Eight Sleeping Solutions to Help Tired Tots and Their Parents Get Some Rest

Kimberley Clayton Blaine, MA, MFT

www.TheGoToMom.TV

If you have a young child at home, chances are good that you aren’t getting quite as much sleep as you used to. But what if your little one is missing out on much needed Z’s? Lack of sleep can lead to bad behavior and what you can do to help create better nights for the both of you!

As most parents of small children know, it’s the Holy Grail. Having a child who sleep well means having a child who is more likely to be even-tempered, easier to please, and more compliant. And a mom and dad who are rested, refreshed, and ready to face the day with their energetic bundle of joy. But let her skip naptime one time and your typically happy-go-lucky toddler can quickly turn into a tantrum-throwing, argumentative, meltdown prone monster. There’s a good reason and there are solutions out there to help lull your little one into better naps and nighttimes.

In my new book, The Go-To Mom’s Parents’ Guide to Emotion Coaching Young Children I discuss how we can better equip ourselves for the most challenging parenting moments; i.e. getting a child to sleep! Children who nap and sleep well at night have fewer behavior problems. Overly tired children can’t appropriately balance their physical and emotional world, causing them to act out and behave badly.

Children and parents both need good rest to make sure they are presenting their best self during the course of a day. Lack of sleep lead to shorter tempers on both parts, so making sure you catch enough Z’s at night can mean having kids who behave better and parents who, well, parent with more patience. So what do you if your child shuns sleep? There are eight easy things that every parent can do to get back to good nights (and days) in no time:

Figure out how much sleep your child should be getting. The amount of sleep your child needs each day varies depending on their age. Blaine says that the following guide will help you to determine whether or not your tot is getting enough shut-eye:

One year old: 13 hours

Two years old: 12–15 hours (includes nap)

Three years old: 11–14 hours (includes nap)

Four years old: 10–13 hours (includes nap)

Five years old: 10–12.5 hours (no nap)

If your child acts out, throws tantrums, or had a tendency to meltdown in the early evening hours, then there’s a good chance she isn’t getting enough sleep. If she is under the age of four years old, make sure that she takes a daytime nap on a regular schedule.

Stick to the schedule. Set a regular time for naps and bedtime and stick to it. By keeping it consistent, your little one will know what to expect and their little bodies will begin to adjust to the circadian rhythm of the sleep schedule you set. It will make naptimes and bedtimes much easier for the both of you.

Keeping a strict sleep schedule is vital to getting more rest for both you and your child. Plan your errands and day trips around naptime, and make sure that you stick to your night time schedule even on vacation. If your child knows that he can expect to sleep at the same time every day- no matter where you are or what you are doing, it will create the sleep habits you want most.

Insist on “rest time” every afternoon. Some children are great nappers. They go down with ease at the same time every day and take a regular nap up until the age of five. And then there are the rest of us. Some children can give up their afternoon naps as early as age three- but that doesn’t mean that they don’t still need to take a time-out to rest. Spend thirty minutes laying quietly with your child to encourage her to sleep. If she simply doesn’t sleep after you’ve tried to rest with her for thirty minutes, get out one of her books and continue the “rest time”.

Its important to ensure that your child has at least a quiet time each day says. Do whatever you have to do to keep her quiet and calm. Dim the lights, get into bed, and read soothing stories. It will be a time to rest and recharge for the both of you.

Keep after dinner playtime to a minimum. Too much activity close to bedtime can keep children from being able to fall asleep. It’s okay to let them play before bedtime, but Blaine says to make sure any activities they participate in are of the calm and quiet variety. Puzzles, books, or blocks are all great options for letting them relax and ready themselves for sleep.

If a child is running around outside then his energy level will remain elevated and it will take longer for him to calm himself down when its time to go to bed- making bedtime a struggle for you both. Try sitting down and read a story, or pulling up to the kitchen table with a coloring book and talk about your day together.

Make a night ritual of the bedtime routine. Having a bedtime routine is a great way for both you and your child to unwind each day. It is also a great cue for them to know that bedtime is coming so they know what to expect. Keeping the same routine also helps to maintain consistency when you are not at home. This way, whether you are on vacation, spending the night at Grandma’s, or leaving your little one with a sitter for the night, their bedtime routine doesn’t change.

It’s never too early to start a bedtime routine. From the time a baby comes home from the hospital, set a relaxing routine that sets the tone for sleep. For example, every night could consist of bath time, pajamas, and story time before turning out the lights. You can repeat a portion of this routine during the daytime for naps. Your child will know that it is time to go to sleep- and it will be quiet time that you can enjoy together.

