Is Your Baby Sick and Won’t Sleep? Here is What to Do…

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Baby Sick and Won’t Sleep

Today I want to give you some tips for handling sickness so that you don’t derail all your progress. There’s a few things that you do need to keep in mind.

The first is your baby is going to wake in the night. Anyone who is ill does not sleep as well as they normally do. We tend to have two, five, even more nighttime wake-ups.

It’s realistic to expect that your sick child is going to have some night wake-ups. How you handle those wake-ups will make a big difference. Read more

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Dummies for toddlers…?

Use a dummy or not to use a dummy?  That is the question

In the early days of your toddler’s life, you will have made a decision provide a dummy or not.  If you chose to allow your baby to have a dummy, you may be worried about the consequences, as they grow older. Therefore, a decision needs to be made as to when it is time for dummies to disappear altogether.  Considering some of the side effects of using dummies may help you to leave dummies behind. Read more

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Leaving your baby with someone else…

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When leaving your baby with someone else – Preparation is key!

When you leave your baby with family and friends, the stress of going out and having to prepare all the things that you use on a day to day basis can put you off completely, but as a parent, it’s important that you do try and get a break occasionally. There are so many things that you need to consider but if you plan well you’ll be able to leave your child with someone responsible and be sure that your babysitter has everything they need to hand.  It is worth grouping items into different categories to ensure that you haven’t forgotten anything, so here are some handy tips to make sure you can enjoy yourself without forgetting something essential. Read more

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Moving from cot to bed

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Moving from cot to bed is a transition for both parent and child

Your child undergoes many transitions in the first three years of their life.  These changes range from where they sleep (parent’s room to own room) to what they sleep in (Moses basket to cot). All children at some point have to make the move into a bed.  The key things to consider are when to do it, how to do it, and how to solve any issues after the move.  Read more

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Returning to work after having a baby

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Going back to work?

When you have a baby, your whole world turns on its head. You’re no longer just you; you’re you-plus-baby. Babies have this uncanny way of hearing you think “ahh, finally got a routine sorted; I can relax a little” – and saying “oh no you don’t!”

Read more

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Leaving your baby with friends or family?

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Are you going to be leaving your baby with friends or family?

You’ve finally got your baby into a reasonable sleeping routine, and your evenings are your own… but now, you’re going away for the night – or perhaps just out for the day – and someone else will have to get baby to sleep. What do you do? Read more

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Baby and Toddler Sleep: Do children need over 12 hours sleep a night?

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Do baby and toddlers need 12 hours sleep?

Do baby and toddlers need 12 hours sleep?

Baby and toddler sleep

We all need sleep to help our bodies grow, heal and develop, and as children have more growing and developing to do than adults, they naturally need more sleep. But often children don’t get as much sleep as they need, and that can lead to problems, both short term and in the future. Children who don’t get enough sleep may be difficult to wake in the morning or sleepy during the day, and over-tiredness can make it even more difficult for a child to fall asleep at bedtime.  Long term sleep deprivation can lead to serious health issues, such as obesity and depression, and children can experience learning and behavioural difficulties if they don’t get enough sleep. Read more

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Toddler Sleep Issues – Falling asleep to music? Consider White Noise

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Toddler Sleep Issues - Falling asleep to music?
Toddler Sleep Issues – Falling asleep to music?

Advantages and Disadvantages of Playing Music

Many parents find that playing music can help their baby sleep. However, while music and songs can be an important part of the bedtime routine, sometimes leaving a baby to sleep with music playing can actually help bad sleep habits develop and delay your baby learning to settle themselves.

Babies love noise – after all, while they were in the womb they heard everything that was going on around them – so it makes sense that having some noise in the background can make them feel comfortable and secure at bedtime. Read more

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Baby Sleep Routine & Christmas Shopping – 5 Tips to Keep You Sane

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Baby Sleep Routine - Stress free holiday shopping - Baby Winkz Blog

Stress-free holiday shopping

We’ve all seen those mothers with children in tow, ready to pull their hair out with one more grumpy temper tantrum. Holiday shopping is stressful enough without having to bring your baby along for the ride. Whilst you can cajole and threaten toddlers and older children, your newborn or infant simply can’t understand the situation. For those who can’t get a carer to sit with their child, here are five tips to get you through the experience.

