@sleepspecialists
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Registered: 11 months, 1 week ago
Understanding the variability between Baby Sleep Specialists can assist consumers make the right selection when it comes to decision time.Regularity is an essential ingredient of a soothing bedtime routine. Consistency breeds comfort, which helps lull your baby into a peaceful sleep. If your baby wakes up crying and doesn’t fall back asleep after a few minutes, they might be hungry, uncomfortable, or need their diaper changed. Quickly and quietly take care of their needs, using a nightlight instead of the overhead light if possible. You may soothe an anxious baby by patting them or saying a few reassuring words, but try not to take them out of the crib unless it’s strictly necessary. It is important that your baby is neither too hot or too cold. The chance of SIDS is higher in babies who get too hot. Room temperature should be between 16-20°C, with light bedding or a lightweight well-fitting baby sleep bag that is comfortable and safe for sleeping babies. It can be difficult to judge a room's temperature, so a room thermometer is a useful investment. Teaching your baby healthy sleep habits is one of the biggest challenges you'll face as a new parent - especially because you're most likely exhausted yourself! It can be tempting to let your baby nod off anytime, anywhere, any way. Even if the only place she'll sleep is snug in your arms. Unfortunately for many bleary-eyed new parents out there who’ve struggled with a sleepless baby, there’s no way to prevent sleep regression. It’s a normal part of baby and toddlerhood. You may find that a gentle massage will help to relax your baby after her bath. Try massaging her arms and legs with a little warm oil before you get her dressed for bed. Some experts advise keeping interaction to a minimum when little ones wake up at night so that they don’t get the idea that night-time is play time. Whatever you choose to do, using low lighting and quiet voices when your baby wakes at night can be a great way to help your little one starts to recognise that night and day are different (and night is for sleeping). If your baby has slept well until now, continue with your bedtime routine as normal and remind yourself it’s just a phase which will pass like all the others. Go and comfort him if he needs it, as a baby will feel secure if their needs are met. But try not to create a long-term sleep problem in the process! So try not to pick him up, but pat him gently and kiss him goodnight before retreating. You might have to do this several times. Keep it quiet and calm, no lights on. Nap time gives you and other caregivers a much-needed break. While your baby or toddler naps, take the opportunity to unwind, grab a little ‘me time’ or do something that's hard to do when your child is awake. I’ve come across so many sleep myths that have put a wrench in determined parents’ attempts to get their children sleeping well. And look, a tired parent will understandably try anything for the promise of sleep, am I right? But some of these “guiding principles” are just plain wrong. A sleep expert will be with you every step of the way, guiding you on how best to find a solution to your sleep concerns, whether its gentle sleep training or one of an untold number of other things.Helping Your Newborn SleepA sofa is one of the most dangerous places to fall asleep with a baby and increases the risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome by up to 50 times. Babies could fall off the sofa, or become wedged at the back making it difficult for them to breath. Nestle next to your baby and breastfeed or bottle-feed him off to sleep. The smooth continuum from a warm bath, to warm arms, to warm breast, to warm bed is a recipe for sleep to soon follow. There are two schools of thought on the best way to put babies to sleep: the parent-soothing method and the self-soothing method. Both have advantages and possible disadvantages. Some babies who were born very prematurely and spent some time in a neonatal unit may have been slept on their fronts for medical reasons. Remember that babies in neonatal units are under constant supervision. By the time your baby comes home they should be sleeping on their back. Research suggests that babies who get a rub-down before bedtime produce more of the hormone melatonin, which helps them sleep. The gentle approach and caring manner of a baby sleep expert allows them to assist you in the most preferable way to deal with 4 month sleep regression and to assist you and your family in any way possible.Newborns sleep a total of 14 to 17 hours across a 24 hour period, on an irregular schedule with periods of one to three hours spent awake. The sleep period may last a few minutes to several hours. During sleep, they are often active, twitching their arms and legs, smiling, sucking and generally appearing restless. Rocking certainly works for getting a baby to asleep– either in your arms or in a rocking/bouncy chair – but beware! It might be useful for those nightmare nights where nothing seems to work, but it’s easy for a baby to get hooked on being rocked to sleep. Then they come to need it every night and suddenly you’ve created what health visitors call a ‘sleep association’. The truth