Expectations of newborn babies sleep patterns are often very high. For some reason as a society we seem to expect babies to spend a lot of time lying still and quiet, sleeping. While many babies will spend 16 to 18 hours of a 24 hour day asleep this is not true of every infant.
Your baby's sleep is affected by four main things;-
1) What was your, and your partner's sleep pattern BC (Before Children)?
2) The learned experiences your baby has around sleep.
3) Baby's own body clock.
4) The sleep environment.
We know that some sleep difficulties have a genetic component. Narcolepsy is perhaps the difficulty most commonly linked to genetic make up. If you, and your partner had a similar sleep pattern the chances are that baby will follow that pattern to some extent. If one of the parents has had difficulties getting to sleep it is possible that baby may demonstrate this. This does not mean that this cannot be improved upon. Perhaps if all children developed good sleep patterns there would be fewer adults with sleep difficulties.
Newborns have very little experience of life in the world. Consequently it takes them a few weeks to learn the differences between night and day. We know from studies, that by 60 days of life, before there is even a true feeding pattern, babies have mastered the basics of night and day.
Initially an infant which requires feeding every 2.5 to 3 hours will manage a maximum of 5 hours uninterrupted sleep through the night. This is not true of every child but is an accepted "rule of thumb". As baby manages to go to a 4 hourly feeding regimen this night sleep extends to about 6/7 hours. Most children are able to sleep through the night by between 6 to nine months of age.
After 9 months infants should not physically require feeding through the night. They may have learned that the best/easiest way to get to sleep is while nursing. That is a learned behavior, as adults we generally do not wake and need to eat through the night. If an infant is taking good feeds through the day, by 9 months the physical requirement for night feeds should be eliminated.
What does your child believe they need to help them get to sleep?
If you would like help to improve your child's sleep pattern, contact us on info@dream-angus.com
Sunday, 6 January 2013
The Golden Rules in achieving a good night sleep.
These are the "golden rules" which, if observed, will help ensure a good night's sleep.
1) Be sure your child's room is quiet and dark.
2) Keep environmental noise to a minimum, no loud TVs.
3) If your child still needs a nap, schedule that nap for early afternoon, before 3pm.
4) Wake your child at a regular time every morning. This will strengthen the circadian rhythm.
5) Avoid drinks of tea, cola and drinks containing caffeine before bedtime.
6) Quiet play in the hour before bed is better than stimulating, exciting play.
7) Keep the room at a comfortable temperature. If the room is too warm sleep may be disturbed.
8) Use a short pre bed routine that your child will recognize and stick to it.
9) Make sure that your child does not go to bed hungry, but do not give children over 6 months feeds or drinks through the night.
10) Help your child to fall asleep without your presence. Use a favorite toy or blanket and put your child to bed while he/she is drowsy but still awake.
You may find you are already doing some of these things, or all of them. If your child is still having difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep contact us on Info@ Dream-Angus.com we can help you to help your child.
Tuesday, 20 November 2012
Naps (daytime Sleep)
Children need to have regular daytime naps. When night sleep is disturbed some parents think that removing a nap time will increase night sleep. Unfortunately this is far from the case.
If daytime naps are reduced the child becomes too tired to settle properly at night so night waking may become more frequent.
Daytime sleep opportunities should be offered in a safe room in natural daylight. Ensuring that the sun is not directly shining on the child is helpful but the room should not need to be darkened unless it is very bright. Normal background household noise is helpful because it is reassuring to the child. It reflects that there are people present and the child is not alone. Learning to be comfortable in their own space is a valuable lesson which instills confidence in being able to cope with some time alone.
Depending on the age and stage of the child, they will manage to be "happily awake" for a period of time. At the end of this time children demonstrate sleepy signals. This can be yawning, closing eyes, rubbing face with hands or on the carer if the child is being held. There is a small window of opportunity, from noting these expressions of tiredness, to achieving a successful nap. If you can settle your child within 10/15 minutes of noting these signals the chances are the child will nap successfully.
