putting them all alone in a new environment can be too much for them sometimes and they’ll scream out for someone to pick them up.
Putting them all alone in a new environment can be too much for them sometimes and they’ll scream out for someone to pick them up.
It’s not uncommon for parents to find that their baby is only happy going to sleep when they are being held or carried in a baby carrier — strapped to the chest of their caregiver. The warmth, attention and familiarity of this has been known to induce sleep for infants around the world.
However, getting too used to certain positions like this can prevent them from being comfortable alone in their cribs.
Similarly, some babies love the car seat and parents find that this is, frustratingly, the only place they can guarantee they will sleep well. This can be due to the soothing nature of constant motion and white noise from outside that helps them sleep. But again, you can’t drive your baby around everytime you want them to nod off and transporting them from their seats to the crib without them waking is often an unsuccessful venture.
We’re not saying you shouldn't take the opportunity to let your baby enjoy other positions now and then (as long as they’re safe), but the danger comes when they become too dependent.
Learn More About Safe Baby Sleeping Positions!
In short, cribs are the best place for your baby to sleep. They are the only safe space for a baby when they’re infants and should be the default option for all babies, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Bed-sharing is advised against for all babies, due to the dangers it presents. However, the risks of bed-sharing are even greater in the following situations, according to the AAP.
Read Our Ultimate Guide for Safe Baby Sleep!
Parents should opt for cribs that conform to certain standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued mandatory standards for full-size and non-full-size baby cribs, which all baby cribs will adhere to. However, they also recommend the following safety rules to caregivers:
The quality of the crib is another important factor. As well as being fire-safe, they should be fastened and strengthened with the right equipment to ensure long-term stability.
Babies love close and restrictive comfort in their early months. When they have too much space around them, they may feel “lost” and out of place. However, it’s dangerous to add pillows, soft toys and blankets to their crib in order to create a more contained nest for them — so what’s the solution?
The swaddle is the perfect way to give your little one a kind of womb-like environment that keeps their bodies tightly contained and cozy. This is a great idea if you’re trying to get your baby to sleep in the crib for the first time.
However, it’s not advised to swaddle your baby past the age of 2 months due to the increased risks of SIDS when you do. If you’re at the stage where you need to remove the swaddle, it’s worth considering various swaddle transition products that can help to offer a similar kind of comfort but in a completely safe way.
Our Zipadee-Zip, for example, is designed specially to soothe babies and keep them healthy and comfortable while transitioning away from the swaddle.
See Our Zipadee-Zip Collection
When you put your baby into a crib, there will also be a drop in temperature in most cases. And as babies are sensitive to things like this, it can cause them to feel distressed — even if you’ve dressed them in appropriate clothes.
One thing that can help is adjusting your thermostat or air conditioner slightly so that they’re not too cold when you put them down into the crib. Just bear in mind that overheating is just as much of a problem as being too cold, so careful consideration about this is important, rather than a spontaneous fiddling with the heat dial.
Another thing to consider is how bright or dark your child's room is. Babies are best left to sleep in completely dark rooms, so avoid the temptation of leaving the shades or door open to let some light in. Too much light can prevent your little one from getting to bed in the first place, and even once they do, can stop their sleep from being as full and long as it could be.
The same concept works with noise, meaning the less the better. Try to keep things quiet and calm when your little one goes to sleep and try to cut out any outside distractions as best as you can. If it’s not possible to control what others are doing (neighbors, cars, siblings etc.) consider adding some white noise to your child’s room to block out additional sounds.
Finally, make sure you remove all electronics from the vicinity. Phones, laptops and other gadgets can distract your baby more than you realize!
Having a specific approach to sleep training can help give you something to fall back on when trying to figure out how to get your baby to sleep in a crib. With a general idea of the steps you want to take and the estimated timeline for this to work, you won’t need to panic every time you hear your little one crying when you put them down.
There are many different types of sleep training, but all involve the process of teaching your baby that they're capable of sleeping independently, with very little (or no) intervention from adults.
Having a specific approach to sleep training can help give you something to fall back on when trying to figure out how to get your baby to sleep in a crib.
You don’t need to choose a method that seems harsh or over the top if you don’t want — such as letting your baby “cry it out” each night until they sleep. The idea is simply to have a controlled and considered way to give your baby what they need to soothe themselves, whether that means gradually weaning them off parent comforts like nursing and rocking, or gradually distancing yourself from them at night (aka the chair method).
Feeding times and napping times can also play a large part in your overall approach to sleep training.
Bedtime routines are such a powerful tool when trying to overcome baby sleep problems, such as getting them to sleep in a crib. They don’t need to be overly complicated. The most important thing is consistency, so that your baby learns when it’s time to wind down each night and relax into a restful sleep.
A few recommended activities to include in a bedtime routine are:
For more ideas, you might be interested in our guide: How to Help My Baby Sleep — The Perfect Evening Routine
Below are a few final ideas and suggestions to consider when trying to get your little own to embrace the crib.
Crying during sleep is actually a very normal thing that many babies do. However, it’s still useful to understand why this happens and if anything can be done to help your seemingly distressed baby while they should be getting some well-needed rest.
Seeing or hearing your baby crying when sleeping can be worrying. Especially when you don’t know the cause of their unhappiness. However, first, remember that crying is merely communication — this is the primary way infants let those around them know how they feel and what they need (whether that’s food, comfort or something else).
The most common reason you’re hearing your child crying when you’ve put them to sleep is they still need something and have woken up crying and are now communicating to others about their needs. As you may have already learned, identifying what is causing your child’s crying involves checking through several potential causes, such as hunger, discomfort, temperature (too hot or cold), dirty nappy and so on.
What’s harder to do is decipher why your baby is crying when they’re still asleep! This is much less common than your little one waking up after being asleep and crying, but it still happens, so don’t be alarmed. Many believe this is caused by nightmares, but as we discuss later, this doesn’t happen until your baby’s brain is more developed.
This behavior may be confusing, but there are a few explanations for why your child will suddenly start crying (or make strange sounds like grunting or screams) while they’re actually still asleep!
There are a few different reasons why babies cry in their sleep. Understanding these can help you know what to look for and how to help your baby.
It could be as simple as your baby crying between sleep cycles. As adults do, babies sleep in cycles. As they transition from one cycle to another, they pass through a “lighter” kind of sleep and it may be in these moments that they momentarily wake up and cry out before going back to sleep.
During REM sleep (which babies spend more time in than adults due to the frequency that they switch between different sleep cycles), it can be common for them to stir, stretch, jerk, twitch, and even cry out. A sleep cycle for a baby is around 40 minutes and during their brief awakening at the end of each cycle, you may notice them do something strange that will cause you to check on them.
If they’re able to get themselves back to sleep, however, this is a great thing. Self-soothing is an important component in sleep skills development, so we’d caution you to wait and see if your child looks calm and restful after their outburst before you wake them up.
Learn More About Baby Sleep Cycles!
Babies experience several small pains and discomforts as part of their natural development. For instance, they’ll feel considerable pain when their first teeth start to emerge. It could be because of this that they’re feeling more sensitive, uncomfortable and fussy — potentially crying or whimpering in their sleep due to the pain.
The pain may not be enough to wake them up completely and if they’re drowsy enough, they may settle down more deeply if you just give them a chance. It’s possible that the rest will do them more good than waking them up and comforting them, but it could be worth talking to a doctor about advice for teething babies.
Read our guide: How to Help Baby Sleep When Teething in 7 Easy Steps
Nightmares and night terrors are most common between the ages of 3 and 6 years, and most children won’t start until around age 2. As such, a newborn who is crying in their sleep probably won’t be suffering from one of these. Their crying is most likely linked to something else.
If your child is older and you believe they’re suffering from nightmares or night terrors, it might be wise to contact your pediatrician for advice.
Self-soothing is an important component in sleep skills development, so we’d caution you to wait and see if your child looks calm and restful after their outburst before you wake them up.
Crying during sleep could just be a cause of brain development, according to the UK National Charity for Pregnancy, the NCT. This means that strange sounds could be caused by “mental leaps” your baby is achieving rapidly during their first months.
Keeping your child safe and healthy is the best thing you can do if there’s no specific issue contributing to their crying at night. As long as you’ve made sure their sleeping environment and routines are 100% baby-suitable and safe, you don’t have to worry about small amounts of crying in their sleep.
Babies learning to sleep still may struggle at times – especially during transitions between sleep cycles — and letting them overcome this challenge alone can give them the training they need to be strong sleepers as toddlers and adults!
Making sure your baby is 100% comfortable and safe in their crib will help you to worry less about them if you hear them crying every now and then. By ruling out any possible causes of distress, such as uncomfortable bedding, poor clothing choices that are scratchy, or a room that is either too cold or hot, you’ll be less tempted to wake them up and comfort them when they cry out.
How to Help Our Baby Sleep at Night – A Practical Guide
If your baby is waking up and crying regularly at night, this is completely normal too. It takes a while for babies to learn how to sleep for long stretches through the night and they’ll often wake up during the night, followed quickly by crying because they’re trying to communicate with adults about how they’re feeling or what they need.
How to Help Baby Sleep When Teething in 7 Easy Steps
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A strong nighttime routine can help with many sleep-related issues, such as your child not sleeping in the first place or regularly waking up and crying. If your child is well-fed, relaxed and cozy from their bedtime ritual, they’ll be in a much better state to sleep through the night.
To prevent them from crying out whenever they wake up, consider optimizing the set of steps you take with your baby each night.
For more on this topic, check out our guide: Baby Crying at Night: Causes and Solutions
We understand that hearing your baby crying at night, either while they sleep or after they wake, can sometimes be worrying. And if there is something about your little one's behavior that’s giving you cause for concern, or if you suspect their reason for crying is because of an illness or related health issue, consult your doctor.
If you’re still thinking “but why do babies cry in their sleep?” your child’s pediatrician may help you achieve more clarity about what’s happening at their specific stage of development — whether they can explain a specific use for your little one or simply reassure you that everything your child is doing is completely normal.
Parents’ initial ideas about what sleep training is can vary wildly. And many fear this stage of parenting because they dread the thought of being harsh or “cruel” to their babies during the process of helping them sleep without support from an adult.
However, sleep training doesn’t need to be strict at all and when done right, will give your little one the skills and independence to be even happier and content when it comes to bedtime.
In this post, we explain how you can provide sleep training for your baby like a boss — whether you want to choose a slow and gentle approach or something more direct.
There aren’t any specific exercises or routines that constitute sleep training. It is merely a process of learning for your baby where they eventually achieve the ability to fall asleep by themselves. The parent's role is to give their child the right environment and tools to help them do this.
Essentially, sleep training is allowing your baby to realize that they don’t need you to sleep and can self-settle at night, whether that’s when you first put them into their crib awake or when they wake up in the middle of the night.
It’s true that the parent is vital to this “training” process and will undergo their own learning in the sense that they’ll need to let go of the urge to constantly comfort their child when they cry or seem lonely.
However, it’s largely up to the individual baby to develop the skills they need themselves and stepping back and letting them get on with things (as long as they have everything they need to be healthy and happy) is the most important thing parents will do during this stage.
Most reports (over 80%) indicate that sleep training in various forms leads to positive outcomes, according to BASIS. However, the different methods can vary considerably. Below are some of the most common techniques used today.
The chair method involves parents sitting near to their child’s crib during bedtime — giving them a certain amount of reassurance until they fall asleep. You may then move your child further away from your little one incrementally until you are basically at the door.
Finally, you can leave your child alone in the room and by this stage, they may have become more comfortable being by themselves when it comes to sleeping.
Some parents choose to do this in many stages (moving the chair a few steps away from the crib at a time), while others will simply do this in one or two stages.
The Ferber Method focuses on adjusting the time you wait until you offer support to your baby when they start crying or show clear signs that they’re having difficulty sleeping after you’ve put them down to bed. The idea is that delaying the speed at which you comfort your child will teach them to soothe themselves bit by bit, until they no longer need you to help them.
Some disagree with this method as it seems overly cruel to a child, however, the extent to which you delay parenting comfort can vary depending on what you’re comfortable with. For instance, you may simply choose to delay your arrival by 1-2 minutes.
It’s important to remember that this method is different from simply leaving your child to cry themselves to sleep.
The idea with the Ferber method is that delaying the speed at which you comfort your child will teach them to soothe themselves bit by bit, until they no longer need you to help them.
This approach takes a little bit more planning. Parents are required to wake their children up gently before they’re fully awake. At this stage, your child will then be so sleepy they will put themselves back to sleep. The act of doing this is believed to gradually teach children the ability to soothe themselves, which can be transferred to other situations when a parent puts their baby into a crib to sleep.
Remember that you’re not trying to wake them up fully, but gently bringing them out of a deeper sleep so that they stir, move slightly or sigh. This can be done an hour or so before they would normally wake up.
For some parents, the extent of “sleep training” is simply picking up their child and giving them some gentle comfort in the form of shushing or another comforting noise their child is used to. This prevents their crying from becoming too overwhelming which might stop them from sleeping at all due to high levels of stress
You may choose not to pick up your baby and just make a comfortable noise from outside of the crib so they know you’re there.
The idea is that children will eventually develop the ability to sleep alone with time and shouldn’t be allowed to get into states of too much distress, which will prevent them from feeling relaxed and comfortable enough to sleep.
By far the most extreme and controversial method of providing sleep training for your baby is the cry it out method.
There are many supporters of this method who believe it's the fastest and most effective way to help babies achieve sleep independence. However, if it pains you to see your baby unhappy, it’s not going to be an easy one for you to follow!