is that stopping co-sleeping with an older baby or toddler isn’t always easy, and it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to make the change overnight. You can still make it happen though. Your baby will likely set (at least part) of his own sleep schedule: He might be an early riser and like to eat as soon as he wakes up, or he may like to sleep in and eat later in the morning. Either one is perfectly fine — babies vary as to how much sleep they need, and when they need it. You may find that different sleeping arrangements work at different times. Being inventive and focusing on how you and your family can get the most sleep tonight can help. Some of these ideas may work for you, but because only you know your own circumstances, always keep safety in mind. Having a baby is a steep learning curve and aspects such as ferber method come along and shake things up just when you're not expecting them.Nursing DownKeep soft objects, loose bedding, or any objects that could increase the risk of entrapment, suffocation, or strangulation out of the baby's sleep area. These include pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, blankets, toys, bumper pads or similar products that attach to crib slats or sides. All parents go through sleepless nights with little ones. More often than not it is just a phase that’s over almost as quickly as it started. Sleepless nights really won’t last forever, and there is always a gentle solution to help you. If one solution doesn’t work - try another. Let your baby be your guide. A tiny baby gets tired just being alive, but older babies need a bit more stimulation and play during their wake times in order to be tired enough to sleep. That doesn’t mean spending their every waking hour frantically dangling toys in front of them and singing The Wheels on the Bus, but find a nice balance: plenty of face-to-face interaction and talking is good. Avoid TV and screens at this age. My approach to naps is similar to that for sleeping at night. Babies up to 18-24 months of age need to sleep every morning and afternoon. For some of their naptime, they might chew on a soft book, look at a toy, or just have quiet time, but they need to stay in their cribs for the duration of their naps. Basically, babies need to slow down to catch up. Make sure that as baby moves past the sixth week of life (when newborns seem to suddenly rouse from sleep and are not as apt to fall asleep anywhere and everywhere like they used to), you begin to put them to sleep for both naps and at nighttime in a very dark room . If you're looking for a compassionate, effective and evidence-based approach to sleep or just advice on one thing like sleep training then a baby sleep specialist will be able to help you.It can seem challenging to follow safer sleep advice when you are very tired and it may be tempting to do something different. Following safer sleep advice for every sleep; day and night, is key to reducing the chance of SIDS. Unfortunately, for some babies, doing something different such as sleeping a baby on their tummy on one occasion can put them at risk. Baby’s wakefulness at night is often a clue for mothers who breastfeed that something in their diet is not agreeing with their baby’s tummies. All babies – including those with reflux – should sleep on their back as it’s the safest position. The only exception is if a medical professional has given you different advice. Do speak to your GP or midwife if you’re worried about reflux too. Make bedtime the same time each day to regulate your child’s body clock. A bedtime routine is a powerful cue leading up to sleeptime and should take place in the room in which your baby sleeps. It should be simple, comforting and predictable with calming and quiet activities, such as lullabies and simple rhyming stories, all of which will help your baby to wind down before going to sleep. Keep a log of your baby's sleep patterns, noting the longest sleep stretch of the night. Remember, you'll be lucky if your baby sleeps five or six hours in a row during the early months. Get to know your baby’s sleep cues, which often involve rubbing his eyes or yawning, as you’ll want to put your baby to bed when he’s sleepy but not overtired. For sleep regression guidance it may be useful to enlist the services of a sleep consultant.Babies And SleepRemember that safe sleep is critical during the first year of life, so always place your baby on her back (never her tummy) for naps and bedtime. Your baby should also always sleep on a firm surface that's free of soft toys, blankets, pillows and bumpers. A baby sleep consultant will look at baby as a whole and try to figure out why they aren’t sleeping and how to get them more sleep. A quiet wind-down routine helps baby transition from active wake times to restful sleep periods. Without this transition it can be difficult for babies and young children to settle their minds and bodies and become prepared for sleep. Get more info on the topic of Baby Sleep Specialists at this NHS page.Related Articles: What Are Sleep Specialists And Why Is This Subject Essential To You? What Are Sleep Consultants And Why Is This Matter Invaluable To You?Every Single Thing You Need To Comprehend About Sleep Specialists
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