Keep the temperature just right. Small children have a harder time regulating their own body temperature and, babies especially, can have difficulty falling and staying asleep if they are too hot or too cold. Make sure that the temperature in their bedroom is comfortable- not too warm or too cold- and that they are dressed appropriately for the temperature inside the house.

Parents don’t often realize that the temperature of the room is keeping their kids from getting good sleep — And if they are in a bedroom that is a little cooler or warmer than the rest of the house, adjust their sleepwear accordingly. If your AC is on high in the middle of the summer, it’s okay to put your little one in warm pajamas to keep him cozy through the night!

Set the sleeping mood. When children are trying to sleep, even the tiniest distraction can keep them from getting the shut-eye they need. Any extra noise, light, or small discomfort can deter them from drifting off to dreamland. Invest in room darkening shades, a white noise machine, soft blankets- anything to make their sleep time more inviting.

Make sure that your child’s sleep environment is snug, cozy, and dark. If necessary, use a white-noise machine and a nightlight and always keep the noise level low. For daytime naps and summer days where the light hangs around long past bedtime, make sure that you have a way to block light from entering your child’s room.

The most important thing is that parents manage their expectations. When it comes down to it, you can’t force kids to sleep. All you can do is set them up for success, make sure they get some sort of rest during the day, and the rest will come. And remember that you are not alone. There are plenty of parents out there- including myself- who struggle to get their kids to sleep. Have patience, stick with it and you’ll both be having good nights and great days before you know it.

About the Author:

Kimberley Clayton Blaine, MA, MFT, is the executive producer of the online parenting show www.TheGoToMom.TV and author of The Go-To Mom’s Parents’ Guide to Emotion Coaching Young Children and The Internet Mommy.

Kimberley is a national child development expert and a licensed family and child therapist specializing in working with children newborn to six years old.

About the Book:

The Go-To Mom’s Parents’ Guide to Emotion Coaching Young Children (Jossey-Bass/A Wiley Imprint, 2010, ISBN: 978-0-470-58497-2, $16.95, www.TheGoToMom.com) is available at bookstores nationwide and from major online booksellers.

Now Available at the More4kids Parenting Store:

Here is a collection of our top 5 laughing baby videos.

1) This one is a classic and aways makes me and my kids laugh. It is our anti-depression video when one of more of our family has had a rough day for sure.

2) I showed this one to our kids and we had to keep on watching it over and over again.

3) Who would have thought that tearing a piece of paper would be so funny!

4) Cutest Baby Laugh Ever:

5) Finally, Twins, great they can keep themselves amused

By Julie Baumgardner

Once the decision was made to start a family, John and Susan went from living in a loft and having people over all the time to living in a house in a quiet neighborhood with friends coming over significantly less often. “It was definitely a dramatic change for us,” said Susan. “It was hard to give up our two-seater convertible, but we knew it wasn’t a family car. We had hoped we could keep it and add a family car, but since we couldn’t predict our expenses after Caroline’s birth, we traded it in.”  Caroline arrived in October of 2005. Even though she has a great temperament and her parents describe her as an “easy” baby, she still rocked their world.

“We were pretty on the go kind of people before Caroline arrived on the scene,” said John. “That has come to a screeching halt. Susan and I really enjoy each other’s company and spending time with our friends. It has been an adjustment just trying to figure out how to have time together much less work in our friends,” said John. While John is quick to say the changes in their life have truly have been just that — changes, not sacrifices, — many couples will tell you that bringing home that new bundle of joy can cause couples to experience everything from joy to total frustration. Even when you know that life is going to be different, going from spontaneous and carefree to a schedule and being responsible for another life can throw a good marriage into a tailspin.

In her book, Childproofing Your Marriage, Dr. Debbie Cherry states there are two major threats to the marital bond when couples have their first child: lack of time and lack of energy. The feelings of grief at a loss of couple time, feelings of disconnectedness from your spouse, feelings of jealousy about the amount of time and attention the baby is receiving, and the loss of energy all cause a great shift in the intimacy pattern. If a couple does not recognize these threats and deal with them openly, they may begin to feel even more alone and isolated from each other.

“You really can’t measure the love and joy that comes with having a baby,” said John. “At the same time, I think it is really important for Susan and me to have time together. We consider personal time, couple time and family time equally important. In this first year we are just trying to get in the groove of how to do all three.”

