 Toddlers are fascinating creatures, aren’t they? Watching them develop into thinking, creative little people is such a fascinating time, and one that parents often wish would last a little longer. Of course, they usually wish that after baby’s grown out of the toddler stage, because along with that creativity and new found intelligence, we usually see a lot of boundary-testing, which can be a frustrating experience.
 Is it teething?
Have you ever heard the story of Catherine O'Leary's Cow? Back in 1871, the Chicago Tribune reported that the cause of the great Chicago Fire was a cow, Catherine O’Leary’s cow to be precise, kicking over a lantern in the barn while it was being milked. Unfortunately, the Tribune admitted later on that it had completely fabricated the story, but that didn’t stop people from blaming Catherine and her cow from being widely blamed for one of the greatest disasters in US history. What’s this got to do with teething, you ask?  I’m here to make a confession. Yes, I’m a sleep coach but I too have rough nights of sleep.
It doesn’t happen often but I know how you feel. It’s 3am and you’re staring at the clock. You have a few hours before you have to get up for work and you’re worried how you’ll get through the day on so little sleep. You feel like your nights are on repeat…falling asleep but not staying asleep. Or you’re the opposite…you lay in bed and can’t seem to fall asleep no matter what you do. So what can you do to make your nights more restful? Do these 4 things to help you drift off to sleep faster and feel more rested in the morning.  A few months ago, I was contacted by a mom of a 1-year old boy from Maryland was keeping his parents
awake all night. She told me that every night; she had to CLIMB into her son’s crib at bedtime to cuddle with him until he fell asleep, then would slowly climb her way out of the crib, hoping he wouldn’t wake up. This had been going on for months and she was exhausted. A few days later, I was contacted her friend, who had a 2 year old little boy, telling me that her son was keeping she and her husband up all night; he wasn’t staying in his crib and the whole family was suffering because of his nighttime crib jumping. She’d heard from her friend about working with me and decided she needed my help as well. Both moms thought they’d tried everything and just wanted to get some sleep. Their goals were the same…they needed sleep and so did their little ones. We started out by talking about the boys’ sleep environment and how inviting their rooms were for sleep. We made sure each room was as dark as possible, using blackout curtains. We made sure each crib was safe and lowered as far to the floor as each would go to prevent falls. We also made sure to use white noise machines to help drown out the noise from the rest of the house. Since each boy had a different situation and amount of sleep needed, each had his own custom sleep plan for the parents to follow. The parents got to choose which method they wanted, based on their parenting style, to help their son sleep through the night and get on a good nap schedule. During each family’s consultation, we talked about things that were going well with their current situation and areas, such as naptimes and length, that needed to be improvement. We talked about bedtime routines, when to put the boys to bed, how to handle getting the boys to sleep and how to handle night wakings. We streamlined each boys’ bedtime routine to around 30 minutes and how to keep bedtimes early (about 7:30/8pm). Finally we made sure each boy was getting a good nap during the day and at the right time to balance out their day so they weren’t tired at bedtime. Within 1 week, much to the surprise of both moms (and the Dads), both boys were putting themselves to sleep, sleeping through the night and were no longer giving their parents nighttime shenanigans. I was there to support them throughout the entire process and I’m happy to report that both boys are still sleeping like angels, months later. If you’re ready to stop the nighttime shenanigans and get your baby or child sleeping through the night, schedule a free call with me today to learn how you can get your child sleeping, just like these moms did.  I often get asked by parents about my recommendations for my favorite sleep things items that are out there on the market to help children sleep at night, so I thought I’d share the Sleep Solutions by Christine list of the best items out there I’ve found. There are plenty of lists out there telling you about the hottest baby items to help your child sleep. According to one list, all the items related to sleep totaled more than $3000! The thing is… do you know anyone who’s used them or recommended them? Are they even safe to use? I have you covered! And I wouldn’t recommend anything that I wouldn’t use with my own child or one of my clients. My list of favorite sleep items for your child1. The first must have on my list is the Halo Sleep Sack.Used all over by parents, hospitals and daycares to give babies warmth