Posted by Guest on July 22, 2010
Having a hard time getting your preemie baby to sleep through the night once they have graduated from the NICU? The following guest post applies to all new babies home from the hospital, whether they are were premature or full-term…
10 Smart Parenting Techniques that Will Get Your Newborn to Sleep Longer
If you have been working on getting your newborn baby to sleep longer, it may help if you feed your baby before getting him to sleep, give your baby a warm bath, follow a consistent routine, put a sound machine near your newborn, always be on the lookout for a sleepy baby, create a conducive environment for sleeping, make sure your baby’s diaper is dry, swaddle your baby, keep the temperature right, and be flexible and try different techniques.
As a parent, it is very challenging to get your newborn baby to sleep longer. Though they sleep for as much as 15-19 hours in a day, they do not do this in one period of time and their sleep habits usually make you getting really sleepy and tired as well. To help you get your newborn baby to sleep longer, consider the following advice:
Feed you baby before getting him to sleep
The foremost reason why your newborn does not sleep longer is that his stomachs is still small and he needs to be fed every few hours, usually every two. To help your baby sleep longer, especially at night, feed the baby before putting him to bed. But, be sure not to overfeed him, as this will cause discomfort to your baby and make him sleep less than you expect.
Give your baby a warm bath
A warm bath can help your baby sleep longer through the night as it will help soothe your baby. You can make this a part of your bedtime routine to give him a cue that it is about time for bed.
Follow a consistent routine
Bedtime routines can help put your babies in a good sleeping condition. Although it takes weeks or months to get your newborn baby to get used to a routine, it helps a lot to start introducing it to him early. A warm bath, a good book, and a lullaby can help your newborn baby start thinking that it is about time to sleep. Set your own routine that you think will work for your baby.
Put a sound machine near your newborn
Many white noise machines are designed to help your baby get to sleep easier and stay asleep longer. A sound machine will help cover the noise around the house that might disturb your baby’s sleep, like when you are doing some chores or when a dog is barking. Make sure you choose a sound that is comforting for the baby and not something that may scare him. Alternately, you can keep some classical or other soft music playing all throughout his sleep to soothe him.
Always be on the lookout for a sleepy baby
As a parent, you may often get the wrong notion that tiring your baby can make him sleep easier and much longer. The thing is, when babies are overstimulated, it makes them harder for them to go to sleep. If you see signs that your baby is sleepy, such as when they start to yawn, rub their eyes, and cry, get your baby ready for bed before he starts getting more irritable.
Create a conducive environment for sleeping
Whatever the time of the day is, make your baby’s bedroom a soothing place for him to rest so he will be able to sleep longer. It would be great if your newborn gets to sleep longer during the night so you can get the rest that you need. To help achieve this, differentiate your baby’s afternoon nap and his night time sleep so that he will be able to adjust his sleeping hours. For example, you can lie down with your baby in bed to help her get a nap, and you can do your bedtime routine at night to help her sleep easier and much longer. Keep the room dimly lit at night to help your baby differentiate night and day.
Make sure your baby’s diaper is dry
Wet diapers and clothes can disturb your baby’s sleep. Make it a point to change your baby’s diaper before takging him to bed to give him a comfortable sleep that can last for longer hours.
Swaddle your baby
Newborn babies need security. When your baby does not feel safe, the tendency is that he will not be able to get a good sleep. Swaddle him and make him feel safe and secure, just like those days when he was still in your womb, and give him a better, more secure, and longer sleep.
Keep the temperature right
A bedroom that is too cold or quite hot can leave the baby uncomfortable, waking him up earlier than expected. Keep the temperature right for the weather to help your newborn baby sleep longer during her naps and especially at night.
