Surviving with a Cat Napper

Posted on May 15, 2012 by GuestBlogger

Busy MomIt’s 10:03am and I am racing around my house. No, I’m not training for the Boston Marathon, I’m just trying to get through my list of chores done while Baby J is napping.

In a perfect world, my little one would take 2 hour naps and I would have time to exercise, do laundry, clean the house, eat healthy, and recharge for playtime. The reality though, is that Baby J is the king of the 45 minute nap. For the first few months of this I thought I was going to lose my mind. I was exhausted and felt like nothing would ever get done. Over time though, I shifted my expectations and learned the keys to surviving with my cat napper.

  • Prioritize – What is the most important thing to get done today? Well, somehow Baby J managed to spit up on my hair during playtime so for me, this morning, I need a shower – pronto! This means that as soon as my little one is asleep, I am in the shower. I don’t stop to pick up toys or throw in a load of laundry first because if I do I know that a shower will never happen.

  • Relax your expectations – Yes, you have to do laundry so that everyone has clean clothes, but you don’t have to meticulously fold and hang every last garment. No one is going to know if you took that pair of socks out of a clean laundry basket or if they were folded neatly in a drawer.

  • Shortcuts are key – So you are having unexpected company for lunch and you are trying to make the house look presentable. That stack of paperwork on the kitchen counter doesn’t need to be filed right now. Just sweep it into a drawer temporarily and deal with it later.

  • Take time for yourself – If you need to take a nap or just sit and have a cup of coffee while your little one is asleep, then do it! We all need a moment sometimes so don’t feel guilty that you aren’t dusting during this short break. Sure, things need to get done, but you also need to keep your sanity!

Above all else, remember that June Cleaver was not a real person so don’t try to hold yourself to an impossible standard! Do what you have to and realize that the rest can wait. The sooner you realize that the world isn’t going to end because both you and baby spent the day in your pj’s, the happier you will be.

Stephanie EStephanie grew up, and currently lives, in Upstate New York. She graduated from the University at Buffalo with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business and a Minor in Computer Science. After college she married her high school sweetheart and settled into life in her hometown. A number of years later, Baby J came along and completed their happy family. After working for over 7 years in Tax and Information Technology, Stephanie is enjoying spending time with her infant after being recently downsized.

While Baby J takes up a lot of time, Stephanie enjoys cooking and gardening whenever she gets a spare moment. She also loves to travel and looks forward to all the adventures ahead with her family.

All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. KB Designs, LLC, Karen & Company and Woombie.com make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

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Do you Have Low Milk Supply? Not to Worry!

Posted on May 2, 2012 by GuestBlogger

Feeding-new-babyThe first time that I ever heard the term “low milk supply” was when Baby J was about 4 weeks old and I had called a Lactation Consultant at my local hospital for help with pumping. I had never been able to produce a lot of breastmilk and had supplemented with formula since Day 1, but trusted the doctors and nurses when they said I would eventually catch up. After about 4 weeks though it was apparent that I was not producing any more breastmilk and thought it was time to see what else I could do. The Lactation Consultant gave me lots of tips and also recommended I start taking Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle supplements.

After 4 more weeks I smelled like maple syrup (thanks to the supplements), was exhausted, and had done everything the Lactation Consultant recommended over those weeks, but still I wasn’t producing much. Baby J was 8 weeks old when the lactation consultant recommended to me that I just stop. As devastating as it was to hear, I knew that for my own health and sanity she was right. I felt horribly guilty and like I had failed my little one. Thankfully my husband and family helped me get past all that and as I saw Baby J do fine on formula, I felt better each day.

