Monday, March 17, 2008

Infant Sleep Problems- Protection Against SIDS

One of the scariest infant sleep problems is the worry about SIDS. This strikes fear into the heart of every new parent. Following these tips can lower the risk so you and your baby can sleep easy.

The first thing to realize is that SIDS, or cot death, is rare. Even so, there are many things you need to do to make sure that you and your family are not affected.

  • Never put blankets, pillows, bumpers, or stuffed animals in your child's crib or sleep area.
  • Place babies to sleep on their backs. This will prevent infant sleep problems.
  • Put the baby's crib in your room so you can be aware of their sleep patterns and can prevent accidents.
  • Put a firm mattress in the baby's crib
  • Use a "sleep sack" instead of a blanket. If you must use a blanket, be sure to tuck the blanket into the sides of the crib so that it cannot get over the baby's head.
  • If you choose to co-sleep, you need to push the bed up against the wall, take away the covers, and be sure the baby is only by the mother. Never put older siblings in the bed or co-sleep after drinking or when excessively tired.
  • Do not smoke
  • Keep the room temperature at 69 degrees
  • You might consider giving your baby a pacifier as they keep the airways open


No one knows the exact cause of SIDS but there are many things you can do to reduce the risk. Your baby is the most precious thing in your life so you need to do all you can to keep them safe. There is no need to spend all day worrying about infant sleep problems, but you can make these changes and feel safe and secure.


Visit this site for those solutions:
http://www.infantsleepproblems.com


Ellie Griffin is a mom who knows just what you are going through. Visit her website to make sure you have all the help you need to fix your baby's sleep problems today. It helps to have a comrade!

Tags: infant sleep, infant sleep problems,

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Fix Infant Sleep Problems and Dodge "those" Questions

Fix Infant Sleep Problems and Dodge "those" Questions

Does your baby sleep through the night? If the answer is “no” that is one question that can really drive you up the wall. It’s time to face it-not all babies are created equal when it comes to sleeping. Use these tips to fix infant sleep problems (and avoid that question) today.

1. Make sure you have a great bedtime routine. This might include giving gentle kisses and rocking your baby. Some parents even like to give their babies a nice massage before sleep. That can really do a lot to stop infant sleep problems since they will come to associate those activities with sleeping.

2. You might also try some great lullaby music. There are some babies that just need a nice sound that they can go to sleep to. You can also try a white noise machine for infant sleep (we use an air purifier-killing two birds with one stone)

3. You also need to make sure the babies sleeping area is at a comfortable temperature. This temperature should neither be too cold nor too hot. The general consensus is that 68 degrees is best for babies and can even reduce the chance of SIDS.

4. Make sure your child gets enough sleep during the day. If your baby is over stimulated and cranky from the lack of sleep you are going to have some problems when nighttime comes.

5. Make sure your baby doesn’t sleep too much either. The trick here is to find the right balance so that they will be tired- but not too tired. This alone can fix infant sleep problems.

6. Feeding your baby enough during the day is essential if you want them to get enough sleep at night. Infant sleep will be disturbed if their little bellies have to cry out in hunger!

7. Create enough activity during the day that they learn the difference between night and day. Your baby should associate playing and talking with the sunlight hours and sleeping for long stretches with the nighttime hours.

You can fix infant sleep problems if you apply these strategies. Most babies will respond very well to them. On the other hand, if your baby is still having trouble you will want to explore more detailed solutions.


Visit this site for those solutions:
http://www.infantsleepproblems.com


Ellie Griffin is a mom who knows just what you are going through. Visit her website to make sure you have all the help you need to fix your baby's sleep problems today. It helps to have a comrade!

Tags: infant sleep, infant sleep problems,

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Infant Sleep Problems- Ferber Vs. Attachment Parenting

To Ferber, or Not to Ferber?

If you’re sick and tired of dealing with infant sleep problems, you’re not alone. There are many mothers who are at the end of their rope and can’t take it anymore. If you have reached this point then you might be considering the Ferber method.