Essentially, this method involves letting your baby simply cry until they stop and learn to soothe themselves to sleep, whether it takes 10 minutes or 2 hours.
It’s important to keep in mind that some believe this method can negatively affect your child’s emotional state and psychological stress levels due to unnecessary distress. However, the validity of this in various studies that indicate a baby’s development is not adversely affected by letting them during infancy.
If in doubt, seek advice from a medical professional about the cry it out method. You will also want to be 100% sure your child’s crying is not caused by an illness or pain.
Many doctors and health organizations recommend four months as a minimum age for you to start with sleep training. This is when most infants are typically developed enough to learn how to soothe themselves and after the biggest risk of SIDS is passed. They may also no longer need frequent night feedings so can be left alone at night more often.
Finally, at around four months, your baby’s sleep cycles begin to mature and their circadian rhythm starts to more closely resemble that of an adult’s natural sleep patterns. If you’re unsure if your baby is old enough or ready to sleep train, check with your pediatrician for advice.
Some organizations such as the Sleep Foundation even suggest it’s not really necessary or even possible to start sleep training before the age of 6 months.
Newborn sleep cycles are shorter (around 50-55 minutes for the average infant) but eventually, they will come to align their sleep sessions with the same pattern of daytime and nighttime. This makes it almost impossible to start sleep training for babies before the age of four months. And some may choose to wait until six months or much later.
Your baby’s sleep cycle is completely different from yours. Adults require around seven to eight hours of sleep each night, while babies can sleep up to 17 hours depending on their age. And rather than sleeping in one go, they will sleep for short windows throughout the day and night.
Below is a general idea about how much babies and children sleep, according to the AAP.
Age |
Total Sleep Time |
Nap Frequency |
0-3 Months |
14-17 Hours |
3-5 |
4-12 Months |
12-16 Hours |
2-3 |
1-2 Years |
11-14 Hours |
1-2 |
Pretty much all babies will start to pick up a regular sleep pattern eventually and will sleep for longer stretches of the night until one day they’ll actually be able to sleep uninterrupted for a full night. This will happen regardless of the specific method you choose as long as you are giving them the right basic tools, such as a suitable place to sleep (quiet, dark and with no distractions), comfy clothes, a safe crib, and generally keeping them healthy and happy.
However, it’s largely up to you how you choose to approach sleep training. The method you choose will probably feel the most suitable based on your overall approach to parenting as well as the needs of your child at the time. If your child is sick, it will be harder to implement a specific approach.
The most important thing is simply sticking to a consistent routine at bedtime and creating the right atmosphere for sleep, night after night. You can diverge from your usual set-up if you need, but keeping certain elements consistent will help your child’s ability to sleep, no matter what sleep training method you choose. Bedtime routine activities can include things like
Read Our Ultimate Guide for Safe Baby Sleep!
Some children seem to develop good sleep independence very early on, while others need a little time and assistance. As we’ve mentioned, you don’t need to stress out too much over the method you choose for sleep training your baby as long as you’re providing them the fundamentals required for healthy and happy sleep, such as a suitable bedroom environment and a consistent routine.
The most important thing to do is make sure you’re adhering to baby sleep best practices and let your child progress at their own pace.
It pays to be mindful about the process of sleep development while it’s taking place and doing your best to support your infant, however, you don’t need to do anything that feels cruel or unnatural, such as shutting your child away and letting them cry themselves to sleep.
]]>Everybody who has ever suffered from hay fever knows how annoying and frustrating it can be. And even though many don’t know this fact, hay fever is among the most common allergies in babies — suffering from the exact same annoyance and frustrations.
The difference is infants and young children have a harder time coping with these allergic reactions and are not advised to take certain medications that adults take.
With this in mind, we cover our top tips and guidance when it comes to hay fever in babies, covering common symptoms as well as ways to treat this troublesome affliction.
Essentially, hay fever is an allergy to pollen. When someone with hay fever comes into contact with the dust-like particles released by plants and flowers during periods of natural reproduction, this can cause a reaction felt in the nose, eyes, mouth, and throat.
Pollen grains are tiny “seeds” dispersed from flowering plants, trees, grass, and weeds and the amount and type of pollen in the air depends on the season and geographic region, according to the CDC. This airborne allergen has been proven to affect the health of both babies, young children and adults.
As is the case with adults, your baby may be allergic only to specific types of pollen and their symptoms may vary considerably from others who have hay fever. For instance, some may suffer from grass pollen severely, while others will not be affected by this type and instead experience worse symptoms from periods where tree pollen is more abundant.
Hay fever may vary considerably depending on where you live and the types of pollen that can be found in your area. Weather conditions and the season are also huge factors in pollen dispersal, sometimes called the “pollen count”.
Typically, the pollen count (the amount of pollen in the air) is highest in hot, dry and windy conditions, which will naturally lead to worse symptoms for those who have hay fever.
For older children, the worst consequence of this may be the inability to feel comfortable combined with a lack of concentration. And when it comes to babies, perhaps one of the biggest consequences of hay fever is the way it can make sleep harder — at a time when sleep is so important and precious for both babies and parents.
Perhaps one of the biggest consequences of hay fever in babies is the way it can make sleep harder — at a time when sleep is so important and precious for both babies and parents.
While hay fever technically refers to pollen allergies, it is also commonly used to describe allergies from other things too. This can include:
If your baby’s symptoms don’t seem to be caused by pollen and are also not due to a common cold, it might be one of the above causes. As such, it’s best to see your GP and see if allergy testing would be a good idea or try to eliminate other potential causes of the symptoms your child is feeling. It is to rule out asthma or other medical conditions which may require further attention from medical professionals.
It’s important to know what the symptoms of hay fever are so you can quickly understand if your little one should be protected against the possible triggers that are going to make them feel worse during certain times of the year.
Luckily, and as you’ll see below, the symptoms of hay fever are similar to those experienced by adults.
Also, if you yourself are suffering from it this year, this is a sign that it could be a possibility for your baby too, rather than just a common cold or another kind of affliction that could be causing the following. Some of the symptoms will be easier to spot in my child than others, so you’ll need to factor this into your investigation.
As many babies experience similar symptoms to hay fever at other times of the year and due to other causes, there are a few other questions you can ask yourself to try to determine whether it is actually hay fever that’s causing trouble for your little one.
If the answers to these questions are yes, there’s a good chance that your baby suffers from hay fever and needs some help to alleviate the symptoms they feel and protect them against hay fever triggers.
Unfortunately, hay fever in babies cannot be cured. However, there are a number of ways you can reduce the symptoms and give your child some relief even during the most pollen-heavy weeks of spring and summer.
If you are able to, you can try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if your baby has hay fever. Limiting the chance of your child being exposed to pollen will lessen the impact of their symptoms.
Equally, keeping your windows closed and installing a pollen filter for your air vents or purchasing an air purifier with a pollen filter can help to eliminate troublesome particles from the space that your baby inhabits, therefore reducing the symptoms they’ll experience.
Simply vacuuming regularly during spring and summer months when the pollen count is known to be high can really help. If your child is crawling and rolling around the floor, there’s every chance they’ll encounter pollen particles that have built up over time.
Keeping your windows closed and installing a pollen filter for your air vents or purchasing an air purifier with a pollen filter can help to eliminate troublesome particles from the space that your baby inhabits.
A few other things you might want to try are:
Spring and summer are active seasons for both parents and babies and ensuring that enough sleep is of vital importance when it comes to health and development. In addition to the above, below are some important ways you can alleviate the symptoms of hay fever so that they can sleep better at night.
Make sure all pollen is removed from your baby’s body and space before they sleep by bathing or showering them before bedtime. All their night time or nap clothes such as sleep sacks or all-in-ones, should be completely clean and only used indoors.
Obviously, it also helps that the clothes they sleep in are 100% child-suitable and comfy so your little one can get on with the task at hand rather than wriggle or squirm due to itchy fabrics or clothes that are too loose or tight.
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Many babies get attached to certain toys such as cuddly bears or other items and want them with them wherever they go, including outside and in their beds. If you can, stop this from happening by leaving anything that your child plays with outdoors away from their bedroom so that pollen doesn’t contaminate the space.
Being prepared with an indoor version or the same toy or a replacement toy they equally prefer can really help to stop them crying and settle down to sleep if it comes to that.
Equally, if you have a pet, make sure it doesn’t go into your child’s room to prevent pollen and other allergens from accessing the area your child sleeps in.
You might try removing any snot from your little one’s nose too with a gentle saline spray or “snot sucker” as pollen particles may lay inside your child’s nostrils. Having a saline nasal spray clean and ready to use before sleep can help when your child has been sniffing or sneezing a lot due to pollen in their nostrils.
Pretty much all of the solutions we've provided in this post have been natural remedies or practical solutions for avoiding the triggers of hay fever. However, some doctors may suggest using medication to help relieve your child's symptoms, such as a child-safe and non-drowsy antihistamine.
You may even be recommended to try immunotherapy, which is a long-term treatment that involves exposing your child to small amounts of the allergen. This is only advised if symptoms are severe.
Always check with a medical professional or pharmacists before you give your child medicine for hay fever.
Baby Crying at Night? Check Out Potential Causes and Solutions!
If your child is allergic to pollen, remember that you can always check the daily pollen count on the news or online.
Knowing pollen particles will be more abundant in your town or city during specific periods of time will allow you to plan your schedule to limit the impact of pollen on your child, reducing their hay fever symptoms.
]]>If your baby’s sleep patterns are quite erratic for a while, this is completely normal. While they are between three and 12 months of age, don’t be surprised if they wake up a few times in the night and require attention before being able to sleep again.
The truth is that newborns don’t have the same cycles as adults and must be guided or trained to connect their individual sleep cycles together so they can sleep for longer periods during the night. If you’re frustrated and are wondering how to help your baby connect sleep cycles at night, keep reading!
If you’re frustrated and are wondering how to help your baby connect sleep cycles at night, keep reading!
Adults are able to combine multiple sleep cycles and in some cases sleep through an entire night (8hours+) before ever fully waking. However, children don’t have the necessary sleeping abilities to do this until they have matured. And this process is sometimes referred to as connecting sleep cycles where multiple bursts of sleep can be knitted together to create a longer period of sleep overall.
The biggest tool you have for connecting your baby’s sleep cycles is promoting self-soothing through various tactics that promote sleep independence. It’s normal for your child to look to you for support if they wake up suddenly at night, but if they become too dependent on you for help, this can be detrimental to your baby’s health.
It is advised to encourage your baby to resettle by postponing the introduction of parent soothing methods such as feeding, shooshing, or rocking as well as removing them completely when the time is right.
The biggest tool you have for connecting your baby’s sleep cycles is promoting self-soothing through various tactics that promote sleep independence
A gap in your baby’s sleep can sometimes trigger distress and crying. They may wake up at the end of a sleep cycle and feel scared and insecure. However, by providing your child with everything they need to be comfortable at night and holding back on the comfort you give to them when they’ve just woken up, you can nudge them into becoming better at self-settling.
First, try and connect just two sleep cycles together so you're not intervening every 40-60 minutes. Once achieved, this is a good foundation to build on. Expecting that your baby will sleep for several hours at a time when you’ve only just started sleep training them is unrealistic.
Babies will develop a reliance on various soothing techniques for comfort and security when they are trying to sleep. For instance, you may rock or “shoosh” your baby to sleep when they have woken up and are distressed during the night. While this is necessary when your baby is young, being too generous with this kind of comfort can slow down your baby’s progress when it comes to becoming a strong independent sleeper.
Phasing out soothing techniques is a great way to encourage your baby to be self-reliant. When they know help isn’t coming, they may be more likely to settle themselves to sleep.
The right environment can really help your baby to develop a consistent sleep pattern. Consistent activities, as well as the right room atmosphere, can give your little one the support they need to resettle by themselves when they wake up at night.
In terms of making sure their rooms are suitable for a good night's sleep, consider doing the following as part of your evening checklist.
Also, it doesn’t matter what you do exactly each evening when it comes to your baby’s evening routine as long as there is a good amount of consistency involved. Using the same soothing technique, starting bedtime at the same time, following the same sequence and catering to your child’s preferences can all make a huge difference.
A few ideas to consider adding to your child’s nighttime routine include:
For more on this topic, take a look at our popular blog post: How to Help My Baby Sleep — The Perfect Evening Routine
Consistent activities as well as the right room atmosphere can give your little one the support they need to resettle by themselves when they wake up at night and sleep for longer periods of time.
Keep in mind that newborns sleep for 18 or so hours a day, but often for only 2-3 hours at a time. Controlling your baby’s overall levels of sleepiness is important when you’re learning how to connect your baby’s sleep cycles at night.
If they are too tired, or not tired enough, they won’t be in a good state when it comes to giving them the opportunity to self-soothe and connect their separate sleep cycles at night.
The right amount of sleepiness (created through a strategic nap schedule during the day) is the best starting point when training your little one to sleep better at night.
It’s completely normal for newborn babies to wake up throughout the night and there’s no use in trying to avoid this reality completely.
Until they are over 12 months and even for a time after this in some cases, you might experience erratic or random sleep patterns. However, rest assured that if you’re following the general best practices when it comes to bedtime routines, they’ll develop a strong circadian rhythm eventually!
]]>Teething is painful for babies. When they develop their first teeth, they will experience a huge amount of frustration and pain as their baby mouths welcome brand new teeth – erupting from their sensitive gums.
Discomfort from teething can begin as early as 3 months and can wake a baby or prevent them from sleeping, according to the AAP. And most children will have all of their milk teeth by the time they are 2 1/2 years old, according to the NHS.