Time is a precious commodity, especially for new parents. Things that used to be taken for granted like afternoon naps on the weekend, taking your time in the bathroom, sex, watching your favorite episode of Law and Order or grabbing a bite to eat are now things that practically have to be scheduled into your day. Dr. Cherry gives several helpful suggestions for new parents:

• Develop a couple-centered, not a child-centered relationship. This is the first time in your relationship when you have to choose who really comes first. Starting right here and now, determine that the couple comes before the children. If you make your children your number one, their never ending need for attention will eat up everything you have to give, and the rest of your life will suffer because of it. Love your children, provide for them, and meet their needs. But remember that one of their most important needs is to have parents who really love each other.
• Become co-parents not compulsive parents. Moms and Dads alike can fall into the trap of believing they are the only ones who can adequately care for their baby. Somehow they forget that many a parent has come and gone before them and has learned to care adequately for these helpless little creatures. Becoming a compulsive parent will only isolate you and eventually lead to parenting burnout. Parents need breaks and need to support each other.
• Talk to each other every day. Take time every day to check in with each other. Talk about changing expectations and needs, division of labor, disappointments and fears about parenting. Communication involves both talking and listening. You need to be the best listener you can be if you want your spouse to continue to share with you his or her deepest thoughts, feelings, fears and needs.

“I think one of the most important things we keep in mind is that we are on the same team,” said Susan. “I really depend on John. We try hard to be respectful of each other and to mind our manners. When you start stepping on each other’s toes then it becomes a matter of ‘that’s not fair’ and things go downhill quickly. Caroline has been a blessing. Our goal is to keep our marriage strong so we can be a blessing to her through the years.”

Biography
Julie Baumgardner is the Executive Director of First Things First, an organization dedicated to strengthening marriages and families through education, collaboration and mobilization. She can be reached at julieb@firstthings.org.

The choice to hire a babysitter is no longer an easy one for parents. It is no longer appropriate to simply trust just anyone with your children. It is essential that you hire an individual that can allow you the comfort of knowing that your child is being properly cared for, and one that your child will be content with. Here, you will learn about the best methods to utilize when seeking care for your child. You will also learn how to compose an effective checklist for the individual that you will eventual hire to sit with your child.

The first step to hiring an appropriate sitter is the ability to trust the individual that you select. There are numerous things that could happen while you are away, and having an individual sit with your children that is trustworthy can allow you a certain level of confidence when you are unable to be with your child. Trust can generally be established by checking references. It is imperative that you obtain a list of personal and professional references of the individual that you are considering hiring to care for your child.

There are numerous places that you can look for individuals who can fill your babysitting needs. Looking to places in the community is a great start. There are many individuals that attend church, have children that go to school with your children, in your neighborhood, and at your job that may make great babysitters for your child and/or children. You may even be able to discover youth group members, teachers, and other childcare providers to sit with your children while you are away from the home.

Once you have decided on a few individuals that you are interested in as far as your babysitting needs are concerned, you should interview each of them. You should seek out individuals that have previous experience in caring for children. You should also look for important skills, like being first aid certified and childcare training. It is also extremely important to ensure that the babysitter that you select has reliable transportation and does not have bad habits that may interfere with the proper care of your child.

Many individuals who seek babysitters for their child will require a background check. If you are able to find an affordable background check service, this is highly recommended. It is important to ensure that the potential babysitter does not have any type of violent, drug, or sex related type crime on their record. It is ideal to select only individuals that have a clean background check. This way, you can have a higher level of trust and confidence in the individual that will be caring for your child when you are not present.

Once you have elected an individual for your child care needs, it is important to ensure that you provide a detailed checklist for the babysitter. The following information should be placed on the babysitter checklist:

• Your full name, address, and telephone number. You should also include the full name, and birth date of the child and/or children that the babysitter will be caring for. 
• If you have an emergency contact telephone number, such as a cell phone or a work number, this should also be included. 
• All emergency numbers, even 911, should be written down. Sometimes, in an emergency, even the simple “911” number can be difficult to recall. 
• You should include details about your child such as bedtimes, medication, allergies, permissible foods and beverages, and similar information. 
• Be certain to create a note that gives the babysitter permission to authorize any type of emergency and/or medical care that may become necessary while they are caring for the child. 
• Detail where the first aid kit and medication is in the home. 
• Provide a detailed list of any rules and/or restrictions.

By following the information contained here, hiring a babysitter can be an easy process for you and your family.

