Newborn Case Study: Henry – 2 months old.

Newborn Case Study: Henry – 2 months old.

Before: Henry needed assistance for naps and they were often short. At night he was waking every 2-3 hours and was fussy going down, waking up multiple times in the first half of the night. When he woke up at night, he would be up for 2 hours before falling back asleep with his parent’s assistance.

Mom and Dad where feeling frustrated and exhausted.

Now: Falls asleep independently for naps. Is having 3 naps a day, can link sleep cycles and achieve longer naps (average is 1.5 hours), is getting around 4 hours of day sleep. Is waking once for a feed at night. Stretches are 7 hours between feeds or longer. Is doing longer stretches at night, sleeping independently and linking sleep cycles. Henry now has a predictable schedule and is a rested, happy baby.

Mom and Dad are now rested, get a break during naps and have time to spend with both their young kids.

The Three Things You Must Implement To Achieve Better Naps!

The Three Things You Must Implement To Achieve Better Naps!

Naps are LIFE!

Not only are they needed for brain development and to consolidate memory but are ESSENTIAL for a child’s physical and emotional development. They are a biological necessity.

In addition to this they are a time for rest and re-charge for parents and children. So they are a necessity for YOU and your mental health as well. Especially now, in the crisis we are currently living and the reality that we are spending all day indoors with our children.

During this time MORE THAN EVER do we need consistent routines and naps. For security, mental health and to keep a parents sanity. I’m sure you’ve experienced the rath of an infant that has skipped a nap. Enough said.

Here are three things to implement that will help you achieve better naps:

5 lessons I learnt while travelling with two babies under 3

5 lessons I learnt while travelling with two babies under 3

As I sit here listening to the waves crash, waiting for the sunrise over the ocean…I reflect on this family trip so far.

I have two perspectives. The first, of a tired parent who is constantly changing diapers, wet bathing suits and washing sand off..pretty much everything.

It’s exhausting travelling with kids.Sitting down is a luxury. In between keeping them safe, playing with them and feeding them, there is little time for rest and relaxation for parents. The funny thing is that I brought a book! Thinking I would have time to read…pfff! lol.

The second perspective is a bigger understanding of the value of spending focused time together. Making memories, laughing together and being present. My husband and I have witnessed our kids explore new things, share together, embrace new experiences and enjoy themselves so frikken much. Which is worth every wet bathing suit moment.

However, in order to enjoy the latter and not be overcome with exhaustion, the key is always: Sleep.

We ensure that we sleep well on vacation. It allows us to start each day with energy, excitement and a clear mind. To enjoy our experiences more clearly and to be our best selves.

Our kids sleep the same here as at home, although the circumstances are not always perfect. We still aim for a 7pm to 7am schedule with at least 12 hours of night sleep. Along with one/two good naps of at least 2.5 hours for our 16 month old and 1.5 hours or sometimes longer for our 3 year old (I’ll explain below in lesson 5, why I allow them to be longer and how I adjust while on vacation).

How do we do this? Here are some lessons and observations on how we achieve some great sleep while traveling!

The Truth about What Infant Sleep Actually Looks Like

The Truth about What Infant Sleep Actually Looks Like

I often get asked by parents if their baby or their baby’s sleep behaviour is “normal”

My answer is almost always yes.

There is a term that gets tossed around a lot of discussions around infant sleep: “biologically normal”

I hate this term, it makes me cringe. What does it even mean? Everything is biologically normal.

If my baby doesn’t fit into this “normal” category are they “abnormal”? NOOOO

Let’s unpack this…

Gentle Sleep Training and why it works!

Gentle Sleep Training and why it works!

I find that there is a HUGE misconception out there that there is only one way to help your baby sleep independently.

Helping a baby link their sleep cycles on their own can be done using a number of different techniques. Some are faster and some are more gradual, they take time and lots of patience.

Choosing how to approach sleep depends on so many factors that are unique to your baby and family. Nothing you choose should compromise your parenting philosophy.

By working on all the factors that affect sleep first, you can optimize your chances for success.

What is “gentle” sleep training anyway? To be honest gentle sleep training can mean whatever you want it to mean. Usually the goal is to keep tears to a minimum while helping your baby learn a new way to fall asleep.

Here’s the fascinating thing about the human brain…

Case Study: Baby Ava - 3 months old

Before: Mom came to me needing some help getting little Ava on a good schedule.

She was having short 30-minute naps and needed to be held and rocked each time.

Mom has a toddler at home so really wanted Ava to start sleeping independently so she could manage both babies and have some time to herself while she napped.

Mom also wanted to get a nice long stretch at night as Ava was getting up multiple times throughout the night.

