Getting Sleep Back On Track For "Back-To-School" During Covid Times

Getting Sleep Back On Track For "Back-To-School" During Covid Times

Sleep during COVID has been…well messed up!

We’ve been home with our children for months, schedules and routines have been interrupted and then on top of that…SUMMER! Usually, a time when we throw caution to the wind when it comes to sleep. For many families this has been therapeutic, enjoying summer nights after a stressful COVID quarantine. We needed a little fun and escape from the indoors!

However, now as we prepare for the fall and back-to-school (whatever that might look like for your family this year), we are starting to feel the toll on quality and quantity of sleep. We want to get our children on some sort of schedule or routine, we want to start sleeping better knowing school is approaching and whether your children are physically attending school, you’ve opted for pod learning or online learning, getting the family back on track can be difficult. It’s necessary, however, so you all feel not only rested but organized and let’s face it, humans love routine, we love predictability and guess what…babies and children THRIVE on it!

So let’s get you back on track with some easy steps you can start implementing ahead of time, to make the transition as easy as possible…

Sleep: A universal human need

Sleep: A universal human need

Why do babies and parents need sleep?

Everything we read online points to sleep deprivation being a prerequesite to parenthood, like chronic sleep deprivation should be expected and accepted. WHY??

While, it’s true that sleep might be interrupted especially during the newborn phase, there are many things you can do to maximize sleep for you and your baby. There is so much we know about sleep now.

Night Time Skills - Standing in Crib, Rolling and Parties All. Night. Long

Night Time Skills - Standing in Crib, Rolling and Parties All. Night. Long

Why? Why? Why?

Just when things start to settle down. You finally get on a nice routine, sleeping longer stretches, nights seem more consistent and you take a breath and look at the monitor.

Only to see two little eyes standing in the crib peering back at you as if they can see into your soul! Scary.

It is scary, especially if your little one has no idea how to get back down and therefore screams in frustration or just finds it hilarious. Sound familiar? Yes this is stressful but really it’s a great achievement and significant developmental milestone for your little one! YAY!!!

Or how about this, your baby decides to kill it at the rolling over game exactly at 3am! Yay for rolling but now they’re stuck. They scream until they are saved (turned over) and just as you’re drifting back into dreamland..guess what…they roll themselves back on their tummies. Stuck again!

This becomes a fun game…for no one.

So what do you do in these scenarios?

Let me tell you!

Early Morning Struggle Bus? Understanding Early Morning Wakings

Early Morning Struggle Bus? Understanding Early Morning Wakings

I often talk to tired mamas getting up as early as 5 am everyday, but not by choice! They have a little human alarm clock that is very predictable and set to go off at the same time everyday before dawn. Does this sound like your situation? So what do you do? Other than hook up a coffee IV and push past your day exhausted?!

Well, let me explain to you why early wake-ups occur in babies and toddlers and give you some tips on how to prevent them.

Why dads can be the secret ingredient to helping baby sleep

Why dads can be the secret ingredient to helping baby sleep

This has been the most requested blog in my household, mainly because my husband reminds me often that dad’s stress about sleep too. We often talk about tired mama’s but dad’s are in this as well! They have helped prepare for this baby for the last 9 months, been there in the delivery room and bonded with that baby just as much as you have. Yet in the midst of all the chaos, we sometimes don’t acknowledge their contributions (after all, who ran out to get you a burger and french fries when you were 8 months pregnant and had an itch for junk food at 10pm? just me? anyone else? Obviously their contributions are much greater than this, but nothing is more important than that burger at that moment in time.)

Sometimes the dad role is not easy either. Heck, parenting is not easy. It’s the hardest job in the world but the most rewarding and best job in the world, all at once. It’s a whirlwind of love and frustration.

If you or your partner are lacking in sleep, then the job becomes even more frustrating and emotional, hiding all the beautiful moments and sometimes creating tension, distance and a breakdown in communication.