1.  Prepare to Shop!

Preparation involves a basic understanding of your child’s needs. Babies get cranky when those needs aren’t met. They need food, a clean nappy, attention, and entertainment. Shopping makes it difficult for parents to address these needs adequately. So the first rule of thumb is to plan for extra time to get your shopping done. You’ll need to bring along all the necessities for your infant: bottles and food, changing supplies, toys, and some type of carrier. Keep in mind it will be difficult to warm food and bottles whilst out, but don’t be afraid to approach food shops with a request for a large glass of hot water.

2.  To Carry or Not to Carry?

Many parents love baby slings that allow them to keep the baby close to their hearts. Slings also help soothe your infant amid crowds, loud noises and bright lights. Unfortunately, they aren’t always the best choice for shoppers. Remember, if you are making numerous purchases, it may be much more convenient to bring along a stroller to free up your hands from both your baby and your packages if you want to continue shopping more easily. Otherwise, you may want to bring the other parent with you to act as a baby carrier.

3.  Relax

Going into the shopping experience under stress will set a bad tone for your baby. He or she will pick up on your attitude and likely mimic it back to you, adding to the stress. Holiday shopping should be a fun time and you want your baby to think of it as an exciting and pleasurable outing, too. If things get too hectic, sit on a bench and take some time out to relax and enjoy some time with your infant.

4.  Have a List

Knowing what you want before you head out saves a lot of time and stress whilst shopping with your baby. If you don’t have a clue what to buy, you can inadvertently become frustrated and pass that feeling on to your baby. You don’t have to have all items filled in, but knowing which stores to visit will help you maintain your holiday sanity.

5.  Baby Sleep Time

Some babies will do well sleeping in either a sling or a stroller, despite all the activity around them. However, there may come a moment when you just know your baby is done, even when you are not. At that point, it’s best to go with your baby’s needs and put off shopping for another day. If shopping significantly throws off your baby’s nap time and he or she refuses to sleep, it’s time to go home, put your feet up, and start wrapping presents while your baby gets a good, sound nap.

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Baby Sleep Routine & Christmas Travel – It’s All in the Preparation

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baby sleep consultants

Are you travelling with your baby this Christmas?

Depending on the nature of your baby, travelling by car is either a blessing or a curse. Some babies do well during holiday travel and others do not. The key to successful Christmas travel with your baby is to plan ahead.

Assessing Baby’s Travel Needs

Does a car ride lull your baby to sleep or does it increase irritability? Plan to bring along comforting and entertaining items to both keep your baby busy and get them to sleep. You will likely need to make frequent stops along the way for feeding and changing, and perhaps just to get out and walk around. For toddlers, be prepared to interact and entertain.

Planning the Trip for Baby’s Sleep Schedule

Planning around your baby’s sleep schedule is a must. For babies who don’t travel well, you may want to start your journey before a long sleep period. You also want to take care not to let babies who are easily lulled oversleep on the journey, lest their sleep routines are thrown off. It may seem like a blessing if baby sleeps the entire way, but you may pay later when the baby wants to be awake when you need to sleep.

Addressing Baby Comfort During Travel

Again, take frequent breaks along the way for feeding, changing, and attention. One parent may want to travel in the back seat with the baby during waking periods to keep him or her entertained. If you have older children travelling as well, they may be able to keep the baby entertained while you focus on directions, driving, and the trip itself.

Dress your baby for the car’s interior climate. The back seat gets less access to heat than the front, and your baby will likely need to be dressed slightly more heavily because of that. Avoid the urge to roll down windows, as the airflow may be too much for your baby to handle. Layer your baby so that you can add or subtract blankets as the car warms. Don’t forget the baby window shades to keep the sun out of their eyes!

Entertaining Baby During Christmas Travel

It’s not always easy to keep your baby entertained during holiday travel. It’s a small space and they are confined to their car seat whilst on the road. Keep a bag of toys handy and take them out one at a time, letting baby play with each until bored. Make sure you are playing baby-friendly music or talking to your baby during awake times. Let them also enjoy the scenery quietly for a while if it interests them.

You can also tape bright pictures on the back of the seat your baby is facing or hang lightweight toys from the ceiling of the car with safety pins. Make sure baby cannot pull them down and tear the upholstery and get a hold of the pin.

If you suspect the car ride will be more than your baby can handle comfortably, think about booking a flight. While flying has its own baby issues, the journey is a fraction of the travel time required on the road.

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