The Plan: We implemented a comprehensive and very customized plan for Ava. Due to Ava’s age we choose a very gentle and gradual approach that still allowed her mom to assist her when needed.

Ava’s mom put her down at the right times to avoid her getting overtired and implemented an earlier bedtime. If Ava had a short nap, mom was able to confidently troubleshoot the day and she started sleeping longer stretches at night.

Now: Ava goes down awake and falls asleep independently for naps. She has lengthened her naps to up to hours for the afternoon nap! Meaning that at 4 months she has mastered putting herself to sleep.

She is only getting up once at night to feed and then sleeping until morning where she wakes for the next feed. She is on two feeds at night which is very age appropriate and suits her (and mom). Mom puts her back in her crib awake after her feed and she puts herself back to sleep. She is also able to actively put herself to sleep at other wake-ups during the night. Mom is now sleeping long stretches and feels rested and energized throughout the day.

Ava now has predictable naps, is a rested happy baby and mom can now plan naps on the go as she also has to take her toddler to activities.

We were able to achieve everything on their wish list and her parents were able to achieve their goals.

This family was such a pleasure to work with. They needed some guidance but once given their action plan, implemented it perfectly and saw beautiful results!

Little Ava will now be a great little sleeper for life and her parents can enjoy both of their girls to the fullest!

 

Sleep Disorders: Sleep Apnea

Sleep Disorders: Sleep Apnea

A Sleep Disorder? Me? But I LOVE sleep and I get tons of it!

Yes, this was so confusing to me. I sleep a full 8 hours a night (I know because I count it). However, I was still waking up tired, feeling sluggish throughout the day and felt like I had no energy..but I thought well, I have two babies, they might not wake me up at night but they sure keep me busy during the day. That explains it.

How Your Mindset Can Transform Your Sleep Experience

How Your Mindset Can Transform Your Sleep Experience

What are some commonly held beliefs you hold on to about sleep?

No matter what I try I can’t get my baby to sleep!

I’ve tried everything and I couldn’t get my baby to sleep

I’m so frustrated, my baby just won't sleep.

This won’t work for my baby he is just too stubborn

My baby refuses to nap

These are just some of the phrases I hear when I work with tired parents. I don’t blame them for feeling this way, it’s frustrating and sleep deprivation enhances that frustration ten fold!

So this is the first thing I address when we start working on sleep. I help shift the mindset and understanding of what these beliefs are and where they are coming from. Because we have to be easy on ourselves and our mind doesn’t always help with that, in fact it often hinders.

I give moms permission to not feel solely responsible for how their baby sleeps.

Temperament and Sleep: How To Approach Sleep Based On Your Baby's Temperament

Temperament and Sleep: How To Approach Sleep Based On Your Baby's Temperament

I say this often. All babies are different, because they are human. In fact, we are all born with different temperaments and our personalities start to shine through, almost right away!

Temperament is just the way that our babies respond to the world around them. No temperament is better than another, they are just different. And as such, require different approaches.

Sunlight and Sleep : Why a better night's sleep starts first thing in the morning

Sunlight and Sleep : Why a better night's sleep starts first thing in the morning

Don’t underestimate the power of light!

Each time I urge parents to expose their babies to lots of sunlight, I get a yah yah response (eyes glaze over). How is light in the morning and during the day help me with my night time sleep struggles? It seems so far removed BUT it’s actually SO influential. Science tells us that sunlight controls our entire biological system including our sleep cycles.

A few tips to get your fill of sunlight!

Case Study: 8 month old Khalil

Lily was a great support for us!

Our goals were to have our son become an independent sleeper for naps and night time sleep as well as sleeping through the night. She was able to help us achieve this. She was very approachable and responsive. Highly recommend her services

Khalil was 8 months old when we started working together. Mom was desperate for help with his sleep. At first, Khalil’s parents hesitated and doubted this would work for their son but they where willing to try because they realized how important a good nights sleep was for the entire family. It paid off.

Khalil was waking 2-3 times at night and needed to be patted or nursed to sleep at every waking.

Mom & Dad needed a plan on how to approach his night wakings. They were also looking for strategies for getting Khalil sleeping longer stretches at night and self-settling independently.

The goal was to improve Khalil’s sleep, so they have more energy during the day and establish healthy sleep habits for the entire family.

We started working on a wholistic plan to set Khalil up for success. We addressed safety, his sleep environment, bedtime routine and nutrition. All of the foundations. Khalil started on solids and we were able to wean him from feedings at night.

Within days he was out of the swaddle and into a sleep sack. His mom & dad did a great job at making his room as conducive to sleep as possible, they bought back out blinds and have a fan running in his room.

