 The Resting Brain: It Works Harder Than You Think.
While our bodies rest, our brains embark on an intricate journey each night. Far from idle, the brain engages in a variety of crucial activities during sleep that are essential for our well-being and cognitive functions. In this post, we’ll explore in greater depth the five vital processes that occur in the brain during sleep. 1. Memory Consolidation: A Complex Process: Memory consolidation during sleep is a sophisticated process involving different stages of sleep. During slow-wave sleep (SWS), the hippocampus replays the day’s experiences, transferring information to the neocortex, where long-term memories are formed. REM sleep then integrates these memories with pre-existing knowledge, contributing to creative problem-solving and insight. This intricate dance between different sleep stages underlines the importance of a full night’s sleep for effective learning and memory retention. 2. The Brain’s Detoxification System in Overdrive: The brain’s waste clearance, via the glymphatic system, is not only more active during sleep but also more necessary than previously understood. The brain’s cells shrink during sleep, increasing the space between them by up to 60%. This expansion allows for more efficient removal of brain waste, including harmful proteins linked to neurodegeneration. This process is crucial for maintaining cognitive health and preventing long-term damage. 3. Synaptic Pruning: The Fine Art of Brain Optimization: Synaptic pruning is a more nuanced process than the mere elimination of excess connections. It’s a fine-tuning mechanism that enhances neural network efficiency. During sleep, particularly during REM phases, the brain assesses synaptic connections based on their usage and strength. This selective pruning optimizes brain networks for more efficient processing, learning, and memory formation. Sleep is a key player in brain plasticity—the brain’s ability to change and adapt. During sleep, neural connections are pruned and strengthened, and new synapses are formed. This aspect of sleep is particularly crucial during developmental years but remains essential throughout life, underpinning the brain’s ability to adapt to new learning and experiences. 4. Emotional Regulation and Resilience: Sleep is integral to how we process and respond to emotions. During sleep, especially in REM sleep, the brain reorganizes emotional experiences, often reducing the emotional intensity of memories. This process, sometimes called emotional regulation, helps mitigate the impact of stressful or traumatic experiences. It is also crucial for building emotional resilience, enabling us to face new challenges with a more balanced emotional perspective. 5. Brainwave Reorganization and Its Implications: Distinct patterns of brainwaves mark the transition through different stages of sleep, each serving unique functions. Delta waves, characteristic of deep sleep, are crucial for healing and rejuvenation. Theta waves, often associated with REM sleep, play a role in memory consolidation and creativity. This reorganization of brainwave activity is not just a marker of sleep stages; it actively facilitates various cognitive and restorative processes. The nightly journey of our brain during sleep is a complex and essential process, rich in activities that underpin our cognitive and emotional health. From intricate memory consolidation to the fine-tuning of synaptic networks, the brain’s activities during sleep are as dynamic and essential as those during our waking hours. Understanding these processes not only highlights the importance of quality sleep but also opens avenues for addressing various neurological and psychological challenges. By prioritizing and understanding our sleep, we can tap into its profound benefits, enhancing our overall mental health, cognitive abilities, and emotional resilience.  The Truth About Teething and Sleep: What You Need to Know! As a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant, I often hear, “My baby is teething, and that’s why they’re not sleeping.” It’s easy to see why teething gets blamed for many sleepless nights. After all, the sight of swollen gums and the sound of a fussy baby can make us believe that teething is the culprit. But is it really? Let’s take a closer look at the facts surrounding teething and sleep and why waiting for teething to be over is not the best strategy when it comes to sleep training. Does Teething Really Hurt? Yes, teething can cause discomfort. As those little teeth push through the gums, some babies experience swollen, tender gums, which may lead to irritability. However, the pain from teething is often short-lived and comes in spurts rather than lasting for weeks or months at a time. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, teething typically causes minor discomfort but not enough to disrupt a baby’s life long-term or interfere with their ability to sleep consistently. Can Teething Keep Babies Awake at Night? While a baby cutting a tooth may have the occasional rough night, teething is not the reason why babies wake up multiple times a night for weeks or months. Teething might lead to a cranky night or two, but if your baby has been waking frequently over a long period, something else is likely going on, such as sleep associations or a lack of proper sleep routines. Sleep training and helping your baby establish good sleep habits will ensure that minor disruptions—like teething—won’t lead to months of sleepless nights. The National Sleep Foundation supports this, explaining that babies who have learned to self-soothe will generally go back to sleep, even when dealing