Let's talk about snacks.
Is it okay to give your baby a bedtime snack? It depends on how you look at it: as a parent, you know that sometimes kids need a little something to fill them up before bed. But if you're looking at it from the perspective of what your kid needs, it's important to remember that the last thing they need is more food. When do you give your kids a snack? What should the snack be? We're here to help figure out what's best for your kids. So, Should You Give Your Toddler A Bedtime Snack? A bedtime snack can indeed be beneficial for both kids and parents alike. For one thing, it may help make your kid complete and ready for bed. And for another thing, it allows you to add more nutrition to a kid's diet. We're not saying you should give them ice cream or cookies every nightstick for healthy snacks! But if you decide that your child needs a small snack before bedtime (and everyone knows how hard it can be for little ones to settle down without one), then go ahead and do it! The truth is that there's no right or wrong answer when deciding whether to give your child a bedtime snack—it's all about what works best for them and their family dynamic. And if you tell your kids no, that is okay too—just know that if you make a routine of it, they will expect it every night! Healthy Snacking Tips For Toddlers Snacks can help prevent children from overeating at meals. They may also help with picky eating and can be a great source of nutrition. However, the following tips will help you make the best choices when choosing snacks: Consider More Nutritious Snacks You can allow your kids to have snacks before bedtime, allowing parents to add more nutrition to a kid's diet. Ensure your kids are healthy snacks so they won't develop unhealthy habits later. For example, don't give sugary cereals or candy bars just because they're available in their room at night. Instead, offer fruits or vegetables! Give Options Offering your child a choice about which foods they will eat will make them feel more responsible for what they eat. If your child is allowed to choose between two or three healthy options, they will likely choose something healthy without much prompting from you. Stick To A Routine It's essential to stick with a way when offering your children snacks throughout the day, or they will learn how to manipulate you into giving them whatever they want at any time of day! Bedtime Snacks, Is That Really A Thing? A bedtime snack could be the answer to a baby's sleep problems or it could be just another cause of them. It may just depend on what your little one is eating and in what order they are eating it. If they are eating fruit, cereal, or any other food heavy on carbohydrates then this will likely cause problems and you should try not to give them an after-dinner bedtime snack. Let HUSH by Hillary help you with your bedtime routine and get your kids sleeping through the night! Contact us now for a free consultation about our sleep training services.
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While new parents are often warned about the sleepless nights that are in store for them, it's hard to truly prepare for the extent of exhaustion many experiences. Putting a baby to sleep, and keeping them asleep, can be challenging. The lack of sleep faced by many parents can eventually affect their mood and abilities as well as personal and work relationships. Hush by Hillary understands the struggles of parenthood and is here to offer effective, easy-to-implement solutions.
After a Baby, Sleep ChangesFor children, each growth stage brings its own unique sleep-related challenges. In fact, studies on children's long-term effects on parents' sleep revealed that a mother's and father's sleep duration and satisfaction don't return to pre-pregnancy levels until as many as six years after birth. It's no wonder that so many parents feel stressed and overwhelmed during this time. If your family is struggling to get the quality of sleep they need, the first thing you should know is that you are not alone. You're facing something that many parents go through - so many, in fact, that a large industry exists to offer support. If you need help getting your baby to sleep so that you can have your own rest and free time, you should ask for it. Stress Affects the Whole Family Children are highly perceptive. They not only understand when parents feel stressed but they can also be very affected by it. Many studies have shown how high parenting stress levels are associated with child behavior problems, learning and developmental delays, and even poorer physical health. For parents, researchers have found high stress levels associated with marital conflict and depression. Luckily, there is a wealth of support available. As a sleep consultant, I create personalized plans that address the unique challenges each child faces. Working with a sleep consultant ensures you receive solutions created for your family, which is much more effective than implementing generic advice. You Deserve Support Whatever solutions you decide are right for your family, just remember that this is only a stage of life. It's not forever, and you don't have to go through it alone. Hush By Hillary is here to help your family sleep deeply throughout each growth stage. To get started, reach out with any questions or fill out an intake form and get ready to feel rested again. Raising your children in a house with pets has innumerable benefits. In fact, a survey conducted on kids showed that most kids rank their pets higher than some family members.
