What's Wrong with Pacifiers?

I received a question from a reader recently:

"Should a natural mama ever consider using a pacifier?"

I know there are experts who disagree with me, but the short answer is Yes. Every baby is different and some simply have very strong comfort sucking needs. Most of the time, those needs are met by breastfeeding, but there are plenty of breast-fed babies who still need to suck their thumbs. And while a thumb is definitely a more “natural” choice than a pacifier, there is one clear way in which a pacifier trumps a thumb. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Pacifier manufacturers were given a blank check recently when the American Academy of Pediatrics released a recommendation that babies be given pacifiers at naptime and bedtime through the first year of life because studies show that pacifiers decrease the risk of SIDS.

The recommendation specifies that pacifiers should not be introduced until after one month of age in breastfeeding infants, when, presumably, nursing is well established and the pacifier won’t cause nipple confusion. The artificial nipples of both bottles and pacifiers are easier for a baby to latch onto than breast nipples, which may undermine an infant’s ability to correctly latch onto the breast. In addition to giving mom sore nipples, babies can get so frustrated and upset they refuse to nurse.

Are pacifiers necessary to protect against SIDS?

However, many breastfeeding experts are challenging the AAP recommendation. Their argument? SIDS is thought to result from an infant falling into too deep a sleep before his body has gained the ability to regulate its own arousal. Sucking on a pacifier while sleeping keeps the baby from sleeping as deeply, thus guarding against SIDS. However, Mother Nature has already designed the perfect way to help babies regulate their arousal systems during the early months of life: waking frequently at night to nurse, and sleeping near Mama. In fact, co-sleeping and breastfeeding have both been shown to have a protective effect against SIDS, because the baby’s physiology is kept at a higher level of arousal. His sleep cycles even parallel his mother’s. SIDS was probably unknown before separate bedrooms and cribs were invented, and as both co-sleeping and breastfeeding have increased since 1992, SIDS has decreased.

Given that pacifiers do not offer any particular benefit against SIDS for babies who are already breastfeeding, most breastfeeding experts continue to advise against pacifiers, even after nursing is well established. Why? Frequent nursing is the best way to create a good milk supply, which remains a necessity long after the first month. Babies drink 1/3 of their daily food intake during their night feedings, so using a pacifier to calm a crying baby at night can lead to poor weight gain as well as plugged ducts, mastitis, and a decrease in milk supply. In other words, pacifiers can easily sabotage nursing.

Bonding experts also worry that a baby’s cry is meant to initiate connection, and pacifiers could take the place of love. From a bonding perspective, nursing is not just about feeding a baby, it's about emotional nurturance, or just plain comfort. When a baby cries, she needs to be held and comforted.

In answer to the worry that the baby is just "using the breast as a pacifier," most natural mamas would retort “Isn’t that how nature designed humans? Which would you rather your baby see as her source of comfort: You, or a piece of plastic?”
So if a pacifier is a risk factor for breastfeeding and can even undermine mother-child bonding, why do I say that a natural mama might consider a pacifier?
Simply because I think being dogmatic and judgmental is a disservice to mothers. We know that every baby is different. Some babies need much more comfort sucking than others. Even some breastfed-on-demand babies suck their thumbs or fingers. In fact, some infants suck their thumb or fingers in utero and come out ready to find their thumbs again.

You might argue that a thumb is more natural than a pacifier, and I would have to agree. I would also point out that in the middle of the night, a baby can always find his thumb, when he almost certainly will not be able to locate his pacifier by himself. Toddlers who suck their thumbs are famously the best sleepers. However, neither thumb nor pacifier should be used past the age of five, when the arrival of the permanent teeth nears. And that’s where the pacifier trumps the thumb.

The pacifier habit is far easier to break than the thumb habit, simply because it doesn’t stay on your child’s hand, beckoning. Pacifiers get thrown away, the child mourns, has a tough week, and goes on with her life. But the siren song of the thumb is always there, leading to feelings of shame and anxiety as the poor child tries hard to please her parents, peers and the dentist by giving up her comfort habit.

Of course, there are many kids who give up their thumbs easily. I personally remember doing so, and I would absolutely choose a thumb over a pacifier for my own children. (I breastfed each child well into toddlerhood, and early on with each I rooted for them to find their thumbs, but they never did.)

What is the pacifier made of?

