Moving to a new house can be an exciting adventure, but it often comes with a fair share of anxiety and uncertainty for children. One of the key challenges parents face during this transition is helping children adjust to a new bedroom, which plays a pivotal role in maintaining healthy sleep habits. In this article, we'll explore how comfort items and sleep aids can be instrumental in creating a soothing and welcoming environment for your child. By doing so, you'll not only ease their transition but also ensure that they maintain healthy sleep habits during a move. Let's delve into making a new bedroom a comforting haven for your little one.

Creating a Cozy Haven

When embarking on helping children adjust to a new bedroom, the first step is to create a cozy haven that feels like home. Preparations should start even before the relocation. Therefore, make sure to organize everything thoughtfully as you pack up their old bedroom for the move. This approach ensures their favorite items and comfort pieces are readily accessible in their new space. Soft, inviting bedding with familiar patterns or colors can make the new room feel like a comforting cocoon. Consider involving your child in the decoration process, allowing them to choose a few decor items or wall art pieces that resonate with their personality.

Additionally, if possible, maintain the layout of their old bedroom as closely as possible. Familiarity in placement can provide a sense of continuity that's incredibly reassuring during this period of change. Remember, the goal is to craft an atmosphere that fosters feelings of safety and security, helping your child transition smoothly to their new bedroom.

The Power of Familiarity

Comfort items are akin to a child's trusted companions. They carry the essence of familiarity, providing security amid change. These cherished items are crucial when helping children adjust to a new bedroom. Whether it's a stuffed animal, a well-loved blanket, or a favorite toy, these treasures can soothe and reassure the child.
 
As you settle into the new space, encourage your child to place their beloved items in appropriate locations. Their old bedtime buddies can serve as anchors, connecting the past with the present. The scent and touch of these items can evoke a strong sense of comfort, helping your child feel more at ease in their unfamiliar surroundings.

Familiarity doesn't just stop at comfort items. Consider replicating the lighting conditions and room temperature from their previous bedroom. If the old room had a cozy reading nook, recreate something similar. These seemingly small elements collectively contribute to creating a reassuring ambiance, reinforcing the idea that this new bedroom is still a safe and welcoming place.

Nightlights and Sleep Aids
Light and darkness significantly affect sleep, especially for children adjusting to a new bedroom. The fear of the dark can be a common challenge during this transition, and nightlights can be a simple yet effective solution. A gentle nightlight can provide a reassuring glow, dispelling shadows and making the room feel less intimidating. Opt for a soft, warm light that won't disrupt sleep patterns.

In addition to nightlights, consider incorporating sleep aids into your child's bedtime routine. White noise machines or soothing music players can drown out unfamiliar sounds, creating a peaceful auditory environment. Nature sounds, lullabies or calming melodies can be particularly helpful in lulling your child to sleep.

It's essential to choose sleep aids that are age-appropriate and safe for your child's use. These aids can offer comfort and security, making adjusting to a new bedroom a smoother experience. The goal is to create an environment where your child feels protected and relaxed, ensuring a good night's sleep even in unfamiliar surroundings.

Bedtime Routine

Establishing a consistent bedtime routine is one of the most effective ways to help children adjust to a new bedroom. This ritual signals your child that it's time to wind down and provides a sense of predictability in their new environment. 

Begin by setting a bedtime and sticking to it as closely as possible, even on weekends. That helps regulate your child's internal clock and ensures they get the recommended amount of sleep for their age. Incorporate calming activities like reading a book, taking a warm bath, or gentle cuddling into the routine. These activities help your child relax and create positive associations with bedtime.

If you have a baby, a well-structured bedtime routine can be instrumental in helping them get better naps throughout the day. Keep the room dimly lit to signal that it's nighttime. As you go through the routine consistently, your child will understand that it's time for sleep, adjusting their new bedroom to be smoother and more restful.

