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]]>Parenting expert and Pampers Institute Member, Sister Lilian, chats about why sleep is so important for your baby’s brain development in this Pampers YouTube video.
Watch the video for more things you probably didn’t know about your baby and sleep.
Helpful advice and tips from the Pampers® Institute are available at www.Pampers.co.za and on www.youtube.com/PampersZA Receive emails with information tailored to your baby’s age by subscribing at www.Pampers.co.za/registration and connect with us at www.facebook.com/PampersSA
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]]>The post Dad’s play a role in your baby’s sleep routine, too appeared first on All4Baby.
]]>When and if a dad is supportive of a mom’s parenting skills and choices it is much easier to make positive changes.
It is important when teaching children how to sleep on their own, for dads to also help out with the bedtime routine and bath. I always encourage my client’s to take turns as it really helps your little one understand that it does not matter who does the bedtime routine, the same rules apply.
Children need both their parents.
If dad works long hours and comes home late, it is normal for children to resist bedtime; they miss their dad! Dads can do their best to arrive home a little earlier, and if needs be they can catch up on work once the children are tucked into bed.
If all else fails, and dads really struggle to spend time with the kids during the week, special quality time can be carved out for the children and their daddy over the weekend.
If divorced or separated, my suggestion is to involve the other spouse in deciding on the way in which you want to handle bedtime. As sleep is very often a discipline (especially when it comes to toddlers) it really helps if both parents follow the same “rules” at their houses.
Dads have such a calm demeanor. Sometimes in situations where moms get all flustered and stressed, dads have a knack to just pick up and calm the baby. Moms must remember to use daddies for their super skills! Always give dads a chance to parent!
And lastly, dads, if you get home just in time for bedtime, this is not the time to start the “rough and tumble” games that overstimulate your children. For calm nights, please try to resist the rough-housing urges.
About the Author: Good Night is a child and baby sleep consultancy that specialises in helping parents with children who struggle to sleep soundly. For more information, visit: www.goodnightbaby.co.za
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]]>The post Sleep and a sick baby: what to do and what not to do appeared first on All4Baby.
]]>Just think back to the last time you had a cold: Even though you felt more fatigued, and your body needed the rest, you definitely did not sleep as well.
I’ve, very rarely, met a child who sleeps perfectly through an illness. The ugly truth is that no-one sleeps well when they’re ill, and very few children sleep soundly when they are sick.
Prepare yourself. There are definitely going to be some wake ups that you should respond to. You have a sick child that will need some comfort and attention, and it is important that you support your child through this uncomfortable stage.
It is important to maintain the normal sleep routine as far as possible. It is easy to fall into an emotional trap. Many parents, at the onset of child illness, commence with night-time feeding.
However, if you’ve got a healthy, six month, eight month old, or 10 month old, who has had several weeks or months of peaceful sleep, there’s no sensible reason to start night-time feeding if they are ill.
You could offer your child a sip of water as their throat might seem a little dry. You might need to wipe their nose. It’s even fine to give a few cuddles. However, you want to make sure you put your child back in their usual sleeping environment.
Most children will not let you change their usual routine. Even if you try to rock your ill child to sleep, he or she will most likely resist it. Parents have experienced their little ones pushing them away or arching their back toward the crib. Older children might even point to their cribs, or say “no” to the cuddling.
If your doctor has recommended that you offer some night feeds to aid the healing process of a serious illness, or if your child has had a very high fever for a few days and night-time feeds will curb the dehydration, then it is essential to follow doctor’s orders.
Always remain mindful of how you are implementing your actions, however, as you definitely don’t want to let your child fall asleep while feeding or by using it as a prop when the child is ill.
The goal should be to maintain the healthy sleep habits that were learned by you and your child, while providing the nurturing and support to your ill child.
Offer to feed, keep her awake through the feed, and then place her right back in the crib again. When people are very concerned about their sick babies, they often put the baby in bed with them. However, it is more sensible to move a mattress to your baby’s room.
Set up camp, and keep an eye on the sick child without changing her immediate sleep environment. Once you’re convinced she’ll manage on her own, get yourself back to your own bed as quickly as you can.
While this might initially be more effort, the long term benefits are priceless. It is far less disruptive to move into your child’s room to watch over her, than taking her into bed with you.
Keep the long term reward of sweet sleep in mind, and continue to nurture and support the sick child to wellness, so that the sleep cycle is maintained.
About the Author: Good Night is a child and baby sleep consultancy that specialises in helping parents with children who struggle to sleep soundly. For more information, visit: www.goodnightbaby.co.za
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