For any other new moms going through this, let me offer a few of the lessons that I have learned:

  1. Feed your baby – I realize this sounds obvious but if you have a low milk supply, there is nothing wrong with supplementing! Talk to your pediatrician to form a plan so that baby gets enough to eat and you stay healthy as well.
  2. Talk to your OB/GYN – You would call your OB/GYN if you were having trouble with a c-section incision, so why wouldn’t you call if you are having trouble with breastfeeding or pumping? Your doctor is a wonderful resource and often the best place to start when you encounter breastfeeding challenges. So call. You wont be the first or the last person that calls them for help – that’s why they are there.
  3. Get as much help as you can – If you are trying to increase your milk supply then you are likely breastfeeding, supplementing, and pumping around the clock. This will get exhausting VERY quickly. If you can get help, try to have someone else feed baby while you pump. If you aren’t willing to give up feeding baby yourself, then at least get help with laundry, dishes, and cleaning your pump supplies. This way you can focus on you and baby and not worry about the rest.
  4. Cut yourself some slack – You can only do so much. If you find yourself getting overwhelmed then talk to someone. There are plenty of perfectly healthy babies that are formula fed. If you find that you simply cannot continue to breastfeed, it’s OK. Talk to your doctor or Lactation Consultant about your next step.
  5. Take care of yourself – You are no good to your baby if you are stressed, exhausted, and unhealthy.

Realize that as difficult as this stage may be, it will get better and it will pass. The main objective is a happy and healthy baby and Mom, and there are lots of ways to get there.

If you want to submit a guest post about pregnancy or bringing baby home and beyond, please email us your topic idea!

Stephanie EStephanie grew up, and currently lives, in Upstate New York. She graduated from the University at Buffalo with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business and a Minor in Computer Science. After college she married her high school sweetheart and settled into life in her hometown. A number of years later, Baby J came along and completed their happy family. After working for over 7 years in Tax and Information Technology, Stephanie is enjoying spending time with her infant after being recently downsized.

While Baby J takes up a lot of time, Stephanie enjoys cooking and gardening whenever she gets a spare moment. She also loves to travel and looks forward to all the adventures ahead with her family.

All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. KB Designs, LLC, Karen & Company and Woombie.com make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

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5 Things Every New Mom Should Know

Posted on April 11, 2012 by GuestBlogger

New mom tipsBecoming a mother is by far my greatest accomplishment thus far.

In these past 4 months, it has taught me the true meaning of love, tested my patience, and made me realize that things I thought were important in my pre baby life have nothing on this new journey called motherhood.

I would be lying however, if I told you it was perfect, that it was rainbows and butterflies everyday. The majority of the time it is, and I have spent more hours than I can count staring at my creation in utter amazement, but there have also been times when I have thought “what did I get myself into” and for those moments I remind myself of these 5 things:

  1. Take EVERYTHING with a grain of salt.  From the moment you learn you are pregnant, people feel the need to give you their advice. Sometimes it is just what you needed to hear, and other times it has you wishing you never heard it. When earplugs aren’t appropriate, remember this:  Advice can be great, wonderful, terrific opinions…but it’s just that, opinions of others.  It worked for them but that does NOT mean it will always work for you.
  2. Stop comparing your baby to others.  It can be hard, OK I admit, really hard, but I have learned that it does nothing but set up expectations that may or may not be met. Your little one is unique and when they are ready, they will roll over, get teeth, crawl, and the list goes on and on. I’m not saying to ignore your mama instincts, because let’s face it, no matter how non maternal you think you may be, nature has a way of letting us mama’s know when to worry and when to relax. If you think there is a real problem, of course seeking professional help is a good idea but usually it’s a matter of our Mother ego getting in the way.
  3. You WILL make it through. Repeat it with me…”You will make it through.” Thinking back to those early days when sleeping in 2 hour intervals turned into my normal, there were days when I thought I wasn’t going to make it. Luckily I did make it and I am here to tell you that you can too. For me, what got me through was taking one day/hour at a time and a lot of support from family and friends.
  4. Clichés are real. Like it or not the sayings you have heard your entire life are true. They grow up so fast, enjoy every moment, one day you’ll see, sleep while you can. True, true, true and true.
  5. Never lose your humor. I am proud to say, laughter is the only thing that has gotten me through moments. You will smell like spit up. Days will pass when you don’t shower, brush your teeth or get out of your pajamas. You will do more laundry than you ever thought imaginable.

