Sleep: A biological necessity
Sleep is about so much more than rest. Did you know that getting your allocated hours in can lead to a reduced risk of serious disease? Find out more as we dive into the importance of sleep for you and your baby.
Sleep, just like eating, drinking water, and breathing is a biological function we NEED to survive. When our little ones come along and sleep goes out the window, it can leave us feeling pretty awful.
The United Nations (CAT), considers prolonged sleep deprivation a form of torture. And us Mums (and Dads) are trying to function for months, if not years without consistent sleep!
Sleep isn't just about rest. It is a time when our body repairs, our hormones regulate and new cells grow. Science states that adults who get 8 hours of sleep in:
Get sick less often
Have a lower risk of getting serious health problems
Can concentrate more
Find it easier to learn
These are just a few reasons why sleep is so important. Not just for us Mums and Dads, but for our kids too!
Don't feel overwhelmed or like getting more sleep is an impossible task. Getting more sleep can be a gentle process that we work on over time. If you are interested in finding out how you can improve your family's sleep, reach out today!
Swaddling for better sleep
If you are struggling to get your newborn to sleep, you aren’t alone! Many parents come to me asking how they can get more sleep when a new baby enters the family. With some simple adjustments, you can improve your baby’s sleep. See how you can help!
Let’s talk about swaddling and why it is so important during the early months of your baby’s life! All babies are born with several normal newborn reflexes. Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex, is one of these primitive reflex responses intended to keep a baby safe. Have you noticed your baby suddenly startle while sleeping before? This is the Moro reflex at work! The baby will experience a sensation of free-falling, where the baby reacts by lifting and stretching their arms. It often ends in the baby crying and/or waking.
We can EASILY prevent your baby from startling by swaddling them for sleep!
Over the years I have had many parents tell me, ‘My baby doesn’t like their swaddle’ or ‘They fought it so much I stopped doing it because they were always getting out’. There are lots of reasons why parents stop swaddling early. But education is power when it comes to little ones!
Here are some swaddling facts:
Babies generally don’t grow out of their startle until around 4-6 months
Swaddling helps simulate the security they felt in the womb (they squirm and move the same way they did in your belly; they just have the freedom to break out now)
Swaddling helps to reduce overall crying and helps to calm babies’ nervous system
Swaddling can help to extend sleep both overnight and for naps
Babies with Colic, reflux, and other painful conditions are the ones who benefit from swaddling the most. They also generally will be the ones who take the longest to grow out of their startle!
Some babies are less likely to startle and will grow out of this reflex quickly
Babies should be swaddled firmly around their chest/arms and loosely from the waist down to protect their hip position (think froggy legs, not straight down)
A baby who can roll easily from back to belly shouldn’t be swaddled
There are so many swaddling options out there. My personal favourite is always the classic muslin wrap! So, keep wrapping your little baby burritos for the best sleep possible!
Have you heard of the fourth trimester?
The 5 S’s by acclaimed Paediatrician and “Happiest Baby on the Block” Author, Dr. Harvey Karp are the foundation of how we work to settle a newborn baby. Backed by science, read how The 5 S’s can help get you and your baby the sleep that you need!
The theory and idea behind the fourth trimester came from the acclaimed paediatrician, Dr Harvey Karp. He defines his idea of the fourth trimester as the first 3 months of a baby’s life after birth. Karp’s belief is that babies are born 3 months too soon and are still adjusting to the world outside. Therefore, to comfort and calm a crying newborn, they need you to simulate the environment they had in utero.
Karp's 5 S's are:
🌟 Swaddling - helps to calm that pesky startle reflex
🌟 Side/Stomach - think chest-to-chest cuddles
🌟 Shushing - white noise
🌟 Swinging - rocking or swaying
🌟 Sucking - feeding or dummy
Karp believes that this formula can help to calm any unsettled newborn baby!
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Sleep Regressions
The 4 month sleep regression is something that puts fear into new parents everywhere! But did you know that sleep regressions are actually linked to developmental changes? Read and see who sleep Regressions don’t have to mean the end of good sleep!
Sleep regressions. Two words to put fear in any parent! These challenging periods are often a big reason Mum’s and Dad’s reach out to me for sleep support during their little one’s first year or so.
Sleep regressions are defined as a period of time, usually around 2-4 weeks when a baby who’s sleeping well suddenly has trouble settling down for sleep or wakes up fussing in the middle of the night. You are probably wondering, why?!
They largely occur during a period of developmental change or growth for a baby. Here are a few of the most common ones we see and some reasons that drive them.
🌟 6 weeks – The beginning of daytime sleep cycles
🌟 4 months – The beginning of night time sleep cycles or baby learning to roll
🌟 6 months – Due to a growth spurt that occurs around this time
🌟 8-10 months – Babies are learning to crawl, pull themselves up, and move more. Separation anxiety also begins
🌟 18 months – Generally happens due to separation anxiety and teething (molars, ouch!)
Sleep regressions don’t have to mean the end of good sleep. With time and consistency, you can get through and back to the routines your baby had before. Remember that how a baby falls asleep is how they will want to resettle. With this in mind, you can gently encourage independent sleeping with a settling method that suits your values and your baby’s temperament.
If your baby is unwell and suffering from congestion, using a nasal aspirator such as Snotty Noses - Official Home Of Snotty Boss | Baby Health & Sleep Products may help you get through the worst of it!