Working on improving daytime naps is easier on parents who are more awake and more patient during the day, and has a knock on effect of improving the child's night sleep, which is easier for parents too.
By 3 years of age one single 1 hour nap is enough and by 4 years most children no longer require naps. As daytime naps reduce night sleep should be slightly longer and eventually even out at 10-11.5 hours.
If you need help to resolve your child's sleep issues, Contact Dream-Angus.com
Saturday, 22 September 2012
Coping with twice yearly clock changes
Most of us experience no problems when the clock goes back an hour or forward an hour in spring and autumn.
Unfortunately there are some individuals who find this a very difficult experience. They find that their sleep pattern is disturbed by this event for a good few weeks. This leaves these individuals struggling with all the associated symptoms of sleep deficit, and makes life for the other family members much more difficult. However, with a little planning these difficulties can be avoided.
Unfortunately there are some individuals who find this a very difficult experience. They find that their sleep pattern is disturbed by this event for a good few weeks. This leaves these individuals struggling with all the associated symptoms of sleep deficit, and makes life for the other family members much more difficult. However, with a little planning these difficulties can be avoided.
If
you know how long it takes to "recover" from the clock change then you
can anticipate and plan a strategy that will avoid the process of sleep
deficit and sleep disturbances. These clock changes occur at pre set
calender dates. If you know, for example, that it will take three weeks
to catch up with this change, then you can avoid the problems altogether
by simply dividing the 60 minute change into 3 segments of 20 minutes.
Three
weeks before the clock changes start to adjust pre bedtime routine by a
few minutes so that by the end of the first week a 20 minute delay in
bedtime routine (or an earlier start to this routine) is accepted.
Continue this over the following three weeks, and by the time the clock has moved, the brain and body will be in sync with this altered sleep/wake time.
Continue this over the following three weeks, and by the time the clock has moved, the brain and body will be in sync with this altered sleep/wake time.
This can be further enhanced by altering the supper snack before bed to ensure that it is rich in the chemicals which encourage the release of sleep hormones. The precursor to the release of Melatonin, the sleep hormone, is Tryptophan.
Tryptophan is a natural amino acid found
in foods like turkey, chickpeas and a variety of other foods.
Tryptophan is required to make
Melatonin, the sleep hormone and
to act as a precursor for Serotonin.
Serotonin levels
affect our mood. Patients who suffer from depression may be given drugs which
modify the uptake of this chemical.
Foods that help in
serotonin production are foods high in B-vitamins, foods like brown rice, eggs,
organic chicken, corn, green leafy veggies, legumes, nuts, peas, and sunflower
seeds.
If you would like further advice about sleep disorders
Contact us on;- info@Dream-Angus.com
Sunday, 2 September 2012
Did you know? Comforters/Dummies
Parents who have "given in" and offered their child a dummy/comforter, often feel guilty when they try to discourage the soothing habit which they offered their child. Well, here are some good reasons why you should discourage the use of this "soothing" equipment;-
1) Toddlers using dummies/comforters, are 3 times more likely to develop ear infections.
2) 50% of all children using them are sent for Speech and Language therapy.
3) Children who use dummies/comforters tend to speak from the back of their mouths so the "t" sound becomes "k"
4) Children who use dummies/comforters often do not try to chat to other children as readily as those who don't use them.
5) Sucking a comforter/dummy can lead to overcrowding of the front teeth even when the said object is supposed to be "orthodontic".
For parents who have discovered that their child is more easily quieted and soothed by sucking on a comforter/dummy, you may find it helpful to know that you can limit their use by;-
1) Only allow the child to suck until they are calm. Once the child is calm remove the comforter.
2) Do not allow your child to fall asleep sucking this.Particularly if you have a small baby who sucks as a soothing mechanism. If the comforter falls out, baby wakes and needs this replaced. Better to learn to soothe themselves without it.
3) Use a big event, birthday/Christmas, to tell your child you know that they are now big enough not to need this anymore. Make an event of removing all comforters from your home. Reward this progress with a treat. Time one to one doing something fun, a magazine or a special toy.
