Creating a perfect sleeping environment
Creating a sleep-friendly environment for your child is an essential factor to provide a good night’s rest. Children take time […]
Let’s Talk about PND
In the weeks leading up to the birth of my daughter, I remember waking multiple times a night due to
Through the eyes of a parent
There are very few parents that embark on the sleep training journey without some level of fear, misconception, nervousness, or
Weighted Blankets – the low down
The popularity of weighted blankest has increased in the last couple of years. However, these blankets have been around for quite some time, especially in the Occupational Therapy field.
WHEN NUTRITION CAN INFLUENCE SLEEP
As sleep consultants we rarely advise on nutritional problems and always refer our clients to registered dieticians when we do pick up on problems as we are sleep experts after all and NOT feeding experts. However, when we’re working together with parents who have smaller babies, we always address the feeding issue before addressing the sleep.
HOW TO GET A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP DESPITE THIRD-TRIMESTER DISCOMFORT?
Sleepless nights are often associated with the new-born baby phase, but the reality is that often, a mommy lacks proper sleep even before baby has arrived. Some people laughingly say that this uncomfortable third trimester prepares parents for the lack of sleep that parents will experience once baby arrives.
KEEPING SLEEP SAFE
Safe sleep should be one of the first things parents are concerned about when creating their child’s sleep environment. It is vitally important and often neglected. Forget about décor and theme (for now!), here’s my top tips for safe sleep:
EARLY WAKE-UPS
You reluctantly open your eyes. It’s still dark outside, but something very familiar called you out of dreamland – it’s your little one’s voice calling for his Mommy. You glance over at the clock just to realize that, yet again, your child has woken up way too early for you to start your day.
TO CO-SLEEP OR NOT TO CO-SLEEP
It is common misconception that if you want your child to sleep, they need to sleep in their own room. I am here to tell you sleep can happen either way, BUT if you choose to co-sleep you need to do it safely. The reality is that new research shows that co-sleeping with younger babies is associated with higher risk of Sudden Infant Death.
WHY DAYTIME SLEEP IS IMPORTANT AND WAYS TO IMPROVE IT
The smaller your baby, the more sleep he or she would need during the day and it is suggested that newborns should for between 6 and 9 hours per day. As your baby grows older, the need for daytime sleep gradually becomes less and it is only at the age of 2.5 years that a select few toddlers are ready to drop their daytime sleep (and even then, some quiet time is recommended). Naturally, children differ, and some toddlers may even have to take naps until they are 5 years old.
ADJUSTING TO LIFE WITH TWO CHILDREN
The moment I found out I was pregnant with my second child I was in tears. These were tears of a combination of emotions: joy, happiness, fulfilment and panic. My husband and I always wanted two children, but we didn’t expect them to be 18 months apart. I knew it was going to be tough and that nothing can fully prepare you for a new human in your life, but being thrown into the deep end, for me, was the best preparation.
BREASTFEEDING AND SLEEP
Often breastfeeding and sleep are thought to be part of two different worlds. Many people will tell you that your child won’t be able to sleep through the night until you stop breastfeeding. Tell that to my daughter who was breastfed until she was 12 months old, and slept through from when she was 4 months old!
Can Sleep Training harm my baby?
With the stigma around the cry-it-out method – which is what the majority of parents believe sleep training your baby
MYTH BUSTERS BABY SLEEP EDITION
Keeping your baby up longer at night/between naps will encourage her to fall asleep faster and sleep better. This is
Loveys, Blankies, Burpies, Teddies….
Linus from the “Peanuts” comic strip is infamous for carrying around his security blanket while sucking his thumb. An attachment
SIDS Explained
One of the scariest things for all parents is the reality of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is the
Do you hate bedtime?
A correct bedtime routine can really help your child transition to sleep As a parent, I am sure you have
What To Do With Sick Children
I very often get this question from parents: What do I do if my child is ill? Just think back
IS MY CHILD UNRESPONSIVE TO SLEEP TRAINING?
Sleep training. What a heated debate. Ask any parent that has been parenting in this century and they are sure
Tips You Can Try TONIGHT To Help With Your Child’s Sleep Problems
Would you like to know one of the most important steps parents can take in order to get their child
Stopping Night Feeds In A Young Toddler
It is important to note that everyone wakes up spontaneously many times during the night. So, even if your toddler
To Chiro Or Not To Chiro
By Dr. Nicole Louw MTech Chiropractic (UJ) MCASA Is chiropractic safe for my children? Why should my child get checked,
The Dummy Mummy
So is a pacifier good or bad? My answer to this is it depends. Let’s start with the good…. Dummies
The Curse Of The Short Nap
I honestly do not know why we always tell moms: “Sleep when your baby sleeps”. I remember when my son
True Or False: You Cannot Breastfeed and Sleep well?
A big resounding FALSE! I recently spoke to 11 beautiful women about teaching their children how to sleep well and
Confessions Of A Sleep Therapist
There is a saying that goes: “The cobbler’s children go unshod”. Simply put, the son of the shoemaker has no
Interesting Information About Your Infant
I was recently in the United States for 10 days to attend a Sleep Sense Conference. The content was phenomenal
What Role Does Nutrition Play When It Comes To Your Child’s Sleep?
Not as much as you might be thinking…. Very often, when we talk to clients their main concern is that
The Magic of Melatonin
Is it really so easy? – Just give my child a magic pill? I wish I could create a magic
CAN YOUR WHITE NOISE MACHINE DAMAGE YOUR BABY’S HEARING?
A study in Paediatrics suggests that some noise machines can produce sounds so loud that they could potentially damage infants’ hearing and auditory