with temporary discomfort like teething. How Long Does Teething Last? Teething is a gradual process that starts around six months of age and can continue until the age of two or even three. That means if you wait for all teething to be over before committing to a solid sleep training routine, you could be waiting for years! Other factors like developmental milestones or growth spurts may also occur during this time, so it’s important not to let teething be the excuse for delaying sleep training. Teething is Not a Good Excuse to Avoid Sleep Training It’s easy to fall into the habit of blaming teething for ongoing sleep issues, but the truth is, teething is not the reason your baby is waking up multiple times every night for weeks or months. The real key to long-term sleep success is consistency. If you wait until your baby’s teething is finished, you’ll likely be waiting for over two years—during which time poor sleep habits can become even more ingrained. A Few Tips for When Baby Is Cutting a Tooth Yes, the teething process can lead to a rough night or two, but here’s the good news: if you’ve already established good sleep habits, your baby will get back on track quickly. Here are some tips to help manage teething while staying consistent with sleep routines:
Final Thoughts In short, teething may cause some temporary disruptions, but it is not the root cause of ongoing sleep issues. By sticking to healthy sleep habits and routines, your baby will be able to navigate teething with only minimal disruption to their sleep. So don’t let teething become the excuse to avoid sleep training—your baby (and you!) deserve the rest. Sources:
AuthorErin Neri - Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant and Owner of To The Moon and Back Sleep Consulting since 2016.  how can you help make Daylight Savings transition smoother for your child's sleep? |
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My best advice for children to help them with the change is to split the difference
with the old time and the new time.
How does that work?
School Age Children-
If you have a child that does not nap and normally goes to bed at 7:00 p.m., you would put him to bed at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday night, the first night of the time change.
Do this for 3 nights, putting him to bed 30 minutes earlier than normal, then on the 4th night put him to bed at the normal time, 7:00 p.m. or whatever is normal bedtime for your child.
Toddlers-
If you have a toddler ages one and older, on Sunday the first day of the time change, you would put him down for his first nap 30 minutes earlier than normal. So if he naps usually at 9:30 a.m. put him down at 9:00 a.m.
You would do the same with the afternoon nap if he takes an afternoon nap.
For bedtime, if his normal bedtime is 7:00 p.m., you would put him down at 6:30 p.m.
Do this for 3 nights after the time change and then on the 4th night, put him to bed at 7:00 p.m. and on 5th day move nap times back to normal time. So if your child naps at 9:30 a.m. put him down at 9:30 a.m. and so on with the rest of the day.
Infants-
If you have a baby and his bedtime and naps have become predictable (usually over 6 months old) meaning he is always going to bed around the same time each day. For example if bedtime is normally 7:00 p.m. move bedtime 15 minutes later each night until you reach the normal time again.
So the first night you would put him down at 6:15 p.m., the second night 6:30 p.m., and so on.
On the fourth night you should be back to 7:00 p.m.
Do the same thing for NAPS.
Start 45 minutes earlier than normal and move them 15 minutes later each day. So if morning nap is at 9:00 a.m. normally, start with 8:15 a.m. on Sunday,
8:30 a.m. on Monday, 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday and then 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
Do the same for the Afternoon Nap.
If their bedtime and nap times are not predictable (0-6 months old) simply jump to the new time Sunday night as if you were traveling to a new time zone and use their wake time window (awake time between sleep periods) as your guide.
A great thing about this time change is that there are more hours of darkness which helps make this transition a little easier.
If your child wakes up too early, walk them back to their room and tell them it’s not time to get up yet.
If your child wakes up too early and is in a crib, be sure to help his body understand it isn’t morning time by keeping him in his crib
in the dark room until normal wake time.
Note for Toddlers/School-aged children:
If you have a toddler or an older child who relies on a clock to know when their “morning time” has arrived, set the clock one half hour ahead of the new time so that it reads 7:00 a.m. at the new time of 6:30 a.m.
Allow your child to wake a bit earlier than normal (they will think it is 7:00 according to the clock but it will be 6:30 a.m., new time).
This will only be temporary as your child adjusts to wake at their usual 7:00 a.m. time after about one or two weeks.
It may take children and babies a bit more time to fall asleep, this is normal, since the time is different initially they might seem tired earlier.
It usually takes about a week for children and babies to completely adjust to the new time, some children it can take up to a month.
Be patient and stay very consistent, it will happen.
Erin Neri
with the old time and the new time.
How does that work?
School Age Children-
If you have a child that does not nap and normally goes to bed at 7:00 p.m., you would put him to bed at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday night, the first night of the time change.
