All4Baby » Good Night https://all4baby.co.za From Pregnancy to birth to baby and beyond. The place to find, chat, and share. Thu, 10 Jul 2014 16:09:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=301 Top tips for your baby’s bedtime routine https://all4baby.co.za/babies-6-12-months/1106/top-tips-babys-bedtime-routine/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=top-tips-babys-bedtime-routine https://all4baby.co.za/babies-6-12-months/1106/top-tips-babys-bedtime-routine/#comments Fri, 27 Jun 2014 08:28:47 +0000 https://all4baby.co.za/?p=1106 A healthy bedtime routine can help your child transition into a peaceful sleep cycle.

The post Top tips for your baby’s bedtime routine appeared first on All4Baby.

]]>
Bedtime routines cue our children’s brains to prepare them for sleep. Children (especially babies and toddlers) thrive on predictability, consistency and routine.

In addition to keeping it simple and predictable, here are some top tips to creating a bedtime routine for your little one.

  1. Keep it short – no longer than 30 minutes.
  2. If you have a child older than 6 months, feed him or her  prior to bath time.
  3. A bath is the best “activity” to kick-start your bedtime routine with.
  4. For a toddler, set an egg timer for 30 minutes before bedtime to get him used to the idea that sleep is soon to follow.
  5. No iPads or TV (or any other electronic devices) for at least two hours before bedtime. Rather invest in some quality family time.
  6. Keep bedtime early. Typically, after 8pm it should only be mom and dad left in the living room.

Remember that children (until they reach a stage of puberty) need to sleep for a solid 11 or 12 hours at night. Therefore, an early bedtime for the whole family is a good idea.

In addition to a well rested child, you and your partner will still have a few hours left in the evening to enjoy quality time with each other.

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

The post Top tips for your baby’s bedtime routine appeared first on All4Baby.

]]>
https://all4baby.co.za/babies-6-12-months/1106/top-tips-babys-bedtime-routine/feed/ 0
Dad’s play a role in your baby’s sleep routine, too https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/month-by-month/972/dads-play-role-babys-sleep-routine/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dads-play-role-babys-sleep-routine https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/month-by-month/972/dads-play-role-babys-sleep-routine/#comments Wed, 18 Jun 2014 08:06:48 +0000 https://all4baby.co.za/?p=972 Creating healthy sleep habits is not only up to mom. Dads also play a role in creating and maintaining good sleep habits.

The post Dad’s play a role in your baby’s sleep routine, too appeared first on All4Baby.

]]>
In a recent study done by “the-clever-people” (smart-as-heck scientists), they have proven that the support of a spouse plays a pivotal role in your baby’s sleep routine and the success of “sleep training” children.

When and if a dad is supportive of a mom’s parenting skills and choices it is much easier to make positive changes.

Helping out with the bedtime routine

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.

Carving out special quality time

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.

Follow the same rules

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 super skills

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!

Resist rough-housing urges at night

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

The post Dad’s play a role in your baby’s sleep routine, too appeared first on All4Baby.

]]>
https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/month-by-month/972/dads-play-role-babys-sleep-routine/feed/ 0
5 interesting facts about your baby https://all4baby.co.za/babies-6-12-months/935/5-interesting-facts-baby/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=5-interesting-facts-baby https://all4baby.co.za/babies-6-12-months/935/5-interesting-facts-baby/#comments Tue, 10 Jun 2014 08:31:58 +0000 https://all4baby.co.za/?p=935 Good Night Sleep Consultancy shares five interesting facts about your baby, taken from the Sleep Sense Conference held in the United States.

The post 5 interesting facts about your baby appeared first on All4Baby.

]]>
The recent Sleep Sense conference held in the United States shed interesting light on the first few days of breastfeeding, the benefit of chiropracting, fussy eating, autism and the difference between boys and girls.

The first three days determine breast milk supply

It is vital for a newborn baby to be breastfed as much as possible in the first three days, as new studies have proven that this will ensure a constant milk production in the future.

It is suggested that parents leave the pacifier or dummy in the drawer for the first few days and try to enjoy the bond with their newborn.

Pediatric Chiropractors can solve ear aches, constipation and even stuttering

One of the world’s leading pediatric chiropractors shared amazing testimonies of what chiropractic treatments can achieve for families with newborns.

Is lack of Zinc the reason for picky eaters?