Within a week and with the introduction of a settling technique, Khalil was sleeping 12 hours at night. Any night wake ups he could now roll over and put himself back to sleep. He mastered the skill in no time!

Khalil is now not only a great independent sleeper but he’s also a great napper. Mom is now able to have time to herself during naps as they are predictable and help re-energize them to enjoy the day together.

 Khalil’s parents are now getting the rest they need and so is little Khalil. He is a well-rested, happy baby and his parents now have the tools and knowledge to approach sleep confidently.

It was such a pleasure working with this family. Although they know that sleep is constantly changing as our children grow, they are now confident and equipped to know what to do to continue great sleep habits in the future.

 

 

 

Sleep Training. What it is and what it's NOT.

Sleep Training. What it is and what it's NOT.

Sleep Training. The internet and misguided opinions have taken this term which actually encompasses a number of different techniques that help babies learn to sleep and made it to mean one thing..cry it out.

This automatically makes parents cringe at the thought of leaving their sweet baby in a room, closing the door and letting them cry all night long by themselves. Completely understandable! and yes no parent likes to hear their baby cry. But this is not what sleep training means AT ALL!

The Wind Down: Key Steps that Lead to Great Sleep

The Wind Down: Key Steps that Lead to Great Sleep

Wind down? Bedtime routine? Who has time for that?!

Us mama’s are busy and by the time we get dinner on the table, baby fed and realize it’s suddenly bedtime, there isn’t any time for a bedtime routine!

We rush to get baby down before they hit overtired (my voice in your head reiterating how important an early bedtime is?!).

So why is this bedtime routine and nap wind down routine so important??

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Four ways dad’s can be the secret ingredient you need to get baby sleeping 💤 ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 1. Let them take the lead. Together come up with a plan and then let dad carry it out. Mama’s we can easily be overcome with exhaustion and anxiety if we
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💙 appreciating all the dad’s, partners and supporters of mamas this week. Dad’s play a huge role in helping to improve sleep for everyone. They often care about sleep and the wellbeing of their family just as much. And they are often t
It’s HERE!!!👈🏼🙌🏼 If you have a baby between 3-4 months old and you want to start structuring your days to ensure they are getting proper day sleep, not going too long between sleep, naps are longer and nights are easier this THE guide for y
I always say once naps start to affect nights, it’s time to shorten them or ultimately say goodbye 😔⁣ ⁣ What to do:⁣ ⁣ 👉🏼Always start with shortening the nap. Tweak nap lengths to see if it will help, as your toddler gets older their sleep n
Is it time to lose the nap? Nooooooo….⁣!!! ⁣ How to avoid a NO NAP nightmare and how do you know your little one is ready to drop THE nap?⁣ ⁣ The age range for children dropping this nap varies greatly, some children are ready as early as 3 ye
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Celebrating 1 year! My business, my passion project, my third baby is now officially one! ⁣ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁣ As I look back to one year ago today I was just embarking on this new journey. Scared, excited and not knowing what I was doing. ⁣ ⁣ Entrepreneursh
Stay COOL!⁣ ⁣ Summers can get warm as the temperature goes up but you want to ensure your baby stays cool.⁣ ⁣ Light can also cue the brain to start regulating temperature, as it gets darker your body temperature begins to drop in preparation for slee
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#grateful ⁣ ⁣ Sleep is the most beautiful gift I can offer a family. ⁣ ⁣ But they have to be ready to do the work. ⁣ ⁣ This family is a shining example of how with commitment (to physical and mental health, wellbeing and the importance of sleep in ac
Welcome summer! Thanks for bringing all the sunshine!⁣ ⁣ Now why is my little one up at dawn and struggling to go to bed?!! ⁣ ⁣ It is often that glorious sunshine that can seriously affect sleep. It’s all in our bodies response to sunlight and
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Don’t change a thing!⁣ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⁣ If what you’ve been doing until now has been working for you and all of a sudden your baby starts waking at night (around 3am), having a hard time going down for naps or having short naps, early mornings
“We will never be able to fully express our gratitude to Lily for giving us our quality of life back! We sleep now more than ever and most importantly our babies sleep 12 hour nights and nap 2 hours during the day.
Lily is the fairy godmother in our fairytale. I say fairytale, because we would never have imaged we would have such great little sleepers with having twins in the same room. But that was no problem for Lily: she knew exactly what to do! Lily’s support was invaluable in our journey to sleep.
Lily is compassionate, understanding, encouraging, knowledgable, friendly and extremely supportive! When she says she is a call away she really is - she was always right there with us whenever we needed her.
Lil Baby Sleep Consulting has been the best investment we have made in our babies and for the quality of life of our family.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Lily! We will be forever grateful to you!”
— Isaac Eydlin