A doctor named Richard Ferber developed this method. His method has been called the “cry it out method” by many parents because it involves a series of steps that require you to let your baby cry. It is intended to fix infant sleep problems by teaching your baby how to fall asleep on their own.

Is this method right for you? There are many parents who have sworn by the Ferber method because it does seem to work. It can work quickly as well, for some it takes just a few nights. The problem?

It can be gut wrenching to hear your baby crying out for what can literally be hours on end. Some parents feel that this is a callous way to treat your baby whether it works or not.

You will have to make a personal decision as to what is best for you and your baby. For those who just can’t handle it no matter how fast it works. If you’re on the fence, you might want to try some of the methods that don’t involve so much crying. If you’re heartily against it, you’ll be glad to know it seems like the infant sleep trend is swinging the other way.

More and more parents are subscribing to the attachment parenting lifestyle. This method would have you parent the baby to sleep rather than let them cry themselves to sleep on their own. Dr. Sears is a leader of this movement.

There is no right answer and choosing one over the other will not make you a bad parent. Do the best you can when dealing with infant sleep problems and your baby will love you for it.





Visit this site:
http://www.infantsleepproblems.com


Ellie Griffin is a mom who knows just what you are going through. Visit her website to make sure you have all the help you need to fix your baby's sleep problems today. It helps to have a comrade!

Tags: infant sleep, infant sleep problems,

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Infant Sleep- Desperate for Answers

Are you desperate for good infant sleep answers? If so, you’re like many other parents out there. There are some babies who are naturally great sleepers and others who leave well-meaning parents baffled. Here are some questions and answers you need now.

Q: My baby is very fussy at night, what should I do?

A: Keep in mind that your baby is new to all of this. It can take a while for them to figure out that the nighttime is for sleeping. Your baby might get scared or lonely because they don’t understand what is going on and why you’re not near. Try putting your baby in the same room in a co-sleeping attachment or in their crib. They will learn the sleep cycle eventually if you keep to a routine schedule.

Q: Help me fix infant sleep problems! My baby wakes up whenever someone makes the slightest noise. What do I do?

A: Just know that that certain babies are more sensitive to sound and movement than others. If you want to muffle any sounds that happen at night you can use a white noise machine. That way they won’t be as sensitive to the noises that occur. Otherwise, you might have to try rocking or bouncing the baby to offer comfort. Chances are that as the baby gets older they will be less likely to startle at night because they will be able to enter the deep sleep cycle longer.

Q: My six-month-old infant wakes up screaming in the middle of the night. I’m really afraid something is wrong. What’s going on with his infant sleep problems?

A: Your baby is likely going through a period of teething. It is normal for them to cry out in pain if they are “cutting teeth” as it is commonly called. However, if you’re not 100% sure that is the problem you need to call your infant’s pediatrician.

Those are just a few of the infant sleep questions and answers you might have for your baby. This is a trying time, but you should realize that it will not last forever. Your baby will learn how to sleep! In the meantime, learn all you can about their patterns of sleep and what you can do to help.

Visit this site:
http://www.infantsleepproblems.com


Ellie Griffin is a mom who knows just what you are going through. Visit her website to make sure you have all the help you need to fix your baby's sleep problems today. It helps to have a comrade!

Fix Infant Sleep Problems-Night Weaning

It can be very hard for a mother to wean her baby from the habit of breastfeeding at night. On one hand the baby needs to be comforted and may even be hungry or dehydrated. On the other hand there is a worry that the baby can become overly dependent on eating at night. You can fix infant sleep problems by weaning.

Different doctors have different opinions on when or if night weaning should occur. Dentists are often concerned that the sugars from the milk can affect the baby's teeth. All in all, it is a decision you will have to make.

To start the weaning process you should lessen the duration and amount of each night meal. Try other methods of soothing such as rocking and swaying for infant sleep problems.

Beyond that, be sure your baby is not missing daytime feedings. As they start crawling and becoming interested in playing with their toys they may not realize they are hungry until the hustle and bustle wears down at night.

A trick that many parents use is to subsitute water for milk to soothe the baby with sucking and filling their tummy a bit. The thought is that your baby enjoys the taste of mommy's milk and will decide it's not worth the effort if they are only being offered water.