It has been proven that sufficient amounts of zinc can actually improve and change taste buds. A leading cause for children being picky eaters is insufficient amounts of zinc.

Autistic children rule households

An informative session from an Autism specialist explained the importance of parents being aware of the signs of autism. The earlier it is detected, the better it can be treated with behaviour therapy. Autism does also not need to be the reason for poor sleep in any child.

Boys need more help with sleep than girls

Boys’ and girls’ brains develop completely differently. In simple terms, girls’ brains develop front-to-back, and boys’ from back-to-front. When the structure of the brain is analysed, it becomes apparent why boys often need a little more help to be taught how to sleep well.

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

The post 5 interesting facts about your baby appeared first on All4Baby.

]]>
https://all4baby.co.za/babies-6-12-months/935/5-interesting-facts-baby/feed/ 0
Baby sleep myths busted! https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/newborn-basics/794/baby-sleep-myths-busted/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=baby-sleep-myths-busted https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/newborn-basics/794/baby-sleep-myths-busted/#comments Wed, 28 May 2014 10:12:39 +0000 https://all4baby.co.za/?p=794 What advice have you received regarding your baby's sleep? Good Night Sleep Consultancy busts some of those myths that you may or may not have heard!

The post Baby sleep myths busted! appeared first on All4Baby.

]]>
Keeping your baby up longer at night will encourage better sleep

This is definitely a myth. Keeping your baby up longer at night or between naps will result in an overtired child. An overtired child will be fussy, cranky, have trouble feeding and take much longer to settle into sleep.

They will also be more likely to wake during the night and earlier in the mornings, and will only have very short naps the following day.

Your baby will sleep through the night when she is three months of age

It is possible, but only if you have set the foundations for healthy sleep skills early and your child is developing good self-soothing strategies.

In this instance, you can usually expect babies to start sleeping through the night between three and six months of age (providing they are healthy and developing well).

However children that still rely on “props” to fall asleep, such as feeding/rocking/patting, etc. will more than likely continue to wake through the night. This is because they have never learned the ability to put themselves to sleep so they are unable to consolidate sleep cycles through the night.

They will often rouse after a sleep cycle and instead of using their own skills to return quickly to sleep they will cry out for their “prop” before they are able to go back to sleep.

Letting your baby fall asleep while being held is a bad thing

It is very difficult to always put your baby in their cot/bassinet while awake and allow them to use their own skills to fall asleep when they are newborns, as they need to sleep often.

Parents will sometimes be out and about and need to put their baby to sleep in the pram, car seat or carrier. However it is important to be respectful of your child’s sleep needs and whenever possible give them the opportunity to attempt to fall asleep in their cot or bassinet. This is the place where they are going to get the best quality sleep.

Remember how challenging and disturbed your own sleep is if you have to sleep in the car, or even when staying in a hotel room as opposed to your own bed at home. If you always let your baby fall asleep in your arms they are never going to develop their own self-soothing skills.

Just remember that as your child grows, they get heavier and while you may find it easy to rock a newborn to sleep in your arms, it will not be as easy to do this with your one, two or even three year old.

You should never wake a sleeping baby

It is never enjoyable to have to wake a sleeping baby, and the only reason I would suggest doing this would be to preserve a bedtime. As children get older their sleep needs change and sometimes too much daytime sleep (for an older baby or child) can have a negative effect on bedtime and sleeping through the night. However, the opposite is also true and over tiredness will also negatively impact night time sleep so it’s best to err on the side of more sleep as opposed to less.

Daytime naps aren’t always needed

Most children will usually drop their daytime nap around three or four years of age (providing they are getting their 11-12hrs of night time sleep). However, it is possible that children as young as two and a half years of age to drop their daytime naps. Before this age, a daytime nap or naps are very important to prevent over tiredness and recharge their little bodies for the remainder of the day.

Filling your baby up by putting infant cereal in her bottle will help her sleep

This is a myth. For very young babies, the length of time for which they are able to sleep is largely determined by how quickly their little bellies empty after a feed. However, as your baby reaches the three to six month age, it is healthy sleep habits and good self-soothing skills (that can be introduced gently from birth) that will help your baby sleep for longer periods. It is always very important to ensure your baby is well fed and developing properly, but the addition of good nutrition throughout the entire day is more important than adding infant cereal to their bedtime bottle.