However, this companionship is bad when sleeping, regardless of the kid's age. In addition to possible allergies, your pet has animal instincts and can be dubious if provoked. So, what is the ideal sleeping plan if you have a pet and a baby? Read on for this information. 1. Move the Pet to Another Room If your pet is okay will separation, this is the safest option. You can prepare their sleeping place either in the sitting room or another room away from the kid. This will give both the child and the pet ample sleeping time and space. If you are pregnant or hope to have kids, start training the dog to sleep outside the room before the baby arrives. You can do this by letting them sleep outside your room and leaving the door open so they can see you. Use a baby gate to secure and keep them from coming in. You may need to get a special tether if they can jump. 2. Use a Playpen A playpen can help if the pet is unwilling to stay alone in a separate room and your room is big enough. This playpen will ensure that the pet can't get to the child while you are asleep. Unfortunately, this only works if the pet can't jump over the playpen. You may need to tether the pet in the playpen if they are jumpers. A crate can also work in place of a playpen, especially if your pet is crate-trained. 3. Share Sleeping Roles If you feel guilty sending the pet out of the room or it is hard for them to adapt to sleeping alone, share sleeping roles with your partner. This way, one can share the room or bed with the pet while the other sleeps with the baby. However, this can only work temporarily as you seek another option, such as training the pet to sleep alone. 4. Surround the Baby's Bassinet with a Gate A pet can sleep in the same room as a baby sleeping in a bassinet surrounded by a baby gate. You can also use a playpen in place of a gate. Ensure the bassinet is away from the bed so the pet cannot jump in. If the baby has not yet arrived, try setting this up before to see potential risks and solve them on time. Get Good Sleep for Your Baby and Furry Friend Your baby's bed or bassinet should be a no-pet zone when sleeping even if your baby insists. No matter how much you trust the pet, the damage they could cause is not worth the risk. They can have similar sleeping routines but different venues. Let HUSH by Hillary help you with your bedtime routine and get your kids sleeping through the night. Did you know that more than half of homes with children below 18 years have them sharing rooms? To some, sharing is to help kids bond, while others have no option due to space limitations. While room-sharing can be beneficial, it also comes with a couple of challenges.
Thankfully, regardless of your reasons for having your children share rooms, it is possible to make it work. How do you achieve good sleep plans in shared rooms? Read on. Respect Their Sleep Schedules Sharing rooms does not guarantee that your children will share sleep schedules. If your children are almost age-mates, you are safe. You can strive to make them have the exact schedules. However, if there is a significant difference in their ages, they will likely have different sleeping and waking time. Therefore, don't strive to fix a schedule for both of them. If your preschooler is not ready to go to bed until around 8:00, don't force them to bed at 6:30 with their younger sibling. Instead, put the younger baby to bed and find some activities to do with the older one until bedtime. Let Them Be Forcing your children to sleep as soon as they get to bed may cause more harm than good. They may have a lot to talk about or share the day's experiences. Therefore, don't stop them; this is also a good way to transition to sleep. Moreover, it is a good way to allow them to bond. Nevertheless, set limits, so they do not eat into their sleeping time. Set Boundaries Although they are using the same room, it is possible to designate a space for each. Get them different beds and closets, among other items they don't have to share. You can also use a curtain or large bookshelf to divide the space so that each child has a designated area in the room. This will help create a sense of privacy even in the shared room. Moreover, it will help reduce disturbances, especially when one of the kids is awake while the rest are asleep. Use a White Noise Machine If your kids are comfortable sleeping in the presence of a white noise machine, then this can be of great help. The white noise machine will help block background noises to ensure the children are not disturbed in their sleep. For instance, if one of the children is an early riser, it is possible to wake up and leave the room without waking up the other. On the other hand, it will block noise from a child snoring or sleep talking. Help Children Sleep Better Even in Shared Rooms Seeing your children sleep perfectly in the same room may not flow smoothly from the word go. Even then, be patient with them, and they will catch up with time as they find comfort in sleeping in the same room. Let Hush By Hillary help you with your bedtime routine and get your kids sleeping through the night to ease the situation. Quality sleep is one of the best gifts your kid can have. Sleep is vital for the baby's growth and development. Unfortunately, most mothers experience challenges getting their babies to sleep. The good news is some baby sleep products can help your little one get the much-needed sleep. They include the following.