If you’re considering offering your baby a pacifier, there’s one other critical element we haven’t discussed. What is the pacifier made of? Many pacifiers have BPAs in them, although I predict their rapid extinction given all the recent publicity. But other pacifiers aren’t necessarily safe, either. Latex pacifiers leak low levels of nitrosamines, a known carcinogen. Some pacifiers are still made with diisononyl phthalate (DINP) or phthalate esters, which can be released during sterilization. Silicone pacifiers were considered safe for a long time, but are now highly suspect. The only safe pacifier on the market seems to be Natursutten’s rubber pacifier, which has no synthetics or additives, but the instructions say they have to be replaced every five to seven weeks to stay safe, which is costly and inconvenient. And while the Natursutten is currently claimed to be safe, there’s always the problem that what's considered safe today might not be considered safe tomorrow. After all, most of us hadn't heard of BPAs a few years ago.

Author,

Dr. Laura Markham.

10 Must-Know Baby and Toddler Nap Facts.

We’ve written quite a bit about baby and toddler naps here on the blog, so if you’ve been following our site for awhile, you’ve had the chance to read a lot of baby and toddler nap tips and tidbits. But, some of you are new moms  and we strive to educate all of our parents on the importance of good sleep and how to achieve it!

Today, we’re presenting you with 10 must-know facts about your baby’s or toddler’s naps. Think of it as your nap “cheat sheet”. ??

10 Things You Need To Know About Baby and Toddler Naps

The first nap of the day is the most important. This isn’t to say that other naps aren’t also important. But the first nap of the day tends to be the most restorative, setting the tone for the day, and it’s generally the one that produces the best sleep for babies and young toddlers.

Most babies don’t transition to one nap at 12 months; most transition to one nap between 15-18 months. There seems to be a prevailing opinion out there that at the one year mark, babies should suddenly transition from two naps to one. And some will, with no problem. But we’re here to tell you that making the 2-to-1 nap transition at 12 months isn’t the norm for most babies. In fact, most babies aren’t ready to move to one nap a day until 15-18 months.

Most 6 month old babies aren’t ready for just 2 naps per day; most still need 3 (or even 4). Just as there’s a misconception that all 12 month old babies are ready to transition to one nap per day, there’s also a misconception that 6 month old babies are ready to transition to just 2 naps each day. We think this misconception is at least party due to a recommendation that Weissbluth makes in his book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. In the book, Weissbluth states that only 16% of babies need a third nap after 5 months. Keep in mind this statistic came from a study of a limited number of children.
We are not discounting Weissbluth’s studies, but we do take it with a grain of salt, since all babies vary in their ability (particularly mood-wise) to stay awake for long periods of time. In our extensive work with families, we’ve found that far more than 16% of babies appear to need 3 naps at 6, 7, even 8 months of age. Therefore, we usually tell parents not to rush into a 2 nap schedule with their 6 month old babies. Doing that increases the chances that their 6 month olds will become overtired, which will in turn affect their night sleep. We’ve found it’s better to stick to a 3 nap schedule (or even a 4 nap schedule) and then gradually transition to a 2 nap schedule around 8 months.

Your child’s nap needs will change greatly between birth and 18 months. Greatly. This just makes sense if you think about it — newborns nap pretty much constantly during the day, while an 18 month old needs just 1 nap. That’s a lot of change during a relatively short period of time!
So, how many naps does your baby or toddler need in the first 18 months of life? You can read this article for detailed information, but here’s the short version:

*1-3 MONTHS — 4-5 naps per day, depending on how long his naps are and how long he can stay up between naps.

*3-4 MONTHS — 4 naps.

*5-8 MONTHS — probably 3 naps (though some will need 4 until after 7 months). A few babies will only have 2 naps at a very young age, but those naps are usually long.

*9-15 MONTHS — 2 naps. Some babies will transition to 1 nap at 12 months, but that’s not common.

*15-18 MONTHS — 1-2 naps. The transition from 2 naps to 1 usually happens in this window of time.

*18 MONTHS-4 YEARS — 1 nap. The age to transition away from all napping varies a lot, from 2 to 5+ years old, but the average age is between 3 and 4 years old.

If your baby or toddler sleeps well at night, that doesn’t necessarily mean she’ll nap well during the day. Remember, nap sleep is different than night sleep. Naps happen during daylight hours, when the sun’s up and when it tends to be noisy and busy. External factors like that can make it hard for a baby or toddler to nap well. And many families struggle with keeping a consistent daily nap routine in place — because life tends to get in the way! That, too, can make it hard for a baby or toddler to nap consistently. Contrast that with nights — it’s dark, it’s (usually) quiet, and everyone is (usually) at home. That at least partly explains why many babies and toddlers who sleep just fine at night struggle with their naps.