When it all feels like too much, remember to stop, breath and laugh.  Don’t take yourself too seriously.  Your baby doesn’t care and neither should you.

Share your mom tips on the Woombie Facebook page here.

Caroline_Beneroso Laughing BelliesWritten By Caroline Beneroso, Mommy Blogger – Laughing Bellies

I grew up in St. Petersburg, FL, studied childhood development at Florida State University and became a teacher shortly after graduating. I have always had a love for children and I knew from a very early age that being a Mother was my ultimate dream job.

My husband and I married in November of 2010, and within a few months we were expecting our first born daughter, whose due date was ironically on our 1 year anniversary. She decided to wait 4 days later to make her arrival and on November 24th, 2011 we had a peaceful homebirth and welcomed our tiny creation.

Ever since then my world has been turned upside down and my heart has learned to love in a way I never knew imaginable. I started my blog, Laughing Bellies, to share this journey through motherhood with others.

If you want to submit a guest post about pregnancy or bringing baby home and beyond, please email us your topic idea!

All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. KB Designs, LLC, Karen & Company and Woombie.com make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

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Surviving the 4th Trimester

Posted on March 28, 2012 by GuestBlogger

New baby at homeYou survived 9 whole months, 3 trimesters to be exact, of pregnancy. If you are anything like me, you planned until you were blue in the face and then suddenly all the planning pays off when one day the moment arrives and you finally meet your little creation. This is a day I will NEVER forget and a day that changed my life, but as I slowly came down from my adrenaline rush, I remember looking at my tiny daughter and thinking “now what”?

That’s when visions of The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp came flashing back. My husband and I had watched it a few times before our daughter arrived and we were always left feeling such awe as the credits rolled across the TV screen. To be honest, we were a bit skeptical of his 4th trimester hocus pocus talk, but as we tried out his theory, he began to be known as “the baby whisperer” around our house. Here is what we learned (and what kept us half way sane):

  • The key to keeping your newborn happy is simple. Make their new world as similar to the womb as possible.
  • Swaddle your baby tightly (of course within reason). Woombie makes a wonderful swaddle blanket for your little ones. I always get a chuckle out of my tightly wrapped burrito of a daughter.
  • Hairdryers, vacuums, and white noise machines will become your very best friends. If your tiny is anything like mine, they will LOVE the sound of…well nothing really. White noise seems to mimic the sound they heard in their watery world before making their grand entrance and to this day my 4-month old instantly calms down when I loudly “SHHHHH” in her ear. I wonder if that will work when she’s a teenager?
  • Although swings and rockers take up a lot of space in a home, I now see why they have stuck around in the baby world for so many years. Swinging and rocking is a motion your baby felt when you were pregnant while walking (or if you were the ambitious pregnant type, jogging) so it only seems natural that this motion seems familiar to them.

I am no expert and my tiny often takes me on a wild ride, but I do know that these tips worked for us.

And when all else fails, pour a glass of wine and remind yourself that tomorrow is a new day.

Caroline_Beneroso Laughing BelliesWritten By Caroline Beneroso, Mommy Blogger

I grew up in St. Petersburg, FL, studied childhood development at Florida State University and became a teacher shortly after graduating.  I have always had a love for children and I knew from a very early age that being a Mother was my ultimate dream job.

My husband and I married in November of 2010, and within a few months we were expecting our first born daughter, whose due date was ironically on our 1 year anniversary.  She decided to wait 4 days later to make her arrival and on November 24th, 2011 we had a peaceful homebirth and welcomed our tiny creation.

Ever since then my world has been turned upside down and my heart has learned to love in a way I never knew imaginable.  I started my blog, Laughing Bellies, to share this journey through motherhood with others.

If you want to submit a guest post about pregnancy or bringing baby home and beyond, please email us your topic idea!