1. White Noise Machine Although you may be unaware, your baby was used to loud noises in the uterus. Such noises include your heart pumping blood, gases and food passing through your body, your lungs inhaling or exhaling, and blood moving in your veins. That's why mimicking such noises can lull your baby to sleep. A white noise sound machine is the best option to simulate the noise in the womb. You can consult your sleep expert on the best white noise machine for your little one. 2. Baby Calming Lotion or Oil Infant massage is an excellent way to prepare your baby for quality sleep. Non-scented baby lotion and oil are the best baby sleep products to massage your baby and help them relax. Some ideal massage lotions and oils for babies include coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, and grapeseed oil. Avoid any lotion or oil with chemicals, fragrances, or one that may cause allergic reactions. 3. Swaddling Blankets Swaddling your baby promotes good quality sleep because it mimics the environment in the mother's womb. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), swaddling an infant calms them and drives them to sound sleep. The swaddle also mimics your arms' comfort, warmth, and coziness, making the baby feel comfortable enough to sleep. Ensure the swaddle blanket is 100% washable, breathable, and hypoallergenic to avoid interfering with the baby's slumber. Professional Baby Sleep Help Is Available! Is your kid struggling to get quality sleep? Don't suffer in silence. Hillary is a professional sleep consultant ready to offer the best advice and sleep training services to ensure your baby gets quality sleep each day. She will also recommend premium-quality baby sleep products to give your baby sound sleep. The sleep training program is available for newborns to 12 years old via Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime. For more information, contact HUSHbyHillary and schedule your virtual consultation now. With the end of summer suddenly upon us, many parents are beginning to prepare their children for the start of a new school year. As you're stocking up on pencils and notebooks, don't overlook one of the most important preparations: sleep habit changes. We all know how vital quality sleep is. It's essential for good academic performance and even helps children do better socially. This is the best time to establish good sleep habits and set your family up for another happy and successful year. Read on to discover the most effective ways to prepare your kids for the back-to-school season. 1. Begin Putting Children to Bed Around Their School Bedtime New sleep schedules take time to adjust to. During the summer months, long sunny days filled with trips and fun activities can extend bedtimes later than during the school year. To get to school on time, your child will probably be waking up earlier than usual soon, and you can make this transition easier by starting an earlier bedtime now. 2. Lessen Screen Time If you've read my previous blog post about blue light, you'll already know that the light from iPads and similar devices suppresses the release of melatonin and stimulates brain activity in children. Lots of screen time can cause children to feel more alert, or even trigger nightmares. Begin minimizing your child's screen time now to help them fall asleep faster and get more restorative sleep. Another good rule to implement, if you don't already do so, is no screen time during the hour before bed. 3. Reduce Caffeine Consumption Caffeine has a powerful stimulant effect, especially on small, growing bodies. It remains in the blood for as long as nine and a half hours after consumption and can make it significantly more difficult to fall asleep. Soda isn't the only source of caffeine your children might be consuming, as it's also in chocolate, so be sure and watch out for over-consumption as the school year draws near. As a sleep consultant, I help families with children throughout many growth stages. Lots of first-time parents assume that once their child is no longer a baby, their sleepless nights will finally be behind them. The truth is that children of all ages can struggle with getting enough high-quality sleep. No matter what age your child is, I can help ensure they get the tools they need to sleep soundly. Get in touch for a consultation today, and set your child up for their best school year yet. You thought you were prepared for parenthood. You read all the books, took the classes, and have spent countless hours online reading blog after blog full of advice for parenting the first year of your child's life.
