Slumber Time Solutions

👉 TIP TUESDAY 👈 ​​​​​​​​​Getting ready for bed with a 3+ years old often requires coaching kiddos to get through several “steps” like: brush teeth, going to the bedroom, put on pj, going potty, etc.
👩‍👦 Research has found that giving too many directives can be counter-productive and lead to more resistance, less cooperation.
👨‍👶 Finding a way to turn the directive into a question or a choice can be a helpful alternative that allows kiddos to use their brain and think instead of just “doing what they are told”. Here are some examples:
• Instead of “Put your toy away” try “WHERE DOES THIS TOY GO?”
• Instead of “Brush your teeth” try “WOULD YOU LIKE TO HOLD THE TOOTHBRUSH TONIGHT OUR WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO DO IT?”
• Using a bedtime chart helps with this too, as you can say “WHAT’S NEXT IN YOUR CHART?”

You don’t need to turn everything in questions, but try sprinkling some questions and some choices during your routine tonight, and let me know how it goes!

Here's all the ways that we can connect this month!

My weekly Sleep Support group has a new time: we meet on Tuesdays at 9:30 am on Zoom. DM me for link.
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💙 Let me know how I can support you this month!

👉 Crib safety tips! ​​​​​​​​​
If your kiddo is close to standing up in their crib, it's time to lower the crib mattress.

Also, make sure that they can’t grab/touch anything dangerous. Here are some things to look at:
• Pulling on curtains
• Blind pull cords
• Pushing on a window
• Touching an electric outlet
• Light switch (this is not dangerous, but it can disrupt sleep if your kiddo turns the light on!) 💡

If needed, adjust the location of the crib in the room to keep baby safe!

NOTE: If baby is

👉 TIP TUESDAY 👈 Research has shown that infant massage is very beneficial for baby. Giving baby regular massages can improve sleep, digestion and can reduce crying. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to connect and bond with baby. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​You can take some classes with your baby and/or watch some Youtube videos to learn some techniques. Enjoy! ❤️

👉 POTTY TIP 👈
Are you using a portable potty when you leave the house?

🚽 Here’s a quick hack for you! Bring some diapers with you. Not for your child, for the potty!

🚼 Open the diaper up and line the potty with it, so that the diaper covers the inside of the potty. The diaper will absorb the p*e (and catch the p**p), making clean-up a breeze!

Just toss the diaper and you are done!

👉 TIP TUESDAY 👈 Does your child seem to be afraid of the dark? ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Many toddlers/preschoolers go through a phase where they are scared of the dark. Here are 2 tips.

1️⃣First, use a night light. Make your room dark (no light from outside) and use a night light to provide some light. Position the night light so your child can’t see it directly. Instead, put the night light behind them, in the closet, under their bed and let the “glow of the light” provide some light.
We want their bedroom to be as dark as possible to encourage sleep, but I always pick a calm kiddo with some light over a scared kiddo in a dark room. Try to find the dimmest light you can use that will keep your child comfortable. ​​​​​​​​
💡Also, I recommend using a red/orange light instead of a blue/white light, as the blue/white wavelengths can make it harder to go back to sleep.

⚡NOTE: that’s true for adults too! Use a red/orange light in your bathroom too!
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2️⃣Second, when you turn off the lamp at bedtime, stay in the room and/or lay in bed with them for a few minutes.

👩 Once your eyes (and your child’s eyes) have adjusted and it’s not so dark anymore, ask them if there are any shadows that are scary. If so, remove the object. Shadows can be scary!

👉 POTTY TIP 👈Thinking about starting potty training soon? Here’s a pro tip: put the potty chair out weeks or even months before you start! Yes, you read that right!

Here’s why:

❤️ FAMILIARITY: The earlier you child sees the potty chair, the more it becomes a natural part of their environment.

🤔 CURIOSITY: Toddlers are naturally curious. Let them explore the potty chair, sit on it and even play with it. This will make it less intimidating when potty times comes. If they ask questions, you can give them information and let them know that soon they will p*e and p**p on this potty! They can start to process this concept and learn about it!

🔄 BUILD ROUTINES: Add sitting on the potty to some of your routines. For example, you could have your kiddo sit on the potty before they get in the bath. Or sit on the potty when the first wake up. They can sit on the potty with their clothes on. We want to create these habits now so that when we actually start potty training, they know there are times during the day when we go sit on the potty. It’s just like brushing teeth before bedtime – we do it every night.

➡️ SMOOTHER TRANSITION: When it is time to start potty learning, they will already be very comfortable sitting on the potty at certain times of the day, making the transition smoother and less stressful for everyone.

🚽 As you know, I believe that preparation is really important and helps make potty learning smoother! Having the potty out and getting comfortable sitting on it is one aspect of preparation!

❓When did you introduce the potty chair? How did it go?!

👉 TIP TUESDAY 👈 When a family reaches out to me to change to reduce/eliminate night wakings, I always start with asking how their kiddo falls asleep at bedtime.

That’s because if we want to change the night wakings, we usually need to change bedtime first.​​​​​​​​​

🛌 The way kiddos fall asleep at bedtime sets the tone for what they will expect throughout the night. Sleep associations are created at bedtime, so if you bounce, feed, lay with them as they fall asleep at bedtime, your child will need for the same support at some point in the night.

In other words, if they need you to fall asleep at bedtime, then they will need you to go back to sleep throughout the night.

🛌 If you are ready for your kiddo to be able to be more independent at night, we need to change bedtime first and help them develop different sleep associations. Once they learn to fall asleep independently at bedtime, they will have the skills and confidence to go back to sleep on their own.

❓ What are your kiddo’s sleep associations right now?

❤️ If you want to make changes and would like some help, send me a DM and we’ll get you started!

🎆 Tips for July 4th:

If you plan to have a late night on the 4th, here are some tips!

Try to push naps later in the day and/or let your child nap for longer than usual! If they wake up later in the afternoon, they’ll be able to go to bed later without getting overtired.

If you think that your kiddo will fall asleep on the way home, get them ready for bed before you leave the party. Change diaper, go potty, put on pajamas, offer feeding, etc.

That way, if they fall asleep on the way home, they are ready for the night and you can just transfer them to their bed!

🎉 Most importantly, have fun celebrating! It’s ok to be off schedule for a day! Make memories - you can always get back on track on the 5th!