On-the-go, “moving” naps aren’t as restorative as naps that happen at home, in bed. This might come as a bit of a surprise, but it’s true — naps that happen “on the go” (in a moving car, for example, or in a moving stroller or shopping cart) aren’t as restorative as naps that happen on a non-moving surface (like a bed). They aren’t as long, for one thing, and during a “moving” nap, your baby’s or toddler’s sleep won’t be as deep. The occasional on-the-go nap isn’t a big deal, of course; sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do. But if the majority of your baby’s or toddler’s naps are happening in the car, or in a stroller, you may need to rethink your daytime routines and schedule.

It’s possible for your baby or toddler to nap too much. Yes, we realize that this particular “problem” doesn’t plague most of you. ?? But it’s true; some babies and toddlers nap too much, and it negatively affects their nighttime sleep. How much nap time sleep is too much? You can check out this article for details, but here’s a fast breakdown:

*INFANT STAGE (birth – 4 months) — newborns will sleep 14-18 total hours during the day. To maximize nighttime sleep, limit naps to two hours, and try to keep your baby awake for 30 minutes between naps. (Need help with newborn sleep? Take a look at our newborn e-Book.)

*BABY STAGE (4-12 months) — babies need 13-15 total hours of sleep during the day. 2-4 of these hours should be naps (depending on how much sleep your baby is getting at night.)

*TODDLER STAGE (12 months – 3 or 4 years) — 1-3 hours of total naptime is considered normal and healthy.

Educate yourself on when common nap transitions occur, and how to manage them. Nap transitions are likely to occur at the following times:

*3-4 MONTHS — baby transitions from 5 naps to 4.

*5-6 MONTHS — baby transitions from 4 naps to 3.

*8-9 MONTHS — baby transitions from 3 naps to 2.

*15-18 MONTHS — toddler transitions from 2 naps to 1.

As for how to handle these nap transitions? We have loads of resources on that very topic in our Members Area – keep reading for details!

If a nap just isn’t happening, know when to give up and try again later. We end up dispensing this advice quite often to our consultation clients who we are working on nap training: don’t waste too much time trying to make a nap happen. No sense in spending 3 hours trying to force an afternoon nap to happen — at that point, you’re probably closer to bedtime than you are to naptime!

When your toddler is finally done taking naps, consider replacing nap time with “rest time”. It’s always a little sad when your toddler finally ages out of his naps. Gone are those one or two hours of peace, when mom or dad could get some work done, catch up on chores, or take a nap themselves! However, the end of nap time doesn’t have to mean the end of your afternoon peace and quiet. Simply replace nap time with rest time.

BONUS NAP TIP: We like you so much, we’re squeezing in a bonus tip for you! This one deals with short naps, an all-too-common problems for the parents in our Baby Sleep Site® community. The fact is, short naps are normal for newborns and young babies, but by about 6 months of age, most babies are able to take longer naps. Want all the details on why short naps happen, and how to fix the problem? Check out this article on short baby naps.

NURSING BABIES TO SLEEP

When I first had Levi I was taught not to “feed him to sleep”.

If I did that, I would create a baby who was dependent on me.

…Kind of a funny thought considering of course he was dependent on me. Um, he’s a baby.

Yes, there’s something to be said for teaching children to sleep independently.

There is a certain liberating feeling putting your baby down for a nap when they are awake and happy and then seeing them drift off to sleep happliy minutes later. (I used to love watching the process on the baby monitor with Levi after he learned to sleep on his own.)

But freaking out about creating a “dependency” in terms of holding or feeding your baby to sleep is kind of silly.

I’ve never heard of a 12 year old that still needs his mother to rock him to sleep. (Have you?)

So why all this fuss about “sleeping independently” anyway?

it will come.

Partly with our coaxing and teaching, partly as a developmental milestone like any other thing babies or children learn.

With my second baby I let him fall asleep in my arms all the time.

In fact, I encourage it.

He loves it and so do I.

Do you know that breastmilk actually induces sleep? (God’s clever like that… So why wouldn’t we want to go with it and take advantage of this amazing sleep elixir?)