During this period, many parents wonder how they can help to soothe their babies, as well as whether there is a best sleeping position for teething babies that will make it easier for them to relax and fall asleep.
Before thinking about soothing methods or the best sleeping position for a teething baby, it’s important to know that it is in fact teething that you’re dealing with. Young babies experience all sorts of ailments and illnesses that can cause them to cry and look distressed. And each situation calls for a different approach.
Below are some common signs that your baby has started teething:
If you’re having trouble putting your findings on exactly what is causing your child pain, there’s no harm in consulting a doctor. It may be the case that your little one is teething, while simultaneously suffering from another illness – treating each problem separately is the best way to help your child recover.
Before thinking about soothing methods or the best sleeping position for a teething baby, it’s important to know that it is in fact teething that you’re dealing with.
If you always put your baby to sleep on their back, you’re doing a good job! However, you’re forgiven if you contemplate other options when your child is sick and in pain. Some kids simply look more comfortable inside or refuse to sleep until they’re in this position. And when they’re teething, it might be tempting to let them have their way so they can simply get some well-needed sleep.
The truth is, parents must stick to back sleep regardless of what their children are going through. The risk of SIDS and suffocations just aren’t worth it and it’s best to persevere with back sleep, even if it looks like your child doesn’t want this.
Side sleeping becomes safer as your baby grows and gets stronger. As they get more and more active, developing the ability to flip themselves into different positions, you will be able to let them sleep in whatever position they prefer.
Just remember to follow safe sleep best practices, such as transitioning out of the swaddle after 3 months. For more information about safe sleep, take a look at our post: Safe Sleep for Babies: The ABC’s and What You Need to Know
If your baby has a mind of their own and simply won’t take to sleeping on their back, there are a few things you can do to nudge them into complicity.
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Sometimes it feels like the only thing you can do is hug your baby to sleep when they’re teething. However, while this might seem like one of the best sleeping positions for a teething baby, it’s not something you should get too used to.
It’s completely fine for young babies, but after 3-4 months, it’s important that they start to get used to a more structured nighttime routine and focus on building their independent sleep skills – which will set them up well for the future.
It’s important developmentally for children to be able to sleep and soothe themselves back to sleep, so if possible, keep instances where you hold and hug your baby to sleep to a minimum.
When your little one is teething, there are a few things you can do to generally help soothe them and take their mind off the pain of their first teeth pushing through their baby gums.
The actual gum area may be soothed to help alleviate some of the pain from teething. Some light pressure against the tooth trying to break through may help your baby. A few things you can try are:
Many parents use teethers when their children are suffering during teething. This may help to alleviate some of the pain babies experience.
As your child is likely to put many things in their mouth anyway, whether it's their fingers, toys, clothes or blankets, giving them something clean and suitable for their gums is also a good move for health and safety, even if it doesn’t take away the pain from teething.
Try to look for good quality teething toys that are easy for your child to hold (ensuring they don’t fall and get dirty) as well as made from approved materials that won’t do any damage to your baby’s gums.
Adjusting your child’s diet may help. If your baby is ready to chew solids, then the right food items can help give their gums some light pressure in the same way that chewing a finger or teether can help. This can include things like soft-boiled veggies or fruits.
If your child is too young for solids or if their gums are hurting too much to chew, you may need to give them much softer food options so they can get the nutrients they need without a struggle. This would include things that are easy to chew and digest, such as yogurt, mashed veggies or minced meat.
Generally, making sure your baby is comfortable and happy helps them sleep when they’re distressed or sick. Giving your little one enough hugs and attention while they are teething can make a great difference when nothing else will work and you shouldn’t feel like you need to hold back unless it is going to get in the way of their normal routines.
Even something as simple as getting the right pair of pajamas can help them to feel at home and comfortable while they’re suffering from teething pains.
For tips and advice on choosing baby pajamas, take a look at our post: Cozy Baby Pajamas: Shopping Guide
Making sure your baby is comfortable and happy helps them sleep when they’re distressed or sick.
A good evening routine will seriously help your child to learn how to settle themselves at night and sleep on their backs. It's tempting to throw all structure out of the window when they’re in pain and teething, but doing so can set you back in the long run.
The bedtime ritual you create is completely up to you and can include several activities, such as giving them a bath or singing a favorite lullaby. The most important thing is consistency. If your child can get used to a certain pattern, it will be easier for them to recognize when they should start winding down each night before bed.
If you want to learn more about sleep training methods and how to encourage sleep independence, take a look at our post: “No Cry” Sleep Training for Your Crybaby!
While you’re wondering how best to handle your teething baby, the below questions asked commonly by parents may help you when it comes to understanding the best sleeping position for a teething baby and how you should approach this difficult period.
Providing a little extra comfort can go a long way as long as you’re not disrupting their sleep regime too much. Cuddling, rocking, stroking and anything else your little one likes when they’re fussy or in pain is completely acceptable when they’re teething.
Just keep in mind that sometimes there’s no amount of comfort that’s going to completely stop the pain they’re feeling and their crying and inability to sleep may still persist. In these situations, it would be wise to try and implement your standard bedtime rituals and give them some time to settle themselves to sleep, rather than holding them constantly.
If your baby is old and developed enough to roll themselves from their back onto their side or fonts, they are probably old enough to be allowed to do so. However, there is a transitional period where parents would be wise to watch their children vigilantly and even put them back on their backs for complete peace of mind.
Giving them plenty of tummy time during the day to strengthen their neck muscles is one of the best ways to ensure your little one is strong enough to be left to sleep on their side or front.
Guidance from doctors and health organizations is still that babies should sleep on their backs unless there is clear medical advice that says something different. When in doubt, put your baby on their back to sleep, whether they’re teething or not!
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The development of a baby’s first teeth can be both a moment to celebrate and fear for parents. While it’s great to see your child’s empty gums finally populate with tiny new baby teeth, allowing them to eventually eat all kinds of solid foods, they will experience a great deal of pain and frustration as their teeth break through their delicate gums.
However, we explore how parents can minimize teething pain and fussiness as much as possible so they can focus on enjoying this milestone rather than praying for it to end!
During teething, your baby’s first teeth will physically push through the gums (ouch!). This is a completely normal part of growing for all babies that typically happens when they are around 6 months, but can sometimes happen much earlier or later.
In some cases, a baby’s first teeth may only appear after their first birthday. If it’s taking a while for this process to start, we would advise you not to worry. All babies will develop teeth eventually so it’s just a matter of waiting until they’re ready.
As you’ll probably have guessed, the complete transformation of your baby’s gums can be quite painful. As well as the actual pain of their teeth coming through, there is also a great deal of frustration and unease caused, often stopping them from sleeping.
During this period, they may also develop an insatiable appetite for biting and chewing stuff, which can alleviate the pain somewhat (we explain more about this later).
Generally, there’s a natural sequence to how your baby’s teeth develop too. This generally involves the initial emergence of their front teeth, followed by the top middle teeth. Over the course of a few months, other teeth will develop until they finally have a full set of teeth (first teeth that is).
As it can take until they are 2-3 years for their gums to fill completely, you may notice them teething on and off over the course of a few months.
Although some babies will be more affected by teething than others, there are a few telltale signs that they are going through this difficult process. These include:
By looking out for the most common symptoms, you can act quickly to offer them the best soothing solutions so their pain is minimized.
As it can still be difficult to diagnose teething yourself, it can be helpful to consult your doctor if teething symptoms occur. This is especially useful when they appear alongside other symptoms or if symptoms carry on for a very long time.
It’s not unusual for a baby to be suffering from teething as well as another ailment/sickness at the same time, or for what you thought was teething pain to actually be something else.
Baby Can’t Sleep? What to Do if the Reason Is Sickness
One of the immediate urges for most parents with teething children is discovering how to soothe the gum area, which is clearly the source of the pain. And while you won’t be able to completely remove pain from this part of their body, there are a few things you can do in the short term to ease their suffering.
The reason this works is that it offers light pressure against the tooth trying to break through – just make sure that whatever object you put in your baby’s mouth isn’t brittle or sharp enough to hurt them.
In addition to this, it might also be useful to give your baby objects that are cold, which can induce a numbing effect. For instance, a chew toy can be placed in the fridge before you give it to your baby.
While you won’t be able to completely remove pain from this part of their body, there are a few things you can do in the short term to ease their suffering
Another activity some parents have found success with is giving a baby the right kind of food to chew (assuming your baby is ready to be introduced to solid foods). In the same way that the pressure of chewing on a finger can give them relief, this can also take away some of the pain.
Also, giving your baby a variety of foods from around 6 months of age (in addition to milk) will help set your child up for a lifetime of healthier eating, according to the NHS.
If your baby’s teething pain is really bad, they may actually want to avoid anything that is too hard altogether. If this seems like the case, you may need to adapt their diet so they are still getting all the minerals and nutrients they need to stay strong during the teething process.
Suitable foods for teething babies who can’t handle solids include:
Remember, foods that are cold can also give them added relief, so putting certain items in the fridge first might be a good move.
Babies dribble more when they are teething. And leaving them alone may result in your baby’s face and clothes becoming soaked in drool. This can be unhygienic, but more importantly, can add to the distress your baby experiences when teething as your baby may become itchy or develop a rash on the chin as a result of this.
The best solution here is to be more vigilant and attentive during your wiping exercises. Regularly wiping your baby’s mouth and chin before bedtime and after they have fallen asleep with a soft cloth will prevent any potential soreness or skin irritation that might stop them from sleeping, or cause them to wake up.
Giving your baby enough hugs and attention while they are teething can make a great difference. Especially when you are trying to get them settled for bed. Sometimes the pain they are feeling is only minor and lingering rather than powerful and sudden, so having an adult to distract them with some love and care can help take their minds off things.
Generally making sure your baby is comfortable and happy is also advised. This could involve making their bedrooms or play areas comfy and cozy, adjusting room temperatures so they are warm at night, dressing them in their favorite pajamas, removing any sources of loud noise or bright lights, and generally providing them with a safe environment.
If you are wondering how to help your baby sleep while teething and need some tips on how to soothe your baby at night, take a look at our blog post:
Need Some Tips On How to Soothe Your Baby at Night? Here’s 10 of Our Best Tips
Despite what we’ve mentioned above, we would also caution parents not to completely give up on the routines they have already developed for their babies when they are teething. Giving them a few more hugs and kisses doesn’t mean derailing them from their sleep training plan completely.
When it’s time for bed, do your best to stick to their normal times and bedtime rituals, whether this involves reading them a book, giving them a bath or singing them a lullaby. All of this will only strengthen their ability to cope with distress on their own and make it easier for them to self-soothe and fall asleep.
Giving them a few more hugs and kisses doesn’t mean derailing them from their sleep training plan completely.
It’s worth mentioning that there are various gels and medicines for babies who are teething, however, there is disagreement about whether these actually work and even if they are 100% safe for your baby.
The FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics warn against the use of topical teething gels containing lidocaine or benzocaine as they can cause local reactions and rare but serious side effects.
Speaking to a doctor first would be prudent, before you use any local or mild antiseptic products, even if they are designed specially for babies.
]]>Gassy babies can be hard to deal with. The natural pain and discomfort they feel when they are gassy will no doubt impact everyone else in your home when they cry more and find it harder to sleep at night.
As well as offering some classic tips and tricks when it comes to caring for a gassy baby, we explore the best sleeping position for a gassy baby (something many parents have wondered about!).
As you will already know, everyone experiences gas. As you digest food and aboard certain incredibly into the body, the large intestine breaks down the leftovers, releasing hydrogen and carbon dioxide and producing bubbles of gas.
However, when gas doesn’t pass easily, it can be incredibly uncomfortable and even painful – collecting in the digestive tract and causing bloating.
Burping, or passing gas, allows some gas to escape from the stomach and adults are able to do this with little thought (apart from considerations about the most discreet ways to do this of course).
As a newborn's digestive systems are immature, they produce a lot of gas and often can’t bring themselves to pass gas without some help. Infants may also take in a lot of air while feeding and crying, which produces more gas in their systems. Even the smallest amount of additional air can result in unwanted pressure and discomfort.
Newborns’ digestive systems are immature and produce a lot of gas, which they often can’t get rid of without some help.
The majority of a baby's gas problem will come as a result of their feeding, which is completely normal. Some babies are gassier than others and this is perfectly normal too. However, there may be a few other things causing more gas to be produced, or exacerbating gassiness.
For instance, certain swallowing positions when your baby is feeding may cause them to intake huge amounts of additional air. A good connection with the milk source (breast or bottle) is recommended so there are no long gaps in their feeding when they are sucking in too much air.
Why Won’t You Stop? How to Stop Your Baby From Crying at Night
It can often be hard to tell exactly what it is that’s bothering your baby. Even before considering the best sleeping position for a gassy baby, you’ll need to understand if your baby is suffering from too much gas or another ailment. A few telltale signs that your little one needs to pass gas but is having trouble include:
Baby Not Sleeping At Night? Here are Some Dos and Don’ts
The pressure on your baby’s stomach when lying on their stomach can help in the release of gas. The floor's resistance can offer gentle encouragement to your little one’s digestive system.
You can also add some pressure manually and gently with a baby massage. Stroking their tummies softly can also help in the expulsion of gas as well as relax your baby as they are settling down for sleep allowing you to kill two birds with one stone.
Lie your baby down on their back and cycle their legs toward their stomach. You may know this from one of your core fitness workouts. The difference is you’ll have to do all the work for them.