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

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 – See more at: https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/newborn-basics/682/can-melatonin-help-newborn-sleep/#sthash.VNf1Y1nF.dpuf

The post Baby sleep myths busted! appeared first on All4Baby.

]]>
https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/newborn-basics/794/baby-sleep-myths-busted/feed/ 0
Can melatonin help your newborn sleep? https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/newborn-basics/682/can-melatonin-help-newborn-sleep/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=can-melatonin-help-newborn-sleep https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/newborn-basics/682/can-melatonin-help-newborn-sleep/#comments Mon, 19 May 2014 08:21:05 +0000 https://all4baby.co.za/?p=682 When we are born, we have the most Melatonin in our bodies that we will ever have during our lifetime. So why are parents turning to Melatonin to help their newborn babies and children sleep?

The post Can melatonin help your newborn sleep? appeared first on All4Baby.

]]>
Is Melatonin the magic pill that will help your newborn sleep at night? Unfortunately, along with other sleep aid myths, melatonin is not the fairy dust that will help your little one drift off to “la-la land”.

Popular sleep aid myths

  • Special bath salts
  • “Night-night” baby food”
  • Bedtime lights
  • Special CDs
  • Blankets

We have all heard it all before.  In fact, any exhausted parent has probably tried most of these aids to try and get their baby to sleep.

What Melatonin is and what it isn’t

While some studies show that Melatonin can be helpful with autistic children or children with ADHD, most babies and children do not need Melatonin; they need to be taught good, independent sleep skills (which, unfortunately does not have a magic formula. It takes hard work).

The effects of Melatonin

Here is the scary part; because Melatonin is contained naturally in some foods, the US Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 allows it to be sold as a dietary supplement which does not need to be approved by the Food and Drug administration.

This means that although Melatonin could possibly affect growth, sexual development and puberty as well as cause side effects like headaches, drowsiness and stomach aches it is not tested because it is seen as a “natural” “homeopathic” type medicine.

A sleep solution?

What is really alarming these days, is the number of clients we work with that are giving their children sedative medication or a Melatonin supplement.

Do we really want to give our newborns, babies and  children a supplement, of which side effects cannot be proven? No, Melatonin is definitely not a long term solution for your child’s sleep problems.

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

The post Can melatonin help your newborn sleep? appeared first on All4Baby.

]]>
https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/newborn-basics/682/can-melatonin-help-newborn-sleep/feed/ 0
How to stick to your newborn’s routine when you go out! https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/newborn-basics/648/keep-newborns-routine-go/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=keep-newborns-routine-go https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/newborn-basics/648/keep-newborns-routine-go/#comments Wed, 14 May 2014 12:34:30 +0000 https://all4baby.co.za/?p=648 Should your baby adapt to your lifestyle, or should you adjust your lifestyle to fit in with your baby's routine? There should be a balance!

The post How to stick to your newborn’s routine when you go out! appeared first on All4Baby.

]]>
Good Night Sleep Consultancy shares their tips on how to keep to your newborn’s routine when you go out…

When clients ask me: “What do we do when we want to go out during our baby’s sleep time?” I ask them: “Did you not know your life ends when you have children?” Of course, this is a joke! But, as with all things “baby”, I believe it is very important to have a good balance.

Adapt and adapt alike

We continuously ask ourselves whether our children must simply adapt to our lifestyles, or whether we should completely adjust our schedules to fit in with our children’s routines.

I am a firm believer that you should adapt to your baby as much as they should adapt to you.

It is important (and equally challenging) to find the balance between this give-and-take relationship. An example of this balanced relationship would be to concede that it is NOT ideal for a baby to be exposed to the noise, germs and stimulation of a shopping mall in the first two weeks of life.

However, is it equally ill-fitting for an extroverted mother who might be struggling with baby blues to be locked up in her house 24/7 in the first two weeks of her baby’s life. So, where do you find balance?

Keep the first two weeks open

I encourage clients to attempt to keep their diaries open for the first two weeks of implementing the program and making changes to their children’s sleep routines.

Ideally you want your child in the same sleep space and you want them to be able to sleep without interruption. However, here after, please do “have a life”.

But expect that you must also respect your child’s naptime and sleep time, or bear the consequences thereof.