These months race quickly. Quickly. Soon, I will be aching for one last chance to hold him in my arms.

So why wouldn’t I take advantage of the time I have now to let him fall asleep in teh most pleasant way possible for both of us?

I love it. And so does he.

STOP.

 Q for you: Getting babies to sleep can be tricky, I know that, and every parent needs to discover the best way to help their child to sleep in a way that honors the child and fits with the family values. I just happen to have a wide opinion on what fits within “right”… and it defininitely includes feeding and rocking my baby to sleep as much as he needs or I want (in addition to encouraging him to learn how to sleep by himself as he’s ready/able). When’s the last time you nursed/rocked a baby to sleep? Was it as beautiful and therapeutic for you as it no doubt was for baby?

By,

Adriel Booker

Moving from Crib to Bed

When your child moves from crib to bed it’s a milestone in his life as well as yours. There is no precise time for making this move, though typically it’s between the first and third birthday. The key to success is to be patient and allow your child time to adjust to the change.

Why move a child from crib to bed?

If a child sleeps well in his crib, don’t rush the change. Switching to a bed gives a child freedom and brings new issues for parents, such as the yo-yo syndrome or early morning wanderings. The most common reasons to switch:

• Your child learns how to climb. –  Move your child out of the crib when the rail is up to the level of his nipples, since climbing out is more possible.
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• Your child outgrows the crib. –  Don’t assume it’s time! You may think that he’s uncomfortable, but he may be content in his little nest.
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• Your child asks for a bed. – If she’s old enough, then go ahead and take the leap.
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• Your child is learning how to use the toilet.— Even if your child uses the toilet during the day, it’s often a long while before bedtime dryness happens.
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• A new sibling is on the way. – If your little one loves his crib, then ousting him to make room for the newcomer may add stress. If you feel that the time is right then make the change two months or more before your newborn arrives.
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What kind of bed should my child move to?

There are a number of options for a child’s first bed:

• Toddler bed – These are small, low and child-sized. They have guard rails on all sides, and come in playful designs.
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• Regular bed – A common choice is a mattress, box springs and bed frame (with all sides protected from fall-outs). Consider a double or bigger size to accommodate the night-reading ritual.
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• Mattress on the floor – A popular choice is a mattress or futon on the floor. This provides your little one with a big-kid bed, but one that prevents any painful falls.
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• Bunk bed – ?Hold off on a bunk bed until your child is 6 years old, when it is considered safe.
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How do we make the change?

Which approach is best for you will depend on your reasons for making the change, your child’s personality, and the size of his room. Here are a few options:

• Big-kid bed hoopla:  Some children enjoy having an official Big Kid Day party. Set up the bed, decorate the room and add a few sleep-related gifts like books and stuffed animals.
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• One-step-at-a-time:  Take the mattress out of the crib and place it on the floor in the place as the crib was. This gives your child the same sleeping surface and view of the room as he’s accustomed to. Place guard rails around the sides to create a crib-like enclosure. Keep the same bedding and crib toys. This is a mid-step between the crib and a real bed.
•  
• The gradual introduction:  Set up the new bed in the same room with the crib. Allow your child to play on the bed and nap there. Do your bedtime reading in the new bed. This will help your child get used to the bed gradually.
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Patience and encouragement

No matter which path you choose – be patient. Big steps toward growth often happen in spurts, and your child may be excited to welcome the change one day, but wary of it the next. Maintain your nightly bedtime routine and help your child develop a positive association with his new bed, since he’ll be sleeping there for many years to come.

By Elizabeth Pantley

Does My Toddler Have a Language Delay?

My 2½-year-old daughter seems to talk less than her sister did at this age. I know that kids develop language skills at different times, but I'm still concerned. What's "normal" for her age?
- Nina

As you mention, all children (yes, even siblings!) develop and refine their language skills at different times throughout their development, so the range of what's "normal" is broad. However, some guidelines can help parents decide if their child might be at the latter end of the spectrum.