Why dads are key to achieving sleep for the whole family…

How Covid-19 Is Affecting Our Child's Sleep And What We Can Do About It

How Covid-19 Is Affecting Our Child's Sleep And What We Can Do About It

This Covid-19 crises has been hard on everyone and if you think it’s not affecting our children, it definitely does.

This is not to be all doom and gloom but realistically what affects us, affects our kids. Also, changing a baby/child’s routine will always require an adjustment. Change is not easy.

The good news is we can certainly do things to help. We can’t always control the circumstances but we can always control how we respond.

Having weathered the last two months with my own 18 month old and 3 year old and having received feedback from many clients, mom friends and from the conversation I’m seeing in mommy groups and on social media, there are a few key trends that are surfacing with regards to sleep problems.

Here are three main sleep problems that I’m seeing. Do these apply to you?…

The ONE Thing That Is Responsible For Transforming My Family's Sleep

The ONE Thing That Is Responsible For Transforming My Family's Sleep

I often tell my story, being a first time mom with a traumatic start to motherhood. My son developed a fever at 2 days old and needed to be rushed back to the hospital (how I noticed he had a fever is a miracle).

He was severely dehydrated, has lost over 14% of his birth weight and was basically starving.

Me as a first time mom, assumed he had been getting my milk. He wasn’t. Our ordeal included 5 days with IV’s (watching them try to find a vein on a 2 day old was traumatizing), a spinal tab and lots of scary moments. So much so, that I was not able to breastfeed my second baby due to PTSD from the experience. It was just the beginning of my breastfeeding struggles.

But I digress.

I ended up rocking and holding my baby to sleep and at 4 months, I couldn’t do it anymore.

I was exhausted. I never talk about this in detail when I tell my story but I should….

How turning up the noise can lead to better sleep!

How turning up the noise can lead to better sleep!

Say what?!?

Yup. You heard me or was the white noise on too loud? (lame joke) Not just any noise however, I’m talking about white noise.

Our babies are used to loud noise 24/7 while in the womb. So it’s no surprise that newborns sometimes sleep better in a noisy room. They are used to the sound of blood rushing through your body, your breathing in and out and mom’s heartbeat. It’s an orchestra in there! As loud at 80-90 Decibels. Silence can be unnerving.

White noise can help create this womb-like environment. No only does it help calm babies but it helps them fall asleep faster and sleep longer.

3 Important Guidelines to Follow When Choosing The Perfect Swaddle or Sleep Sack

3 Important Guidelines to Follow When Choosing The Perfect Swaddle or Sleep Sack

Not every sleep product is made the same….I had no idea about this when I had my first baby.

Swaddle, sleep sack…so many brands, sizes, styles to choose from. It makes your brain hurt.

Like does it really matter??

IT DOES. Yes, I generally follow the “You do you” philosophy. Except in this case, I have some serious preferences and recommendations.

Here are three main guidelines I follow when recommending a sleep sack or swaddle…

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!

 
Is your baby ready to night wean?⁣ 🍼🤱🏻 ⁣ One of the most common questions I get from mamas is “how do I know my baby is not hungry when he/she wakes at night?”⁣ ⁣ It’s obvious and understandable that parents worry about depriving
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
Why dads are key to achieving sleep for the whole family!⁣ ⁣ 1. They are just as invested as you 💗 They love that baby and need that bonding time as well. A baby can be comforted by dad’s touch just as much. Often a dad is better able to go in
💙 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
Love love love working with families and this mama was a pleasure 💜 It’s really all about: 1. Collecting all the details about your baby, family and assessing all the factors that affect sleep for your situation. 2. Presenting a customized
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
Exercise during the day (awake time) and wind down before sleep. ⠀⁣ ⠀⁣ Exercise and outdoor activity are important. ⠀⠀⁣ However, as bedtime approaches you want to start winding the body and mind down. We want to be relaxed before sleep.⁣ ⠀⠀⁣ Avoid lo
#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
Your baby is sleeping beautifully and then suddenly they are not.⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ Sleep is in constant transition. Because your baby is in constant transition. Regressions are just times of huge development and cognitive growth. They are temporary, but can bec
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