Parental Support and Communication

Your support and open communication are indispensable while helping children adjust to a new bedroom. Children often look to their parents for reassurance, especially in times of change. Here are some key ways to provide the support your child needs:

• Listen to Their Concerns: Encourage your child to express their feelings and concerns about the new bedroom. Listening actively and empathetically can help alleviate their worries.
• Be Patient and Understanding: Adjusting to a new environment can take time. Be patient with any sleep disturbances or anxiety your child may experience. Reassure them that it's normal to feel this way.
• Stay Consistent: Consistency in your approach is crucial. Stick to the established bedtime routine, even when faced with resistance. This consistency provides a sense of security.
• Physical Presence: Spend extra time with your child in their new bedroom, whether reading a story or simply sitting together. Your presence can make the room feel cozier.
• Positive Reinforcement: Celebrate small victories. When your child successfully sleeps through the night or becomes more comfortable in their new space, acknowledge and praise their efforts.
  
  

Maintaining open lines of communication and offering unwavering support will help your child confidently navigate the adjustment period, reinforcing their sense of security in their new bedroom.

In Conclusion
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In helping children adjust to a new bedroom, we've discovered the incredible impact of comfort items, sleep aids, and a consistent bedtime routine. Parental support, communication, and proactive problem-solving play pivotal roles in this transition. Remember, maintaining healthy sleep habits during a move is essential for your child's well-being. By creating a cozy haven, embracing familiarity, and providing the necessary tools for comfort, you can ensure that your child not only adjusts but thrives in their new bedroom.

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Violet - 3.5 Months

"Erin was a pleasure to work with. We chose the plan that included daily telegram support, which I highly recommend. She made a sleep plan for us, provided a plethora of sleep education, and answered my many daily questions.

I was really nervous to do sleep training on our own; part of me thought that our baby would hate us for allowing her to cry. I'm not sure I would have been able to commit to the training without Erin cheering us on and reminding us to stay strong.

Erin definitely took a lot of the stress away. She helped troubleshoot the daily nap/bedtime schedule, which can be a struggle!

Training has made the 4-month sleep regression that much easier. I think we are almost through it, and it hasn't been that bad! I haven't had to get up with her during the night since we started training!

She gave me the confidence to face any future obstacle head-on. Since completing training, we have had one late night putting baby to bed for family photos and a vaccine appointment during nap time. She has become so much more flexible with her sleep, falling asleep in places that, prior to, she wouldn't have.

While we will strive to provide most naps in her crib or pack-n-play (on the go), it's nice to know that if we are unable to provide either that she is flexible to nap wherever we are.

She was a pretty happy baby prior to training, but I think she is that much happier getting better naps and nighttime sleep. I'm a happier and better mom for doing sleep training and no longer contact napping!

It really gives you a piece of mind and a sense of pride when your baby can just put themselves to sleep!

Thank you so much, Erin; this was a life-changing experience for us! I highly recommend Erin if you are looking to successfully sleep train your baby/child with daily support and expertise. "

- Jenna C.

Lily - 22 Months 

"I think for me, the hesitation to hire a sleep consultant was more thinking that if I asked for help, it meant that I failed at helping my daughter on my own.

Lily sleeps so much better at night. No more nighttime feeds. She naps on her own now. She's so much happier and eating more. We have a better schedule now. Plus, I can actually get chores done when Lily Is napping.

Erin is extremely kind and patient. I loved how passionate she is about helping families get better sleep!

Erin is easy to talk to and understanding. Very helpful and relatable.

I would recommend Erin to anyone I came across who expressed needing help with sleep training."

- Kristina R.

Riley - 3.5 YO & Bodhi - 1.5 YO

"Erin is a pleasure to work with. She is understanding and knowledgeable and has strategies that work.

Before Erin, my 3.5-year-old and 1.5-year-old were waking up continuously throughout the night, and everyone in the house was exhausted and miserable.

By the time our lessons with Erin were though, our children no longer fight or fuss and now sleep through the night.

Her insight and knowledge base has truly changed our family's nights into restful sleeps.

My husband and I could not have done this without her. "

- Melissa & John A.

Astrid - 5 Months

"The internet is full of parents who have opinions on what makes a successful sleeping baby and nursery setup, but they completely contradict one another.
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It is frustrating, and when you're in the thick of this chaos, you will try everything, which means nothing works.

We put ourselves through so much trying to solve our little girl's sleep issues and just assumed it was the four-month sleep regression.

After weeks of her only napping for 10-30 minutes, waking up screaming after 30 minutes at bedtime, needing to feed to sleep, and having complete meltdowns for nap and sleep time, we decided to bring in a professional.