No part of this article may be copied or reproduced in any form without the express permission of More4Kids Inc © 2007 All Rights Reserved

Sometimes the simple things in life can be the most enjoyable. Check out this video I found. Who would have ever thought that ripping a piece of paper can entertain a baby so much? I laughed so hard when I saw this that I almost fell over myself. Kids laugh at the funniest things. You just have to find what it is. For my 1 year year old, he laughs when I juggle for him and bounce a ball off my head, or when I drop my juggling balls. I don't have to try too hard at that… Enjoy the video and happy Saturday…

If your child bites it can be a parenting nightmare, especially if your toddler bites another child. The first time your child bites someone you probably were appalled that they could do such a thing! The good news is that some children go through this phase and most of the time it is a temporary problem. Believe is to not, biting is a common problem found in many preschools and daycares.

But first of all, it is import to understand why toddlers or babies bite. Many times they will bite because they want to relieve the pressure in their gums while teething. They may also think it is a fun game to play with mommy and daddy. Preschoolers often bite because they have not learned how to handle or cope with stress or do not have the verbal skills to communicate what is wrong with them. Biting is very upsetting to everyone and if you do not deal with it while they are young it may continue, as they get older. That is the last thing you would want to happen. There are a few hints and tricks you can use to help your biting child cope with stress and emotions in another way. Here are some ideas to help stop your childs biting habit.

The first item of business is to step in the minute your child bites someone. You should tell them in a stern voice, “That is biting! You may not bite people.” Express your disapproval firmly and remove the child from the situation. Regardless of what other mom’s may have told you, it does not do any good to bite your child back, and in fact may be very detrimental. They will be getting a mixed message or they will think it is all right for a parent to bite but not a child.

It is important to develop an action plan if your child has been biting and you have not been able to make them stop. You should be prepared to take emergency action and ask for a meeting of the adults that are caregivers. The group should include their teacher, day care helper, or baby-sitter. You should agree on a consequence for the biting behavior. It should be something everyone understands and will be consistently carried out. The consequence could be the loss of a favorite toy, time-out, or they are sent home. Whatever the consequence it must be an action that everyone will follow through with. It has to be strictly and consistently enforced. The consequence should be suitable to the age of the biter.

The next step in stopping the biting behavior is to create empathy by comforting the biting victim. The kids already know that biting hurts, so after removing the biter from the situation, focus all your concern on the victim. Doing this will not only show your child that his or her action caused pain but also show them how to give sympathy. Have your child find a way to atone for his bite. Have them offer a band-aid or a Kleenex, have them draw a picture as a way to apologize to the victim. As a parent you should apologize to the other parents right away either in person or by phone call. Believe me, it is best for the victim’s parents to hear the story from you than a third-party, and that you tried to help their child.

Attachment parenting became a popular buzzword in parenting theories around twenty-five years ago, when pediatrician Dr. William Sears introduced the term. Just like the name suggests, attachment parenting is a philosophy that stresses the nurturing of a healthy bond or attachment between a parent and child. This attachment will help a child to develop a higher level of security which will translate into healthier relationships throughout life, advocates of this parenting philosophy say. There are a number of steps that go into attachment parenting, and the process begins before the child is even born. There are experts who subscribe to Dr. Sears thinking and others who find his suggestions unhelpful and even harmful to the development of a child. The best advice for a parent who is considering these types of parenting techniques is to collect the necessary information to make an informed choice that is best for everyone in the family.

Infant Care in Attachment Parenting

There are a number of attachment parenting steps that are taken before your baby even leaves the hospital after birth. These include breastfeeding, baby wearing and shared sleep. Breastfeeding is not only encouraged by attachment parenting gurus, but by most of the medical community as well. However, experts of this school of thought advise mothers to nurse as long as she and her little one are fulfilled by the act. Those who disagree with this approach say that a working mother may need to wean her child earlier rather than later, and six to twelve months is plenty of time for a child to reap the benefits of the experience. These experts maintain that a mother should decide when the breastfeeding stage is over, and gently wean her child to a bottle or cup.

Baby wearing is the act of carrying your child with you throughout the day in a sling or other mode of carrier. Attachment parenting recommends this practice, and warns against too much separation between the mother and child during the early stages of life. It is advised that mothers take their babies to work, play and socialize as much as possible. Opponents of this philosophy agree that this method may benefit high-demand children, but most need to learn that short separations will merely result in Mom and Dad returning every time. It is also good for parents to have time alone, away from the children, in order to nurture the marriage relationship as well.

