tips + advice — sleep

For kids, going to sleep means having to spend time by themselves...away from you, so they may be especially needy when they wake up. They are experiencing separation anxiety, which is completely normal. As toddlers develop their sense of independence, they start to become more aware of being separated from their parents or caregivers.   How you can help your toddler's emotional development: Positive start Take a moment to reconnect with your little one first thing in the morning. A snuggle and a short conversation can go a long way and may help them behave during the day. Set aside...

Teaching your baby to fall asleep on their own is no easy task. But it will help both you and your baby get a good night's sleep...with less crying along the way. Remember, what works for one baby may not work for another. Each child is different, so don't be too hard on yourself if something that worked before doesn't work again.  Know how much sleep your baby needs According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), here's how much sleep a child needs by age: Newborns (0-3 months) Recommended: 14-17 hoursMay be appropriate: 11-13 hours (Not less than 11 hours)...

Desperate to close their eyes in hopes of getting a small burst of energy, many new parents crave the peaceful slumber they used to have before the baby arrived. They would preach to their childless friends, "Don't take sleep for granted. Enjoy it while you still can." When I was younger, sleep was always an afterthought since I "knew" that I could make it up anytime. But it wasn't until after I had a child, that something as simple as a bedtime routine would change so drastically. Night after night, I spent countless hours feeding, changing and soothing my precious baby. It...

Released from their first home inside a mother's womb, a newborn wants the familiar feeling of warmth and security, which helps to keep them calm. Swaddling can often provide this feeling but not many parents know how to wrap them up as well as the nurses in the hospital do.  It can be frustrating the first few times, but it takes time and patience to perfect. In most hospitals today, they usually teach you how to swaddle baby before you go home. Most doctors also recommend to stop swaddling when the baby approaches 2 months, but consult your medical professional...