Toddlers won't be keen to stop using a comforter, so prepare yourself by choosing a time when you have plenty of support. Tell other carers so that they can support you and your child. Prepare yourself for protest, and decide in advance what you will do, when you are faced with it.
1) Toddlers using dummies/comforters, are 3 times more likely to develop ear infections.
2) 50% of all children using them are sent for Speech and Language therapy.
3) Children who use dummies/comforters tend to speak from the back of their mouths so the "t" sound becomes "k"
4) Children who use dummies/comforters often do not try to chat to other children as readily as those who don't use them.
5) Sucking a comforter/dummy can lead to overcrowding of the front teeth even when the said object is supposed to be "orthodontic".
For parents who have discovered that their child is more easily quieted and soothed by sucking on a comforter/dummy, you may find it helpful to know that you can limit their use by;-
1) Only allow the child to suck until they are calm. Once the child is calm remove the comforter.
2) Do not allow your child to fall asleep sucking this.Particularly if you have a small baby who sucks as a soothing mechanism. If the comforter falls out, baby wakes and needs this replaced. Better to learn to soothe themselves without it.
3) Use a big event, birthday/Christmas, to tell your child you know that they are now big enough not to need this anymore. Make an event of removing all comforters from your home. Reward this progress with a treat. Time one to one doing something fun, a magazine or a special toy.
Toddlers won't be keen to stop using a comforter, so prepare yourself by choosing a time when you have plenty of support. Tell other carers so that they can support you and your child. Prepare yourself for protest, and decide in advance what you will do, when you are faced with it.
Monday, 27 August 2012
Bowel Training
Often the most difficult part of toilet training a child is getting them to use a potty or toilet for the elimination of solid waste (poo!) Here are some helpful hints to consider when trying to potty train a child.
Ensure that you have chosen the right size of potty or toilet seat insert for your child. This needs to be a comfortable experience if it is to become an accepted behaviour.
Warm drinks, a warm bath a soothing tummy massage can be especially helpful if your child has been constipated or reluctant to pass poo for a couple of days.
A child who has a good position on the toilet with a support for his/her feet will find this easier.
Teach your child how to wipe themselves.
It is particularly important for girls to wipe from front to back, as this will avoid bringing bacteria from the bowel towards the bladder.
Use a soft toilet paper and praise your child when they manage to wipe themselves. Encourage hand washing after every toileting so that this becomes a natural habit.
Having a healthy regular bowel movement is better for your child and developing this habit needs time and training. A healthy bowel needs a regular fiber intake, regular exercise, like walking and swimming, and the ingestion of plenty of fluids including water. Setting aside a regular time for toileting without rushing, will improve the habit. Access to clean and pleasant facilities makes this a nicer experience.
Fiber containing foods include;-
Wheatabix, bran flakes and shredded wheat
Wholemeal bread
Wholemeal pasta and brown rice
Fruit and vegetables (dried, fresh, or frozen), washed but with skin on where possible.
Pulses like peas, baked beans, kidney beans etc
Ensure that you have chosen the right size of potty or toilet seat insert for your child. This needs to be a comfortable experience if it is to become an accepted behaviour.
Warm drinks, a warm bath a soothing tummy massage can be especially helpful if your child has been constipated or reluctant to pass poo for a couple of days.
A child who has a good position on the toilet with a support for his/her feet will find this easier.
Teach your child how to wipe themselves.
It is particularly important for girls to wipe from front to back, as this will avoid bringing bacteria from the bowel towards the bladder.
Use a soft toilet paper and praise your child when they manage to wipe themselves. Encourage hand washing after every toileting so that this becomes a natural habit.
Having a healthy regular bowel movement is better for your child and developing this habit needs time and training. A healthy bowel needs a regular fiber intake, regular exercise, like walking and swimming, and the ingestion of plenty of fluids including water. Setting aside a regular time for toileting without rushing, will improve the habit. Access to clean and pleasant facilities makes this a nicer experience.