Shared sleep may be the most controversial part of attachment parenting theories. Shared sleep means that parents allow their infant to sleep in their bed with them. The idea is that a baby will feel the love of his parents throughout the night and therefore reduce the anxiety and fear of abandonment that sleeping alone might bring. If you are the parent of a little one, there is certainly an attractive quality to the vision of cuddling with your baby at night until you both fall asleep, particularly if you are still nursing and feeding your child frequently. There is also evidence that suggests that sleeping with parents is not safe for an infant, and can increase the risk of strangulation, suffocation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Attachment parenting experts offer a list of precautions to use to make this practice of shared sleep safer for your child.

Whatever your decision might be regarding attachment parenting practices, keep in mind that a parent is the best person to choose what is right and best for her child. The most important thing that a parent can do is to collect the facts about various parenting philosophies and select the approach that will work best for your individual situation and family. Even attachment parenting zealots will agree that the best parenting philosophy is the one that works the best for your own child.

The Importance Of Sleep

We all know that sleep is very important. For young children it is even more important. When we enter a deep sleep, it  helps to enhance the immune system and stimulate the nervous system. When people dream, it helps to aid and enhance memory and learning. Both types of sleep are essential for childhood development. A lack of sleep can impair learning, reduce reaction time, cause moodiness, and increase the likelihood of accidents and injury.

Research Has Proven That Music Is Therapy For Children

Therapeutic music helps children fall asleep sooner and with greater peace of mind. Research has been applied on pregnant mothers, infants, toddlers, and even adults. Incorporating this type of music in preschools, daycare centers, doctors, and dentists offices has a positive result on the tempo of the environment. It sets the tone for a relaxed atmosphere and has the capabilities to lay a child or an adult to sleep. Songs that are recognized by children makes them have an added enjoyment for music.

Adding nature sounds to music makes the heart rate respond to a slower beat which in turn relaxes the body and mind. Children need this type of tempo to be calmed and relaxed. Listening to this music you will hear many different nature sounds. They include ocean waves, birds, ducks, horses, cows, heart beats, sea gulls, streams and many more. This is not only for a child's enjoyment, but an adult will feel the same peace.

Reducing The Stress Of Childhood

We think of ourselves as stressed because of all the things we are asked to do or control. Imagine the stress of living in a world of complete dependency. The touch of a loving hand helps to ease this stress.

Over time a gentle touch assures the child that they will be cared for when needs arise. Therapeutic music is another gift to the senses that reassures the child that everything will be alright. Visual objects around the room or about the crib can only serve the child while the eyes are open. Therapeutic music continues to soothe and reassures the eyes close and peaceful rest sets in.
Intangible Gifts Are Everlasting

Music is an intangible gift that lives in a child's mind, safe from the erosionary and destructive forces of time and environment. The songs we play or perform for our children are gifts that are carried inside. These gifts are with them through difficult times and times of celebration. Soothing repetitive music can build confidence that the love associated with the songs that last in their minds will also last forever.

More4kids is a leading provider of childrens music. Our newest product. Mommy I Can't Sleep is consists of 12 calming songs for your little one and can be bought right here. Listen to some sample songs below:

$14.95 plus $2 S&H (US shipping only)

1. Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Click below to hear a sample:
2.%20London%20Bridge%203.%20Twinkling%20ABC%20StarsClick%20below%20to%20hear%20a%20sample:%20[audio:twinkling.mp3"/]

4. Pop Goes The Weasel

12. Puff The Magic Dragon

Total play time: 59 mins 25 secs

by Patricia Hughes

Biography
Patricia Hughes is a freelance writer and mother of four. Patricia has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University. She has written extensively on pregnancy, childbirth, parenting and breastfeeding. In addition, she has written about home décor and travel.

Posting Search Tags: Kids Day Care

Two major causes of sleep disorders in babies are behavioral problems and parasomnias. Sleep disorders in babies are many times different than the symptoms of an adult. That is why it is very important for parents and caregivers alike to be aware of this fact. Sleep disorders in babies are in fact incredibly common, and the parasomnias – sleep terrors, somnambulism and enuresis – often appear to be related to central nervous system immaturity and are therefore usually outgrown.

Some of the prenatal risks for SIDS include: Inadequate prenatal care, insufficient prenatal nutrition, smoking, use of heroin, teenage pregnancy, and less than a one year interval between subsequent births. Some of the postnatal risks for SIDS are: Low birth weight, exposure to tobacco smoke, laying an infant to sleep on his or her stomach, failure to breastfeed, excess clothing and overheating, excess bedding and stuffed animals, gender — SIDS occurs more frequently in males — and age; incidence rises from zero at birth, is highest between two to four months and goes towards zero at one year of age.

Posting Search Tags: Sleep Disorders Children Health Baby