Putting your baby in a warm water bath before feeding is said to help calm their stomachs. A relaxed baby from a soothing bath may also be one that’s easier to get to sleep!
Add These Tricks To Your Baby’s Evening Routine! Learn More
Putting your baby to sleep on their back is still best. Some say the best sleeping position for a gassy baby is on their front, but the risks that this can pose to your baby’s health are too high, according to multiple sources such as the CDC and APP.
The frustrating part is that putting your baby on their backs could be contributing to more discomfort, however, their discomfort won’t last forever and as their digestive systems develop around the six to seven months period, they should be much less sensitive to trapped gas.
Until then, focus on preventive measures before your baby goes to sleep and techniques for alleviating discomfort. If you have a good sleeper, you may even be able to burp your baby while they are sleeping, to reduce the chance of gas causing your baby to wake up.
Read Our Ultimate Guide for Safe Baby Sleep!
While a certain amount of gas is always going to exist in your little one’s digestive system, a few tips and tricks can be used to prevent too much from building up.
Both feeding your baby in an upright position could help their tummies process food more smoothly, preventing excess air from accumulating when they are sitting down. If this is not possible, holding your baby upright directly after feeding may also help.
Babies can be more stressed when they’re hungry and may consume milk more furiously than they would if they were not so starving. This can cause them to gulp in large amounts of air and create more gas in the stomach. By feeding your baby strategically, you can keep this to a minimum.
If your baby has fallen asleep while nursing, try holding them semi-upright against your chest, so that their head can rest on your shoulder and you can burp them gently.
Actively getting the gas out of your little one’s tummy will help you when it’s time to put them to sleep. We call this burping and it’s advised to burp your child whenever they look like they need it.
You can do this by gently patting their back before, during or just after a meal, releasing any air they have swallowed and stopping it from getting trapped by milk or formula. A good window to do this is when they take a pause in their feeding, but have not yet finished their normal amount.
If your baby has fallen asleep while nursing, try holding them semi-upright against your chest, so that their head can rest on your shoulder and you can burp them gently. The pressure of your body against their tummy and your patting on their back will hopefully encourage a well-needed burp.
Your baby’s head should be higher than their stomach when they’re feeding. This will allow liquid to slowly make its way through the digestive trace while any gas bubble rises naturally to the top. Not doing so can trap the gas and make it difficult for your little one to burp.
To keep things 100% safe, the best sleeping position for a gassy baby is always on their back. This should help reduce any unnecessary risks during bedtime or naptime, such as your baby’s mouth becoming obstructed.
If your baby continues to be fussy and uncomfortable, we would still advise against putting them on their front to sleep, even though some parents have claimed that this can help babies to release gas while sleeping.
The truth is, your baby may be unhappy because of another ailment or sickness, such as an allergy or reaction. If you are worried about this, or if gassiness is accompanied by other more serious symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea, it would be advised to contact a doctor to get a better understanding of what may or may be the cause.
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It isn’t easy growing up! Learn how to sit, crawl, walk, and eat. But, the most painful is arguably growing their first teeth. Eek! Every baby knows what trouble is when teething starts. Sleeping Baby teether toys may become your faithful companion through one of the biggest childhood challenges.
Irritability, trouble sleeping, and loss of appetite are just a few teething symptoms, typically starting between 6 and 12 months. Those days can be exhausting not just for babies but for parents, too. Wet cloth, frozen fruit, you would do anything to relieve the pain and soothe your cutie pie. Your baby will start to suck on anything and everything. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends several ways for treating teething pain, like rubbing or massaging gums or giving a teething ring and toy to a baby. Help take the pain out of your little one’s mouth with Sleeping Baby trendy teether frog, bear, or elephant. There are various fun designs to go with any outfit or nursery theme.
Baby teethers come in different materials, such as wood, plastic, or silicone. Physicians give recommendations when choosing a teether toy for infant teething relief. You should avoid necklaces, bracelets and jewelry, baby items that contain batteries or latex, and liquid-filled toys. Our teether toys are made with BPA-free material, non-toxic, and use simple packaging. Textured silicone on each one makes it easy for little hands to hold, play, and chew.
Since your little one will be putting their new favorite friend in their mouth, you want to be sure that it’s made of safe materials and that it is easy to clean to avoid mold growing inside. This “No Hole” design won’t have any hidden water to grow molds like other baby teethers. Just rinse this toy under warm water with soap and dry with a towel.
Every day with baby can bring challenges, especially when you’re a new parent. Why not make them easier? If you’re thinking about baby shower gifts and baby essentials, add Sleeping Baby’s little friends to that baby necessities list. Help avoid headaches that come with the baby’s first teeth.
Check Out Our Animal Teether Toy Collection Here >
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By Kathryn Trudeau
Every year, we celebrate the birth of Dr. Seuss by celebrating Reading Across America Day. Dr. Seuss was concerned about the number of children struggling to read, and this concern inspired him to write Cat in the Hat and a variety of other beginner books. To this day, his beloved rhymes and rhythms delight and amuse children. Not to mention, his books teach important lessons as seen in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Lorax, and Horton Hears a Who.
Reading Across America Day is designed to help encourage children to read and help them foster a love of reading.
In this blog, we are sharing our best tips to inspire your children to foster a love of reading.
But how do you start to inspire your children to read on their own? Here are three ways to inspire your child to read on their own:
As parents, we’ve likely been reading to our kids since they were babies. Reading to your children:
Reading on their own continues to build their confidence, teach them about the world, and support higher academic performance.
The best way to encourage reading is to set the stage for reading. Make sure books are easily accessible for children of all ages. For babies and toddlers, provide plenty of board books or soft cloth books for playtime. As children get older, stock their bookshelves with books on their favorite topics. Whether that’s books on cats, robots, cars, animals, or sports, it’s easier to keep your child’s attention when the books feature their favorite things.
Children imitate the actions of parents, and when it comes to reading, that’s no exception. Let your children know that they also read for fun. Talk about your favorite things to read, whether that’s novels, magazines, or non-fiction books
Now that we’ve covered three ways to inspire your child to read more, let’s talk about four ways to celebrate this year’s Reading Across America Day.
What better way to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday than to read one of his books? Some of the most popular are:
After reading some of these books, you can pair it with a Dr. Seuss-inspired craft. You can print off coloring pages or make your favorite Dr. Seuss character out of construction paper.
Need a few new books to add to your nightly rotation of bedtime books? Plan a trip to the library. Maybe you stock up on Dr. Seuss’ books or maybe you explore a new genre altogether. Encourage your child to pick out a few books that appeal to him or her.
Make your bedtime stories extra fun tonight! Here are a few ways to make tonight’s bedtime stories even more magical:
Grab your jammies and snuggle up!
Create a few recipes from your child’s favorite recipe and nibble the foods while you read together:
The options are endless! My children love this activity because it brings their books to life.
Which activities will you try today?
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Daylight saving time begins each spring season and it seems to creep earlier and earlier each year! This year the change is happening this Sunday (March 13th) at 2:00 am. We will “spring forward” the clocks to give ourselves an entire hour of extra daylight each evening.
Most adults don’t mind the time change in the fall when gaining an extra hour of sleep, but the idea of the time change in spring creates lots of mind drama. It is nice that it stays lighter later, but who wants to miss out on 60 sweet minutes of slumber?
The start of daylight saving time is dreaded by parents because even changing time by one hour can wreak havoc on sleep schedules. Babies, toddlers and school age-children experience a longer “lag time” adjusting to the time change, especially if they have a fairly defined schedule already. This happens when children have established circadian rhythms. So changing the clocks doesn’t seem like a huge deal, but the body clock is resistant to change.
As Sleeper Teachers® we constantly have parents asking for the best way to handle the time change and children’s sleep. So without any further ado… Let’s get to it!
Another tip that is helpful this time of year is to darken the bedrooms in your house in the evening! As we get closer and closer to summer, kiddos may struggle to fall asleep while it is still light outside.
Darkening the room can be very helpful to avoid any extra bedtime protest. Even though there are extra hours of daylight in the spring and summer, little ones still need the same amount of sleep, so it is important to maintain a bedtime that is similar to what you had during the winter.
We often hear from parents that this time change is particularly tough because it is easy to lose track of what time it is in the evening. You get the kiddos home from school/activities/daycare and next thing you know, it is 7:00 pm and still light out but and you haven’t even started to cook dinner.
Our advice here is to set an alarm on your phone to signal for you the start of dinner and winding down. It may sound silly, but if you can get your own evening on track, you are far more likely to see success with your keeping your family on a nice routine.
The time change is one of those things that shouldn’t be complicated, but it can be. Don’t overthink it since we’ve already done the thinking for you. Below we have broken down the various age groups with schedule adjustments and have included an example scenario for each age group.
Please notice that for springing forward there isn’t a whole lot of “prep” you can do with schedules ahead of time. Instead, spend time before Sunday, March 13th adjusting the sleep environment and routine and start the schedule changes the day of the time change!
If your little one’s bedtime is not predictable (mostly for babies under six months old), simply jump to the new time Sunday night based on their current wake windows. If your little one normally goes to bed 1.5 hours after his last nap of the day, then you will follow that as normal, no matter what time the clock reads!
At this age, adjustments happen quickly as parents are typically following time spent awake rather than a set bedtime! This is one major benefit of following wake windows.
If you have a baby or toddler with a predictable bedtime (babe is most often going to bed around the same time each night), you will adjust the difference by making naps and bedtime 15 minute EARLIER than their “new normal” starting Sunday.
For example, if bedtime is normally 7:00 pm, the clock will now read 8:00 (on Sunday night). Rather than trying to make it to bedtime at 8:00 pm for bedtime, you will move bedtime 15 minutes earlier each night (from the “new” time) until you reach the normal time. So Sunday night you would put babe down at 7:45 pm (will feel like 6:45), Monday night at 7:30 pm, Tuesday night at 7:15 pm and Wednesday night will be back to normal at 7:00 pm! This 15-minute gradual approach should not impact the morning wake-up times of your little one as much as adjusting the full hour would.
We recommend this same technique for naps, too. A 10:00 nap (clock will now read 11:00), will take place at 10:45 on Sunday, then 10:30 on Monday, then 10:15 on Tuesday, then back to 10:00 by Wednesday.
For the older kiddos, we will split the difference here with a 30-minute adjustment. If you have a child that does not nap and normally goes to bed at 8:00 pm (clock now reads 9:00 pm), you would put him to bed at 8:30 pm on Sunday night, the first night of the time change. This will feel like 7:30 to them, but it is better than adjusting the full hour and having it feel like 7:00 pm!
Stick with this 30-minute adjustment for three nights, then on the Wednesday night put your kiddo to bed at 8:00 pm, or their normal (before daylight saving time) bedtime.
This same strategy rings true for adults! Remember to adjust your bedtime by 30 minutes earlier Sunday-Tuesday and then go back to “normal” by Wednesday night. Ta-Da!
Even with the gradual changes outlined above, it may take children and babies a bit more time to fall asleep, and this is totally normal. Since the time is different and their bodies think it is earlier than the clocks say, it is possible that they won’t be as tired at bedtime to start.
This can be shocking to parents because we are just talking about such a gradual adjustment, if you follow the plan above. But, change is change! You can expect for it to take about a week for the full adjustment to made. Be patient and consistent… It will happen!
With the time change coming up, we want to be sure that you have all the sleep support you need because that's just the way we roll. We've invited sleep expert and founder of Sleeper Teachers, Brittney, to share a video with us on about how to walk through these daylight saving tips. Head to our IG account @sleepbabyinc to get your hands on this video.
Enjoy the extra sunshine, the fresh blooms and a sleep-filled spring forward!
Brittney Stefanic is a certified whole-family sleep consultant and founder of Sleeper Teachers Sleep Consulting. As a work at home mom boss and former classroom teacher, she understands that this one hour time change can be a doozy. As a sleep educator, Brittney believes in the power of sleep and knows that it is integral to the wellbeing of each family. Brittney and her team love educating and supporting families around the world in finding sleep solutions. You can follow the teachers on Pinterest and Instagram @sleeperteachers for sleep tips and tricks.
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By Clara Jones
Spoiling babies with toys is one of the biggest pleasures of parenting. So, there’s naturally an enormous market for playthings for children aged four years and younger. This group encompasses newborns, infants, and toddlers, and the choice of what to get your bundle of joy is broad. But parents need to be aware of more than just whether or not their babies will enjoy the gift they’re getting.
Devastating reports of babies getting hurt or even killed by hazardous toys end up in the news far too often. But you can stay out of the headlines by educating yourself about the potential danger in seemingly innocuous toys and applying what you know when you’re purchasing something special for your little one.
Brightly colored balloons are part and parcel of birthday parties, and the good news is that they are totally safe once they’re blown up. But don’t ever let anyone under the age of eight inflate their own balloons!
It’s actually frighteningly easy to accidentally inhale the balloon when you take an in-breath to blow it up. This is one of the leading causes of children’s death by suffocation, so it’s always best to keep a watchful eye when celebrating a special occasion.
Who would’ve thought that the gorgeous little doll or soft, snuggly plush toy you just purchased posed such a risk to babies? But although they’re unexpected, the dangers are certainly there, and you need to be aware of the risk of aspiration when they’re playing with these.
The danger zone is the doll’s hair, or, in the case of plush toys, the fake fur they’re covered in. If hair or fur gets pulled out or falls out, your baby can get it in their mouth. This means they could breathe it back into their lungs, resulting in air constriction and choking.