Going out

  • If you are visiting friends and family, follow the exact same bedtime routine as you would at home, keep the rules consistent and the bedtime the same and allow your child to just sleep in a camping cot.
  • If bathing your baby at your friends or family’s house is out of the question, complete your bedtime routine at home, and allow your baby to fall asleep in the car seat. Then take him/her out and place them in a camp cot once you arrive at the host’s home.
  • When traveling far distances, try to schedule your trip during the time that your child needs to sleep.
  • If you are traveling short distances, it is best if your child DOES NOT fall asleep for the 10 minute drive. Rather keep your child awake until you reach your destination where he or she can sleep uninterruptedly.
  • In a shopping mall, lower your child’s pram in a sleeping position and limit the exposure to the light or surroundings with a blanket or pram-cover that will allow your baby to fall asleep in the pram.

The wonderful thing about getting your child in a healthy sleep routine, is that outings will be easier, as their circadian rhythms (their awake sleep cycles) will be in place and they will fall asleep much more easily in unfamiliar surroundings.

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

 

The post How to stick to your newborn’s routine when you go out! appeared first on All4Baby.

]]>
https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/newborn-basics/648/keep-newborns-routine-go/feed/ 0
Is your toddler not sleeping? Try these tips tonight! https://all4baby.co.za/toddlers-1-2-years/parenting-a-toddler/622/toddler-sleeping-try-tips-tonight/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=toddler-sleeping-try-tips-tonight https://all4baby.co.za/toddlers-1-2-years/parenting-a-toddler/622/toddler-sleeping-try-tips-tonight/#comments Wed, 14 May 2014 08:26:34 +0000 https://all4baby.co.za/?p=622 Is your toddler not sleeping well? Good Night Sleep Consultancy shares three easy tips that can help you master your toddlers bedtime.

The post Is your toddler not sleeping? Try these tips tonight! appeared first on All4Baby.

]]>
One of the most important steps parents can take in order to get their child sleeping through the night, is setting up a bedtime routine. For the parents whose toddlers are not sleeping well, here are some tips that you can start trying tonight…

Tip One: Make sure it’s fun

Okay, this might seem obvious, but I’m going to make sure I say it loud and clear anyways…

Don’t make your child angry at bedtime!

Seems like common sense, but you’d be surprised how many clients I’ve worked with who insist on including baths in a bedtime routine — even though their child HATES taking a bath.

When I ask them why they’re forcing their child to do something that he or she hates right before bedtime, they usually say, “Because that’s what I was told to do.” Their mom or sister or friend told them that ALL children need a bath before bedtime, so they just started doing it. But trying to get your child to do something she hates right before bedtime is a flat-out bad idea.

Tempers flare, tears are shed and your child gets so emotionally wound up that it takes much longer for her to calm down and get back into her happy place.

So make sure your bedtime routine includes only activities that are enjoyable for your child.

Tip Two: Keep it short, but not too short

Specifically, somewhere between 20 and 30 minutes, from start to finish.

Why? Well, you want it to be long enough to get your child calmed down, relaxed, and ready for sleep.

Plus, bedtime is a wonderful way to spend time bonding with your child. For many parents, it’s the best “quality time” you’ll spend with your child all day.

However, if you let your bedtime routine drag on for too long, you risk letting your child get overtired, which makes falling asleep much more difficult!

Tip Three: No sugar or TV right before bed

Yes, I know this one sounds “preachy,” but if you’re giving your child sweets (or juice) right before bed, it’s going to be harder for him to fall asleep. Same thing goes for letting a child watch TV right before bed.

The juice or sweets will give him a “sugar rush” of jittery energy, which is the last thing we want before bedtime. And, watching TV or playing on the computer can (for lots of children) overstimulate them.

Tip Three: The biggest bedtime mistake

Is letting your child doze off BEFORE you put them into bed. Now, I know it’s tempting for many parents to let their child fall asleep while rocking, bouncing, or feeding. After all, for many toddlers, this is the way they’ve ALWAYS gotten to sleep. Unfortunately, it’s also the reason why they tend to wake frequently in the night.

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

The post Is your toddler not sleeping? Try these tips tonight! appeared first on All4Baby.

]]>
https://all4baby.co.za/toddlers-1-2-years/parenting-a-toddler/622/toddler-sleeping-try-tips-tonight/feed/ 0
Nutrition and sleep: What’s the connection? https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/feeding/584/nutrition-sleep-whats-connection/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nutrition-sleep-whats-connection https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/feeding/584/nutrition-sleep-whats-connection/#comments Thu, 08 May 2014 08:41:18 +0000 https://all4baby.co.za/?p=584 What role does nutrition play when it comes to your baby's sleeping patterns? Not as much as you might be thinking.

