For Sleep Sake

It seems that Infants turn to Toddlers within the blink of an eye; they grow fast which means it can feel like their schedule changes SO often too! With that being said, here is a chart for Wake Windows!

👶New parents, you’re going to want to keep in a good place! Save or screenshot this post as a reference as your little one grows and their schedule changes! 📸

Because babies can accumulate a sleep debt easily, they are prone to being overtired; this over tiredness produces a stress hormone cortisol, which makes it harder to fall and stay asleep through their sleep cycles.

Though aiming for circadian rhythms, age appropriate nap times, is important, wake times also need to come into play! Before 4 months of age a baby’s sleep is unstructured, but as they get older and more aware of their surroundings, babies sleep starts to fall into more of a routine! After 4 months you can really start to get this routine on a set schedule!

How do you know when your kiddie is ready for a nap?

Knowing when your little ones are ready bed involves a handful of things; What time did they wake up? How did they sleep last night? How long have they been up? (wake windows) How was their last nap? Are they displaying sleepy cues (rubbing eyes, dazed, laying on ground). Finding out exactly what’s needed for your child can be exhausting!!

This all contributes to getting these wake times and circadian rhythms to line up can be tricky- instead of reading a bunch of books (I already did that for you!) and trying all the methods, let me help!

I’ll give you choices for methods, will formulate a plan that works just for you, and support you the whole way through!

Theres many ways to go about sleep training, let find the best fit for you and your family!

Did you know?! That for every hour of sleep lost at night, you lose 2 hours of productivity the next day!

Think of how much more you could be getting accomplished if your whole house was getting a FULL NIGHTS SLEEP! Well, I’m here to tell you that its possible!

Sleep training is beneficial for the whole household, let’s eliminate some of that cranky, overtired behavior of babies, toddlers and preschoolers that comes from accumulating sleep debt!

A study published in the journal Pediatrics in 2013 has shown that kids who have a consistent bedtime and routine, as well as those who get more restful and restorative sleep more often are better listeners and more well behaved!
It also shows that the longer time spent without a regular bedtime, the worse behavior grew.
The positive? This is very easy to fix; once a bedtime was set and followed, children’s behavior noticeably and quickly turned around!
If that isn’t a wonderful incentive right there I don’t know what is!

Here is a throwback picture of me as a two year old displaying all the right overtired signs by passing out with my hand in a popcorn bowl.
Can’t say this wasn’t how I fell asleep last night too...😂😂

Read the article here: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kids-bedtime-behavior_n_4096675?ir=Parents&guccounter=1

Like all good things, it can take time getting your little ones sleep to line up, but staying consistent with these three factors that you can do every night to help achieve a healthy nights sleep for the whole family! I use the phrase “consistency is key!” ALL THE TIME with my clients!

1. Routine: Creating a consistent routine before naps and bedtime help your child to feel safe and confident, this helps them to understand and learn what is expected of them at this time: to sleep!
2. Environment: Letting your child fall asleep in the same place, with sleep conducive conditions every night further instills this routine. A dark, cool room; white noise machine and, if needed, a red or amber colored night light is going to be the recipe for success.
3. Schedule: Depending on your child’s age, having them sleep at their optimal biological sleep time can be just what a little one needs! These biological times are called circadian rhythms and can help your baby to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer!

What is a consistent, must have in your child/children’s bedtime routines? Comment below!