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!
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!
A Beautiful Review
Being a Night Nanny is such a wonderful privilege. Spending the first months supporting families through those early sleepless night is a priceless gift many parents dream of! This testimonial was written after completing three months with this family as a Night Nanny supporting newborn baby twins!
I recently received the most beautiful review from a family I had been supporting as a Night Nanny. This gorgeous family had brand new twin boys and needed someone to help them overnight while they adjusted to life as a family of four
5 nights a week, over the period of three months, I built such a special bond with both parents and babies. One that I will always cherish and hold dear to me. To spend these early months in someone's home is a true privilege and something I still have to pinch myself that I am lucky enough to call my career!
When hiring a Night Nanny, you aren't just getting the sleep that you need. But you are also getting someone to help you establish healthy sleep habits for your baby! You will get on-hand support and advice from me on everything baby related to help you really enjoy those early months with your new little one/s!
To say I love my job is an understatement! Supporting families is what I was born to do ❤
Do you know someone who needs the support of a Night Nanny? Share or reach out today to see how I can help your family thrive! 🌿
“Sarah is phenomenal and I cannot recommend her highly enough. From the moment she stepped into our home and took one of our twin boys into her arms, we knew that we and our boys were in very good hands. Sarah joined our family when our twins were 2 weeks old and worked with us for 3 months as a night nurse.
As a new mum, I was naturally nervous and was just hopeful that Sarah could help me overnight with the boys so that I could get some rest to tackle the days on my own. But we got so much more. Not only did Sarah look after the boys overnight (feeding, settling etc), she provided us with so much advice and guidance around everything to do with the boys including their routines, feeding, developmental issues, and literally ANYTHING to do with parenting. Her knowledge of all things baby and children is exceptional.
Sarah was so kind, gentle, caring, and nurturing both towards us and the boys and even though we only had her assist us for 3 months, she feels like a member of our family and someone we will forever cherish.
Sarah is a real professional, was a delight to have in our home, and built a fantastic bond with us and our boys. Sarah clearly loves her job and is passionate about caring for babies and children. She is loving and caring and having Sarah made life so much easier at what can be an overwhelming time. We miss her every day. It was truly a pleasure to have her look after our boys at the start of their lives. We are lucky to have met Sarah and believe that any family would be lucky to have her.”
Amity, Ipswich