Do this for 3 nights, putting him to bed 30 minutes earlier than normal, then on the 4th night put him to bed at the normal time, 7:00 p.m. or whatever is normal bedtime for your child.
Toddlers-
If you have a toddler ages one and older, on Sunday the first day of the time change, you would put him down for his first nap 30 minutes earlier than normal. So if he naps usually at 9:30 a.m. put him down at 9:00 a.m.
You would do the same with the afternoon nap if he takes an afternoon nap.
For bedtime, if his normal bedtime is 7:00 p.m., you would put him down at 6:30 p.m.
Do this for 3 nights after the time change and then on the 4th night, put him to bed at 7:00 p.m. and on 5th day move nap times back to normal time. So if your child naps at 9:30 a.m. put him down at 9:30 a.m. and so on with the rest of the day.
Infants-
If you have a baby and his bedtime and naps have become predictable (usually over 6 months old) meaning he is always going to bed around the same time each day. For example if bedtime is normally 7:00 p.m. move bedtime 15 minutes later each night until you reach the normal time again.
So the first night you would put him down at 6:15 p.m., the second night 6:30 p.m., and so on.
On the fourth night you should be back to 7:00 p.m.
Do the same thing for NAPS.
Start 45 minutes earlier than normal and move them 15 minutes later each day. So if morning nap is at 9:00 a.m. normally, start with 8:15 a.m. on Sunday,
8:30 a.m. on Monday, 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday and then 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
Do the same for the Afternoon Nap.
If their bedtime and nap times are not predictable (0-6 months old) simply jump to the new time Sunday night as if you were traveling to a new time zone and use their wake time window (awake time between sleep periods) as your guide.
A great thing about this time change is that there are more hours of darkness which helps make this transition a little easier.
If your child wakes up too early, walk them back to their room and tell them it’s not time to get up yet.
If your child wakes up too early and is in a crib, be sure to help his body understand it isn’t morning time by keeping him in his crib
in the dark room until normal wake time.
Note for Toddlers/School-aged children:
If you have a toddler or an older child who relies on a clock to know when their “morning time” has arrived, set the clock one half hour ahead of the new time so that it reads 7:00 a.m. at the new time of 6:30 a.m.
Allow your child to wake a bit earlier than normal (they will think it is 7:00 according to the clock but it will be 6:30 a.m., new time).
This will only be temporary as your child adjusts to wake at their usual 7:00 a.m. time after about one or two weeks.
It may take children and babies a bit more time to fall asleep, this is normal, since the time is different initially they might seem tired earlier.
It usually takes about a week for children and babies to completely adjust to the new time, some children it can take up to a month.
Be patient and stay very consistent, it will happen.
Erin Neri
 | Need to make your child's room darker? |
About the Author
I am the mother of two amazing little boys who did not come pre-programmed with the skills to sleep well independently. I knows how hard it is to function on little to no sleep, I understands how this impacts your ability to be the best version of the mom that you want to be. This is what led me to become a Certified Sleep Consultant and the founder of To The Moon and Back Sleep Consulting. I am also a member of the International Association of Professional Sleep Consultants. I have a background in Psychology and have worked with families and young children in many different settings for over 28 years. One of the best parts of my job is seeing the impact that TEACHING their little sleepers healthy/independent sleep skills has on the momma's!!
"Life Changing! I am a better mom!"
As a parent, it's not uncommon to feel overwhelmed when it comes to your toddler's sleep habits. You may find yourself exhausted from trying to get them to fall asleep or stay asleep through the night.
This is where a Sleep Consultant like Erin at To the Moon and Back can help. Sleep consultants specialize in helping families create healthy sleep habits for their children, and here are some reasons why you should consider using one:
A Sleep Consultant can be a valuable resource for parents struggling with their toddler's sleep. They can provide a personalized sleep plan, professional expertise, consistency, ongoing support, and ultimately, help improve your child's sleep habits.
If you're feeling overwhelmed or exhausted by your child's sleep habits, consider working with a sleep consultant to help create healthy sleep habits for your family.
Book your Free 20-minute Sleep Evaluation Call to learn more about Erin's programs and how she can help change your family's life into one that sleeps well.
This is where a Sleep Consultant like Erin at To the Moon and Back can help. Sleep consultants specialize in helping families create healthy sleep habits for their children, and here are some reasons why you should consider using one:
- Tailored Sleep Plan: A sleep consultant can create a personalized sleep plan for your child, taking into account their age, sleep needs, and your family's unique situation. This plan can include things like a consistent bedtime routine, sleep training techniques, and strategies for dealing with common sleep challenges.