Another risk is that these items, particularly if your baby sleeps with one, could potentially cover their faces and suffocate them. Experts actually advise parents to not allow babies to sleep with soft toys for the first year of their lives since these can cause Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
After 12 months, the risk of SIDS decreases dramatically, and beloved plush toys are welcome in cribs at bedtime.
The fidget spinner craze the world got caught in back in 2017 has mercifully ebbed, but they’re still very much a part of the toy market. These small toys pose serious safety hazards for kids under three years old because of the small parts that they’re made of.
These are choking hazards, and the versions of these toys that light up frequently contain dangerous coin-cell batteries. If your baby puts them in their mouths, they can break teeth and cause other types of oral damage. There are plenty of other safe educational toys for babies and young kids that offer just as much stimulation, if not more.
Magnets, especially high-powered ones, are usually found inside sets that allow your kid to create different shapes and sculptures. They are a major hazard, however, and you should be aware of how potentially dangerous they can be.
This is especially true if your baby swallows two or more since the magnets will be attracted to one another right through the child’s intestinal wall. This will result in them getting trapped in place and could cause damage to the stomach, severe pain, and, in the worst-case scenario, death. They can often only get removed surgically too.
Little ones are notorious for putting whatever they can reach into their mouths. This is why there are such strict regulations around the size of toys marketed for children younger than three years old. They have to be at least 1.5 inches in diameter and clearly labeled as for children over a certain age.
Marbles and little rubber balls obviously fall into this category and they are dangerous because it’s so easy for a child to stick them in their mouths. This can cause asphyxiation, which can quickly become life threatening.
Coin-cell batteries are small and round, resembling a button, and are used in many different things these days. You’ll find them in many toys and they’re a risk because they can resemble a piece of candy to a curious kid!
Make sure your baby can’t get to the batteries if they have a toy that uses them and don’t ever leave these lying around. You should also check the battery compartment of all electronic toys frequently to ensure they’re properly screwed on.
Yes, it’s not just playthings themselves that can be dangerous. The box you use to neaten up your baby’s room and keep things tidy should also be something you’re always aware of.
If your toy chest has a heavy lid, your child leaning into the box or using an edge to pull themselves up into a standing position could easily hurt their head or neck if it slams down. Think about removing the lid and using a small comforter that doubles as a play mat to cover the box, or switch to open-topped baskets and bins to store toys out of the way.
If your baby has a toy with a cord or a string that exceeds seven inches, it’s a potential hazard. These cords can wrap around your child’s neck and strangle them, so make sure that this length is never exceeded. Don’t hang toys with wires, ribbons, or strings in cribs and playpens. It’s also advised that crib gyms get removed entirely when your child can pull themselves up onto their hands and knees.
Stay Alert and Aware
As the saying goes, being forewarned is forearmed. Educating yourself about the toys your child plays with on a regular basis will go a long way towards keeping them safe.
Along with keeping these specific pieces of advice in mind when you’re shopping for toys, the most important thing you can do to protect your baby is be present when you’re with them. Get involved in their activities and keep your wits about you to spot lurking danger. You should also check your child’s toys on a regular basis to assess their condition and identify any hazards early on.
Proper supervision is a vital part of keeping your little one out of harm's way.
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Clara Jones is a Dutch-American editor in the field of business processes, business communication, and project management. When she has the extra time, she enjoys reading books and doing yoga.
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We often use the word cozy to describe baby clothes. And while it’s not a technical term that can be measured objectively, it is actually quite an important aspect to look for when you’re buying your child’s pajamas.
Without a pair of pajamas that are warm, soft, comfortable and everything else that is implied by the word cozy, getting your baby to sleep well and developing a healthy nighttime routine is much harder. Here’s our shopping guide for parents looking for the coziest jammies for their kids.
People can mean different things when they say cozy. It can apply to many things, such as a home, bedroom, or, like we’re using it here, a piece of clothing.
When we talk about cozy baby pajamas, we’re generally describing garments that give the wearer a feeling of comfort, warmth and relaxation. And if you take a moment to think about it, all these things are key ingredients to getting your baby or toddler to sleep.
It can also be useful to think about cozy as the opposite of uncomfortable and discontent. Ill-fitting garments, awkward designs, scratchy fabrics, excessive thickness and more are all enemies of coziness!
Ultimately, children need to be cozy and giving them a set of pajamas to help them feel this way is one of the simplest and most important things you can do to get them sleeping well and looking forward to bedtime each night.
Generally, we use the word cozy to describe clothes that give the wearer a feeling of comfort, warmth and relaxation.
The fabric that a set of baby pajamas are made from has such an important role to play in how cozy and comfy your child will feel.
They must be soft to the touch on both the inside and outside of the piece. It’s no good if the exterior is fluffy and soft to the touch when the inside is scratchy or irritating. Suitable materials for baby clothes include:
If you live in a colder climate or somewhere that gets pretty chilly in winter, you might need to opt for more insulating materials like fleece. However, most parents will find that cotton and cotton blends do a good enough job for both coziness and keeping your baby warm.
Is Cotton the Best Material for Babies?
A baby’s body is incredibly fragile and while their resilience and ability to self-regulate their body temperature improves dramatically above the age of 12 months, you must still be conscious of the need to keep them warm at night when temperatures drop.
It’s important to support your little one’s ability to produce heat by making sure that you are choosing a set of warm and cozy baby pajamas. The more of your baby’s body you cover, the less chance there will be of cold air reaching them or precious warm air from escaping.
As well as catching colds and other illnesses more easily in cold weather, if your child is too cold at night, they will naturally find it harder to sleep, which can have a knock on effect in terms of decreased energy levels and increased fussiness and general discomfort during the day.
The flip side of the above is you also don’t want to cause your baby to overheat. Being cozy is different to being too hot! And just like you, they will find it very hard to sleep if their pajamas are too thick or stuffy.
If you are finding it hard to judge if something will be too hot on your baby, we always recommend reading parent reviews and looking for signs of good breathability and temperature regulation.
A good set of pajamas will offer a good level of coziness without the need for too much else in your baby’s crib or bed.
It will depend largely on your child’s age, but for children below the age of 12 months, it’s best that they sleep somewhere that is clear of things like cuddly toys, blankets and anything else that might increase the chance of suffocation or choking.
If your child is old enough to use a blanket in their crib, fantastic! But it’s still a good idea to keep their sleeping space relatively minimal. One baby-suitable blanket is usually enough combined with the right set of pajamas.
Too many accessories and blankets can actually make it harder for them to sleep and with more items comes the increased risk of entanglement as your child tosses and turns at night.
Hygiene levels can also be maintained more easily if you put less stuff around your child. A set of pajamas can easily be washed, but it’s more of an effort to constantly wash multiple soft toys, blankets, pillows and any other cuddly items which can accumulate bacteria.
As well as potentially being dangerous, a pair of pajamas that doesn’t fit snugly around your baby’s body can make your child feel uncomfortable when trying to sleep. If it’s too tight, it could cause pinching and pain, especially when cuffs or openings are too tight around your child’s limbs.
Loose clothing, which is known to increase the chance of suffocation in younger babies, may also bunch or fold up in an awkward way, causing uncomfortable bumps or creases under your baby’s body. And while hoods and baby capes may look adorable on product images, they can sometimes be more of a nuisance than anything else.
Loose clothing may bunch or fold up in an awkward way that makes your child uncomfortable.
The other thing to keep in mind when looking for cozy baby pajamas is that now that your child is old enough to wear pajamas, rather than swaddles or swaddle transition products, their preferences and tastes can evolve. They may simply dislike the way something feels despite it being perfectly cozy and comfy for another child. And they probably won’t be afraid of telling you so.
Everything from the way something looks to how it feels can prevent your child from enjoying a set of jammies you present to them. There’s no real way around this, but it can help to learn first what your child does and doesn’t like before investing in a whole wardrobe of one particular type of baby pajamas.
We created a pajama we think offers a very good level of coziness for children. Suitable for children of 1 year and older, we wanted to make something that still offered the kind of enclosing comfort of an all-in-one sleepsuit that so many loved about our Zipadee-Zips, while giving toddlers more freedom to move around with openings at the feet and hands.
Essentially, it’s a kind of wearable suit that ticks all the boxes we believe contribute to coziness. We’ve also tailored our fabrics and designs to offer a collection that appeals to a wide range of both parents and children. And if you live somewhere a bit chillier than most places, we now offer fleece jammies!
Coziness might seem like a “nice to have”, but it’s actually quite a fundamental part of good sleep for young children. Keeping them warm, comfortable, snug and generally happy, it’s a cornerstone of any parent’s strategy for improving sleep independence and building your child’s sleeping skills.
Hopefully this blog post offered a few pointers on how you can find the perfect set of cozy baby pajamas for your child!
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By Taylor Brouwer
It's no secret that extracurricular activities are a great way to fight a child's boredom with benefits for them. But, unfortunately, choosing something appropriate can be difficult. On the contrary, finding the best possible extracurricular activity for your kid can be a challenge. You should always come up with something your kid would like. Besides, the most suitable afterschool activities also depend on your child’s age and preferences. You should not forget about kids’ talents as well. Older kids can easily recognize what they like the most. Younger children need more directions from their parents to choose something to be busy with after school.
School students may need some small directions. You can offer them a few options to choose from themselves. It can be even better if your children make their own decisions. Thus, they will be more responsible for their results. Sometimes, parents even come up with additional activities. They can start various educational and sports clubs. Sure, it is only in a case your school does not provide any. In fact, there are many ways you can find the best activities for your children.
In search of the most suitable extracurricular activities, you can contact your school, local community representatives, or start your club. Many activities are often sponsored by local community organizations. Thus, you can let your kid join a local newspaper club, advertise classes for children, etc. Sure, this is not the best activity for 6 year old. For younger kids, you need to be more careful with your choices.
You must never overschedule your child. With way too many tasks on their schedule, kids often lose any desire to participate in any activity. You need to motivate your kid to participate in the chosen extracurricular, but never make them hate what they do. Kids need to have a free-extracurricular activities day. They also need to have free time to restore their energy.
Many attempts to provide your kid with extracurricular activities end with kids wanting to quit them fast. At some point, every parent deals with such a dilemma. It can even be the certain activity the kids have suggested themselves. The lack of motivation can be a cause. Also, they can simply have no talent and interest in the chosen activity. Or other activities can be more important for them to waste their time on something insignificant.
What should you do in such a situation? Surely not end up complaining “my son wants nothing to do with me” after forcing your kid to continue with activities. Forcing your kids to do something they don’t like is wrong. Still, if they quit fast, how to teach them commitment? If you want your kids to be happy, never force any activities they despise.
Let them choose one activity per year that they really like. They need to select something that keeps them motivated and lets them broaden their perspectives. If you decide on a certain activity per season, explain to your kid they need to be involved during an entire season. In such a case, even once quitting, they would know they tried their best and accomplished something with their commitment.
As some sort of help in making choices, try to guide your child and offer them options. In order to understand what activities might interest your child, first find out what direction they are more interested in: sports, creativity, etc. Don't ask directly - find out by interest in appropriate games. For example, organize your "summer camp" at home and fill it with games and activities of all kinds, and then observe what attracts your child the most.
There are some big “no's” for parents when they help their kids to choose their activities. For instance, when deciding on extracurricular activities for teens, never make a choice for your child. You cannot live your dreams through your kid. It will never be fair or right at this point. Your child is an individual with their preferences, talents, and dislikes. They can simply have no interest in the activity you offer. Thus, they will never succeed in the chosen extracurricular. Moreover, struggling through activities they dislike only to make their parents happy is never a good motivation for a child. It takes away the choice and proper motivation to keep up with the activities.
You should always listen to your child. Older kids already know what they like and what they dislike. They can stick with a chosen activity if they are interested in it or want to accomplish more. Besides, if they have natural talents, it makes them even more competitive. Thus, they can reach a lot in the chosen activity. When the kid is young, you should let them test many extracurricular activities. Therefore, your child will decide for themselves what they prefer. Once they make their own decision, your kid’s commitment will be much higher. Besides, they will be responsible for results. It will help your child to grow more dedicated and focused on their accomplishments.
It is great if your kid likes their extracurricular activities. It is even better when they have natural talents and can easily succeed. To reach such a result, your child needs to be interested in what they are doing. Besides, being passionate about their activities is also good. You should pay attention to what your kid likes. It is normal to let your kid quit some activities they do not like. Let them make their choice, stay committed, and be responsible for their results. In such a case, they will grow up responsible and quite competitive with the focus only on main life goals.
About the author
Taylor Brouwer is a freelance professional content writer, providing paper writing services on a part-time basis. He specializes in writing research papers in the humanities and is skilled in using both MLA and Chicago style citation. Out of office hours, Taylor is a happy father of two daughters.]]>
There’s a lot to consider when buying baby clothes for your child. And many parents are quite forgivably distracted (if not overwhelmed) by the sheer amount of designs, patterns and styles they come across when searching for the best sleep sack for their baby.
However, two of the most important things parents need to keep at the front of their mind when choosing baby clothes are: safety and comfort. We explore what parents should consider when making sure their baby’s clothes meet important standards for both these things.
Children face a few different threats when they’re very young and without the right clothes to sleep in, the dangers of suffocation, overheating, catching colds and more can increase.
Babies must stop being swaddled after 2 months, according to the advice of health organizations such as the CDC and AAP. It’s important that whatever piece of clothing they upgrade to offers them certain qualities to avoid the risks that swaddling creates, such as suffocation and SIDS, overheating, and hip dysplasia.
A few of the fundamentals of a safe baby sleep sack include:
The material and structure of the sleep sack should keep warm air in while still being breathable.
