To get your toddler to go to sleep, develop a bedtime routine that works for your little one. Schedule a nap and bedtime routine to help a toddler sleep with tips in this free video from an experienced child care provider. Expert: Veronica Baragas Contact: www.mywigglesandgiggles.com Bio: Veronica Baragas was born and raised in Austin, Texas and has been working with children and families for 10 years. Filmmaker: Todd Green

The first intentional behavior our children learn is to whine. This is good and natural, and we reward it by giving them what they want – food, sleep, or comfort. As they grow however, we want to help them learn more effective and appropriate ways to communicate their needs. So we have to unlearn some things too.

Children need good sleep routines. Get tips for understanding the importance of sleep for kids in thisfree video series about keeping your kids mentally and physically healthy. Expert: Denise Urban Bio: Denise has a BA in psychology and two Masters degrees. She is an LPC(Licensed Professional Counselor). Filmmaker: Travis Waack

Every mother knows this: a new baby signals long and sleepless nights. The good news is that after a month or so, your baby will learn to sleep on his own and to sleep through the night. In the meantime, you need to learn a few basics to survive that first month or so where a good night’s sleep is a luxury.

More experienced mothers learned how to get by with very little or no sleep and now share the following helpful tips for you to try:

Get as much help as you can.

Don’t refuse an offer by someone else to help you out at home. This is not the time to do it all on your own. Your significant other, your mom or sisters, and even close friends, understand your situation more than you think they do.

If you ask for help, the closest persons in your life will most likely be more than willing to take over watching your baby while you grab a few minutes or an hour of sleep. Visitors usually come over bringing gifts of food. Welcome that gift into your dining table instead of spending time fixing dinner for everyone.

Your husband can easily load up the washer and dryer or clean up some areas of your home for you. Your baby’s new grandmother will also be thrilled to feed him his bottle or watch him play in his crib while you take a nap. The same goes for your sister or your best friend.

Sleep when your baby is asleep.

Take the cue from your baby. Most mothers survive the late nights by sleeping whenever their babies fall asleep. Resist the urge to catch up on household chores or other things to do around the house while your baby is asleep. By the time you would have finished doing those chores, your little bundle may already be awake and ready to make his demands felt.

Try meditation. Meditation as a relaxation technique involves certain postures and breathing exercises that induce the mind to get into a relaxed state while one is very much awake. Shorter hours of sleep can make you feel lousy and cranky during the day. Meditation before sleeping may improve the quality of your sleep so that you may wake up feeling refreshed. You can learn how to meditate from a trained and certified instructor or from a good meditation CD. You can also meditate at any time and at any place.

Eat the right kinds of food.

Pick what you eat. A diet high in protein, fiber and essential vitamins are important to increase your energy levels naturally. Remember to load up on high protein foods, at the start of the day. Avoid sugary food and drinks; they can increase you energy level very suddenly and leave you feeling more tired after the sugar wears off.

The same holds true for coffee and other caffeinated drinks. Drink water instead. Water helps your body eliminate toxins in the stomach while keeping the other parts of your body working. A clean and healthy digestive system also helps you manage your low energy levels during the day.

Room in with your baby.

This is only a temporary measure as your baby should be able to sleep on his or her own soon. While your baby is still very young, it is best to move your baby’s crib or sleeping quarters beside your bed to keep yourself from walking far every time your baby calls out to you. That way, you can easily go back to sleep after attending to your baby.

Papenting tips

In order to get a baby to sleep through the night, make sure they get a good meal, that they take a bath and that they don’t take any naps after five o’clock. Provide comfort to a baby when trying to get them to sleep through the night with advice from a career mother in this free video on baby parenting. Expert: Vickie Wheaton Bio: Vickie Wheaton is a career mom with decades of uninterrupted experience. She works around the clock taking care of her family. Filmmaker: Christopher Rokosz…

Papenting tips

 You may feel that getting your baby to sleep is the single most challenging thing about being a new parent. Infant sleep problems seem almost universal, and it is a commonly held belief that sleep deprivation is simply a rite of passage for new moms and dads. Thankfully, this is a myth which can be dispelled.

When you were eagerly counting down the days to the birth of your child, you probably had no idea exactly how much sleep you were going to lose or what a toll it would take. While there is nothing quite as exciting as bringing a new life into the world, the level of exhaustion you are experiencing now is not something you could have prepared for in advance. Take heart. There are simple methods to get your baby to sleep which you can implement right from the start. A newborn needs to eat every few hours, so the first few weeks can be exhausting for the breastfeeding mother who can not split the feeding schedule with her partner. Fortunately, you can easily help your baby acquire the skills necessary to soothe themselves to sleep.