- Professional Expertise: Sleep consultants have the expertise and knowledge to identify sleep issues and provide effective solutions. They stay up-to-date on the latest research in pediatric sleep and have experience working with children of different ages and sleep needs.
- Consistency: One of the most important things for a toddler's sleep is consistency. A sleep consultant can help you establish a consistent sleep routine and provide ongoing support to ensure you stay on track.
- Support: A sleep consultant can provide you with ongoing support throughout the sleep training process. They can answer any questions you have, offer guidance and encouragement, and help you stay motivated.
- Improved Sleep: Ultimately, the goal of working with a sleep consultant is to improve your child's sleep. Better sleep can lead to improved behavior, cognitive function, and overall health for your child, as well as better sleep and less stress for you as a parent.
A Sleep Consultant can be a valuable resource for parents struggling with their toddler's sleep. They can provide a personalized sleep plan, professional expertise, consistency, ongoing support, and ultimately, help improve your child's sleep habits.
If you're feeling overwhelmed or exhausted by your child's sleep habits, consider working with a sleep consultant to help create healthy sleep habits for your family.
Book your Free 20-minute Sleep Evaluation Call to learn more about Erin's programs and how she can help change your family's life into one that sleeps well.
So you’re on the fence about this whole, “Teaching your baby to sleep,” thing.
On the one hand, you know that sleep is essential for everyone in your family. You’ve read all the literature and have come to agree with the consensus of the pediatric community that sleep is vital to your baby’s development and well-being.
You’re 100 percent positive that your little one needs some help learning how to sleep well, and you’re dedicated to helping them overcome this obstacle.
And on the other hand, you’re nervous as hell about it.
Almost every parent I’ve worked with has started off absolutely riddled with anxiety. They know there’s a problem that needs fixing and they’re committed to that solution, but even with all of the research and evidence that this is a safe, effective process, they’re still on pins and needles.
On the one hand, you know that sleep is essential for everyone in your family. You’ve read all the literature and have come to agree with the consensus of the pediatric community that sleep is vital to your baby’s development and well-being.
You’re 100 percent positive that your little one needs some help learning how to sleep well, and you’re dedicated to helping them overcome this obstacle.
And on the other hand, you’re nervous as hell about it.
Almost every parent I’ve worked with has started off absolutely riddled with anxiety. They know there’s a problem that needs fixing and they’re committed to that solution, but even with all of the research and evidence that this is a safe, effective process, they’re still on pins and needles.
 | Because there’s a big difference, right? There’s all the babies, and then there’s your baby. And when it comes to your baby, the research and evidence can’t override your concern that you might be doing something wrong. Especially if your baby doesn’t seem to take to the new way of doing things right away. |
So, what’s happening here? Is this your maternal instinct kicking in? Are you subconsciously aware of an underlying threat to your baby? Is mother nature trying to tell you not to teach your baby to sleep?
Well, sorry to be ambiguous, but the truth is, it’s complicated.
Well, sorry to be ambiguous, but the truth is, it’s complicated.
 | Let’s take a few things into consideration here. First of all, you’re probably running on empty at this point when it comes to your own sleep. If your baby’s not sleeping, it’s almost a guarantee that you’re not sleeping either, and that can wreak havoc on your emotional well-being. |
Sleep deprivation stimulates activity in the amygdala, which is a part of the brain that controls several of your immediate emotional reactions.
According to a 2007 joint study between Harvard Medical School and U of C Berkeley, “...a lack of sleep inappropriately modulates the human emotional brain response to negative aversive stimuli.”
Or, in layman’s terms, you’re likely to overreact when things go bad. So when, say, your baby starts to cry, you’re less inclined to think, “I wonder what she needs,” and much more likely to think things like, “I’m a complete failure as a mother.”
This is what happens after one night of sleep deprivation, so you can imagine what chronic lack of sleep over the course of weeks, or even months, can lead to. You may even be experiencing it right now. It leaves you feeling helpless, inadequate, and riddled with anxiety.
Alright, that’s the sleep deprivation part. Let’s look at the other major reason that this process can be so difficult, and the real elephant in the room when it comes to this whole endeavour. - Crying.
Will your child cry when you’re teaching them this skill? Here’s the straight answer. It is extremely likely, bordering on an absolute certainty that, yes, your baby’s going to cry when you implement these new rules around bedtime.
Is your baby also going to cry when they get dropped off on their first day of school? Again, we’re looking at about a 95 out of 100 probability.