A typical 2-year-old should:

• speak in two-word phrases, like "more juice" and "go bye-bye"
• follow two-step commands
• name simple objects
• have a vocabulary of 50 or more words
• be understood at least 50% of the time by a parent

Between 2 and 3 years, vocabulary continues to build and comprehension also increases. By 3 years of age, a child should:

• speak in three-word sentences
• have a vocabulary of 200 words or more (basically, more than you can count)
• be understood 75% of the time
• understand prepositions (such as, "put it on the table" or "put itunder the bed")
• use pronouns ("me," "you," "it")

If you feel that your child is not on track, talk to your doctor about your concerns.

 by: Amy Nelson, MA, CCC-SLP

When your baby starts crawling

When my babies went through the crawling phase, there were many exciting, shiny bits of the milestone. It was delightful witnessing my babies moving from that sitting Buddha, to the rocking-on-all-fours, dog-like creatures who were just raring to go. Finally taking that first frontward heave, with a face of surprise and accomplishment, was certainly priceless. The realisation they could move from one point to another was definitely a joy to behold.

But once I overcame the thrill of my baby meeting a new developmental landmark, I realised the practical implications of living with a crawler were not so sparkly.

On the go

Put your baby down in one place, turn around and they're in another. That takes some getting used to. Be mindful that crawlers are curious and their newfound freedom to get around can have them in places you wouldn't imagine. With a lack of spatial awareness they can get themselves into some sticky situations; I've had babies crawling with curiosity, only to find them stuck under the couch, under the change table or between a cupboard and a wall.

Stairs

We have a house full of stairs, which is equivalent to an extreme adventure sport for crawlers. Some of them sense the danger and quickly learn to turn around and slide down on their tummies. Others, not so astute, learn the hard way that full frontal down a flight of stairs isn't fun.

Don't fret, we had stair gates everywhere. But it was the bright crawler who figured out he could climb into the gap between the railings that had us on our toes.

Dead flies & stray toys

I don't care how immaculate your house is, when you set a crawler down, they find stray things. Mine always seemed to find the single dead fly and proceed to test it out as a snack. You can bet that a lost Lego piece will be located by a crawler, which is why being anally retentive about "a place for everything and everything in its place" becomes imperative when there's a rugrat around.

Baby-proofing your house when a crawler is on the loose can be a work in progress as they discover items you hadn't considered at their level. I found myself crawling around on all fours, analysing my home from their viewpoint; it was very useful until I couldn't get up.

Filth

As with the dead insect point, you can polish your floors until the reflection of your tired, haggard face stares back at you, but a crawling baby will always have dirty knees and filthy palms. Or, in a commando crawler's case, an entire layer of dog hair and dust coating their stomachs. And we don't even own a dog.

My firstborn was a commando crawler; had I thought to strap an Enjo to his front, he could've become a human swisher.

If you're not quick enough to sweep up the collateral damage from lunch in the highchair, then expect to find your crawler eating scraps off the floor. Like a stomach swisher, the crawling food machine has benefits: think 'human vacuum'. Not so handy if the food scrap lying on the floor is chilli beef jerky ... it turns out that human vacuums don't like random samples of chilli.

No two crawlers are the same

It's funny how as parents, we want our first baby to reach every milestone quickly. We are so excited when they roll, then look like they're going to crawl. Then they crawl and you want them to stand, then walk, then talk, then pay some bills and move out.

With our second children, we wanted him to do it all late - keep him immobile. Well, not quite, but we know what we were in for, so could be accused of being a little less passionate about certain phases.

I expected my second child would crawl commando-style like my firstborn. I was all over that by the time he was eight months, and was ready with the stomach rags for him to shine my floor. Instead, he chose a very labour intensive style; he leant to one side like he was about to roll, then pushed off his back foot and did it again on the other side. He sometimes forgot to get his arm out the way so would fall on his face. It was a harrowing time for all involved.

The third child mixed it up with some commando, some leg drag, and some bog-standard all-fours crawling.

The fourth was a more traditional crawler but actually preferred to crawl and sit, crawl and sit.

I never got myself a bum-shuffler, with the nappy being dragged down just enough to show off a bit of builder's crack. Shame about that.

The point is, the contingency plans you had in place for your first child may not apply when subsequent children start crawling. Each child has a unique style.

So although it was interesting to watch my babies on the move, I'll admit crawling was not my favourite phase. That was until I was introduced to climbing ... then I really knew I was alive. 

What is Preventing Your Baby from Sleeping Through the Night?

Here’s something that may really surprise you: As much as we may want our babies to sleep through the night, our own subconscious emotions sometimes hold us back from encouraging change in our babies’ sleeping habits. You yourself may be the very obstacle preventing a change in a routine that disrupts your life. So let’s figure out if anything is standing in your way.