It was so relieving to have a professional weed out the misinformation and set us up with clear guides for us as parents to follow.

In one night, our daughter stopped needing night feeds and, within just a couple of nights, slept through the night (meaning, she was able to put herself back to sleep).

In a few days, she was getting better, fuller naps during the day. Honestly, after the first week, we just t had situation-specific questions we needed guidance for; otherwise, our baby was a sleeping superstar at just five months old!

When I have told family and friends we hired a sleep consultant, many didn't know it was an option. Those who have littles are now considering this option if their little needs that helping hand.

Don't be afraid to get help. It may seem like something you as the parent should just be able to solve, but you don't need to do this alone.

Give yourself the relief and let someone else guide you."

Landis R.

Parker - 6 Months
​I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was nervous about what the process would entail and didn’t want someone to judge how I was parenting
 
My little one can sleep through the night! And her naps are longer and more predictable. She went from waking every other hour in the night needing to be rocked back to sleep to sleeping 12 hours straight on her own. Her naps also improved and went from 15-30 minutes to over an hour!
 
I appreciated the support and the information Erin provided. She was very easy to talk to and had no judgement whatsoever. There were some rough days but with Erin’s help we got through them and are so glad we stuck it out! Both baby and parents are now getting their much-needed sleep!
 
This process has provided both my husband and I the confidence to move forward with our daughter’s sleep schedule. We know that there will be bumps along the way, but we now have the tools to help us through those times.
 
Erin is very down to earth and takes her time with you. It really made us feel important and listened to. She was very informative and patient with our many questions!
 
Alyssa H.

​Mackenzie - 7.5 Months
​"I forgot what sleeping through the night was like, until I starting working with Erin!!!

At first i was a little skeptical when she mentioned that she would be able to have my little girl taking 3 naps a day and sleeping 10-12 hours a night; after all she barely napped and would sleep for 3-4 hours at a time during the night.

I could not believe the results. Erin walked me through the process, and mentioned that it was going to be tough because there were a lot of "bad" habits that needed to be changed.  

Erin gave me the confidence to not give in to every cry, that its okay for babies to cry it's good for their lungs.

The first few days were tough, I won't lie.  As a mom I never like to hear my little one cry. I will pick her up and rock her back to sleep or just let her sleep on me just so she'd stay sleeping.

But Erin has taught me the skills and confidence I needed to get through the first hump. I was amazed after the first few days.

My little one went down for her naps like clockwork, and she consistently slept through the night for 12 hours!!!!!!!!!

​I couldn't have asked for a better sleep consultant. Erin was there to answer any of my questions, give me advice when she noticed different sleeping issues, and did follow up calls throughout this sleep journey. 10 out of 10 :)”

Britta N.

​Rocky 2 Years & 3 Months
Our son was keeping us awake and exclusively co-sleeping which resulted in him not getting enough sleep and us getting woken up when he wanted to feed several times throughout the night.
 
He is now sleeping very well on his own and is very easy to put to bed. The recommended white noise machine is great (he will sleep through music, movies, or company).
 
Erin provided a plan to get him back in his own bed and now he sleeps in his own bed without a fight.
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The advice and information provided was very useful. The plan was specific and easy to understand.
 
I think it is useful to have someone outside provide perspective to what is possible and normally achievable.
 
It was a great experience and I would recommend it to anyone who is struggling with sleep training.
 
Lee M.

​Maud 6 Weeks - 4 Months
"Since working with Erin, our little one is sleeping like a champion. She sleeps through the night and goes down without a battle at naps. No more rocking, bouncing, signing, feeding her to sleep....
 
Our little one has learned how to fall asleep on her own! Something I honestly didn't think would be possible. What an amazing gift- not only to us as tired parents, but to our daughter who has mastered the skill of sleeping.
 
Erin was beyond patient with us. She took the time to answer all of our questions and made us feel safe working with her. Erin went above and beyond to help our family and we are forever great full for teaching us the skills to help our little one get the sleep she (and we) needed.
 
To any parent out there who is on the fence of whether to hire a sleep consultant, I can honestly say it was the best investment our family made.
 
There is so much information (and miss-information) out there on sleeping. Erin will help you develop a plan specific to your little one and help you navigate through the process of learning this ever so important skill. Thank you so much!!!!!”
 