But the naps. You weren't prepared to have a baby who seems to hate taking naps. Don't all babies like naps? Aren't you always talking with your other mom friends about how important it is to schedule around your baby's naps? Could it be that your baby is the only one in the world who doesn't like to nap? First, take a deep breath. You aren't the only parent who has faced this challenge. Next, keep reading to learn more about how many naps babies take so you can determine if yours is on track or needs some help getting the sleep they need. How Many Naps Do Babies Need? The answer largely depends on how old your baby is. Here are some general guidelines to follow. Newborns Newborn babies nap more frequently and don't have a schedule. So, if you are trying to get your three-week-old baby on a schedule, you aren't going to have much success. Six to eight weeks old Around the six-week-old mark, babies start to get on a bit more of a schedule. Their naps will become longer and less frequent. Your baby will settle into a routine by around three to four months old. This is the time to start scheduling naps so they can become more predictable. Six months At around six months, your baby might be down to 2 – 3 naps a day: one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and possibly a third in the late afternoon. One year After your baby reaches one year old, they may go down to just one or two naps a day. It's perfectly normal for a one-year-old only to take one nap a day, and that nap might be short. If your baby seems happy and energetic, then they are likely getting enough sleep. Toddlers and beyond After one year, toddlers often need just one short nap a day. They usually give up the morning nap and take a nap after lunch. Some toddlers don't need to nap at all, while others stick with their nap until they are around five or six years old. Usually, they will give up the nap completely by kindergarten. Concerned about Your Baby's Napping? Let's Chat!The general guidelines I listed above are not hard-and-fast rules. Some babies need more naps, and some need fewer. The important thing is to ensure your baby is getting enough sleep. If you have concerns about your baby's sleeping habits, let's talk! I can help you figure out the best sleep schedule for your little one so you can all be well rested and ready to face the world. Summer! It brings outdoor fun, grilled foods, pool games, and… a renewed bout of all-nighters with the baby?
Summer can bring all kinds of sleeping problems. A Baby's temperature and the temperature of his environment can make all the difference between sleeping peacefully through the night (or longer stretches for younger babies) and staying up all night long. Probably not the summer fun you were looking forward to. Why is my baby sleeping less this summer? And more importantly, what can you do to get back to sleeping peacefully? Why Is My Baby Waking?At night, our body temperature naturally dips and that triggers a release of melatonin, which helps us relax and fall asleep. However, infants are not able to self-regulate their body temperatures - or even sweat! - before two to five months of age. So when the temperature outside rises, so do the babies and an overheated baby is anything but relaxed! Babies who overheat are irritable and restless, and falling asleep and staying asleep is difficult. Not only that, but the risk of SIDS dramatically increases! So what can you do to keep your baby cool and lower the risk of SIDS this summer? What To WearDespite the number of swaddles that your great aunt thinks you need, less is more during these hot summer months. Dress your baby minimally, and keep bedding strictly necessary. Use breathable fabrics made of cotton or other natural materials, and avoid synthetic materials that stick and trap heat. The EnvironmentOur bodies need a cool environment to get the best sleep. The ideal temperature for sleep is between 68-72 degrees. You can keep the baby's room cool in a variety of ways:
I remember chatting and exchanging advice with some other new moms during my first pregnancy when the topic of sleep training came up. I had planned to sleep train my baby, but before I could give my two cents, the idea was immediately shamed.