Examine Your Own Needs and Goals

Today’s society leads us to believe that “normal babies” sleep through the night from about two months; my research indicates that this is more the exception than the rule. The number of families in your boat could fill a fleet of cruise ships.

“At our last day-care parent meeting, one father brought up the fact that his two-year-old daughter wasn’t sleeping through the night. I discovered that out of 24 toddlers only six stayed asleep all night long.” …Robin, mother of thirteen-month-old Alicia

You must figure out where your own problem lies. Is it in your baby’s routine, in your management of it, or simply in the minds of others? If you can honestly say you want to change your baby’s sleep habits because they are truly disruptive to you and your family, then you’re ready to make changes. But if you feel coerced into changing Baby’s patterns because Great Grandma Beulah or your friend from playgroup says that’s the way it should be, it’s time for a long, hard think.

Certainly, if your little one is waking you up every hour or two, you don’t have to think long on the question, “Is this disruptive to me?” It obviously is. However, if your baby is waking up only once or twice a night, it’s important that you determine exactly how much this pattern is disturbing to you, and decide on a realistic goal. Be honest in assessing the situation’s effect on your life. Begin today by contemplating these questions:

Am I content with the way things are, or am I becoming resentful, angry, or frustrated?

Is my baby’s nighttime routine negatively affecting my marriage, job, or relationships with my other children?

Is my baby happy, healthy, and seemingly well rested?

Am I happy, healthy, and well rested?

Once you answer these questions, you will have a better understanding of not only what is happening with regard to your baby’s sleep, but also how motivated you are to make a change.

Reluctance to Let Go of Those Nighttime Moments

A good, long, honest look into your heart may truly surprise you. You may find you actually relish those quiet night wakings when no one else is around. I remember in the middle of one night, I lay nursing Coleton by the light of the moon. The house was perfectly, peacefully quiet. As I gently stroked his downy hair and soft baby skin, I marveled at this tiny being beside me—and the thought hit me, “I love this! I love these silent moments that we share in the night.” It was then that I realized that even though I struggled through my baby’s hourly nighttime wakings, I needed to want to make a change in our night waking habits before I would see any changes in his sleeping patterns.

You may need to take a look at your own feelings. And if you find you’re truly ready to make a change, you’ll need to give yourself permission to let go of this stage of your baby’s life and move on to a different phase in your relationship. There will be lots of time to hug, cuddle, and love your little one, but you must truly feel ready to move those moments out of your sleeping time and into the light of day.

Worry About Your Baby’s Safety

We parents worry about our babies, and we should! With every night waking, as we have been tending to our child’s nightly needs, we have also been reassured that our baby is doing fine — every hour or two all night long. We get used to these checks; they provide continual reassurance of Baby’s safety.

“The first time my baby slept five straight hours, I woke up in a cold sweat. I nearly fell out of bed and ran down the hall. I was so sure that something was horribly wrong. I nearly wept when I found her sleeping peacefully.” …Azza, mother of seven-month-old Laila

Co-sleeping parents are not exempt from these fears. Even if you are sleeping right next to your baby, you’ll find that you have become used to checking on her frequently through the night. Even when she’s sleeping longer stretches, you aren’t sleeping, because you’re still on security duty.

These are very normal worries, rooted in your natural instincts to protect your baby. Therefore, for you to allow your baby to sleep for longer stretches, you’ll need to find ways to feel confident that your baby is safe—all night long.

Once you reassure yourself that your baby is safe while you sleep, you’ll have taken that first step toward helping her sleep all night.

Belief That Things Will Change on Their Own

You may hope, pray, and wish that one fine night, your baby will magically begin to sleep through the night. Maybe you’re crossing your fingers that he’ll just “outgrow” this stage, and you won’t have to do anything different at all. It’s a very rare night-waking baby who suddenly decides to sleep through the night all on his own. Granted, this may happen to you—but your baby may be two, three or four years old when it does! Decide now whether you have the patience to wait that long, or if you are ready to gently move the process along.

Too Fatigued to Work Toward Change

Change requires effort, and effort requires energy. In an exhausted state, we may find it easier just to keep things as they are than try something different. In other words, when Baby wakes for the fifth time that night, and I’m desperate for sleep, it’s so much easier just to resort to the easiest way to get him back to sleep (rock, nurse, or replace the pacifier) than it is to try something different.

Only a parent who is truly sleep deprived can understand what I’m saying here. Others may calmly advise, “Well if things aren’t working for you, just change what you’re doing.” However, every night waking puts you in that foggy state where the only thing you crave is going back to sleep—plans and ideas seem like too much effort.