Rebecca N.

Ayana - 20 Months
As a family, we got our sleep back! 

We were co-sleeping and nursing to sleep every day. Bedtime would take 1 to 2 hours every night, and our daughter would wake up 2-5 times every night. 

Now thanks to Erin and her sleep training, our 21-month-old daughter sleeps through the night in her own room and is able to fall back asleep on her own. She is now sleeping 11-12 hours every night without any sleep prop. 

Erin's program works and is adapted and personalized to your child. 

We would recommend Erin's services to family and friends with a baby/toddler of any age experiencing difficulties with sleeping.

Laura B.

​Grayson - 7 Months
​Before hiring a sleep consultant, I was hesitant about the cost and leaving my son to cry.
 
But I haven’t had to picked him up through the night since we started working with Erin. He has had nights where he’s cried but it only happens once in a while.
 
Erin is so down to earth! She made me feel very comfortable in talking about my concerns.
 
I now know it’s OK to let him cry a little! And I feel like a better mother because I am now getting sleep.
 
Erin truly understands what we are going through. Husbands try to be as supportive as they can but don’t truly understand.
 
And you get so many people saying "oh it's normal they aren’t sleeping my children didn’t sleep through the night until they were two".
 
And I learned it’s not normal! And giving your baby the tools to learn to sleep well is so important for babies and moms!
 
I really can’t thank you enough for what you have done for our family!
 
Allie P.

"We thought that we we're past the point of no return with our 9 month old. He wouldn't sleep without either being nursed or rocked. He would wake 5-6 times a night and would never sleep in his crib. He was either in his mother's arms or in bed with both of us. Nobody was sleeping and we were reaching critical madness. After the first week and half of this program, he would fall asleep on his own, sleep 12 hours a night, by himself, and if he awoke, he would self-sooth and go back down. 2, one hour naps per day, by himself in his crib. A borderline miracle. We are a different family now, everybody is sleeping, when he cries, we know something is wrong rather than guessing if he's tired ( before this he was, all the time). My advice, is DO IT, put aside your reservations, and do it. It will improve yours & your child's lives 10 fold. It's a tough go for the first few days, but worth its weight in gold in the end. Never mind $400, I would have paid $4000 if I'd had known the results.”

​Brent & Terra
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Oakley - 4 Months​

I wasn't sure if spending the money was going to be worth it. Now I can say with confidence it WAS worth it! I have my sanity back! I started this journey with waking up 4x a night and dealing with 30-40 min crap naps all day with my baby. I am now down to 1x a night and he's napping 3 solid naps a day that last anywhere from 1-3 hours depending. I don't feel like I'm living at a sleep torture camp anymore! I can't thank you enough for your support on those days I wanted to give up, for answering my 1000 questions and for giving me back some much-needed sleep.

​Candice Y.

Madelyn – 4 Months ​

​"We were at our end with our little ones’ sleep issues and having 2 older kiddos meant that there was no way for me to sleep during the day to catch up... so we had to do something about our then 4-month-old sleep habits. It took some time but now we have a baby who happily sleeps thru the night and allows our whole family to sleep better too :)"

​Erin R.

Ellie – 7 Months

“When my little one was newborn, I said I would never do sleep training with her because I never wanted to not respond when she cried out to me.
 
Our daughter reached a point where her daytime sleep did not exist because she was so distracted by her surroundings - she was miserable and it made all of us miserable!
 
We knew that the habits we had formed around her sleep were no longer sustainable and that we needed to make a change!
 
We decided to hire a sleep consultant because it gave us comfort to have a guideline and parameters to follow along with and someone to check in with along the sleep training journey. We were overwhelmed by all the information and different methods of sleep training out there and knowing that all babies are different, we did not want to wing it with a cookie cutter method.
 
Erin is wonderful to work with! We felt comfortable immediately! She is understanding and not judgemental about the sleep habits that we had in place and works with you at your comfort level to get everyone sleeping effectively! She keeps communication open throughout the process and is available for questions along the way!
 
As soon as we started sleep training with Erin, she took to it well, and there much less tears involved than we had prepared ourselves for! We have a very stubborn little girl and it became very clear, very quickly that she was ready for sleep training and we are so happy with the results!
 