Baby clothes must be snug and not loose-fitting to avoid health risks such as suffocation, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
This means that there should be no unnecessary looseness in any particular area of the garment that could fold up or bunch in a way that would make it harder for your child to breathe.
Equally, clothes mustn’t be too tight as this would also make it harder for them to breathe and could cause pinching.
Ultimately, the sleep sack you choose should be age appropriate as well as matched to your child’s body. For instance, just because the product description reads 2-12 months, it doesn’t mean that the brand’s size fits all babies within this age range.
Most companies will also offer a variation in size (Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large) that will offer minor (but also important) variation that can be matched to your baby’s specific size.
Winter presents many challenges for parents. As well as the desire to keep energy usage down both for cost and health reasons (too much radiator heat can dry out the air in your home making it harder to breathe and increasing skin irritation), parents must guard against their children getting too cold when temperatures drop.
The good news is that “cool” temperatures are fine for babies and despite your impulse to make their room’s extra toasty, this isn’t actually helpful as all humans (including babies) naturally sleep better in lower temperatures rather than when they’re too warm. This means you don’t need to keep the heating on full blast throughout the night!
The bad news is that what “cool” means for your child is different to what it means to you. A good rule of thumb is that children should be dressed in one extra layer than you would be comfortable wearing at night, so rather than changing the heat setting of your home, it’s better to adjust what your child is wearing.
This starts with providing them with a warm baby sleep sack but also adding a sufficient amount of layering beneath the garment to keep them warm, such as rompers and thin cotton bodysuits.
If possible, it is recommended that you sleep in the same room as your child which will allow you to judge temperature changes more easily as well as watch out for signs of discomfort in your child when they sleep. Also, things like shivering and blue skin due to coldness can’t always be visible through baby monitors.
Keep in mind that things like blankets can pose a danger to children when they’re too young. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the risk of soft bedding only reduces significantly when a child is above 12 months.
This means that the best sleep sack for your baby should be sufficient in keeping your child’s body temperature at a good level even in cold winter months, without the need for additional sheets and soft bedding.
Learn More About How Warm Pajamas Can Support Your Baby During Winter
Safety can be closely connected with overall health when you consider how easy it is for babies to catch a cold. If they’re too cold for significant periods of time, their energy loss can be huge, making them extremely vulnerable to illnesses and things like colds. Research also shows us that babies are much more at risk from many pathogenic viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites.
Keeping them warm, conserving their energy, and improving their ability to sleep is a vital part of keeping them safe and healthy.
Comfort is such an important aspect of a good baby sleep sack. Even for adults, without a good level of comfort in the clothes you wear at night, the ability to get a good night’s sleep can be drastically reduced.
For babies who must recover each night from a high level of stimulation and learning that can tire them out, you want your baby’s sleep sack to be as comfortable as possible so that they get the recovery time they need. Without this, your child may be cranky, fussy, tired and unhappy during the day, which can have a knock on effect on some many things.
Children hate fabrics that are itchy, baggy, too thin, or generally not comfortable.
Children hate fabrics that are itchy, baggy, too thin, or generally not comfortable. And this will keep them from getting the sleep they need — requiring extra attention and soothing.
When looking for the best baby sleep sack, look for fabrics that are soft to the touch on both the exterior and interior of the garment. Cotton and cotton blends are great for softness, and unless you are in a cold climate, should also provide your child with a good level of warmth to keep them nice and cozy at night.
For parents who live in places where temperatures drop quite drastically at night, consider going with fleece, which is incredibly soft but also offers added insulation.
At Sleeping Baby, we have a whole fleece range for parents who want to guarantee their children are always toasty in the coldest of months and in the chilliest of places.
Need Some Tips On How to Soothe Your Baby at Night? Here’s 10 of Our Best Tips
The best baby sleep sack offers a good amount of restrictive comfort so that your baby can enjoy that feeling of snugness that helps them to nod off.
This often comes in the form of an all-in-one piece, sleepsuit or sleeping bag that contains your baby’s limbs and offers a flexible barrier that children can push their limbs against (a bit like the swaddle but allowing for a more healthy amount of movement as your child’s muscles develop).
Many parents will find that without this it takes a while for their baby to adjust to the lack of boundaries within the clothes they sleep in. This can happen when you go from using a swaddle to not using any swaddle transition product at all.
Our Zipadee-Zip was designed with this in mind, giving babies a way to enjoy all the comforts of being enclosed without restricting the important movement they need to sleep safely.
Having said this, if you decide not to use any swaddle transition product at all, there’s nothing wrong with this either. Some kids adapt much better than others or may not enjoy a swaddle alternative in the way another does.
When looking for the best baby sleep sack for your little one, you’re free to choose whatever design you wish. All you need to do is make sure that what you’re buying is both safe and comfortable for your baby. And one of the best ways to do this is by researching a brand and reviews from past customers.
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By Brittney Stefanic
As a busy mom, naptime never seems long enough. Between work tasks, house chores, self-care… It always seems like the to do list is never ending!
If you are hoping to get the most out of your child’s naptime, here are three tips that you don’t want to miss if you are trying to elevate your naptime hustle.
If you are currently waiting until naptime to make lunch for yourself, clean up the kitchen, and eat, this is 15 to 30 minutes of valuable “me time” that you could get back. To do this, make your lunch and eat it while your children are eating their lunch or snack. Then, before taking them to their naptime, spend 3 to 5 minutes getting the kitchen picked up. This way when you leave their room your time is actually free.
It might seem like a small change, but this one certainly goes along way. The firs time you try it, you will be shocked at how these extra minutes can really help you get the most out of naptime.
If your children are too young to accomplish eating while they eat, consider meal prepping over the weekend (or a time when you have extra help). Spending time ahead of the busy week days getting meals ready will allow for you to eat more quickly and get other things done during the never long enough naptime hustle!
As busy moms, we have so much in our brain and so many tasks to complete, that we spend at a large chunk of time during our naptime break deciding how to use the time we have. By committing to decide ahead of time, you take out the stress of the decision, know exactly how your break will be spent, and create extra time for that break.
To take this one step further, consider making a list of all the things that you could or want to accomplish during any break from the kids. Then each morning review your list and pick a task or two that feels in alignment for today. It is such a pleasant surprise to realize how much extra time you got when you aren’t spending most of it making the actual choice.
If you struggle from “decision fatigue” or being so sick and tired of making decisions that you simply stop making decisions, this tip is going to be extra helpful!
Another way to save even more time and to get into a great pattern is to assign different tasks to different days of the week. For example, naptime each Monday could be spent putting away laundry while watching your favorite show. Then naptime on Tuesdays and Thursdays is a dedicated time for you to move your body/exercise. That leaves Wednesdays for scrolling IG and cleaning the bathrooms and Fridays for that extra work meeting.
If this particular list doesn’t feel aligned, make one for yourself! You will find that having a routine like this in place allows for you to not only get more done during each naptime but feel more balanced as well.
If your preschooler is no longer napping, you can still achieve a mid-day break by implementing a quiet time for your child.
To do this, start with short periods of time (10 to 15 minutes) where your child is playing independently in their own room while you take care of a quick task. Once they have been successful with this for a few days, increase the time and celebrate their new skill. Continue to increase until you find the timeframe that works best for your family.
A “quiet time box” is also a helpful tool. This small plastic tub or box can be filled with quiet, cozy, peaceful solo time activities for them to use. Try to find things to enjoy quietly like puzzles, single player games, dolls, LEGO. If you keep this box under their bed or in a closet and use it only during quiet time, you will help to maintain the novelty and excitement of the items in the box. The toys in this box can be things you already have or they can be new things that accumulate over time.
If these three tips for making the most out of naptime is helpful but naps are simply not long enough to actually get anything done, we totally understand. Stay tuned on the blog next month for expert guidance on how to help your child take longer naps so that you can get the most out of naptime.
In the mean time, try out these three tips with the time that you do have and remember that none of us are superheroes. It can often feel like nothing is being accomplished or checked off the list, but at the end of the day we are all simply doing the best we can with the time we have!
Brittney Stefanic is a whole-family certified sleep consultant and founder of Sleeper Teachers®. She is an advocate for sleep education and believes in the power of rest so that families can live their best lives full of health and happiness. Brittney and her team love educating and support families around the world in finding sleep solutions through their customized sleep plans. You can follow the Sleeper Teachers® on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook @sleeperteachers for funny Reels, lots of blogs and frequent sleep Q&A sessions.
]]>By Kathryn Trudeau
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and for many children, this year’s Valentine’s Day might look a little different. With some schools returning to virtual or hybrid, many children might not have the traditional in-class Valentine’s Day party 一 but that’s okay. We’ve created this list of 10 easy and inexpensive Valentine’s Day activities that you can do with your kids.
Ready to plan your at-home Valentine’s Day party? Here are 10 activities to include in your party.
What’s Valentine’s Day without a Valentine’s Day card? Making homemade cards exercises fine motor control, dexterity, and creativity.
What you need:
If your child is celebrating Valentine’s Day with an in-class party, use this craft time to make their own Valentine’s Day box to collect the cards they receive. Cover a shoe box (or leftover Amazon Prime box) with construction paper. Adults can cut a slot to let cards be put into the box. Decorate with paint, stickers, glitter, markers, or cut-out felt hearts.
Any holiday is a good excuse to whip up a batch of cookies, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. The easiest -- and quickest -- option to purchase premade sugar cookie dough.
Here’s what to do:
Once the cookies are cool, frost them with pink frosting and decorate with sprinkles.
Reading is one of the best gifts a parent can give to their child. Reading teaches new words, bolsters emotional intelligence, and of course, is a great bonding activity. Head to the library and stock on your favorite Valentine’s Day books, and cozy up on the couch for an afternoon of reading.
Here are a few ideas to get started:
Valentine’s Day isn’t just about sending cards or eating candy; it’s about celebrating the people in our life that we love -- and letting them know how we feel. Model the importance of expressing your feelings and sharing what you love most about your children. Invite your children to share what they love about each of their siblings.
A tried-and-true Valentine’s Day gift, coupon books are super easy to make, and they teach your child the importance of showing love by serving others. Giving a gift isn’t the only way to show someone you care, and coupon books help kids learn this lesson. They also teach children the importance of following through on their promises. Maybe your child wants to make a “Valentine’s Day Coupon Book for Dad” or maybe they want to make one for their sibling.
What you need:
What to do:
Ideas for your coupon book include:
Sorting is an important cognitive skill, and it can be a fun activity for toddlers and young elementary-aged kids. You can sort candy-coated chocolate by color (teaching color skills as you go), you can have early readers read the phrases on conversation hearts, or you can sort a variety of candy by size. You can also practice counting skills too!
Sometimes just a little color is all you need to make the day seem extra special, and these Pink Berry smoothies deliver the pizzazz without any artificial food dye.
What you need:
Add all of your ingredients in the blender. This makes several servings so it’s plenty to share!
To make a heart symmetry painting, you need scissors, white paper, and tempera paint. Create large white hearts, using most of a sheet of paper. Fold the heart in half, and ask your child to only paint half of it. While the paint is still wet, fold the heart in half -- just enough to let the paint smudge onto the other side. Open the heart and allow it to dry flat.
Once dry, you’ll see a beautiful symmetrical heart painting.
This is a great activity for younger children who can’t write. Draw a big heart on a poster board and ask your child to draw everything he or she loves. You might see everything from pictures of mommy and daddy to candy to puppies to a favorite stuffed lovey.
Painting rocks is so satisfying, isn’t it? To make glitter heart rocks, you need:
To make the glitter heart, use the stencil (with the index card) and apply heart-shaped glue to your rock. Sprinkle with glitter and dust off any excess. Allow the rock to dry before decorating with additional paint. You can keep the finished rocks or you can leave them at parks to bring joy to another person’s day.
Which activity will you add to your day?
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Sometimes it’s the simple things like preparing them each morning before school that can spark your child’s curiosity to learn. That said, motivating your child to study affects how they develop and dictates their success when they grow up. But each child is different. Not every child will be as motivated to finish their homework on time and look forward to the next school day. Because of this, parents need to learn different tactics to deal with situations. Here are some tips on how to motivate your child to learn.
Many parents will remember how hard it was to concentrate fully at all times during their time in school. Sometimes the lack of motivation leads to some children showing resistance toward education. If that is the case, you must help your child find the inspiration they need to study. Otherwise, there is a risk that your child could, over time, become completely indifferent and even lazy. Motivate them to learn, don’t force them to learn. While force may be the easiest route, it’s almost certainly counterproductive. Children who are forced to study forget quickly what they have learned. Once free to choose their own path, such children could abandon education altogether. On the flip side, motivated children are curious to study and will remember what they learned longer.
There are a number of things that could lead to a child showing a lack of interest in school. Some of these may be straightforward, such as what happens when they return to school after a long holiday. Others, however, may be difficult to detect. Find out if your child has attention deficit disorder and seek professional help. If the child is just lazy, bored, or stressed, find the right motivation to get them back on track. Remember not to rationalize that your child hates school before you discover the root of their lack of enthusiasm for learning.
When motivating your child to learn and develop a positive attitude towards education, take an honest and supportive approach. Remember, you’re on the same team. While many parents may get frustrated when their child is unmotivated to study, staying calm and in control is the best way. Think positive. Remember, your child is not in the same place as you yet. Instead of reacting negatively, be calm and remember that the child is not mature enough to understand it all. It takes time for children to learn; your patience will ensure they do it better.