Will you baby throw a fit when you turn off their favorite cartoons, or when they get their first taste of asparagus, or when they’re told not to eat dirt?
You betcha. And even though you know they’re not in any danger or genuine distress in those situations, you’re still going to feel your heart explode when you hear your baby crying.
But again, if we look at this objectively, we can see that there’s an actual reason why the sound of a crying baby causes us such distress, and it’s not because of the actual level of urgency. Dr. David Poeppel, Professor Of Psychology & Neural Science at NYU, found that a crying baby differs from other environmental noises in something called the “amplitude modulation rate,” meaning how often the loudness of a sound changes.
Crying babies, along with car alarms and police sirens, have a modulation rate of about 100 times per second, compared to a regular speaking voice, which hovers somewhere between 4 or 5.
Experiments with an MRI to monitor the brains of people while listening to a variety of sounds, Poeppel found that baby screams have a unique ability to trigger activity in… you guessed it, our old friend, the amygdala.
According to a 2007 joint study between Harvard Medical School and U of C Berkeley, “...a lack of sleep inappropriately modulates the human emotional brain response to negative aversive stimuli.”
Or, in layman’s terms, you’re likely to overreact when things go bad. So when, say, your baby starts to cry, you’re less inclined to think, “I wonder what she needs,” and much more likely to think things like, “I’m a complete failure as a mother.”
This is what happens after one night of sleep deprivation, so you can imagine what chronic lack of sleep over the course of weeks, or even months, can lead to. You may even be experiencing it right now. It leaves you feeling helpless, inadequate, and riddled with anxiety.
Alright, that’s the sleep deprivation part. Let’s look at the other major reason that this process can be so difficult, and the real elephant in the room when it comes to this whole endeavour. - Crying.
Will your child cry when you’re teaching them this skill? Here’s the straight answer. It is extremely likely, bordering on an absolute certainty that, yes, your baby’s going to cry when you implement these new rules around bedtime.
Is your baby also going to cry when they get dropped off on their first day of school? Again, we’re looking at about a 95 out of 100 probability.
Will you baby throw a fit when you turn off their favorite cartoons, or when they get their first taste of asparagus, or when they’re told not to eat dirt?
You betcha. And even though you know they’re not in any danger or genuine distress in those situations, you’re still going to feel your heart explode when you hear your baby crying.
But again, if we look at this objectively, we can see that there’s an actual reason why the sound of a crying baby causes us such distress, and it’s not because of the actual level of urgency. Dr. David Poeppel, Professor Of Psychology & Neural Science at NYU, found that a crying baby differs from other environmental noises in something called the “amplitude modulation rate,” meaning how often the loudness of a sound changes.
Crying babies, along with car alarms and police sirens, have a modulation rate of about 100 times per second, compared to a regular speaking voice, which hovers somewhere between 4 or 5.
Experiments with an MRI to monitor the brains of people while listening to a variety of sounds, Poeppel found that baby screams have a unique ability to trigger activity in… you guessed it, our old friend, the amygdala.
| Now, I could walk you through some meditation practice and deep breathing exercises to help calm your nerves before we start teaching your baby these vital sleep skills. In fact, I think that’’s a great idea, but I’m guessing you already know what works for you in those arenas. |  |
Where I think I can be of the biggest help here is by getting you to realize that your brain, despite having some really noble intentions, is playing tricks on you. It’s making you feel negligent. It’s making you think that your baby is in desperate need of something they’re not. It’s attempting to get you to address an immediate situation because it’s incapable of appreciating the long-term solution that you’re working towards.
As with most instinctual habits, this one is more easily dealt with when we can appreciate not just what we’re feeling, but the science behind why we feel what we feel, so I wanted to provide you with that vital tool before you take on the challenge of helping your baby sleep through the night.
Now that you know; it's time to take that leap of faith and take the next steps in the journey to helping your little one learn to sleep well independently.
We can do this together!
Erin
As with most instinctual habits, this one is more easily dealt with when we can appreciate not just what we’re feeling, but the science behind why we feel what we feel, so I wanted to provide you with that vital tool before you take on the challenge of helping your baby sleep through the night.
Now that you know; it's time to take that leap of faith and take the next steps in the journey to helping your little one learn to sleep well independently.
We can do this together!
Erin
Author
Erin Neri - Pediatric Sleep Consultant and Owner of To The Moon and Back Sleep Consulting since 2016.
26+ years experience working with children and families including my BA in Applied Psychology, Infant Mental Health Training, Early Childhood Education & Experience. Working to complete Integrative Feeding Specialist Program in September 2022.