If you are to help your baby sleep all night, you will have to force yourself to make some changes and follow your plan, even in the middle of the night, even if it’s the tenth time your baby has called out for you.

So, after reading this section and you’re sure you and your baby are ready, it’s time for you to make a commitment to change. That is the first important step to helping your baby sleep through the night.


Author,
Elizabeth Pantley

Baby Sleep

When it comes to sleep, one size doesn't fit all, because every baby is different. We'll help you figure out whichbedtime rituals and nap schedules work for your family. You'll also learn when and how to get your baby to sleep through the night -- whether you decide to let your childcry it out or use a no-tears method of sleep training, and whether you put your baby in his own room from day oneor have a family bed.

Baby sleep training basics

What your options are for sleep training and when you can start

Reducing the risk of SIDS

Safe sleeping rules and recommendations for your baby

Baby Sleep Basics

Establishing good sleep habits can stop baby sleep problems before they start. Learn about baby sleep at every age, how to create a schedule, and how to swaddle your baby (text and video). You'll find tips from other parents on getting a baby to sleep, learn how much sleepyour baby needs, and see the best cribs and bassinets.

If you're not one of the lucky few whose baby sleeps through the night at an early age, you may have to take action and train him to sleep longer. See our step-by-step articles on sleep trainingand night weaning, and find solutions to other baby sleep difficulties.

 Baby Bedtime Routines

A warm bath, a night-night story, and two kisses before lights out? Whatever your sleep routine, a soothing ritual that's the same every night can help send your baby to dreamland. Here you'll find songs, stories, and routines to make your baby's bedtime something to look forward to.

Your Baby's Naps

Learn how to get napping off to a good start and solve napping problems. If your baby doesn't fall into a nap routine that suits your family, our articles on scheduling and other aspects of baby naps you might not think of may help you get back on track.

SIDS

The Family Bed

Whether you call it co-sleeping, sleep-sharing, or the family bed, some families swear by this age-old tradition. Get tips for making it work and keeping the family bed safe and comfortable for you and your baby.

Helping Baby Sleep, a Simple Plan

Do you have a baby who has trouble sleeping? Lack of sleep in babies can affect their growth, immune system and their ability to thrive, not to mention your own sanity! Helping baby sleep is possible when you know how. I have provided information below to attempt to make this a bit easier for all parents.

There may be several resons why your baby is not sleeping well. Some of the reason we hear most about are colic or abdominal discomfort, food intolerance, teething, urinary tract infection or even separation anxiety. As well as the above, other factors such as an unsuitable crib or uncomfortable or ill fitting sleepwear could be causing your baby's restlessness. Try to find out the reason your baby isn't sleeping well before seeking out some baby sleep help.

Many babies have problems sleeping, so you're not alone. Most of these problems will simply go away on their own as your baby gets older. Most children will outgrow these problems as they grow and mature. However, at times, sleeping problems could become chronic and could develop into more serious sleeping disorders. So, if your child's sleeping problems are persistent, you should immediately seek some baby sleep help from a qualified physician.

One of the first things to do is make sure sure your baby is comfortable. Establish a good.workable sleep routine, make sure baby's crib is comfortable and make sure his romm is not too hot or cold. 

These are some simple things you can do to make sure your baby feels safe and comfortable. These things will go a long way in helping baby sleep peacefully. But the most important thing you should do as far as your baby's sleeping problems are concerned is choosing the right medication.

Natural remedies are the best when it comes to treating sleeping problems in babies. Babies, needless to say, are gentle and tender. Allopathic medications, though effective, could cause a lot of side effects. Even more important though is virtually all of the chemical sleep medications are addictive. 

In fact, it is very risky to give these medications to your child. So, if you are looking for some good baby sleep help, go for homeopathic medications which are both powerful and safe.

There are numerous advantages to selecting herbal or homeopathic medications instead of chemical based medications.

Natural remedies are very safe. There are little to no chances of side effects at all. They are quite safe to use on a regular basis.

They do not act as a sedative. They bring on a feeling of drowsiness, relax your baby and help establish a natural, healthy sleep pattern.

In addition, some of the natural ingredients found in homeopathic blends are also useful for treating other infant problems such as irritability, anxiety and colic. They have a calming effect as well which will help your baby sleep soundly.