All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. KB Designs, LLC, Karen & Company and Woombie.com make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

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Child Night Terrors

Posted on March 19, 2012 by GuestBlogger

Night Terrors child sleep tipsMy six year old daughter has always been a great sleeper. (My son was the horrible sleeper that got me into this business!). So, several years ago I was surprised when she started crying and screaming in the night. It was a couple of hours after she went to bed and she started yelling my name. I went to her and tried to comfort her, but all she would do is yell my name and hit and kick me away. I alternated between thinking she was possessed and she was just being a pain! She finally fell asleep and I was relieved. This happened occasionally for a few weeks before I found the answer to what was going on. She was having night terrors.

A night terror is a parasomnia disorder, like sleepwalking. Night terrors occur when a child is in Non-REM sleep (nightmares happen in REM sleep) and is transitioning from one sleep stage to another. Although night terrors can be upsetting for the adults in the child’s life, the child has no memory of it and they do not cause any harm.

Other parasomnia disorders include sleep talking, sleepwalking, and narcolepsy. If you or your spouse had any of these, your child is more likely to have one as well. Boys are slightly more likely to have them than girls (although my daughter has them and my son never has). Night Terrors normally occur within 2-3 hours of the child going to sleep.

What do you do if your child has a night terror?

Unfortunately there is not much you can do. Go to your child and tell them you are there and they are ok. You can stay with them to be sure they do not fall out of bed, since they do a bit of thrashing around while having a night terror. Do not touch them because this can actually lengthen the episode. Do not talk about the night terror the next day, because the child will not remember it, and it can cause them anxiety about what is happening to them in the middle of the night. If your child regularly experiences night terrors and you can figure out how long after falling asleep they have them, you could wake them 10 – 15 minutes before the episode normally occurs a couple of times a week. This will change their sleep cycles and they may stop having the night terrors.

The most common cause of night terrors is sleep deprivation so make sure your child is getting enough sleep. Make bedtime a little earlier and see if that helps.

Help Your Baby Sleep BetterWritten By Michelle Winters, Gentle Sleep Coach

Michelle Winters graduated from the College of William and Mary with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and is a Certified Gentle Sleep Coach. Working with infants, toddlers, and preschool aged children at a Montessori school has made her aware of how prevalent sleep difficulties are. She decided she wanted to do something to help all the tired parents out there, especially since she had been one of those tired parents until very recently when her 3 year old son finally started sleeping through the night. She can help you create a plan that will have your child sleeping better at night and at naptime. Her website is www.sleepwellsleepsolutions.com.

If you want to submit a guest post about pregnancy or bringing baby home and beyond, please email us your topic idea!

All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. KB Designs, LLC, Karen & Company and Woombie.com make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

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Why Consider Cloth Diapering?

Posted on March 13, 2012 by GuestBlogger

Benefits of Cloth Diapers for BabiesI know what you’re thinking “Cloth Diapers” as in pins, plastic covers, swirling poop and gigantic baby booty right?!!  WRONG!!!  Cloth Diapers have come so far in ease, function, use and cuteness!  For the record it’s not just hippies that cloth diaper, modern working families are cloth diapering, stay at home parents are cloth diapering, and work at home families are cloth diapering. It is for anyone and everyone! The other thing I know your thinking is “cloth diapering is too much work.”  Well let me tell you I’m a mother of three, a doula and business owner and I cloth diaper full time. Which means…YOU CAN TOO!

When you realize the benefits of cloth diapering for your bank account, your baby and our environment, a few extra loads of simple laundry is nothing!

Here are some basic reasons on why you should switch to cloth:

  • Save MONEY:  on average $1500 per child
  • Save the earth:  (keeping thousands of diapers out of landfills and your neighborhood garbage can)
  • Non Toxic:  (no chemicals: dixon, TBT, SAP & more) – go to realdiaperassociation.org for more information
  • Soft & Cute:  that’s right these diapers are a fashion statement and you won’t be needing diaper covers for these!
  • Save time:  no last minute runs to the store for diapers and you end up buying other items which were not on the list. Face it you are already doing laundry as a parent, a few extra loads is nothing!
  • It’s not old school!  No pins, swirling, folding etc. Diaper on, diaper off and into the wet bag until washing day.
  • It’s NOT gross!  Your washer takes in some pretty nasty stuff and baby poop is not the worst of them especially if you are breastfeeding (water soluble/organic). Should you choose to use our cloth diapers, we have made it simple for you with a washing guide and YouTube videos via our YouTube Channel (Eco Chic Baby). As well as for the older babies don’t spaz about that poop just spray it with a diaper sprayer or use flushable liners!