There are two things I can pretty much guarantee you when it comes to teaching your baby to sleep through the night.
I’ve also never worked with a family who didn’t feel like they had made a tremendous decision once their baby had learned to sleep through the night. The benefits to the whole family are almost indescribable.
Like many big decisions though, there are times that are ideal and times that are less so. Today, I’d like to offer some tips for deciding whether or not it’s the right time to take this challenging, but oh-so-rewarding journey.
- It’s going to be a challenge
- It’s going to be eminently worth it.
I’ve also never worked with a family who didn’t feel like they had made a tremendous decision once their baby had learned to sleep through the night. The benefits to the whole family are almost indescribable.
Like many big decisions though, there are times that are ideal and times that are less so. Today, I’d like to offer some tips for deciding whether or not it’s the right time to take this challenging, but oh-so-rewarding journey.
| Are you going to be around? I’m not attempting to find a silver lining in this Covid-19 situation, but many parents are currently either working from home or not working at all, which does present the opportunity to be at home while you show your little one how to sleep independently. |  |
I usually recommend that at least one parent is home for two weeks while you’re sleep training, so this might be a great opportunity to take the plunge.
I don’t advise parents to start sleep training within two weeks of traveling, but I’m guessing that’s not a concern for most of us at the moment since we’re all sticking pretty close to our home base.
Is the time right for baby?
The best chance for a quick and effective solution to your baby’s sleep issues is to implement the changes when they’re healthy and thriving. If baby’s dealing with reflux or colic, you’ll want to get that remedied before you start sleep training. There’s going to be some fussing and protest in the first few nights, and we want to make sure it’s only due to the change in their routine, not because of actual discomfort, and if they’re healthy, it’s much easier to pinpoint the reasons for their fussing.
I don’t advise parents to start sleep training within two weeks of traveling, but I’m guessing that’s not a concern for most of us at the moment since we’re all sticking pretty close to our home base.
Is the time right for baby?
The best chance for a quick and effective solution to your baby’s sleep issues is to implement the changes when they’re healthy and thriving. If baby’s dealing with reflux or colic, you’ll want to get that remedied before you start sleep training. There’s going to be some fussing and protest in the first few nights, and we want to make sure it’s only due to the change in their routine, not because of actual discomfort, and if they’re healthy, it’s much easier to pinpoint the reasons for their fussing.
 | Is your partner on board? If you’re raising your baby with a partner, it’s important that both of you are committed to the process. This can be a trying ordeal for the first couple of nights and if your partner thinks it’s not a good idea, there’s likely going to be a point where they manage to convince you to give in and resort to whatever “sleep prop” you usually use to get your baby to sleep. |
So before you get started, make sure you and your partner have both signed on and can rely on one another for support.
Can you stand a couple of nights without a lot of sleep?
I won’t sugar-coat it. Changing up someone’s sleep habits is almost never met with a lot of enthusiasm for the first night or two, so nobody’s likely to get a lot of rest for the first 48 hours. If you have an important meeting or a major event coming up in the next few days that you need to be in peak condition for, you might want to wait until next weekend to get things underway.
I won’t sugar-coat it. Changing up someone’s sleep habits is almost never met with a lot of enthusiasm for the first night or two, so nobody’s likely to get a lot of rest for the first 48 hours. If you have an important meeting or a major event coming up in the next few days that you need to be in peak condition for, you might want to wait until next weekend to get things underway.
| Are the symptoms of sleep deprivation starting to show? Are you starting to feel depressed, moody, forgetful, unmotivated, clumsy, or unfocused? Is your sex drive starting to wane? Have you noticed an increased appetite and carbohydrate cravings? |  |
These are all symptoms of sleep deprivation and they’re no laughing matter. Society tends to make light of the whole, “exhausted new parent” persona, but the more we learn about the health effects of sleep deprivation, the less of a joke it becomes. If you’re sleep-deprived or feel like you’re on the verge, now’s the time to take some action.
 | Are their accommodations ready? Exceptions can be made in certain situations, but I really do find that putting baby into their own room is the best way to help them learn to sleep independently, and there are a few decorating guidelines to help baby get the hang of this thing as quickly as possible. Their room should be as dark as you can possibly get it. |
Put up some blackout blinds like SleepOut BlackOut Curtains (use the Discount Code: TOTHEMOONSLEEP10). Or, barring that, tape up some garbage bags over the windows. It’s not pretty but 100% darkness will really help with daytime naps.