Listed below are some tips on how to teach your baby to put him or herself to sleep initially and also after waking in the middle of the night.

• Once you reach the point where feedings can be spaced 3-4 hours apart, work on having a bedtime of 7-7:30. This time seems to work best for babies and it is a good habit to instill early in their life.

• If your baby is always falling asleep at the breast or during bottle feeding, change the order of the night time routine so the feeding does not occur just before bedtime, when they are at their sleepiest. Only being able to fall asleep while eating is a very common problem and a difficult one to break. Laying your baby in bed drowsy but still awake is the best way to promote the skill of self soothing.

• A warm bath can be very relaxing for an overtired baby after a day of play. Try to schedule the bath after the evening feeding, then cuddle your baby in a rocking chair prior to putting him or her to bed for the night. If you can associate a bath and rocking time with the wind down period it will help your little one be able to soothe themselves without eating.

• Make certain your baby is sleeping in the same place for naps and bedtime. If you are not doing a family bed then the crib is the best place for baby. It can be confusing to your baby if their sleeping space is often switched back and forth from a swing, to the car seat and then the glider. It is important that they have a consistent space they can learn to associate with sleeping.

• A dark room is best. If the nursery receives a lot of light during the day consider putting up darkening shades. A white noise machine or even a simple fan aimed away from the crib can be helpful to block out intruding sounds from other parts of the house.

• Say the same phrase each night such as “It is night time, and all babies are asleep now.” This way if your baby does not go right to sleep and you need to go back in for some verbal reassurance you can repeat the same phrase.

• Help your child form an attachment to a ‘lovey’ such as a small blanket or stuffed animal that they can associate with bedtime. This serves as a substitute comfort in your absence.

As you are implementing the above tips remember that your goal is to help you baby learn to go to sleep by themselves. This will encourage good sleep habits throughout life. Even as adults we have waking moments throughout the night and need to be able to put ourselves back to sleep. Using these methods will teach baby to soothe themselves, and eventually they will be able to go back to sleep without your assistance. When your baby sleeps well, you will too – and any new mother knows that a good night’s sleep is worth its weight in gold!

Papenting tips

Choice can sometimes be a good thing. With babies, as with adults, they are all different and what will work for one baby may not work for another. The best idea is to find a book that will offer several different solutions for the one problem.Take, for instance, the issue of sleeping. I have three children, all with the same two biological parents but they are living proof that different children need different methods of baby care. My eldest always liked to be swaddled tightly so that she felt secure and then she would happily sleep. My next child had to be free, right from the moment he was born, he couldn’t bear the swaddling technique and his arms and legs were constantly on the move. My third baby simply didn’t sleep and no amount of expert advice worked until he was good and ready.There are many TV programmers dedicated to baby care and baby health and parenting advice. These often follow one track and that track is usually the latest trend. Over the years we have had the ‘leave them to cry’ technique, the ‘check on them every five minutes but don’t pick them up’ technique and even the ‘let baby dictate everything’ technique.Of course, child rearing is pretty much left to the parents choices and as long as the child never comes to any harm, you can agree or disagree with their methods, but it is still their decision. Not all parents relish these decisions; they recognize the huge responsibility of bringing another human into the world and the responsibility of shaping that human into a responsible adult.However, the first few months of a baby’s life are never going to be remembered by that baby and should be an enjoyable time for the parents, if tiring. This is the time when you can gaze into that precious face and know for the first time in your life how it feels to have unconditional love given and received.People who already have children will offer you all the parenting advice you could wish for. Some of it will be constructive and you will forever thank them for it. Some of it will be downright annoying and it is up to you to filter out what you need and what you don’t. Just remember that it is all given in good faith even that from the mother in law that shaped the way baby’s dad is today!There is no right or wrong way to care for a baby or child. The love you feel for that baby will dictate many of the ways you look after it and your instincts will help enormously. For more help visit to: www.create-super-baby.com. You can listen to parenting advice from the experts through videos and books and you can even join parenting forums on the internet for advice or simply sharing experiences. These are always a good way of picking up tips that you may not have found in a conventional book but might just work to make your baby rearing that little bit easier.At the end of the day, enjoy your baby and trust your own parenting skills and it will all fall into place without too much worry. A worrying parent creates an anxious child and then you are on one bumpy rollercoaster!