Be flexible and try different techniques
All babies are different when it comes to sleeping, even twins. Stay flexible, and try different techniques to help your baby get to sleep longer. For some, nursing the newborn will work great as part of the bedtime routine after a warm bath and a good book. Others carry or rock their newborns to sleep. Make sure that you put the baby down when he is already in deep sleep. When you find your newborn already sleeping, keep rocking or let him stay in your arms until about thirty minutes before putting him down to bed to make sure he is really asleep.
Getting newborns to sleep longer is a very challenging task. They get hungry easily, they get scared easily, and they need to adjust a lot to their new environment. Try different things out, see what works best for your newborn, and be consistent when you have found the right technique. Once you do this, you will not only help your newborn sleep longer, but you are instilling in him a healthy sleep habit that will help him as he grows. You, too, can get the rest you truly deserve after all your love and care.
Fostering a sharing and caring environment at home is nothing short of difficult. Especially for twins, who are often times expected to be each other’s best friends, expectations can be overwhelming.
can grant them individual spaces while still learning valuable lessons about compromise and cooperation. The bunk bed helps save space in the kids’ room while your twins work together toward a common goal, whether it be making the bed or deciding who gets to sleep on the top bunk. Comfortable, secure, stylish, and a space saver, bunk beds can also be a vital learning tool for teaching your kids an important lesson in cohabitation.
Posted by Guest on May 5, 2010
Most parents of multiples know that pacifiers are lifesavers when trying to calm down more than one baby at a time! The following guest post by Debra R. Dixon offers six useful tips when buying baby pacifiers.
Here are some suggestions in buying baby pacifiers: Limit your pacifier purchases before baby arrives, never improvise, rounded pacifiers or orthodontic pacifiers, silicone pacifiers vs. latex pacifiers, features to look for and avoid in a pacifier, and check for pacifier recalls.
Pacifiers, as much as sucking his thumb, is a baby’s way to soothe himself. They are made soft yet durable materials and available in many cute designs like skull pacifiers. They are highly recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics especially in putting the baby to sleep and it prevents SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Look into these safety tips and features that will aid you in buying the right pacifier for your baby.
Limit your pacifier purchases before baby arrives
With all those cute and alluring displays on baby stores, parents are often tempted to buy every each and one of those. But this is not a very positive decision. Keep in mind that the one who will use the pacifier is not you but the baby. When the baby arrives, let him try different styles and take note of his reactions to them. When you know which one is suitable for your baby, you can now buy more of that.
Never improvise
Truth is there are many baby products that can be homemade but certainly; a baby pacifier is not one of them. Avoid using caps and bottle nipples as pacifiers because this may come apart and choke your child. Most of these homemade pacifiers are not sturdy and fixed enough for repeated use. Improvise pacifiers always breaks down and pose health risks.
Rounded pacifiers or orthodontic pacifiers
Rounded pacifiers are standard ones which are characterized by a long rounded tip which provides comfort to the baby while suckling. On the other hand, orthodontic pacifiers mimic the flexibility and form of a mother’s nipple. It has a flat bottom and rounded top. This is created to adapt to your baby’s developing gums and palate. Select one that makes your baby comfortable and satisfied.
Silicone pacifiers vs. latex pacifiers
Both latex and silicone pacifiers have benefits. Silicone pacifiers are durable and are easy to clean. They don’t retain odors nor easy to bite but its disadvantage is that it isn’t soft as soft as Latex pacifiers. The later does retain smell and some babies would prefer this. But latex pacifiers are not sturdy enough for repeated use and it is easily chewed through. You still have to depend on your baby’s preference on this.
Features to look for and avoid in a pacifier
For a safe choice, select one that is one-piece and is sturdy enough not to come apart. If otherwise, your baby could choke on this. Be cautious of the size because when it can fully enter the mouth of the baby, it poses a danger. It is also better to buy one with holes for ventilation. This feature is a necessity because rashes may develop from constant moisture so air should let in from these holes. Bright colors on pacifiers are easier to spot and it’s also great for glow-in-the-dark pacifiers. Make sure that pacifiers can be cleaned through putting it in the dishwasher or boiling. Never buy those with liquids or gels because babies may bite through and cause the liquid to spill. Also, don’t tie it on your baby because he may strangle.
