NO, YOU ARE NOT DREAMING! SLEEP COACH KATHY SINCLAIR SAYS THAT YOUR KID
CAN SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT. HERE, SHE GIVES PARENTS THE ABC’S OF ZZZ’S.

NAPS

I would say that the majority of new parents think that it is normal for their newborn baby not to
be napping throughout the day, and as for night sleep, well, that’s also supposed to be nonexistent,
right?

Well, that is a myth.

 Your baby should be getting the sleep that he needs—and so should you. Most parents feel guilty because they want and need more sleep, but what they forget is that their baby wants it and needs it, too. So please don’t feel guilty just because your body is telling you that you need sleep.

I would really like to concentrate on naps because napping is a very important part of night sleep. A lot of parents think that if they keep their baby up all day or limit their naps, then their baby will sleep all night long. It doesn’t work like that. Your baby will be so overtired and amped up that it will be almost impossible for him to go to sleep, and when he does, he will wake up a lot more throughout the night. The more sleep a baby gets, the more he will sleep. My favorite mantra is “Sleep Begets Sleep.”
ON CUES

Start by doing a brief version of your nightly bedtime routine:

1) Change diaper.

2) Close the shades.

3) Put on white noise.

4) Swaddle your baby.

5) Cuddle and hold him for two to 4 ur minutes.

6) Put him into bed when he is drowsy.

When you do the above, this is giving your baby some sleep cues. For example, I worked with twins a few years back who would start rubbing their eyes and yawning as soon as I closed the shades. The drawing of the shades was their cue to go to sleep.
THE CRYING GAME

Many times during a baby’s nap, 30 or 45 minutes into it, he wakes up and looks like he’s done resting. I call this the “30- or 45-Minute Intruder”: when your baby is going through his light sleep cycle and he wakes up and can’t put himself back to sleep. So what you should do is let him cry for three to five minutes. Now, I know what you are saying: “What, let him cry? I can’t do that!” Yes, you can, just for three to five minutes—which is not long, really—as you will be allowing your baby the opportunity to self-soothe back to sleep. This will help ensure that he is getting off to a good start in learning to sleep through his sleep cycles. After you have let him cry for three to five minutes, go into his room and try patting his little bottom to help calm him.
SOOTHE MOVE

A quick reminder: We often forget that babies are going to cry and make noises as they doze off and while they sleep. It’s totally normal. I can guarantee that you don’t lie in bed and not move or make any noise all night long—yet, for some reason, that is what a lot of us expect our babies to do. So if your baby does cry out, let him cry for a few minutes—he may just be complaining and not need your attention. Again, you need to allow your baby the opportunity to self-soothe.
ROCK—OUT

You are going to get sick of hearing this, but please do yourself and your baby a huge favor: Do not rock him until he is asleep. Have you been rocking your baby until he is totally asleep? If so, then please stop now; you can rock him until he is almost—but not completely—asleep. All babies are born being able to put themselves to sleep, and we as parents and caregivers rob them of that ability by rocking them to sleep and therefore facilitating their sleep. Babies can and do put themselves to sleep if given the opportunity.

So, happy napping!

Kathy Sinclair, CNCS, CPD, CLE, CHBE, graduated from Australia’s prestigious Charlton Brown Nanny College and began her professional career as a nanny in 1993. Kathy developed her specialty with infant sleep while working as a newborn care specialist in Los Angeles. Currently the founder of Baby Sleep Solutions, Kathy provides one-on-one individualized sleep consultations, leads Mommy & Infant groups for new moms, and lectures on sleep in and around Los Angeles. She lives in Ventura, Calif., with her husband and three dogs. She may be contacted through her website at www.babysleepsolutionsla.com.

BEDTIME STORIES

NO, YOU ARE NOT DREAMING! SLEEP COACH KATHY SINCLAIR SAYS THAT YOUR KID
CAN SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT. HERE, SHE GIVES PARENTS THE ABC’S OF ZZZ’S.

PREPARING FOR BABY

Congratulations is the first word out of just
about everyone’s mouth after hearing the big
news: You’re pregnant! Excited friends and
family most often follow up with the requisite
“Get your sleep now because when the baby comes, you won’t get any!”

So, on top of hormones, registering, choosing a name, painting the room, getting life insurance, figuring out how to install a car seat and preparing for the most major paradigm shift you’ll make in your entire life, you are also made to be freaked out about never ever getting a full night’s sleep again.

I am here to say that it doesn’t have to be that bad—well, the sleeping part, anyway. Just follow my simple suggestions below and the rest will be easy.

KEEP IT DARK

We all know someone with a child who can sleep anytime, anywhere. Yes, like rent-controlled apartments and consignment-bought Birkins, easy sleepers are the holy grail of parenthood. Most infants, however, prefer the creature comforts of home—just like we do—so start by making your child’s room dark. Babies like to sleep in the dark, so pick up some blackout shades or blinds. I know what you’re thinking: But then my baby won’t be able to sleep without them when we travel. I have never known a baby who sleeps well when he is away from home.

MOVE THAT MOBILE

Would you like sleeping with something dangling in your face? I sure know I wouldn’t. So what makes you think your baby would? Don’t put mobiles in cribs! They are for changing tables when your baby is awake and can enjoy them.

GO BASIC ON THE BUMPERS

And now to bumpers. Bumpers really have no use except for making your nursery look pretty. Keep them basic—no bright colors or patterns; otherwise, your baby will be looking at them and not sleeping. Keep the animals, polka dots and stripes for other parts of the nursery.

CLOSE THE DOOR

I bet you’ve had people tell you to keep the door open so that your baby can learn to sleep through anything. Most adults can’t sleep through anything, especially when you are having a nap, so why would we expect babies to do the same? If you want Baby to have a nice, restful sleep, keep her door closed. Simple!

MAKE A SOUND PURCHASE

Having said that, a sound machine is a smart buy. In the early days home from the hospital, the white noise will help your little one feel secure since he spent the previous 40 weeks hearing what sounded like a vacuum cleaner all day long while taking up residence in your womb. Also, the soft sounds will block out the phone, barking dogs and people talking right outside his room. A lot of people don’t want to use one because they think their baby will get used to it and they will have to carry it everywhere. You can pick up a portable one from Dex Products for just $24.99. It takes batteries, can be plugged in and is small enough to fit into your luggage or overnight bag. In my opinion, there is no question about getting a sound machine. Get one.

WATCH OUT

Monitors are a big item in the world of baby gear. There are dozens on the market, but I suggest that you get one with a camera (and I recommend the Summer brand). A good sight and sound monitor, though slightly pricey, is an invaluable tool and well worth the money. When you can see what’s going on (is he just stirring or is he actually up?), you won’t risk waking him up to take a further look. They are also a convenient way to make sure that Baby is always okay and ease your new-parent worry—and frustration when it’s actually you who wakes up the baby. We’ve all been there: turning the doorknob ever so quietly and tiptoeing into the bedroom, only to see a little face staring up at us.

WRAP ’EM UP

Swaddling blankets are an absolute must. Make sure you get large stretchy ones. I like the Kiddopotamus SwaddleMe. They come complete with Velcro so you don’t have to worry about learning how to swaddle.

Okay, now you know what to get to make sure that Baby—and you!—can get some much-needed rest. Nighty-night!

By David Barret. (New York Times)

Naptime is a blessing for you and your baby. Here are some tips on how to make this important time as beneficial as possible for you both.

Why Should Babies Nap?
Naps are not just important for their restorative value, although that is their most obvious benefit. Children’s sleep expert Elizabeth Pantley describes some of the other advantages to napping:

(more…)

Written by Kathy Sinclair, CLE, CPD

Newborn babies don’t know the difference between night and day yet and their tiny little tummies can’t hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them satisfied for very long. They need food every few hours, no matter what time of day or night it is.

A newborn baby may sleep as much as 16 hours (or even more) often in stretches of three to four hours at a time. And like the sleep all of us experience, babies have different phases of sleep: drowsiness, REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, light sleep, deep sleep, and very deep sleep. As babies grow, their periods of wakefulness increase.

Once you’ve gotten yourself into a good rhythm with your baby usually by about 4 weeks of age you should start easing into a sleep program. I recommend getting yourself the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, by Dr. Marc Weissbluth. This book has been my lifesaver for the past four years since I first heard about Dr. Weissbluth and his remarkable book.

What Dr. Weissbluth suggests is that you don’t let your child be awake for any longer than one and half to two hours at a time. I know this seems ridiculous but it really works. My new mantra is sleep begets sleep. The more sleep your baby gets the more he needs and wants.

I could go on and on about this subject but I am not going to as every baby is different therefore I believe every baby needs his own modified version of the sleep program. If you would like further information please call Kathy at the number on the consulting page.
This information has not been prepared by a physician, is not intended as medical advice, and is not a substitute for regular medical care. Consult with a physician if medical symptoms or problems occur.