What about blow outs and leaks?

Well cloth diapered babies have LESS blow outs and LESS leaks if used properly! I have NEVER ever known anyone using cloth that has had a “real” blow out (up the back, cut off the onesie type). The back of the diaper is a nice fit versus a flat paper that allows for up the back blow outs. Also, especially when using natural fiber diapers (organic cotton, hemp, bamboo) you will see there is little to no rashes with cloth diapers!

Is it too late?

Is your baby 6 months, 12 months and you think why start now?

It’s NEVER too late. If you have an older baby you can get by with buying about 12 diapers versus 24 or more. As well as still save money especially if used on your next child.

All done having babies is it worth the cost?

YES, even if you have one child you will save $$$ and you can resell your diapers and make some money back! Bought diapers from us? We will buy them back if you don’t want to fuss with putting them up for sale.

How can you save $1500 per child by using cloth diapers?

Here is the breakdown:

  • On average you are going to spend close to $150 a month on disposable diapers, wipes, diaper trash bags, trash service, gas to get you to and from the store ….and wait, what about the other things you pick up while you “just go get diapers.” Also, our cloth diapers are ONE SIZE, 8-35lbs with adjustable snaps for small, medium and large!
  • So take that $150 or to be safe $100 x that by 12 and that is ONE YEAR of your baby’s diapers!
  • So far that is $1200 on ONE BABY for ONE YEAR…now keep adding…
    Second year $1200 and third year $1200 (as most toddlers are trained somewhere in between).
  • Now that number is $3600 on scratchy paper diapers that have toxins in them and each diaper is sitting in a landfill for almost 500 years – YIKES!!!
  • Now as you know you change a baby about 12 times a day so take that and times it by 365 and that is 4380 disposable diapers for ONE YEAR!!!!! Now because babies get changed less as they get older I’m going to throw a average number out there for 2 years of diapering.
  • You can buy 7000 disposable (scratchy paper/expensive/toxic) diapers that cost you $3600 OR you can use 24 soft ORGANIC cloth diapers (bum genius elemental) that cost you $995 – or less.
  • Now that $995 is including bells and whistles aka Wipes, Warmer, dryer balls, diaper cream, detergent, wet bags (leak and stink proof bag that is handmade, washable and cute for holding dirty diapers) and so on.

Cloth diapers for my babyNow let’s recap here:

  1. Do you want to buy 7000 disposables for $3600 or 24 cloth diapers for $995?
  2. Do you want to be part of the growing green movement and keep those diapers out of our landfills and keep toxins away from your precious little one? Then Cloth is THE WAY.
  3. Before you go to the biggest online retailers to buy cloth diapers, consider “shop small” as well as getting exceptional customer service along with our price matching.

Chrissy Helmer Founder Eco Chic Baby
Guest Blog by:  Chrissy Helmer – Founder Eco Chic Baby

Chrissy is a mom of three, business owner, childbirth educator, doula, and natural living consultant. She is passionate about empowering mothers to make healthy, eco-friendly choices for their families. A few of her favorite things include: cloth diapers, baby wearing, green smoothies, eco-friendly fashion, and Trader Joe’s peanut butter cups. She and her family live in beautiful Northern California and enjoy bike riding, camping and cooking organic foods. We are a family owned and run retail/resource center. We offer cloth diapers, gear,toys, handmade clothing & accessories along with Organic Skincare, Vitamins and more. We have over 10 classes geared toward new and expectant parents with 3 of them available via skype. And check out our Eco Chic Retreat for moms to rejuvenate their mind, body and soul. To find out more about Chrissy and Eco Chic Baby, visit her website at www.ecochicbaby.org. Also, find Eco Chic Baby on Facebook and on Twitter.  Additionally, check out Eco Chic Retreat for moms to rejuvenate their mind, body & soul.  Check out our other classes available via Skype too.

