A friend of mine is due to have her first baby in a few weeks. I bumped into her at Buy Buy Baby the other day frantically buying last minute things to prepare for her new arrival. She asked me if there was anything I could think of that she needs, something that I couldn't live without? I immediately asked her if she had a "Sleep Sheep" and she looked at me like I had ten heads.
When buying a gift for a new Mom, I almost always go for these items. I don't think that there is anything better that you could wrap up and tie with a bow for new, exhausted and inexperienced parents than tools to get a good night sleep. It may not work for everyone, but it worked for both of my babies. I would say that two out of two aren't bad odds. I'm also a believer in the old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." So, I repeated what worked for me with Rosie and once again, I have another baby that likes to sleep.
I've been fortunate enough to have two babies respond to these methods well. Since they were born, Rosie and Tommy both sleep ten to twelve hours a night. Rosie is two and a half and she is still taking a three to four hour afternoon nap. Tommy naps two to three times a day. When he wakes, he goes back down for a rest two hours after that. It's like clockwork for him and his sister was the same way.
I'm sure that some parents who read this are going to shake their heads at me, may mouth death threats at their computer screens and tell me that I am effing crazy. I know that no baby is the same, but I do strongly believe that some of these techniques helped my babies learn how to put themselves to sleep and to stay asleep longer. (I didn't say this would make them enjoy going to sleep however... Fast forward to a two and half year old toddler and let's just say it's a friggin process to convince her to close her eyes every night.)
Here's what worked for me:
When buying a gift for a new Mom, I almost always go for these items. I don't think that there is anything better that you could wrap up and tie with a bow for new, exhausted and inexperienced parents than tools to get a good night sleep. It may not work for everyone, but it worked for both of my babies. I would say that two out of two aren't bad odds. I'm also a believer in the old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." So, I repeated what worked for me with Rosie and once again, I have another baby that likes to sleep.
I've been fortunate enough to have two babies respond to these methods well. Since they were born, Rosie and Tommy both sleep ten to twelve hours a night. Rosie is two and a half and she is still taking a three to four hour afternoon nap. Tommy naps two to three times a day. When he wakes, he goes back down for a rest two hours after that. It's like clockwork for him and his sister was the same way.
I'm sure that some parents who read this are going to shake their heads at me, may mouth death threats at their computer screens and tell me that I am effing crazy. I know that no baby is the same, but I do strongly believe that some of these techniques helped my babies learn how to put themselves to sleep and to stay asleep longer. (I didn't say this would make them enjoy going to sleep however... Fast forward to a two and half year old toddler and let's just say it's a friggin process to convince her to close her eyes every night.)
Here's what worked for me:
This is a really fantastic video with easy techniques to help you soothe and comfort your baby. It also teaches them to soothe themselves. Must watch & must do!
Any animal soother with sound machine by Cloud B will do the trick. Rosie loves her "Raff" and Tommy loves his Sleep Sheep. The white noise and heartbeat will keep them comfortable and calm.
A good friend gave this to me as a gift for Tommy when he was first born. She raised three kids and swore up and down by it. I have not used another swaddle or blanket since. It keeps him asleep for longer periods of time, since the swaddle keeps their arms down and prevents them from waking themselves in the middle of their slumber. It truly is a miracle! I don't know what I would do without it.
A Pacifier
Lastly, a good pacifier. I used Born Free bottles so ended up going with their brand. Rosie is a thumb sucker but I have found that Tommy really depends on his Binkie just to get him to calm and fall asleep. Once he is asleep, he spits it out. (It's kind of entertaining because occasionally, you can hear him spit it out and hit the crib mattress.) During the night, if he wakes or starts to fuss, I simply put the Bink back in and turn on his sound machine. It has worked faithfully.
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| Tommy During His Afternoon Nap Today (5 months old) |
This last one isn't a necessity, but our chicks seem to really love these. It is a nightlight that makes star constellations on their ceiling. (Actually has real constellations for when they are older... they can learn to recognize them.) Rosie has the ladybug and Tommy has the turtle. Whenever T fusses, I just turn this on and it totally distracts him and leaves him mesmerized. I've noticed now that Rosie is older, it also helps with fear of the dark etc. Makes bedtime less of a negotiation when we talk about going to look at the stars!
So, in closing, I wish Happy Sleeping to all of you new parents out there! I hope a couple of these tips work for you. They help to keep our household somewhat sane, and I hope it will do the same for yours. Remember, a rested Mama is a happy Mama.
So, in closing, I wish Happy Sleeping to all of you new parents out there! I hope a couple of these tips work for you. They help to keep our household somewhat sane, and I hope it will do the same for yours. Remember, a rested Mama is a happy Mama.
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