Check for pacifier recalls
This is a rare thing to happen in the case of pacifiers but it may be recalled for health issues. So it is advisable to know any flaws especially when it may pose dangers such as choking hazard.
Keep in mind that breastfeeding should not be forgotten. Pacifiers are a good choice only on baby’s first year.
Image: Carlos Porto / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Posted by kim on April 7, 2010
The following is a guest post written by Debra R. Dixon
8 Varied Types of Bunk Beds for Kids
There are different kinds of kids bunk beds and they are as follows: basic bunk bed, futon bunk bed, L-shaped bunk beds, basic loft, junior loft, novelty beds, study loft, and the triple bunk bed.
Bunk beds are the simplest yet fashion-forward answer to a limited space. It’s a good thing to know that you are facing so many choices in selecting a bunk bed suitable for your twins, or any children. Keep in mind that you have to consider certain things such as the safety of the bed, your needs as well as the child’s, and the space available. Check out these types for a worthwhile selection.
1. Basic Bunk Bed
The most standard configuration is the bed on top of the other kind. It could also be a twin bed on top of another. There is also a basic bunk bed that is characterized by a twin bed over a full-sized bed. Most of this kind can be used separately as twin beds. This is a convenient way to put two children in the same room especially when you are facing issues of limited space. Some companies offer add-ons to basic bunk beds such as storage drawers, roll-out trundle bed and even a conversion kit that will realize a full capacity. These are purchased individually.
2. Futon Bunk Bed
A futon bunk bed is designed as a bed on top and a futon below. The bed on top could either be a twin bed sized or full sized depending on your preferences. The futon can be used as a couch whenever you feel like it. Otherwise, you can spread it out as another sleeping area. This futon bunk bed is ideal for sleepovers and also great for small rooms which need a touch of modern and practical fixtures.
3. L-shaped Bunk Beds
The L-shaped bunk bed is a bit like a basic bunk bed but with some variations. It has two beds just in a different set-up. A lofted bed is situated at an angle 90 degrees to the bottom bunk. This type needs more space compared to a basic bunk bed, but it is a stylish choice for those who are not stricken by space shortage. Most of this kind has built-in drawers and little compartments.
4. Basic Loft
Picture out a bed suspended over an open space with strong supports on each corner. That’s what a basic loft looks like. The basic loft can come with a twin or full size mattress. This design provides you with a lot of flexibility since you can personally decide what to place on the open space below the bed. For instance, you can make it a play area for your child or a study space. You may even make it a storage unit. The decision is all yours.
5. Junior Loft
Junior lofts are intended for small children and because of this; it is specifically designed to be lower and nearer to the ground. To make it play-oriented, some has slides and tents as added features. Some also has book shelves and compartments. This is a splendid way to put sleep, play, and storage in just one room.
6. Novelty Beds
Novelty beds are usually inspired from different themes such as fairytales, pirates, and even cars. They are also available as single beds aside from bunk beds. Other beds such as this are not drawn from a certain theme but have brighter and playful colors. As usual, it has a lower height that will match the capability of young children and it may also come with slides or even tents for them to play.
7. Study Lofts
A study loft is suitable for an older child’s room. A study loft is a good way to squeeze an area for both the bed and the study apparatus thus, leaving more space for other necessary activities.
8. Triple Bunk Bed
The triple bunk bed has a shape of an L and it can comfortably accommodate three children (ie triplets), and it is also ideal for guests. This type is quite elaborate for this configuration has all sleep, study and storage area all in one setting. One bed is commonly a loft which you may turn into extra seating space whenever you like.
Now that the choices are of your complete awareness, now comes the time when you settle on the one lucky pick. It’s always worthwhile to take your time.
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