Papenting tips

Getting your baby to sleep through the night can be one of the most difficult things to do as a new parent. Because every child is different, there is not one solution that can be used. However, there are a few good general tips that can be used while observing your baby’s specific temperaments that will help to figure out exactly what your baby needs. Since I know you don’t have too much time to read multiple pages of information, I will keep this straight and to the point. 1. Have a bedtime routine. I have found this to be very important. It is beneficial for the child because it will put them in the same state of mind every night before bed. Make sure it is something you are able to stick to. Maybe read a short book right before you place them in bed to get started. 2. Give them a security object.Let your child go to bed with a favorite blanket or stuffed animal. It will make them feel more secure while falling asleep or if they wake up during the night. When a baby wakes up in the night they have no sense of where they are, but if they have something that is familiar to them, they will be more comfortable and more than likely fall back asleep.3. Don’t rush in.If your child wakes up crying during the night, don’t rush in. I know this can be especially hard, but sometimes they will fall back asleep on their own and this will create further sleep independence.4. Be consistent.This is a biggie! If both parents do not follow the same techniques, nothing will ever change. It is important that both parents are on the same page when it comes to an action plan for your child. This holds true for anything relating to your child’s upbringing.

Papenting tips

Taking care of a new baby on your own can take a toll on your emotional and physical health.  You feel lethargic and moody from not getting a full night’s sleep.  With your baby’s demands for regular feeding and soothing, you worry that there’s just no way for you to recover from feeling tired constantly.    Be assured that what you are going through is not an isolated experience as mothers before you can attest to similar feelings of exhaustion.  As an experienced mother, I found some effective ways to combat fatigue and exhaustion on my own and with the help of other moms.Here are some tips you may want to try:Tip 1: Simplify your life.  With so many things to do everyday and only twenty-four (24) hours within which to accomplish them, the best way to manage your time and energy is to limit and prioritize tasks.  A short list of things to do is easy to accomplish.  Completing small tasks daily will also give you a sense of satisfaction.Tip 2: Sleep whenever you can.  If your baby kept you awake at night, he or she is bound to be asleep during the day.  Grab that chance to catch up on some lost hours of sleep also.  By the time your baby wakes up, you will have recharged yourself for another round of feeding, cleaning and cuddling the baby.  Try not to worry about keeping house at this time.  You are better off using your valuable energy for taking care of yourself and your baby right now.  Tip 3: Make time for yourself.  You are not being selfish when you take care of yourself.  Bear in mind that you can’t take care of your baby if you are not feeling well.  Don’t feel guilty about taking a short bubble bath, reading some pages of a book, or catching up with a close friend on the phone.  Pick out small activities that take no more than an hour for you to do and squeeze one activity in at least once a day.  Short breaks and moments of alone time are necessary for you to de-stress. Tip 4: Join a support group.  You are not alone in your battle against exhaustion.  Most new mothers struggle with it, too.  The local YMCA is where you will most likely find new mothers like yourself.  The Internet is also a valuable tool for finding discussion groups composed of new mothers.  Being surrounded by new mothers and hearing the same experiences from them can be reassuring.  While you exchange ideas with one another, you may also learn valuable tips that you can use at home.  Tip 5: Nourish your body.  New mothers take time to heal from childbirth.  The constant stress that your body experiences from infant care does not only lead to exhaustion but may also be dangerous to your health.    Foods that are loaded with vitamins and minerals, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, promote healing, boost energy levels and increase your body’s resistance against stress. Indeed, a new mother is prone to suffer from exhaustion. Inasmuch as feeling exhausted is a sign that your body is doing too much, you can fight it by taking care of yourself and turning to others for support.  It’s what every mother must do to keep herself healthy, physically and emotionally.

Papenting tips

Having a new baby is an incredibly exciting time, but it can also be filled with a great deal of anxiety. One major source of that anxiety is if you have a baby who isn’t sleeping well. Sleep deprivation will quickly wear you down, and your baby will be exhausted and irritable as well. When this pattern goes on for months, a once happy little family can rapidly turn into a tired and cranky crowd.

Much of this angst can be eliminated by helping your baby learn to sleep independently. A baby who sleeps independently is usually a baby who sleeps through the night and takes nice, long naps on a consistent basis. Enabling your baby to learn how to sleep better should be a simple and gentle process, and most often your baby even have to shed a tear. This article will provide you with some important tips from the baby sleep book, Sleep Baby Sleep, and will help get you started on your way to having a better sleeping baby and a well-rested house.