Get rid of any mobiles, crib aquariums, or light-emitting devices that claim to help baby sleep. (I can assure you, they don’t.) An ideal nursery is flat-out boring. Baby should recognize it as a place to do nothing but sleep, so keep their toys and stuffies in another room.
Get rid of any mobiles, crib aquariums, or light-emitting devices that claim to help baby sleep. (I can assure you, they don’t.) An ideal nursery is flat-out boring. Baby should recognize it as a place to do nothing but sleep, so keep their toys and stuffies in another room.
Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment
Like I said earlier, now might not be the ideal time to take the initiative to help your baby sleep through the night. Getting started and having to stop because of some bad planning is likely going to cause some confusion and minimize your chances for success. But remember, there’s always going to be something that isn’t exactly ideal.
Like I said earlier, now might not be the ideal time to take the initiative to help your baby sleep through the night. Getting started and having to stop because of some bad planning is likely going to cause some confusion and minimize your chances for success. But remember, there’s always going to be something that isn’t exactly ideal.
Teething, crawling, rolling over, and other developmental milestones, shouldn’t impede baby’s ability to sleep through the night, and they’re not going to stop popping up until your little one’s about ready to graduate from high school.
So now that you know all that, if you feel like the time is right and you’re ready to get started, let’s get going! Get in touch and we can start putting together a plan for your baby right away I know it’s a big decision, (It certainly was for me when I first made it with my little one) but the outcome is almost indescribably wonderful for the whole family. I’m ready when you are.
Author
Erin Neri - Pediatric Sleep Consultant and Owner of To The Moon and Back Sleep Consulting since 2016.
26+ years experience working with children and families including my BA in Applied Psychology, Infant Mental Health Training, Early Childhood Education & Experience. Working to complete Integrative Feeding Specialist Certification in October 2022.
Bringing a new baby into the house is an incredible, exciting but also terrifying occasion, even more so when you have one or two children already. It can bring up a whole lot of questions.
How are the older children going to react to this new baby? Are they going to embrace the role of being an older sibling? Will they turn into jealous clingers who need constant attention? Will their schedule fit with your newborn's naps and feeding times? Most importantly, how is this going to affect the older child's bedtime?
Trying to juggle two or three different bedtime routines can be overwhelming if you're not ready for it. Trying to find fifteen minutes to feed your newborn while at the same time trying to get your toddler out of the bath can make you lose your mind. Toddlers just know that you're in a position where you're unable to chase them down and enforce the rules, so they are more likely to take advantage of that weakness.
So here are some strategies for those of you who have two or three little people, and are struggling to find a bedtime groove.
How are the older children going to react to this new baby? Are they going to embrace the role of being an older sibling? Will they turn into jealous clingers who need constant attention? Will their schedule fit with your newborn's naps and feeding times? Most importantly, how is this going to affect the older child's bedtime?
Trying to juggle two or three different bedtime routines can be overwhelming if you're not ready for it. Trying to find fifteen minutes to feed your newborn while at the same time trying to get your toddler out of the bath can make you lose your mind. Toddlers just know that you're in a position where you're unable to chase them down and enforce the rules, so they are more likely to take advantage of that weakness.
So here are some strategies for those of you who have two or three little people, and are struggling to find a bedtime groove.
Strategies to help get into the bedtime grove with a baby and a toddler.
- Have one bedtime for all the kids in the house. A lot of families I work with are shocked when I suggest that their three-year-olds should be going to bed at 7:00 PM, but at that age, kids still require between 10-12 hours of sleep a night, not including daytime naps. So if your toddler needs to be up at 7:00 AM, a 7:00 PM bedtime is reasonable. If the idea of having 2 or 3 bedtime routines at the same time seems overwhelming, keep reading.
- Team up and switch off if you can. If you're the lucky one and have a partner who's home and able to help you get the kids to bed, put together a list of what needs to get done. Split the tasks evenly, and then switch off every other night. That will help make sure neither of you feels like you have the short end of the stick. It will also get your kids used to either parent putting them to bed, so if one isn't available, it won't throw your them into a tailspin just because things aren't the same.
- Find opportunities to multitask. As a parent, either through talent or necessity, we become the undisputed champions of multitasking. Trying to get through two or three separate bedtime routines is going to leave you exhausted and probably won't fit with your schedule, so double up when you can. Let the kids bathe together, feed your newborn while you read your toddler a bedtime story, sing songs while you change baby's diaper. Wherever you can overlap, use that opportunity for all it's worth.