The post Nutrition and sleep: What’s the connection? appeared first on All4Baby.

]]>
Very often, when we talk to clients their main concern is that milk, milk supply, solids or the lack thereof are the causes of their baby not sleeping through. This is a natural reaction due to the kinds of information new mothers are exposed to.

Sound familiar?

In hindsight, I am embarrassed to admit, that I was shoving (and I mean, forcefully SHOVING) rice cereal down my 3 month old’s throat because I was convinced that he was hungry. This was supported by the sage advice of the older generation, who insisted that once I started feeding him solids, he’d magically start sleeping through.

I also tried (with little success) “topping up” my baby’s breastmilk with formula because—as the nurse was telling me—he continued to wake at night because he is NOT receiving sufficient nutrition from me. I was also informed by loving friends and strangers alike that I should change the formula that I’d selected for the young one, because my baby might in fact be lactose intolerant, therefore the current formula was causing him discomfort as it was being processed by the digestive system.

Does any of this sound familiar? With the popularity of this type of ill-advice, it is very easy to fall into the “over-nutrition” trap. Moms, just because you are breastfeeding does not mean your child is not able to sleep through.

Only 5% rooted in nutrition

What If I told you that only 5% of the cases we deal with, is rooted in nutritional challenges!?

It is far more likely that that your baby has not yet developed the skill of soothing him or herself, and therefore nutrition is not the problem.

The fundamental rule to remember is that your baby’s sleep is regulated by his orher brain and not by the stomach.

Nutrition plays a role when…

Nevertheless, a hungry baby will not sleep well either; so here is a checklist to use to rule out whether nutrition is the problem:

  1. Is your baby growing according to his or her growth curve? Essentially, is your baby gaining weight steadily?
  2. By 6 months, you should introduce your baby to solids.
  3. How old is your baby? If your baby is younger than a year, milk is more important. If your child is older than a year, solids should be the primary source of nutrition.
  4. Does your baby receive protein rich nutrition if he or she is older than 6 months?
  5. Does your baby have a sufficient intake of minerals like zinc, magnesium, iron?
  6. Does your child eat or drink too much salt, sugar or caffeine? These additives could spike energy levels, leaving the child in a hyper-alert stage.
  7. Is your baby drinking too much water, rooibos tea and or juice? Remember, juice has a high concentration of sugar and fructose.

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

The post Nutrition and sleep: What’s the connection? appeared first on All4Baby.

]]>
https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/feeding/584/nutrition-sleep-whats-connection/feed/ 0
Attachment Parenting: What it means in theory and practice https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/newborn-basics/463/attachment-parenting-means-theory-practice/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=attachment-parenting-means-theory-practice https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/newborn-basics/463/attachment-parenting-means-theory-practice/#comments Wed, 23 Apr 2014 10:35:24 +0000 https://all4baby.co.za/?p=463 Attachment parents believe that certain methods increase the bonds between parent and child and thereby set the stage for secure relationships later in life.

The post Attachment Parenting: What it means in theory and practice appeared first on All4Baby.

]]>
Defining attachment parenting

The web defines attachment parenting as an approach to raising infants that aims to promote a close relationship between the baby and its parents by methods such as feeding on demand and letting the baby sleep with its parents.

Attachment not a list of rules

Attachment parenting is based on the attachment theory which basically focuses on making a child feel safe, secure and protected.

Attachment is where the child uses the primary caregiver as a secure base from which to explore and, when necessary, as a haven of safety and a source of comfort.

It is an approach to bring up your child that promotes a secure attachment bond between parents and their children. It is not a list of rules, but more a philosophy.

Many people mistake attachment with bonding (which is the skin-to-skin contact during early critical period).

Attachment parenting focuses on the nurturing connection that parents can develop with their children. That nurturing connection is viewed as the ideal way to raise secure, independent, and empathetic children. They also say that even though there are ‘methods’ to apply, how it’s applied is ultimately open to interpretation.

People therefore define it as more of a mindset than a method.