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5 Baby Sleep Tips

Posted on March 6, 2012 by GuestBlogger

Hi, my name is Summer and I’m a Certified Newborn Care Specialist. You may ask yourself what is that? What I do is train parents with everything baby. I go into homes and consult or I work 10p – 6am and take care of all the feedings during the middle of the night. If mom is nursing I will bring baby to her during the night and then take baby back to bed about 30 to 40 minutes later.

I get a lot of calls from parents concerned that there is something wrong with their child because he or she is not sleeping and/or not growing properly. Some babies will only nap for 30 minutes or less; parents are lost as to what they should do. I get calls with mom crying because she’s exhausted and is at her wits end.

Baby Sleep Tips by Sleeping Sweet PeaThere is always a solution to a problem. Because I feel there is so much information out there on the web, I’m going to give you five things you can do for yourself that I teach my clients to do. You already know most of what I’m going to say BUT if you do it, you will see changes. Here are 5 things I recommend you try:

  1. White Noise Machine – very important to do every time it’s nap time or bedtime, turn it on.
  2. Schedule – pick when you want your child to wake up; for instance, could be 7am then he or she should be in bed at 7pm.
  3. Swaddle – this is so important to do; if baby is newborn to 12 weeks always swaddle for nap time and bedtime.
  4. Bedtime Routine – every night do the same thing. I suggest you start 45 minutes before bed; this should be relaxing and calm.
  5. Be CONSISTENT – this is the most important of all these suggestions.

By doing all five of the above mentioned baby sleep tips, you will see a difference.

When I make a schedule for a client, I will take into consideration their life style. Not one family is the same.

With all the books and blogs out on the web you want to take to heart everything you have heard with a grain of salt. You can become so overwhelmed with so much information that you feel lost. I run across this a lot with my families. Your baby is wonderful and amazing and will learn everything you teach him or her. Enjoy this time; it truly goes too fast!

All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. KB Designs, LLC, Karen & Company and Woombie.com make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

Summer Hartman Sleeping Sweet PeasHi, my name is Summer Hartman. I live in Florida; I’m a mother of 2, Ethan and Sophia, and have been married for 13 years. I’m a Certified Newborn Care Specialist through the NCSA. My highest priority is to bring relief to the lives of exhausted, overwhelmed parents.

I have 15 years of experience working with infants and specializing in sleep training singles and multiples, also working with reflux and colic. I work up to 12 weeks or 24/7.

I have worked with families in many different capacities, I have taught many families through phone, email and text. I have traveled all over the US sleep training babies in 5 to 10 days. I have done this by establishing each individual with their own schedule and teach them the value in being consistent in everything they do. By doing this I can have your baby sleeping 10 to 12 hours a night. For more information visit: http://www.sleepingsweetpeas.com

If you want to submit a guest post about pregnancy or bringing baby home and beyond, please email us your topic idea!

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Child Sleep Tips: Are Bedtime Battles Leaving You Exhausted?

Posted on February 24, 2012 by GuestBlogger

Help Baby and Child Sleep BetterIf your children’s bedtime is tiring you out, there are ways to make it better.

First, create a consistent, calm bedtime routine. A warm bath, books and maybe some songs are a wonderful way to relax your child no matter what their age. I recommend infants under 6 months be swaddled and have white noise to listen to.

Make sure your children are going to bed at the right time so they can get the right amount of sleep for their age. Do not make the mistake of thinking that keeping them awake late will make bedtime easier. When you put a child to bed after their “sleep window” (the time they are naturally ready to go to sleep), their body begins producing the stress hormone cortisol instead of the calming hormone melatonin. Once cortisol is released, it is harder for your child to go to sleep; they are more likely to wake during the night, and more likely to wake earlier in the morning.