"Babies shouldn't be held responsible for our sleep problems!" "Moms who let their babies cry it out are just being selfish. What's an extra half hour rocking the baby to sleep?" "My mother-in-law says that if you don't go in when the baby cries, they feel abandoned." I'm sure my experience is one shared by the majority of new moms who are deciding whether to sleep train. This kind of dialogue not only shames women who want to employ sleep training methods, it also ignores the health benefits to both parent and baby. Independent Sleeper The purpose of sleep training is not to teach your baby to not cry or not to wake up; the purpose of sleep training is to teach the invaluable skill of becoming an independent sleeper. An independent sleeper is able to put themselves to sleep without props or crutches (like being rocked to sleep) and, if woken prematurely, can soothe themselves back to sleep without parental intervention. An independent sleeper gets more uninterrupted sleep and more quality sleep. However, like any skill, it does not come naturally to all babies. There is usually a learning curb. While there can be tears and frustration at the beginning, your child will eventually learn the skill of putting himself to sleep - much to the benefit of both he and his parents! Here, I will go over just a few of the benefits that come from employing sleep training to teach your child to be an independent sleeper. Brain Development Adequate and uninterrupted sleep is proven necessary for optimal brain development in humans of every age, but particularly in babies. Sleep is necessary for: - The development of short and long-term memory - Brain growth - Processing and reinforcing new learning like language acquisition Think of how much your little one has been exposed to during the day! Independent sleepers have the best chance of consistently processing all that new information during naps and nighttime sleep. Physical Health In addition to cognitive benefits, your little one also benefits physically from a good night's sleep. Drowsy, sleep-deprived children are more accident-prone, with studies showing that they are more likely to end up with injuries that require medical attention. If you've ever driven a car after an all-nighter, you can probably understand! Studies have also shown that sufficient sleep strengthens the immune system, and lowers the risk of heart disease in the future. Emotions I don't think I have to sell you on the fact that a good night's sleep makes happy babies! Sleep deprivation causes irritability and lowers their wake time learning capacity. For mom and dad, interrupted sleep means lowered impulse control. A good night's sleep means that you are better able to take the day's challenges in stride - hopefully with a happy baby in tow! Mom's Health For moms worried that sleep training makes you a selfish mom, please, don't be harsh on yourself. Good sleep is not only important for your child's health but also your own. Taking measures to ensure a good night's sleep for both you and your child will not harm the attachment between you and your baby - in fact, it is quite the opposite! Studies have shown that infant sleep problems have a direct impact on maternal depression and that as the child's sleep improves, so does the mother's depression. A good night's sleep increases your emotional availability, and a happy, well-rested baby will be much more receptive. Ask for Help A good night's sleep improves so many aspects of a child's life. And it is never too late to start teaching your child the important skill of being an independent sleeper! Because sleep training is not a linear progression, reach out to me! I can help your family navigate all the bumps and obstacles along the road to getting you all sleeping soundly again! When you're the parent of a new baby, their safety is always your top priority. Sometimes, you find yourself lying awake at night worrying about your little ones. This worrying can make for restless nights, on top of an already restless period of your life. Hush By Hillary wants you to know that putting your baby to sleep safely can be as easy as ABC. A: Babies Should Sleep AloneA is for Alone. As guardians of your baby's health, you tend to assume that closer equals safer. But according to the AAP, the safest way to sleep is separate. However, this does not mean babies have to sleep in their own rooms. Studies show that your baby is safer when they sleep in the same room as you for the first 6 months of their lives. B: Babies Should Sleep on Their BacksB is for Back. Putting your baby to sleep on their back is the most effective way to lower the risk of SIDS. Side sleeping and stomach sleeping can be harmful to your baby, as they may lead to more serious health conditions, such as illness and motor development issues. Save the tummy time for playtime! C: Babies Should Sleep in Their CribsC is for Crib. Babies should sleep in their cribs at night. Your baby's crib should have a firm mattress with tight-fitting sheets. Also, you should not place any blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals in the crib with them. Any loose items, including sheets, can interfere with your baby's airway and/or lead to overheating. We know it seems so uncomfortable to lay down in a barren crib, but we promise it's what's best. They'll grow up and get to snuggle with their stuffed animals soon! Go to sleep a little easier knowing that your baby is safely asleep. Let HUSH by Hillary help you with your bedtime routine! Contact us to start your journey to better sleep for your young ones. |
AuthorHillary has had a passion for helping families sleep tight at night for decades now. Her goal is to get the whole family sleeping at the right times and accomplishes her goals quickly. She offers great insights and information to help your family sleep tight. Archives
August 2022
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