It can be a tough transition for both of you, and the cries might even make it unbearable. Know that whatever decision you make is the right one and that your baby will be OK with it.

If your pediatrician strongly suggests you wean your child at night to fix infant sleep problems then utilize these strategies gradually until your baby is weaned. Before you know it this will not even be an issue. Until then, enjoy those moments with your baby.




http://www.infantsleepproblems.com


Ellie Griffin is a mom who knows just what you are going through. Visit her website to make sure you have all the help you need to fix your baby's sleep problems today. It helps to have a comrade!

Tags: infant sleep, infant sleep problems,

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Infant Sleep Problems and How to Deal

Infant sleep problems have been a hot topic since the beginning of time. Have you ever wondered why? The truth is that their sleeping patterns are just incredibly different from our own.

If you have ever looked carefully at your baby when they're going to sleep you might notice that a slight noise will wake them at first. That is because it takes them awhile to enter into deep sleep.

No matter how gently you lay your baby down in their crib chances are that they will wake during this critical period. If you have a child who can handle it, it's fine and even admired if you can put your baby to sleep when they are awake.

Many babies need their parents to help them get to sleep. You might need to rock and sway your baby some, or sing and play music. Some babies really enjoy getting a nice massage at the end of the day.

Your goal should be to develop great nighttime habits that lull your baby to sleep. It is not recommended that you let your baby cry it out, unless that is what works for you and your baby.

Instead, develop good associations with bedtime by dimming the lights, reading a story, and signaling that it is, in fact time to sleep. It may take a while for infant sleep problems to disappear, but they can and will with time. For now, enjoy those precious moments that you have until they grow up.




http://www.infantsleepproblems.com


Ellie Griffin is a mom who knows just what you are going through. Visit her website to make sure you have all the help you need to fix your baby's sleep problems today. It helps to have a comrade!

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Infant Sleep Secrets

Infant sleep secrets can change the way you view your baby’s problem and the results you end up with. If your baby is having a hard time sleeping at night don’t feel like you’re the only one. There are many other parents going through the exact same thing!

The best news is that there are many things you can do to help ensure sleep happens in your household. It can take a while to establish the patterns, but the time is well worth the results in the end. Remember, you need to be diligent to solve infant sleep problems.

Also, these tips are not something you should try with a newborn. It’s fine to set the foundation for patterns but newborn babies are not ready to “sleep like adults” quite yet. When your baby is around three months old they can begin sleeping through the night!

You’re probably salivating just thinking about it.

Here are the secrets you can use to fix infant sleep problems today:

1. Help them differentiate between night and day. Make daytime activities playful and fun (except during naptimes) and nighttime activities very peaceful. If you make sure your baby has enough to do during the day they will be able to sleep a lot better at night.

2. Do NOT prevent your child from napping during the day. It is a misconception that naptimes decrease sleeping at night. If you think about it, when you are overly tired don’t you have more difficulty going to sleep at night? This is the same for your baby. There is a balance, of course.

3. When you do put your infant down to sleep you should make sure that they are tired, but not fully asleep. It can be very disconcerting to wake up in a new place when they were sleeping in your arms or being fed when they were last awake. This will help stop infant sleep problems from developing later down the road.

4. Develop a great nighttime routine. You probably had a routine at bedtime before the baby was born. Maybe you read a novel or relaxed on the couch. These were the cues you used to calm yourself down at the end of a long day. Your baby needs the same things. You could give them a massage or play soft music-make it a special time for both of you.

5. If your baby wakes up in the middle of the night try not to turn on harsh lighting or make too much noise. It is up to you to train them with differences between daytime and nighttime.

Infant sleep is never an open and shut case. There are things you need to do to make sure that your baby will learn how to sleep, and learn how to sleep on their own. For now, don’t despair and just try your best to fix infant sleep problems for your little one.



http://www.infantsleepproblems.com


Ellie Griffin is a mom who knows just what you are going through. Visit her website to make sure you have all the help you need to fix your baby's sleep problems today. It helps to have a comrade!