as well as a safe sleep environment, it’s a must-have for all babies under the age of 12 months. Get the one that allows baby’s arms out and free to move so they can self soothe by sucking on their hands or be able to roll if they want to. This simple piece of clothing can be easily be used as part of your bedtime routine or whenever baby sleeps to provide warmth and a snuggly feeling. Available in sizes to fit toddlers as well, they can also help keep a toddler from climbing out of the crib! 2. The Marpac Dohm white noise sound machineGot another child running through the house, pets that can’t seem to stop running through the house or creaky floors? A white noise machine is a great way to drown out the noise. The best one stays at a stays on all night and at a constant sound. My fav, the Marpac Dohm white noise sound machine, is simple, portable (we take it everywhere) and the noise level can be easily adjusted to whatever level you need. Be sure to keep it low enough that you can talk over it and place it in between the noise you want to drown out (such as the hallway) and the baby to act as a simple noise barrier. 3. Ok to Wake! color changing clockStruggling with early wakeups and toddlers running through the house at 2:00am thinking it’s time to get up for the day? I recommend the Ok to Wake! color changing clock for toddlers. Even when she was in the crib, we used a clock with our daughter at 18 months to get her used to the idea that when the clock turns green, it’s ok to get up for the day. The clock is a visual reminder to toddlers for wake up time before they can tell the time. I’ve tried a few clocks and this one was by far the easiest to program. It’s so easy to set the clock and the desired wakeup time (usually 7:00am). Use it as part of a reward and consequence system to teach your child when to stay in bed and sleep and when it’s time to get up for the day. 4. Gro Company Gro-Anywhere Blinds.Traveling anytime soon? You need the Gro Company Gro-Anywhere Blinds. While most hotels have good blackout curtains, what about Grandma’s house? These portable and adjustable blackout curtains can be attached to any window using suction cups to darken a room, whether it already has curtains or a cute little valence that does nothing other than dress up the window. A must if you’re going on the road this summer. 5. The Fridababy NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator.The Fridababy NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator. When you have a sick baby or child, you want nothing more than to make them as comfortable as possible. This product is amazing to say the least. Compared to the silly bulb syringe that you get from the hospital, this actually sucks out the mucus from your baby’s nose. No, you won’t actually suck it into your own mouth, since there’s a handy little filter at the top of the tube so you don’t inhale green gooey-ness. It’s the best way I’ve found to clear a little one’s nasal passage. If you add these few items to your registry or pick them up the next time you’re on Amazon, you won’t be disappointed. You can literally spend thousands of dollars on items your local baby store will tell you that will help your baby sleep. Don’t waste your money (especially on moving bassinets, which I’ll cover in another blog post) because working with a sleep consultant is WAY cheaper and lasts beyond the first few months. Have questions about your child’s lovey or other sleep related questions? Schedule a free call with me to begin your journey to a better night's sleep!  Did you have a lovey as a child? I’ll admit that I still have my pink crocheted blanket. It’s no longer on my bed, but I can’t bear to get rid of something so dear to me that brought me comfort and happy memories. I always ask families if their child has a lovey. You might call them security blankets, wubbies, snuggle bunnies, blankies, etc but they are all the same thing…they are an object that your child takes to bed with them whenever they sleep for comfort and security. Loveys can be a comforting way for your child to sleep and become one of your child’s strategies for falling asleep. I recommend parents introduce a lovey between 4 to 6 months of age. But how do you choose which one? And what if my child doesn’t like it? Make sure the lovey is something small, such as a small stuffed animal or small blanket, about the size of a face cloth that the child can easily find in the dark. The benefit of a lovey is that it’s something baby can find in the middle night by themselves and doesn’t require your assistance. Their lovey shouldn’t make noise, such as a rattle or crinkle sound; it shouldn’t light up and shouldn’t have pieces that can be choking hazards, such as buttons for eyes. You may notice that your child has a particular attraction to a small stuffed animal during playtime. Once you’ve identified the new lovey, include it in activities during the day such as tummy time and when they’re traveling in their car seat.
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