- Create and stick to a 15-30 minute bedtime routine. Bedtime routines are super important to get your kids to sleep through the night. It's not just a great way of giving them a sense of time; it also works as a signal to their brains and bodies that bedtime is coming. The routine stimulates melatonin production and turns things down internally to prepare for a long, rejuvenating sleep. A bath is a great place to start. It's a strong signal that sleep is just around the corner.
- Save a special activity for bedtime. Typically, the older child can entertain themselves for a little while so you can finish up with your youngest. It's not always the case, but if it is, find a non-screen-related activity that will keep your toddler engaged and quiet. Make this activity exclusive to that fifteen minutes that you need one-on-one time to put the baby down. Don't make it too exciting, or you could end up in a battle because your child's bedtime activity is too much fun to put down.
- Embrace child labour. Toddlers love structure and predictability. Giving them a helper position when you're putting your younger child to bed is a great way to keep them busy. Being a helper also gives them a feeling of triumph before they head to bed. Show them where to find the diapers and have them bring them to you when you're getting your baby ready for bedtime.
- Stick to your guns. Toddlers test boundaries in a constant, systematic fashion. "I'm not allowed to throw the football in the house? OK. Maybe I'm allowed to throw the soccer ball in the house!" And because you're attention is split between them and a new baby, you might feel a little indebted to them. That's OK, but changing or loosening the rules could end up upsetting them more, not less. As I said before, kids rely on predictability and structure. If suddenly they get the feeling like the fences are down, they typically feel a little lost, and that's going to lead to more tantrums, not fewer. So keep the routine and the expectations as close as possible to the way they were before their sibling arrived.
- No matter how bad it gets, no matter how tempted you might be, don't let your toddler watch a show. I know how putting your child in front of the TV or handing them your phone can buy you a few minutes of quiet, but screens can be the ultimate downfall. The entire time that they're holding your child's attention, they're flooding their eyes with blue light. That might not seem like a bad tradeoff for fifteen minutes to tend to your baby. However, blue light stimulates cortisol production and inhibits melatonin. So those fifteen minutes of peace and quiet could very easily cost you hours of trying to get your overtired child to settle down for the night.
- Accept the fact that it’s not always going to go smoothly. These are, young children we're dealing with, so if things start to go off track a bit, don't look at it as a failure on anyone's part. They're going to have regressions, rough nights, and occasional meltdowns. Staying calm and level-headed will be the best thing you can do to make sure these situations don't escalate into something more frustrating and upsetting for everyone involved.
- Embrace the peace and quiet. Once everyone is in bed, take at least five or ten minutes to let yourself unwind. Don't check your email, start a load of laundry, or catch up on whatever responsibilities you've got to look after. We all know that this parenting thing is a stressful gig. So when you get a moment to pat yourself on the back and find a little calm in your life, you should embrace it. The minutes right after the kids fall asleep are a prime opportunity to do just that. So take some time to celebrate the superhero that is you. There will be another night of challenges and rewards for the whole family right around the corner.
Is it time to reach out for help from a sleep expert?
If you are struggling to get your children to bed on time without bedtime battles and tears galore then reach out for help from your favourite sleep consultant. Book your Free 20-minute Sleep Evaluation Call where will will talk about your family's sleep challenges and identify why they are happening and how I can help.
Author
Erin Neri - Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant and Owner of To The Moon and Back Sleep Consulting since 2016.
Proud mother of 2 young boys who did not come into the world preprogrammed with independent sleep skills. 26+ years of training & experience working with children and families including her BA in Applied Psychology, Infant Mental Health Training, Early Childhood Education & Experience.
Mommy Connections introduces you to programs and services available within your community. Our classes provide a unique learning opportunity as well as a fun way to bond with your child and other moms in a social environment.
Each class offers opportunities to hear presenters speak to a topic that is important or of interest for you as a mommy and for your little one(s). This allows for a unique bonding opportunity with your little one while still fulfilling your need to obtain information and be social with other moms experiencing the same challenges, fears and excitement.
Mommy Connections Sherwood Park also plans regular events and workshops that cater to the needs of the modern family!
Each class offers opportunities to hear presenters speak to a topic that is important or of interest for you as a mommy and for your little one(s). This allows for a unique bonding opportunity with your little one while still fulfilling your need to obtain information and be social with other moms experiencing the same challenges, fears and excitement.
Mommy Connections Sherwood Park also plans regular events and workshops that cater to the needs of the modern family!
To The Moon and Back Sleep Consulting
Providing families the tools & support they need to get their little ones sleeping through the night and napping like champs! Everyone has more fun when they are well rested!
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