Some examples of ingrdients to watch for when purchasing sleep remedies for babies are Coffea c30, Matricaria and Passiflora Incarnata. These ingredients are completely natural and safe but also highly potent and effective for helping baby sleep. What more can you ask for? Choose wisely and look after your baby's wellbeing.

Author,

Wendy Owen

Baby Stuff: Must-Haves and Useless Things

However, the unbelievable happiness of the baby's birth carries an enormous amount of necessities and responsibilities. Future parents become anxious and worry about the delivery itself, the health of their baby, the duties they have to fulfill. Moreover, the financial aspect leaves no one indifferent. 

There is so much to be done, ordered, bought and organized. In this article you will get to know about things that are the must-haves for babies, the stuff parents and babies can go without, and what will serve no useful end at all.

 Baby cot.If you do not want the baby to sleep with you occupying the middle of your bed, a high-quality convenient baby cot is a must-have. It will become the baby's resting place from birth till two or three years of age. The mattress should be chosen with exceptional thoroughness. It must be very hard, as the baby's spine is not properly formed immediately after birth, so the baby should sleep on an ideally even surface.

 Perambulator.As well as the baby cot, the perambulator will serve the child for a long time. That's why it is necessary to choose a practical model that can be transformed from the cradle into the stroller.

 Pedobarometer. Infants under one year of age are weighed by the doctor in the polyclinic every month. However, if you want to monitor the process of your baby's gaining weight, you can have a pedabarometer at home, but it is not supposed to be the thing of primary importance and the growth of your baby can go without it.

  

Child safety seat. If you travel by car with your child, he or she must be kept in the child safety seat. It provides not only comfort during the trip, but the safety of the nearest and dearest kid. If you do not travel a lot, you can lease it when necessary.

 Baby high chair. Approximately from 6-7 months of age infants start eating some new food using a spoon, not just breast milk or powdered baby milk from a feeding bottle. Now it is high time to buy a baby high chair. It will meet the convenience of parents, as it is much easier to feed the kid who sits in the chair, but not on the parent's knees. Moreover, baby high chair may be placed near the dinner table, and the child will eat together with the family.

Educational toys and carpets, baby walkers, jolly jumpers, music tables are things that help our children develop their coordination, as well as other senses and reflexes. Though it is quite possible to grow without all these things, they still make the acquaintance of your baby with the outer world more interesting and exciting.

 In fact, everything is very individual. My colleagues from the Royal Essays believe that as soon as you have a baby, you will find out what you and your baby need to feel comfortable. So do not buy too much in advance. I hope this article will help you group children's stuff into categories and decide what must be bought and what is less important.

Author

Marie Ochoa

Are Cot Bumpers Safe To Use In My Baby's Cot?

Cot bumpers are usually bought by parents as part of coordinated bedding set. The look lovely in the cot, cushion baby against bumps and keep out draughts. In the UK there is a lot of confusion over whether they are safe or not and for what age group they are suitable for.

Many health authorities, including the NHS and the Royal College of General Practitioners, recommend that cot bumpers should not be used. This is due to the following reasons:

• by restricting the flow of fresh air in and out of the cot, they may contribute to overheating and re-breathing of exhaled air.

• Just like a pillow or thick blanket, cot bumpers can restrict a baby’s breathing if they come into contact with their nose and mouth.

• The ties used to attach bumpers to the cot can cause accidents if they are pulled loose.

• Older babies may use bumpers as an aid to climb out of the cot.

Overheating, re-breathing of exhaled air and lack of oxygen are all risk factors which have been associated with SIDS (cot death).

A 2007 study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that 27 infant deaths were directly attributable to cot bumpers in the US over a 20 year period. Of the 27 deaths, 11 infants suffocated when their face was found in close contact with the padding, 13 died after being wedged between the bumper and another object and three were strangled by a bumper tie.

What is worrying about the study is that the data used consists of deaths reported to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission voluntarily. Therefore the actual number of deaths attributable to cot bumpers is likely to be significantly higher.

In addition, Health Canada report that 23 incidents involving bumpers were reported to them over a 15 year period. In France a cot bumper was recalled in 2006 after a 9 month old baby died due to strangulation by one of the cords.

The safest option is to have a bare cot. However, many parents find that their babies get their arms and legs stuck between the cot bars and lose dummies through the gaps. Breathable bumpers, made from padded mesh, are an ideal compromise. 

By: Louise Guinda