For an older child (2.5 and up) sticker charts can be wonderful motivators. Pick 3 or 4 items to list on the chart; making one of them relatively easy so they are almost always guaranteed to get one sticker. We do want bedtime to be a positive experience. Have a family meeting to introduce the sticker chart and explain the rules they need to follow at bedtime. Explain to them that if they go to bed on time and sleep well, they will have more fun the next day.

If your children stall at night, figure out before bedtime how you will handle it. If they constantly want more drinks of water for example, tell them before you put them to bed they may have a drink now, but once they are in bed they may not come out for more. You can add that to their sticker chart. And then be consistent and do not cave.

Consistency is the most important thing when trying to change a behavior. In fact, if you do decide to sleep train your child, the most important thing is not necessarily what method you pick, it’s how consistent you are that will determine your success or failure.

Help Your Baby Sleep BetterWritten By Michelle Winters, Gentle Sleep Coach

Michelle Winters graduated from the College of William and Mary with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and is a Certified Gentle Sleep Coach. Working with infants, toddlers, and preschool aged children at a Montessori school has made her aware of how prevalent sleep difficulties are. She decided she wanted to do something to help all the tired parents out there, especially since she had been one of those tired parents until very recently when her 3 year old son finally started sleeping through the night. She can help you create a plan that will have your child sleeping better at night and at naptime. Her website is www.sleepwellsleepsolutions.com.

If you want to submit a guest post about pregnancy or bringing baby home and beyond, please email us your topic idea!

All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. KB Designs, LLC, Karen & Company and Woombie.com make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

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Ask the Nurse: Your baby and Jaundice

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Karen Barski

How do i know if the baby has jaundice?

During the first weeks of life, many babies develop a condition called physiological jaundice. It usually starts on day 2-3 of life and ends by day 10.

Babies with jaundice have a yellow color to their skin and the whites of their eyes. The baby often is very sleepy and may be difficult to keep awake during feedings. The baby also has frequent and irritable crying spells.

What is jaundice?

Jaundice is caused by too much blirubin in the baby’s blood. When the newborn baby’s liver does not work fast enough to remove it, the bilirubin adds up and causes jaundice. Call your baby’s provider if your baby looks yellow or has an orange glow.

Tips if baby is jaundiced:

  • Call your provider ASAP.
  • Indirect sunlight will help to break up the bilirubin. (Not outdoors or direct sun, skin can burn). Dress baby in a diaper only so all of the skin is exposed.
  • Feed baby every 2 hours, as the protein in milk helps to break up the bilirubin.

Ask the Nurse is a great resource to use while pregnant and beyond. Click here to submit your question.

All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. KB Designs, LLC, Karen & Company and Woombie.com make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

Posted By Karen Koslov Barski, BSN, RN, LNC
Certified Newborn Infant Care Specialist & Instructor,
Parenting Consultant

Click here for an extended bio.

Posted in Baby Jaundice | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Ask the Nurse: Baby Falls Asleep Before Feeding is Finished

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Karen Barski

My baby falls asleep before he finishes a feeding and then wakes up in a short while, still hungry. What should I do?

There are several different answers to this question:

    • A baby who has been crying before a feeding gets air in his stomach making him feel full and tired. Thus, he may stop feeding and fall asleep before he has had enough to eat. Try to avoidlong crying spells before a feeding. You may need to burp the baby before the feeding.
    • Small nipple holes makes a baby suck harder, which tires him out. Large nipple holes let the formula flow too fast, and the baby may choke. Be sure to clean the nipple after each feeding. Check that the formula flows at a rate of 1 drop per second when the bottle is turned upside down. The drops of formula should stop after a few seconds.
    • Some babies are just sleepy, or get “milk drunk” from the warm comforting hug and feeding. To wake him up, you can change his diaper, sit him up or rub his back. Don’t force the feeding, baby will eat more next time.

Ask the Nurse is a great resource to use while pregnant and beyond. Click here to submit your question.

All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. KB Designs, LLC, Karen & Company and Woombie.com make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

Posted By Karen Koslov Barski, BSN, RN, LNC
Certified Newborn Infant Care Specialist & Instructor,
Parenting Consultant

Click here for an extended bio.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment