Sleep Training Methods Demystified

Posted by & filed under Baby Sleep.

baby sleep training

I recently published an article in answer to a fairly humorous take on sleep training, in which a mother was overwhelmed with the sheer amount of expert advice surrounding baby sleep training. While I chuckled as I read the article, I also sympathized with her. There is an overwhelming amount of information out there about how to sleep train your baby. But what most parents don’t realize is that it all essentially boils down to just a few basic sleep training methods: Cry It Out, or Extinction; Controlled Crying, or Modified Extinction;“No Cry”; and Fading, where the goal is to gradually shift the responsibility of falling asleep from parent to child without (many) tears. As parents, we quickly realize that every baby is different (especially if you have more than one child), and what works for one baby, may not work for another. With so many differing opinions, how can we really make an educated decision about what is really, truly best for our babies? I think that it helps to understand what each method is truly about. I’m going to be upfront and say that I believe my ‘Sleep Lady Shuffle’ is the best of all worlds, but I may be getting ahead of myself. Let’s start at the beginning. Ferber and... more

Leave a Comment → 0 Comments

Sleep Coaching Goals

Posted by & filed under Baby Sleep.

sleep coaching

Every parent wants their baby to sleep through the night , but babies are not born knowing how to fall asleep on their own. They’ve been soothed by mom in the womb, and again when they enter the world and throughout infancy. But at some point, waking up every two hours to feed, soothe, and comfort a baby can become exhausting. Many parents find themselves waiting for that magic night at 4 months when their baby sleeps through the night…and then they find themselves at 7 months, 13 months, or 18 months, still waiting, wondering when their baby is going to get the memo that they are supposed to ‘sleep through the night’. Believe it or not, babies are not programmed to put themselves to sleep. They’re conditioned to need help in that department. Think of sleep training like riding a bike: at first, your child doesn’t really know how to use the pedals, but with a little bit of testing and some struggle, he figures it out. He rides unsteadily around the yard on his new bike, training wheels helping him and parents encouraging him from the sidelines through verbal (and sometimes physical) reassurance. Then, one day, he is ready to take a spin without them. It’s a proud moment when you watch him wobble and... more

Leave a Comment → 0 Comments

Introducing Belinda Hodren, My Featured Gentle Sleep Coach!

Posted by & filed under Baby Sleep.

Belinda Hodren

Join me in welcoming Belinda Hodren as my Featured Gentle Sleep Coach!  Belinda is the co-owner of Sofly Sleeping, a mother-daughter Gentle Sleep Coaching business, working with children and families and has been an Occupational Therapist for over 16 years.  She has graciously offered to help answer your sleep questions on my Facebook page for FREE for the next two weeks. Thank you Belinda! Read more about Belinda and Softly Sleeping:  Belinda is a new mom with 16 years experience as an Occupational Therapist. She completed the Gentle sleep Coaching course and now offers help at home and on Skype. She is based in Central New York State "My mother instilled a knowledge of how important sleep is in life, I knew it was important, but as a new mom, I didn't know how much sleep my baby needed or how to help her learn good sleep habits.  There is so much information out there, were my instincts correct?  I read about Kim West's 'Sleep Shuffle', and bought her book "Good Night, Sleep Tight". I was so happy when I was able to speak to her and clarify some issues. She taught me the basics, I learned to trust myself.  After I achieved success, I started thinking about helping other parents problem solve... more

Leave a Comment → 0 Comments

4 Month Sleep Regression

Posted by & filed under Baby Sleep.

4 month baby sleep regression

You’ve got the schedule down. Baby is FINALLY sleeping more…and then, WHAM! Suddenly she’s not. Welcome to what is commonly referred to as the 4 month sleep regression. Some may refer to this phase as increased wakefulness, but it all amounts to the same thing: you and baby have newly found your groove, and now baby just isn’t acting like herself. This (very common) sleep regression is characterized by a distinct change in your baby’s behavior. Some indicators that you’re experiencing the 4 month sleep regression (other than the fact that your baby is 4 months old) are: • Increased fussiness; • Multiple night wakings (especially if your baby has just begun to sleep longer stretches during the night); • Reduced naps or “disaster naps”; and • Changes in appetite. 4 Month Sleep Regression In other words, your baby’s sleep schedule just turned on its head. The good news? This probably means that your baby is growing. According to research done by Rijt and Plooij, authors of Wonder Weeks, your baby is becoming more engaged in the world around him. As your baby realizes that he can interact with his world, he also begins to realize that his actions affect others, and that he has a... more

Leave a Comment → 0 Comments

The Swaddling Controversy: Should You Stop Swaddling Your Baby?

Posted by & filed under Baby Sleep.

baby sleep swaddling

When your baby is in the hospital, your nurse hands her to you neatly swaddled, peaceful, and (most importantly), rested baby. Many parents take a class before their baby is born to learn how to properly care for baby, and the majority of these classes teach proper swaddle technique. That may all be about to change with some new research (and opinion) that has come to light. According to a recent Huffington Post article Swaddling Ban: Why Are Daycares Banning Baby Burritos?, there is a growing trend toward NOT swaddling babies as a result of the release of the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Public Health Association released its third edition of “Caring For Our Children”, which advised caretakers against swaddling. An article in The Globe and Mail states, “Several studies have linked swaddling to a higher risk of respiratory infections and, if done improperly, hip dysplasia. Swaddled babies may overheat, especially if their heads are partially covered, which can cause hyperthermia and even death. There is ongoing debate over whether swaddling prevents infants from waking easily, hinders weight gain or, most troubling, increases the chance of SIDS.” In yet another study, researcher,... more

