The Slumber Studio

10/15/2020

Daylight Saving time is coming on Sunday, November 1st.⁣
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If your child is an early riser/ more sensitive sleeper (or you just like to plan ahead), you may want to consider a gradual approach to dealing with the time change. See option 1 below! If you have a very easy going child (or prefer to wing it!), see option 2 below. ⁣⁣
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1️⃣With this approach you will begin the week before the time change. Each day you will start your day 10 minutes later than normal. Your child’s wake windows & nap lengths will remain the same as always, you are really just shifting the start time of everything back by 10 minutes. So wake time is 10 minutes later, nap 1 is 10 minutes later, nap 2 is 10 minutes later, etc and bed time is 10 minutes later. The next day you do the same thing except 10 minutes later than the day prior! By the time the time change occurs your little will already be on the new schedule. ⁣⁣
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2️⃣If you have a highly adaptable, easy going child, or you just like to wing it, then you can always opt to make the switch the day of the time change. You can expect the possibility of several days of early wakeups in this situation until they adjust. You will need to stay consistent with their typical nap times regardless of early wakeups so that they can stay on track with their schedule.⁣⁣
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➡️Regardless of which method you choose, keep in mind these important tips:⁣⁣
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*️⃣Maintain a consistent bedtime routine. This prepares your baby for sleep no matter what time the clock says. ⁣⁣
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*️⃣Use the light and darkness to your advantage! During awake time, expose your baby to plenty of daylight. Go for a walk, open your blinds and turn on all the lights in your house. Exposure to light early in the day helps produce the sleepy hormone, melatonin, for sleep that night. ⁣⁣
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*️⃣During the nap or bedtime routine be sure to dim the lights. Once it’s time for sleep, the room should be pitch black until it’s time for them to wake up. Even the tiniest amount of light creeping in through the window can cause them to wake. ⁣⁣
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*️⃣Be patient and allow your child sufficient time to adjust to this new schedule. Give yourself (and your child) some grace.

10/02/2020

This post is a continuation of info on early morning wakings. If you haven’t seen my previous posts on this topic, scroll back to take a look! ⁣
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Today we will look at culprit #9 - they are too drowsy when you lay them down at bed time. ⁣
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This is one of the top issues I see when working with families. Many don’t even realize they’re doing it! They feel like they’re doing everything right and can’t figure out why they are still experiencing sleep issues. Many babies and toddlers become too drowsy close to bed time, especially if they’re being fed, rocked, or held right before being laid down. ⁣
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When they are too drowsy at the time they are laid down, it essentially acts as a sleep crutch. This can lead to frequent night wakings and early morning wakings since baby didn’t to the full work of putting themselves to sleep. ⁣
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Here’s how to ensure your little one isn’t in this category: ⁣
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✅ if a feeding is included as part of your bed time routine, move it to the beginning of the routine. ⁣
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✅ I love for you to rock and hold your littles! Just be sure to spend some time doing it earlier in the routine.⁣
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✅ Start your bedtime routine earlier. If baby is too drowsy despite switching your routine up, try starting 10-15 minutes earlier. ⁣
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You want to see your baby or toddler putting themselves to sleep independently within 5-15 minutes of laying them down!