#1 Establish a Consistent Nighttime Routine
One important aspect to getting your baby to sleep through the night is to have a consistent bedtime ritual. A solid evening routine will help your child understand that it is time for sleep when the routine is complete. A typical schedule might include a bath, some quiet time, a final feeding, and then a good-night kiss. Though your particular routine may vary, it is important make sure you have some kind of consistency at bedtime.

#2 Help your Baby Learn how to Fall Asleep Independently
Each time your baby is ready to sleep, no matter what time of day or night it is, you have a brand new opportunity to help your baby learn how to fall asleep without your help. If you try your hardest to seize each of these opportunities, your baby will be sleeping through the night sooner than you can believe. Keep in mind though that this is a process, and not an overnight miracle. Be consistent in your efforts and you will quickly teach your baby how to fall asleep without your help.

#3 Put your Baby to Sleep Awake
If you get only one idea from this article, it’s that you need to try to put your baby to sleep while it is still awake. In other words, try to avoid having your baby fall asleep before you put him down. Be sure that your routine includes putting your baby in the crib or bassinet before it is asleep. If you put your baby to bed awake, it will more readily learn how to fall asleep without your help and your baby will sleep much better.

#4 Establish a Daytime Nap Routine
Sometimes figuring out a good daytime routine can be even more challenging than the one at bedtime. Out of sheer exhaustion and the desire to get a few minutes to yourself, you might be inclined to do absolutely anything to get your baby down for a nap. The problem with this is that your baby will begin to need that particular method in order to nap (for example, driving around, rocking, nursing, etc). You won’t be happy if your baby can only take a nap in the car, or nap only if you lie down beside her, or only if you rock her to sleep. Instead, try to get your baby napping by falling asleep alone, and you’re likely to wind up with a great little sleeper on your hands.

#5 The Family Bed – should you or shouldn’t you?
A family bed is not a bad thing, and many families the world over would have it no other way. If it’s something you want and have planned for, then by all means do it! On the other hand, if you have wound up with a family bed only because your baby cannot fall asleep any other way, then it might time to rethink your situation. A family bed could last for years, and if unwanted, often results in frustration and resentment and chronic sleep deprivation.

#6 Waking up Throughout the Night
Most, if not all, babies wake up several times throughout the night. Even a baby who is already sleeping through the night wakes up numerous times during the night. The key is that if your baby knows how to fall back to sleep on his own, it won’t need you to put him back to sleep. So, don’t rush in as soon as your baby wakes up in the middle of the night. Instead, give it some time and you might be pleasantly surprised to find that your baby falls back to sleep on his own.

#7 Getting Baby on a Schedule
Most people thrive on some sort of a schedule, and babies are no different. Your child is likely to function much better if it becomes familiar with the same events that happen throughout the day. If you get your baby on a schedule with a regular agenda, she will quickly figure out when it is time for sleep and will fall asleep much easier. Keep in mind though that everyone needs a little flexibility built into their life, so make sure that you are not too inflexible with your baby’s daily routine.

#8 Avoid using Aids to Help your Baby Sleep
Many exhausted parents resort to external aids to get their babies sleeping (for example, constantly using a pacifier, driving your baby around, and rocking or nursing your baby to sleep). Though your baby might initially fall asleep quicker with these external aids, you are ultimately making your job much more difficult. The problem is that it helps you avoid teaching your baby how to fall asleep alone. Instead, take the time to get your baby falling asleep without any help, and it will fall asleep faster and sleep better.

#9 Be Consistent
The more regular you are in how you put your baby to sleep, the quicker and easier it will be for your child to learn how to sleep independently. No matter how tired you are, or how much you might be dreading the night ahead, a consistent effort will pay off quickly. Be patient with yourself, as it is not always easy to keep with your plan when you are intensely sleep deprived. Just be as consistent as possible, and you will see results.

#10 Take Time for Yourself
It’s so easy to forget about yourself when you have a new baby. But playing the parent role 24/7, and having no time of your own could cause you to grow resentful and feel deprived. Instead, make a conscious effort to ensure that you get some time for yourself. You’ll feel rejuvenated, happier, and you’ll have more energy to devote to your family. You can and will be an amazing parent even though you get a little bit of downtime, and there’s no better time to do it than when your baby is sleeping soundly. Enabling your baby to sleep independently is truly a priceless gift that you’ll give to everyone under your roof. Your baby will be much happier if it is better rested, and so will you!

Papenting tips