We had some travel booked prior to starting and Erin gave us some great travel tips and helped us work through the days away to help our daughter get through these days smoothly. She did great!
 
We started out with a 7-month-old who was sleeping well at night but with multiple night waking’s, but never napped independently - naps only took place while nursing or in her car seat. Within days she was sleeping completely through the night and napping in her crib during the day - this gave us 2 full weeks to focus on improving her daytime sleep and at the end of the 3 weeks she is effectively napping twice a day (up to 4 hours a day)!
 
Our daughter is sleeping completely independently for 14-16 hours a day! She is happier when she is awake and goes to sleep with no tears at bedtime and at nap time! We now have a happy and well-rested baby girl (and a happy well-rested mama!)!!
 
Meagan O.​

Makayla - 7.5 Months
​"This is the real deal and it is actually possible to have your little one sleep through the night. We were a little skeptical at first but just after the first night, our little one was sleeping through the night! Our baby is so much calmer and happier which we didn't think was possible as she was so happy before. Consistency is key and knowing you are doing this to better your little ones sleeping gives you the motivation to keep going.

​Without the help and knowledge from Erin, we would not have been able to do this. She is truly great at what she does and I would recommend her to anyone that is having any sleep issues. Sometimes no matter how hard you try, you can't wrap your head around what to do and having someone for support and to lean on who is an outsider, is so helpful. Especially since Erin has been through this with her own kids! Don't wait until you hit rock bottom and are so sleep deprived you can't think straight before you start making changes, you owe it to yourself and your little one. It is so worth it! Thank you Erin, we could not have done it without you."

​Carla N.

Aubrey - 10 Months
My husband and I hired Erin after our 10 month old regressed to waking every 45 minutes. We were spending hours getting her to sleep - then constantly alternating turns in her room after she woke. We were exhausted and had no time with each other at all. We needed a program that was effective yet gentle enough to allow us to comfort her through the process. It wasn't easy..... But it worked! After three nights, our girl was sleeping 12 HOURS at night!!!!Naps are longer as well! We really appreciated Erin's encouragement through it, and her availability for any questions we might have had.
My husband and I watched a movie together for the first time in 6 months!!!!! Our whole family is more rested and much happier!

​April L-K

Brooklyn - 10 Months
Initially the cost was our only hesitation. I knew this was a good thing for my daughter and I realized how important getting proper sleep was but little did I know the impact it would have on our whole family. It was well worth it. 
 
Since working with Erin, my daughter goes down effortlessly twice a day for naps and is sleeping through the night (11-12 hours). She has been sleeping through the night since night 6 of the sleep plan. Along with that, she is no longer takes a soother and is completely off night feeding! I can't express how amazing of a feeling it is. She is overall an even happier baby than she was at the start of this! The real test was when her Grandma took her overnight and had the same results, no struggle to go down for naps and bedtime was a breeze, and of course no night waking.  
 
I have to say for anyone considering hiring Erin, yes, sure there is a cost but you are investing in something a new mother and mothers in general are lacking...precious sleep!  This seriously has changed our lives.  People need to know that Erin won't leave you hanging. There was always a solution to the wrenches my daughter threw at me throughout the sleep training plan. Erin is friendly, and easy to talk too. I recall a couple times I wanted to give up and didn't think I was cut out for doing the training with my daughter but Erin talked me through it and gave me solutions to fix the nap issues we had encountered. 

Not only have I seen a difference in my daughter with her sleeping but I have felt the impact too.  Prior to the sleep training plan, I was unable to get the sleep I desperately needed as well, I would be waking up anywhere from 2-3x a night whether it was for a night feeding, cause her soother was lost or I would just find myself lying in bed anticipating her waking up so in turn it kept myself up longer than necessary.  I can honestly say after doing the sleep training plan that Erin created, it has made me a better mother. I feel better in the morning, no longer lacking sleep, I'm happier and well rested which in turns makes me care for my daughter better. This is huge for me. 
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I just wanted to thank you Erin, for your support I received throughout this process. It definitely had its ups and downs. But we are so happy with the results. It was worth every penny and I would recommend Erin to anyone.  Can't thank you enough, my only regret is not contacting Erin sooner!”

​Nicole L.