Children need structure if they’re to become successful in school. This structure is based on rules that you create with your child on how you expect things to be done. The rules must be followed without fail. For example, make sure your child understands when they need to do their homework and how much time it should take them. Be firm and consistent in ensuring that your child follows these rules. If they disobey the clearly set out rules, they need to bear the consequences. This sends a message that you are willing to invest in their success.
It’s not just about making the rules and ensuring your child follows them. It’s also about rewarding good behavior. Rewards are one of the best ways to develop a child’s work ethic. Remember, rewards are not bribes. It’s the same principle as getting paid for the work you do. Make the child understand that their primary responsibility is to study and reward them when they do well. This motivates them to do their job as best as possible. Remember also that the rewards don’t have to be tangible. It could be activities that the child enjoys. For example, you can give them time to go on social media or watch their favorite TV program.
Find out where your child feels most comfortable studying. Let them pick a spot in the house and have them stick to it. You could experiment with different places around your home and find the perfect peaceful spot for them. Once they have a place, stay close by to ensure they are working. It’s never a good idea to leave a child alone in their study location as they could easily get distracted and lose focus. Stay close by but do not disturb their space. Lend a hand where necessary. Just don’t end up doing their homework for them.
Let your child express their opinion about their education. Create an environment where your child feels free to talk about their likes and dislikes, or concerns. This will encourage their engagement in the learning process and improve your relationship with them. Remember to validate their concerns and don’t ignore them. Let them know they can share their opinion about their educational experience without being put down.
Children who develop a love for reading will most certainly develop a passion for learning. Reading has many advantages, including an enhanced ability to do well in other school subjects. Reading also helps children develop a richer vocabulary. You can encourage your child to read and give him an edge in their education. You can read aloud to them, let them read loud, or create a family reading time.
Nothing stresses a child out more than getting good grades at the end of a school year. You can reduce this stress by focusing instead on the learning goals you have created with your child. Let them focus on solving tricky maths problems or researching and finishing an essay. If your child can enjoy learning, they’ll be motivated at all times.
As we have already learned, each child is different, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all study technique. You can keep experimenting with other techniques and see which one fits your child’s learning style.
Conclusion
Different children learn differently. Going through school is not easy, and children could get exhausted or bored. It’s up to the parent or guardian to find ways to motivate them and keep them engaged in their learning.
Author Bio
Thomas Jackson is a professional freelance content writer and an active member of several writing clubs in New York. He has contributed to several best essay writing services. He has also worked with this assignment writing service and this essay writing service. He has written several songs since he was a child. He gets inspiration from live concerts, which he does in front of close friends and family members.
]]>The reason that swaddle transition products are so important is that swaddling must end for all babies once they get to 2 months of age. After this point, a number of safety risks start to emerge for babies that continue to be swaddled.
After 2 months, a number of safety risks start to emerge for babies that continue to be swaddled.
Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) or hip dysplasia is a condition where the "ball and socket" joint of the hip does not properly form in babies and young children, according to the NHS. This can cause serious problems for both children and adults, leading to the following:
One of the causes of this condition is improper swaddling or swaddling a baby for too long. In order to allow for healthy hip development, legs should be able to bend up and out at the hips. This will allow for the natural development of the hip joints.
The best swaddle transition products are built with this consideration in mind — giving babies a good amount of flexibility where they need it so muscles and bones can mature naturally.
Each year, there are about 3,400 sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID) in the United States, according to the CDC. Similar figures exist in other parts of the world, making this a global issue.
Research shows parents and caregivers can help reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths by following a number of safety practices, including:
Swaddle transition products like baby sleepsuits or sleeping bags are an easy way to keep babies warm, cool, comfortable, and protected while contributing to healthy sleeping habits. For instance, the right garment can relax your baby and induce sleep much better than an item that is not suitable for your child.
Many parents also find the routine of putting on a swaddle transition product at the same time each night helps to signal to their child that it’s time to start winding down for bed.
Learn more about creating optimal nighttime routines in our post: How to Help My Baby Sleep — The Perfect Evening Routine
Given the importance of ending the swaddle at some point, it’s quite clear that there needs to be a swaddle alternative. As babies of 2 months are generally not comfortable without any form of specialized sleeping garment and are too young for pajamas that come in separate tops and bottoms, choosing the best transition swaddle product becomes the most logical route for parents.
Another point to keep in mind is that just because your baby is too old to be swaddled, it doesn’t mean they have grown out of their Moro Reflex, which can continue to affect your child up to 6 months and over.
If you didn’t know already, babies are much more sensitive to slight changes in their environment, which can evoke a natural reflex in their bodies, often referred to as the Moro reflex.
It can help to remove things that are too disruptive or stimulating from their environment, such as telephones, electronics, or even other children, but it can also help that they are dressed in the best swaddle transition product.
This helps you create a womb-like environment for your little one by restricting your baby’s movements — reducing startling and often stopping the Moro reflex completely because your baby feels safe and can’t extend their arms out as they would usually do during the reflex.
Want to Learn More About the Moro Reflex?
There are many types of baby clothing garments out there that can help with the transition period. These transitional swaddles can be called baby sleep sacks, sleepsuits or all-in-ones, depending on the brand. Some will offer a footed design (where the hands and feet are covered) while others will have cuffs that let your baby's fingers and toes pop out.
Transitional swaddles can be called baby sleep sacks, sleepsuits or all-in-ones, depending on the brand.
Our own version of the transitional swaddle is the Zipadee-Zip. It is designed to offer similar restrictive comfort to the swaddle, yet provides more freedom of movement. And unlike many other products on the market, it can be used for babies up to 24 months, providing parents with a reliable and proven sleeping product that will tick all the important criteria for choosing a swaddle transition product.
Most health organizations around the world have updated their advice for parents in regards to swaddling and when they should stop, now suggesting that parents should end this practice after 2 months.
In the past, parents may have swaddled their children up to the age of 3 or 4 months, however, during this time the various risks associated with swaddling start to rapidly increase, so an earlier transition is advised.
A few signs that you should be looking for the best transitional swaddle to take over also include:
Choosing clothes for your baby, especially if it's the first time, can be daunting. And unfortunately, there isn’t one single brand or type of transitional swaddle that is best. To help you during this process, below are some essential criteria you can check your products against.
Size |
You must choose a transition swaddle that is neither too tight nor loose. Both can be dangerous for your baby, so look for products that offer a healthy amount of room between your baby’s body and the fabric of the swaddle transition product. |
Material |
Cottons and cotton blends are generally good all-rounders, but in colder weather, you may need something warmer, such as fleece. Just be careful that any fabric you choose is breathable and doesn’t cause overheating. |
Functionality |
The best transitional swaddles also function without friction or stress, as well as offer great aesthetic appeal. Never choose a product just because it looks adorable. |
Age suitability |
Our transition swaddles at Sleeping Baby are designed for babies from 0-24 months, however, other brands have a shorter window where their product will be suitable. Make sure you always check this. |
Our final piece of advice would be to never make a decision about any baby clothing item you go for without reading a good number of reviews or receiving a recommendation from a friend or family member.
A product's design might look amazing when you view its images or videos online, but it’s the real-life experience of parents that should help guide your decision more than anything.
One of the cornerstones of a baby’s wardrobe is the sleepsuit. As well as keeping your baby warm and cozy, it can also aid in the development of good sleeping habits and keep your baby safe while their tiny bodies grow.
For parents, we understand your frustration when it comes to choosing the best sleepsuit for your baby — there are simply so many options out there with a significant variation in style, design, material, and even what these garments are called.
Here’s a quick guide for finding the best sleepsuit for your baby that will tick all of the important boxes when it comes to dressing your child in something that is perfect for sleep and development.
If you have ever asked this question, we can assure you that you are not the only parent. While some will already be familiar with what a sleepsuit looks like, others may be unsure what it is and how it differs from other child sleeping garments, like pajamas.
While the definition can vary from country to country, or family to family, a sleepsuit is generally a specially designed piece of clothing that has been created to support your baby as they sleep. This means taking into consideration their need for warmth, space to move, and comfort during the early stages of life.
Other names for baby sleepsuits include:
A sleepsuit is a specially designed piece of clothing that has been created to support your baby as they sleep.
As the designs and styles vary between different brands so much, often the most practical way to find the best sleepsuit for your baby is to measure it against some important criteria.
You must ensure that your baby sleepsuit is both warm and breathable. In winter, you may be tempted to find the warmest thing you can find, potentially with a thick material that insulates your baby from chilly room temperatures.
While this is fine to an extent, you must also make sure that your baby does not overheat, which is a common problem that babies deal with — contributing to an increased risk of SIDS.
For this reason, we always recommend reading as many parent reviews as possible, or asking a friend or family member how a particular garment they have used holds up in this regard. It is also useful to consider how the baby sleepsuit will fare in your specific climate (e.g. hot vs. cold countries).
While a cotton (or a cotton blend) might be perfect in one part of the world, a thicker fleece-based garment might be necessary in a place where temperatures drop more significantly in the winter.
Discover Our Fleece Collection!
Comfort isn't just a nice-to-have when looking for the best sleepsuit for your baby. And it is always more important than the print or aesthetic of the item. This is because babies are extremely sensitive and may find it very difficult to get to sleep if they’re not comfortable.
Finding a baby sleepsuit that hugs your baby but doesn’t restrict them too much and is also soft to the touch, rather than stiff, scratchy or irritating, will make all the difference. Things like accessories, strings, or any unnecessary frills should also be avoided — as well as presenting a potential safety hazard, they can reduce the comfortability element of the sleepsuit.
Comfort isn't just a nice-to-have when looking for the best sleepsuit for your baby. And it is always more important than the print or aesthetic of the item.
With time, you will become attuned to identifying areas of impracticality when searching for the best baby sleepsuit for your child. Below is a brief cheat sheet:
The best sleepsuits for babies should be safe for your baby to sleep in. One of the ways to achieve this is to ensure it fits your baby’s body well. Too much excess fabric can be dangerous — potentially causing a choking hazard or making it harder for your baby to breathe.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, all items of clothing for babies must be snug and not loose-fitting to avoid health risks such as suffocation.
You are free to choose a style and design that you like the look of when searching for the best sleepsuit for a baby, however, below are a few important considerations to make.
Some sleepsuits will come with openings for your child’s hands and feet. Some parents like this as they can add their own socks and mittens, while others prefer to have an all-in-one piece that can be used without any accessories.
As things like hats, socks and mittens can also cause a potential choking hazard, it might be prudent to avoid these until your child is older. With this in mind, a footed baby sleepsuit is the best option to go for.
These garments essentially contain all your baby's body parts (apart from their head of course) in an all-encasing suit of comfort. The added benefit of this is that it is also easier to keep warmth locked in during winter months.
For more information on baby clothing styles and options, consider reading our guide: The Ultimate Guide to Buying Baby Clothes Online
At Sleeping Baby, we chose to design our Zipadee-Zip sleepsuit for babies to keep both the hands and feet enclosed. This was done for several reasons, including the benefits this can have on children who have just stopped swaddling.
For these babies, the fact that hands and feet have a kind of barrier built into the suit offers a restrictive comfort that is close to the experience of being in the swaddle, offering more freedom of movement without removing the sense of security and closeness that children love so much.
The search for the best baby sleepsuit for your child can involve one of several activities, including searching online, visiting child clothing stores, or even visiting large department stores and supermarkets that have clothing sections for children.
Depending on your budget, spare time, and location, one of these might be more preferable to you. However, below are some notes on what these different options can offer.
Simply searching Google for something like ‘best baby suits for baby’ or ‘recommended baby suits for babies’ should yield a high volume of results. However, this is both a good and bad thing, depending on how you look at things.
If you are in the process of simply researching and getting inspiration for your baby’s wardrobe, having plenty of options to browse through can be great. If you want to buy something ASAP though, this can be a little frustrating. Combined with the fact that you won’t be able to handle the products by hand and check them for quality, you will find yourself reading through a long list of reviews.
Admittedly, Amazon and other ecommerce platforms can offer you a quick solution to buying a baby sleepsuit. As well as organising all relevant products into one scannable search result (albeit organised into multiple pages), there is a reliable review and rating system that can help you make a quick and relatively informed decision about what to buy for your baby.
Amazon and other ecommerce platforms can offer you a quick solution to buying a baby sleepsuit for many parents.
Shopping from a specialized or niche baby clothes retailer has several benefits. If you have had a recommendation from a friend or family member, you can benefit from purchasing your garment directly from the company itself and learn more about the story behind the product.
For instance, at Sleeping Baby, we like to inform potential customers about the science behind our products and why they were created. As a brand, we also like to give our parents peace of mind that they’re always getting something 100% suitable and reliable for their child, as well as offering a fantastic range of patterns and designs.
Through the process of getting to know a brand, it can be easier for you to make shopping decisions for different stages of your baby’s development as most companies will have a full range of options from 0 to 24 months and above — simplifying the process for you as well as guaranteeing that you're always getting a certain standard of quality.
Shopping from a specialized or niche baby clothes retailer has several benefits for parents looking for the best sleepsuits for their babies.
As mentioned previously, reading parent reviews can be a great way to find the best sleepsuit for your baby. In fact, it’s pretty much an indispensable activity if you’re buying clothes online, which you will have to verify in some way in terms of quality, safety and practicality.
Always approach reviews with a healthy amount of skepticism and understand that different people have different preferences. Also, be mindful of climate variation. A product may get very good reviews in locations where the temperature is mild, but will they hold up well in colder countries?
Once your child has stopped swaddling or is currently transitioning from the swaddle as we speak, there’s no doubt that the baby sleepsuit becomes one of your most important tools as a parent. It will help them to sleep better, stay warm, and generally keep healthy and happy.