Leave a Comment → 0 Comments

Baby Sleep: My 8 Month Old is Standing In the Crib

Posted by & filed under Baby Sleep.

standing in the crib baby sleep

Would you like to have me answer your baby sleep question in my next video? If so, scroll down and submit your question in the comment section below. I will pick several questions a month to answer and post them here on the blog! If you would rather read than watch my above video then here is the transcript of this week's baby sleep video about standing in the crib: Hi, Kim West, The Sleep Lady and today, I’m going to help Kristy find a baby sleep solution. She wrote in the following: “We used your techniques on my child when she was about 6 months old. It worked really well. She’s 8 months old now and has recently learned to pull herself up to a standing position in her crib. If she woke in the middle of the night when she was younger, she would just crawl around the bed, fuss after a few minutes and go back to sleep. Now, she’s unstable so we’re worried about her falling and hurting herself on the crib. We’ve tried going in and laying her back down and then leaving the room but she gets right back up. My husband must have gone in 50 times within 30 minutes until she finally fell asleep. Is this what we should be doing? Once she’s stable enough, then we aren’t worried about her falling. Should... more

Leave a Comment → 2 Comments

Baby Sleep: Choosing the Best Bed For Your Baby

Posted by & filed under Baby Sleep.

baby sleep crib mattress

There has been a big push lately toward choosing greener options, especially when it comes to babies. Whether it’s food, clothing, carpeting, or your baby’s crib, everyone seems to have a green, or organic, option out there. But is it really that important? When it comes to the surface that your baby sleeps on, maybe it is. There was a great report published in January by Clean and Healthy NY, called The Mattress Matters, that examines some of the most popular crib mattress manufacturers and their materials and ‘green’ claims. In the report, over 50 different mattresses are examined for their contents and treatments, and interestingly they found that not all claims are the same. Some companies use green materials, but potentially harmful flame retardants, while others use some green materials, but include potential allergens. You may also want to think about your baby’s crib (since the mattress that you’re being so careful about will be in it, and most importantly, your baby will sleep in it) as well. I would encourage you to purchase a new crib. Even if you find an amazing deal on a used crib, you have no way of knowing its history or future stability (I’ve seen kids rock their cribs, shake them,... more

Leave a Comment → 0 Comments

Baby Sleep: Green Your Nursery

Posted by & filed under Baby Sleep.

baby sleep organic nursery

It’s chic to be green these days, and if you’re considering a green nursery (where you baby sleeps), you aren’t alone. Did you know that a standard crib mattress might contain some pretty harsh chemicals and materials? These include antibacterials, commercial waterproofers, nanoparticles used as waterproofing or antibacterial agents, polyurethane, synthetic latex, vinyl, and antimony, phosphate and nitrogen compounds (flame retardants). That list is not something that most parents want, or expect, to expose their brand new baby to. So what can you do avoid chemicals and potentially harmful materials in your baby’s nursery? Do your research First and foremost, look into your options when it comes to your baby’s room. Maybe it makes more sense for you to purchase a standard (or non-organic) crib, and spring for a really great mattress. I would encourage you to read The Mattress Matters, a report published by Clean and Healthy New York all about the issues and concerns surrounding the manufacture of crib mattress. The report is very comprehensive, and even includes a very helpful chart with the most popular companies and the materials they use (it’s even color coded!). Decide on your décor Are you going... more

Leave a Comment → 0 Comments

United We Stand: The Importance of Consistent Parenting, By Erin Anderson

Posted by & filed under Baby Sleep.

baby sleep: consistency

Written by Erin Anderson As it is with many things in life (including baby sleep), consistency is key when it comes to parenting.  It gives children a sense of security and predictability. It also helps create healthy boundaries and clear expectations of behavior.  Children learn at an early age what they can expect from their parents.  When they can rely on their parents to consistently respond to their needs and behaviors, a sense of trust and comfort is created.  However, when children live in an inconsistent environment, where rules change frequently and a parent’s response varies from day to day, children are left to feel confused and insecure. Consistency is important not only for you as an individual parent, but even more so between you and your spouse.  Presenting a united front is essential when establishing family rules, expectations and consequences.  Consistency between parents creates a predictable environment that helps children feel safe and calm.  Plus, it avoids children playing one parent against the other and keeps one parent from looking good at the expense of the other.  Children are surprisingly good at detecting that small crack in consistency between parents! Perhaps you can... more

Leave a Comment → 0 Comments

Spring Forward: Daylight Savings Sleep Tips

Posted by & filed under Baby Sleep.

daylight savings sleep

Those early sleepy, dark nights of winter are already turning into the dusky purple of a fast-approaching Spring. This is the perfect time to get your "ducks" in a row to prepare for Daylight Saving Time. Not everyone in the world observes Daylight Saving Time, so these Daylight Saving tips may not be applicable to some. Daylight Saving Time Starts this weekend. At 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 10th, we will turn our clocks ahead one hour. If you are in Europe, Daylight Saving Time will begin on March 31st. The time change can wreak havoc at bedtimes as children adjust to the new mood lighting caused by the loss of an hour (imagine being used to a 7pm bedtime and now it’s been moved to what your body feels is 6pm!). This change often will make your next few days feel a bit “off”, because our natural rhythms are being challenged. Don’t be surprised if you find that your days feel a bit disjointed until you adjust to the time change, I know I always have a few “off” days. To make the transition easier, I’ve detailed out a few simple things that you can do to help your baby or toddler make the change gently. Guess what? March 10th (the very day we turn our clocks back) is my birthday! How serendipitous that my... more

Leave a Comment → 0 Comments