Fundamentals of attachment parenting

Attachment parenting.org describes the following eight principles of attachment parenting:

  1. Prepare for pregnancy, childbirth  and parenting.
  2. Feed with love and respect. Breastfeeding a baby is definitely the best option, if you can. If you bottle feed, you can still connect with your child just as well as if you’ve breastfed.While breast milk is healthier, breastfeeding is not something that you have to do to “attach” better.
  3. Respond with sensitivity.
  4. Provide a nurturing touch BUT not if it interferes with something your baby is learning or it’s actually done in such an excessive manner that it’s more annoying to baby, than actually adding value to the attachment theory. For example, if babies sleep, they do not want to be touched the whole time, they need to learn to self-sooth and to be comfortable in their own skins. Nurturing touch has is place, but not all the time. Anything excessive, will become a problem later in life.
  5. Ensure safe sleep – whether you are an attachment parent or not, it is very important that safety should be your first priority and there is a lot of scientific proof that co-sleeping is not the safest way to sleep.
  6. Use consistent and loving care.
  7. Practice positive discipline and strive for personal and family balance. All members of the family have equal value. Parents need balance between their parenting role and their personal life in order to continue having the energy and motivation to maintain a healthy relationship and to model healthy lifestyles for their children.

Advocates and those against Attachment Parenting

Advocates:

  • Mostly stay-at-home moms (it’s just not possible to follow most of the Attachment Parenting theory if you are working)
  • Dr William Sears – paediatrician who made Attachment Parenting famous
  • Feminists

Non-Supporters:

  • Cry-it-out method followers
  • People who actually believe that their whole family needs to sleep well

Whether you will label yourself as an attachment parent or not, we do believe that “extremism” in which ever way is not good when it comes to our children. Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty or bad about how you raise your children. You are the best parent for your child and should do what you feel comfortable with.

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

 

 

The post Attachment Parenting: What it means in theory and practice appeared first on All4Baby.

]]>
https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/newborn-basics/463/attachment-parenting-means-theory-practice/feed/ 0
Sleep and your teething baby https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/month-by-month/459/sleep-teething-baby-effect/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sleep-teething-baby-effect https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/month-by-month/459/sleep-teething-baby-effect/#comments Wed, 23 Apr 2014 09:57:18 +0000 https://all4baby.co.za/?p=459 Is your baby not sleeping through anymore because of teething? Sleep Consultancy Good night decodes the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to your baby's sleeping patterns while teething.

The post Sleep and your teething baby appeared first on All4Baby.

]]>

Teething babies: the good, the bad and the ugly

I hear it so often: “My baby cannot sleep through the night because he is teething really badly!”

Maybe I was just lucky that my son took teething in his stride; the sore gums, the drooling, the runny nose, the horrible nappies – all the usual “teething symptoms” was something I just read in books. But then, I also have to be honest – he was sleeping brilliantly.

You see, the good news is – your child is getting teeth! Fantastic, he won’t be the only baby that looks like a toothless little shark.

The bad news is, it might come with some sleeping problems.

The ugliness of it all may be that you will use your teething baby as an excuse for everything that has ever gone wrong in your life.

Baby sleep training and teething

Now the question remains whether your little teething bundle of saliva can actually sleep, sleep train, be trained for sleep and sleep better, whilst teething.

The answer is a loud, very definite: YES.

If you are going to wait for your baby to stop teething before you actually train or teach him or her to sleep, you are going to wait more than two and a half years. Since sleep is a skill we need to teach our children, the faster we give them the gift of a good night’s sleep the better.

Teething and baby sleep problems

Teething can cause a slight regression in your child’s sleeping habits. HOWEVER, be careful that YOU are not the one regressing, using “teething” as an excuse. If your child wakes you up because of teething, go to him/her, provide some comfort, give the necessary medication and then allow your little one to fall asleep without any props: no dummy, no bottle, no rocking.

Helping your baby sleep through the night

If you want your baby sleep through the night, take restful naps, be healthy, happy and still have teeth, you can help your baby or toddler by teaching him or her how to sleep unaided.

Think about it, if your little one can put himself to sleep without your help, he won’t wake you up during the night the five times he wakes at night because of sore gums.

In my experience, I have found that babies and tots who have learned the skill of sleeping, handle teething and illness much better.

Lastly, a good way to test whether your child is restless because of teething, is to think about whether he is showing other signs of teething, and whether it is also bothering him during the day.

It is important to remember that if your child is truly teething, it won’t just bother him at night!

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

The post Sleep and your teething baby appeared first on All4Baby.

]]>
https://all4baby.co.za/newborns-0-6-months/month-by-month/459/sleep-teething-baby-effect/feed/ 0