It may be a time consuming task if you’re not familiar with baby sleepsuits, but it’s worth spending the time on getting this right so both you and your baby can benefit. Good luck!
]]>By Emily Henry
Getting your bundle of joy to develop good sleeping habits is one of parenthood’s biggest challenges. This is why sleep deprivation is so common among new parents. While bedtime struggles and sleepless nights are to be expected, it’s possible you may be unintentionally making bedtime trickier for yourself and for your baby. Here are some of the biggest baby sleep mistakes that new parents make and how you can avoid them.
Failing To Adhere To A Consistent Sleep Schedule
Babies need consistency in their naptimes and bedtimes. An inconsistent sleep schedule may be confusing their internal clock and result in sleepless nights for both you and the baby. On the other hand, sticking to regularly scheduled sleep times can help a child’s body learn when to fall sleep. Although it may not be possible to adhere to your baby’s sleep schedule every single time, try your best to regulate their sleep times as much as possible.
Rushing Baby To Sleep
Skipping a bedtime routine might actually make it harder for your baby’s body to fall asleep. Instead of rushing the baby to sleep, follow the same steps before bedtime every night. This creates a relaxing and familiar experience for your baby which signals to their body that it’s time to sleep. A bedtime routine is one of the best strategies to help your baby get sleepy. You know what kind of bedtime routine will work for your baby more than anyone, but a good tip is to start an hour or so before you want the baby to sleep.
Keeping Baby Up Late So They’ll Sleep Later
Although your baby’s bedtime should be ideal for your schedule, it’s important not to keep them up too late. Many new parents make this mistake hoping that doing so will encourage the baby to sleep later. Unfortunately, babies who sleep too late tend to be overtired and bad-tempered. This can make bedtime a lot more difficult than it should be for new parents. Instead of putting the baby to bed late, learn to identify their sleep cues and listen to them. This ensures the baby goes to sleep at a time that works for both you and their body.
Not Sleeping When Baby Sleeps
New parents are some of the most sleep-deprived people on the planet. A common mistake among them is not taking advantage of the hours of potentially undisturbed sleep while the baby is sleeping. It’s tempting to use this time to catch up on chores or work, but if you’re exhausted, it’s probably a good idea to sleep instead.
Relying On Sleep Crutches
Rocking your baby to sleep feels intuitive as a new parent. However, habits such as rocking or nursing your baby can teach them to become reliant on you to fall asleep. Sleep crutches offer a quick fix, but they may make bedtime harder for you and your baby later on. A good solution is to rock your baby until they’re drowsy, not fast asleep.
Picking Up Baby As Soon As They Cry Out
As a new parent, it can feel impossible to resist your baby’s cries. However, this deprives them of the chance to learn how to self-soothe and fall back asleep without you. It may be painful at first for new parents, but don’t rush to pick up your baby when they cry out. Wait a few minutes to give them the opportunity to settle themselves back to sleep.
Lack Of Coordination Between Parents
If you have a partner, ensure you’re both on the same page when it comes to your baby’s sleeping habits. Not only should you take turns putting the baby to bed, you should also be using the same approaches. This creates consistency in your baby’s sleep experience.
Expecting Baby To Sleep All Night
While some parents do get extremely lucky, most parents can expect their newborn babies to wake up several times throughout the night. It’s completely normal for a baby to fuss in the middle of the night up until they’re 3-6 months old.
Conclusion
The good news for new parents is that any of these baby sleep mistakes can be easily amended with time and patience. Now that you’re aware of these top baby sleep mistakes, you’re better equipped to help your baby develop better long-term sleep habits.
Emily Henry is a lifestyle writer at Best Essay Writing Services and Academized Review. She also writes articles on parenting tips and tricks at EssayRoo Reviews.
By Kathryn Trudeau
2022 is surely our year, right? Right?
Start the year off right with one (or all) of these family-friendly New Year’s resolutions.
Exercise is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions, but there’s no reason it needs to be limited to grown-ups only. In fact, making exercise a family-oriented resolution can be a great bonding activity一 and a good chance to model healthy habits for your kids.
There are many ways to exercise together:
Just like the exercise challenge, you can create a year-long reading challenge for the whole family.
While this might not be everyone’s favorite resolution, it can help to divvy up the chores so everyone is participating fairly. Make a chore chart for everyone in the family and divide up the chores according to age. Set clear rules (such as if there is an allowance or not), so no one is surprised later on.
How can you and your family give back throughout the year? As a family resolution, think about one good deed to focus on for each month. For example, in January, you might donate books to the library. In February, you might send Valentine’s Day cards to a nursing home or children’s hospital. In March, you might donate to a food pantry.
Create a “Do Good” chart, and at the end of 2022, you can look back and see all of the good you and your family did throughout the year.
Healthy eating is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions, and it works well with family life too.
Here are ways to implement this resolution:
According to a survey conducted by the National Sleep Apnea Association, about 70% of adults say they don’t get enough sleep. Make a pact to make 2022 the year your family practices better sleep hygiene.
Good sleep hygiene includes:
For babies, good sleep hygiene also includes avoiding blankets and pillows. Don’t worry about cold toes 一 Zippy Swaddle will keep your little one’s toes snug and warm.
Water is the beverage of your choice for your body, and it’s essential for nearly every body function from respiration to even thinking clearly. Without enough water, your skin is dry, your brain is foggy, and your mood dips 一 just to name a few things.
Resolve to drink more water as a family.
Make a list of environmentally friendly habits you can adopt this year. A few examples include:
Kids thrive on 1:1 attention, and that’s where family dates come into play. Schedule plenty of 1:1 time with each child throughout the year.
Ideas for this include:
Family is everything, and all too often, the busyness of life takes a toll on how much time we actually get to spend with our family. If possible, make a New Year’s resolution to unplug and get away from the busyness and rekindle your family bonds.
Ideas for family-friendly getaways include:
Which of these family-friendly resolutions will you add to your family’s list?
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By Adrian Johansen
Screens have become a common aspect of our digitally-enhanced world. They’re everywhere — cell phones, computers, and even an increasing number of household appliances. There are, of course, upsides and downsides to how they fit into your children’s lives.
You know too much screen time can be linked to detrimental effects on children’s wellbeing, particularly surrounding obesity and sleep quality. But, at the same time, limiting their access too much can inhibit their skills in an increasingly digital world.
The key is finding a good balance between time in front of devices and experiencing the world away from them.
To make the best decisions about balancing screen time, it’s helpful to understand how devices represent value. Don’t limit yourself to the education needs — though this is certainly a point for consideration. Look at where screens can be utilized as creatively enriching tools. Review the types of digital tools to assist in enhancing your child’s empathy and the social activities relevant to the world they live in.
Depending on your child’s age, it may be appropriate to get their input on the issue. Talk to them about what they like about the activities they perform on devices. Seek to understand what engages them and what they get out of it. This can help you to better direct the choices you make on choosing activities that enrich your child, spark their imagination, and hold their attention.
Achieving screen time balance isn’t simply about setting equal times they spend on and off their devices. Rather, it’s about focusing on maintaining good quality screen time and encouraging them to choose time away. This approach makes certain pure entertainment actions are augmented by enriching content.
Video games are a prime area of focus here. As a popular digital activity, it’s important not to discourage use but explore how it can be beneficial. Remember, the video game industry has changed significantly over the last couple of decades and continues to develop in interesting directions. This allows you to be more selective about choosing games that help to build their cognitive and problem-solving skills. Indeed, there is growing accessibility of tools to allow children to design their own games, providing a more creative experience.
With this last in mind, it can be wise to show your children how they can bridge their off-screen and on-screen time with projects. Help them to see how video game design can benefit from some off-screen planning, story writing, and getting artistic reference from the natural world. If they’re interested in YouTube or streaming, encourage them to make their own short films and videos in the outside world. Though they may not be of an age to post these on social platforms, you are getting them actively involved in media rather than simply consuming it.
Establishing a screen time balance through the strategic use of activities and behavior is a good start. But it’s important to remember the reason to establish a limit is to safeguard your child’s health and general wellbeing. Therefore, while you’re working to enrich their lives, you must also prioritize tools to keep your child well and happy.
Part of this is certainly about staying vigilant regarding any negative symptoms your child may be displaying. Though you might feel your approach to their screen time is balanced, every child is different in their tolerances and reactions. Keep a close eye on whether they appear to be overtired or have disrupted sleep patterns. Make a habit of talking to them about their mental health and the relationships they experience through their devices. Be cognizant of the symptoms of eye strain. If you find there are problems, it may be time to reassess your screen time allowances.
Beyond their immediate health, it’s vital to ensure their safety while online. If your child uses a mobile device, you’ll find many of the popular apps will have parental control options. Most will have clear and dedicated safety centers to provide you with privacy information and help you restrict access. However, it is just as important to maintain an open dialogue with your child about safe online behavior. Talk to them about the dangers present and the best practices they should implement. Above all else, encourage them to talk to you about anything they’re uncertain of in their digital interactions.
As with so many aspects of parenting, sustaining a healthy screen time balance for your child can rely on consistency. Based on some of the prior considerations we’ve covered, create a relatively solid structure regarding their screen use and stick to it. This helps to set expectations for use and gets your child used to healthy habits surrounding their relationship to devices.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t exhibit a certain amount of flexibility, though. Arbitrary rules without room for discussion aren’t positive for your child or you as a parent. So, if your child wants to go beyond these boundaries, make it a discussion rather than a straight refusal. The extent to which you can do this may depend on their age. But aim to base these around how it will affect the balance and collaborate on finding acceptable solutions.
You obviously don’t want them to be occupied all day by a device alone, but there is still room within a consistent structure to make exceptions. This may be something that occurs occasionally, or there may be cause to make this a permanent alteration to the routine.
An overabundance of screen time isn't healthy for your child. At the same time, it’s important to recognize the important role devices play in the world we live in. Finding a screen time balance will involve considerations about what value they hold and how to adjust activities to emphasize the positive outcomes. Your first consideration must always be toward keeping them safe and well, though. With some planning and consistent application, you can ensure your child develops a healthy relationship with digital tools.
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Adrian Johansen writes to both teach and learn. She draws from her experiences to offer others insight and points to consider. You can find more of her writing on Twitter.
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By Kathryn Trudeau
Christmas is almost here 一 and that means your kids are counting down the days until Christmas break! While sledding and building snowmen are classic winter activities, we’ve curated a list of indoor activities to keep your kids entertained and cozy.
Movie nights are a great family activity, but the drive-in aspect takes movie night to the next level.
To make your movie night have a “drive-in” feel, you’ll need:
What to do:
You can even offer a double showing like most drive-in theaters do!
Snowman bowling is fun and oh-so-much safer than lugging a real bowling ball into your living room. You’ll need:
To play:
What holiday activity list isn’t complete without mentioning cookie decorating!? Here are a few tips to make sure your cookie decorating party is as fun (and stress-free) as possible:
Make some hot cocoa, turn on the holiday tunes, and enjoy a cozy afternoon decorating cookies!
Take hide-and-seek to festive levels with candy cane hide-and-seek. The rules are simple: one person hides the candy cane somewhere in the house. Once the candy cane is hidden, everyone else looks for it. Whoever finds it first gets to hide it next.
Craft + feeding animals? Yes, please! These easy-to-make bird feeders are fun to make and good for the birds in your backyard.
You’ll need:
To make a bird feeder, cover the pinecone in suet, roll in bird seed, then simply hang them on branches in your backyard. You might find some recipes that use peanut butter instead of suet. The Audubon Society says that peanut butter is perfectly safe, but if you go that route, choose peanut butter that doesn’t contain added flavors or artificial sweeteners.
Terrariums are self-sustaining mini-ecosystems. You can make them inside of fish bowls, mason jars, vases, or you can buy ready-to-go kits. What’s cool about terrariums is that they look like mini gardens or forests.
You’ll need:
You can add figurines, legos, fairies, and mini animal statues to your terrarium to make it even more personalized and unique.
To assemble your terrarium, add the following elements in order starting from the bottom of your jaw and working your way to the top:
If you opt for a kit, follow the instructions according to your package insert.
Cooking isn’t just fun -- it’s a necessary life skill! Now that your kids have a break from school, Christmas break is the perfect time to teach an age-appropriate culinary skill to your child. Examples include making omelets, baking bread, making muffins, or even how to wash and prepare fresh berries.
Dioramas are a fun inside activity that is perfect on days when it’s too cold to venture outside. To make a diorama, you’ll create a mini model inside of a shoe box. Let your child pave the way. Minecraft diorama? Else diorama? You got it!
Felt is relatively inexpensive and easy to find at local craft stores, and it can be the perfect way to let your child explore the idea of making their own stuffed animal...or monster… or robot… or mermaid. Stock up on a variety of colors and create a Make-Your-Own Critter craft session.
You’ll need:
Let your child sketch out the body of their critter. Remember you’ll need a front and back side. Allow your child to cut it (or cut it for them depending on their age and skill level.) Stuff the critter and sew/glue the sides up. Let your child create felt clothes or make hair from yarn.
DIY felt critters might not look perfect, but even the littles ones are excited to make their own stuffed animal. You can also make 2D versions and skip the stuffing aspect.
This is a simple yet vastly underrated holiday break activity. The school year is oh-so-busy, and we sometimes forget to just be. Reading books by the fire is the definition of a hygge moment. For even more coziness, read by candlelight or firelight, brew some chamomile tea, and share your favorite winter tales.
Which winter activities are you looking forward to the most?
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