Fiber containing foods include;-
Wheatabix, bran flakes and shredded wheat
Wholemeal bread
Wholemeal pasta and brown rice
Fruit and vegetables (dried, fresh, or frozen), washed but with skin on where possible.
Pulses like peas, baked beans, kidney beans etc
Things you should know about baby's teeth.
Red cheeks and dribbles are often the first signs of teething. Gentle massaging of the gums with a toothbrush or teething ring can be soothing for babies at this stage.
Babies first teeth usually appear at about 6 months although some children will have teeth before then. As soon as the first teeth appear tooth brushing should become part of routine child care. At first baby may not like it but, as you do it more often it becomes quite soothing.
Pick a time which is convenient for you. Consider your child's normal daily routine, playtime or bath time may work best at first, and then you can move this to morning and bed time.
Baby's teeth can be brushed anywhere that is safe for baby. Sitting on your knee, on a changing mat, in the bath, in a high chair or sitting in the pram or stroller.
Stroke each tooth using a small soft toothbrush with a smear of toothpaste and imagine you are painting this onto the tooth. Flouride toothpaste on a dry brush works best. Eventually you can encourage baby to spit out the excess toothpaste but, if you avoid rinsing the mouth with fresh water you will be strengthening baby's teeth.
The toothbrush should be replaced every three months, or when the bristles start to splay out and away from the neat brush shape. Rinse the toothbrush between use and store it in a clean dry area.
Always supervise tooth brushing and never leave a child alone with a toothbrush.
Register your baby with a dentist and once your child is a year old, book a first appointment. Regular dental visits before anything needs to be done to repair or treat the teeth will make visits less concerning for the child.
Avoid sugary drinks and snacks between meals. Erosion is becoming a more common problem for both adults and children. Baby teeth have thinner dentine and enamel, and are worn away more quickly by contact with acid.
The foods that can affect children's teeth in this way include;-
Fruit juices and squashes should not be given to babies or children in bottles as a comfort and children under the age of 2 years should not be given tea to drink. Limiting acidic foods to special times only and following their consumption with a bit of cheese or a milky drink will neutralize the acid more quickly.
If you are concerned about your child's teeth see your dentist.
Babies first teeth usually appear at about 6 months although some children will have teeth before then. As soon as the first teeth appear tooth brushing should become part of routine child care. At first baby may not like it but, as you do it more often it becomes quite soothing.
Pick a time which is convenient for you. Consider your child's normal daily routine, playtime or bath time may work best at first, and then you can move this to morning and bed time.
Baby's teeth can be brushed anywhere that is safe for baby. Sitting on your knee, on a changing mat, in the bath, in a high chair or sitting in the pram or stroller.
Stroke each tooth using a small soft toothbrush with a smear of toothpaste and imagine you are painting this onto the tooth. Flouride toothpaste on a dry brush works best. Eventually you can encourage baby to spit out the excess toothpaste but, if you avoid rinsing the mouth with fresh water you will be strengthening baby's teeth.
The toothbrush should be replaced every three months, or when the bristles start to splay out and away from the neat brush shape. Rinse the toothbrush between use and store it in a clean dry area.
Always supervise tooth brushing and never leave a child alone with a toothbrush.
Register your baby with a dentist and once your child is a year old, book a first appointment. Regular dental visits before anything needs to be done to repair or treat the teeth will make visits less concerning for the child.
Avoid sugary drinks and snacks between meals. Erosion is becoming a more common problem for both adults and children. Baby teeth have thinner dentine and enamel, and are worn away more quickly by contact with acid.
The foods that can affect children's teeth in this way include;-
- Fizzy drinks like cola and lemonade, even some fizzy waters,
- orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit drinks even when diluted.
- Sour fruits, oranges and plums
- Yoghurt
- Herbal tea and vitamin C supplements.
Fruit juices and squashes should not be given to babies or children in bottles as a comfort and children under the age of 2 years should not be given tea to drink. Limiting acidic foods to special times only and following their consumption with a bit of cheese or a milky drink will neutralize the acid more quickly.
If you are concerned about your child's teeth see your dentist.
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