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Ask yourself the following questions and if you answer any with a "YES"
then your child is probably experiencing sleep problems.

• Do you have an baby who sleeps less than an hour?
• Are you feeding your baby every two to three hours?
• Do you have difficulty getting your baby or toddler off to sleep?
• Is your baby irritable or unhappy at a particular time most days?
• Is your baby dependent on an outside influence to help him/her get to sleep? (Nursing, rocking, patting, dummy, sleeping with someone, breast or bottle).
• Has your baby’s daily routine been upset due to sickness, travel or teething or has the environment changed causing him/her to be unsettled?
• Do you have an infant (over 3 months) who sleeps less than eight hours at night?
• Do you have a toddler who is constantly waking at night?
• Does your child sleep in your bed or constantly get out of bed and you would like him/her to learn to stay in his/her own bed?
• Would you like to teach your child to go to bed earlier or without an argument or to sleep longer than 5 am in the morning?

If your situation has been mentioned or you would like to avoid any of the above, we have the program to help you.

Before commencing on a settling program:

• check baby/child isn't sick.
• check baby/child's temperature.
• check with your doctor that baby/child doesn't have a ear or urine infection.

If your baby/child has been checked and cleared by your doctor yet continues to be unsettled you may like to try the following relaxation tips before enrolling our services:

• relaxation music
• a warm relaxation bath.
• a walk in the pram with a cover over the pram to encourage baby to sleep.

If the behaviour continues call Cradle 2 Kindy for an appointment on: 1300 786 101 

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

Babies at different ages need different amounts of sleep. The vast majority of babies will not sleep through the night for the first time until around three months, though it can happen as early as one month.  If a baby or toddler is not getting the required amount of sleep for his age, or if he only sleeps in short ‘catnaps’ (forty-five minutes) or wakes during the night for a feed (three months 8 hours, nine months 12 hours straight), he may have a poor sleep pattern.  Before parents realise it, these patterns are established and then the parents are unsure of how to alter them.

We often teach ‘bad’ sleep habits to our children unknowingly by not understanding their needs and cues for sleep.  Nursing, rocking or feeding them off to sleep teaches them to depend on these learnt patterns. We need to teach them a new method of going to sleep, so that if they wake during a sleep cycle, they will not be dependent on us or an outside influence to go back to sleep.  What may not appear to be a problem in a very young baby may develop into a definite problem as this child grows older. 

Signs of a possible sleep problem

Causes of possible sleeping problems in babies

1. Over stimulation.  This can stop babies from going to sleep and staying asleep.
2. Over-tiredness.  Parents may not be aware of tired signs or baby’s sleep needs.
3. Illness, teething or a change in the family routine, such as going on holidays, moving house, or tension in the family.
4. Catnapping.  Parents, unaware that their baby needs resettling because he looks alert and wide awake, are encouraged to pick him up.
5. Not having a daily routine or a set pattern in a child’s day.
6. Sleeping at the breast or not completing a full feed.  Baby is put to bed and wakes within an hour for another snack.
7. A need for the parent to nurse or lie down with the child while they go to sleep.

/Causes of possible sleeping problems in toddlers

Many of the same causes occur in toddlers as babies but others may be:

1. Changing from a cot to a bed or moving to a different room.
2. The arrival of a new baby.
3. Allowing your child to go to bed late at night and waking early in the morning.
4. Continuing to give a night bottle or a breastfeed.
5. Not having a night-time routine or giving ‘mixed messages’ about sleep.  (Parents may signal that it is bedtime and then get distracted by something else.  A child will not understand or conform to inconsistent demands.)
6. Parents giving in to a child’s demands or loud cries of protest.

Each family situation is unique and each child has its own personality.  Whatever the reason that your child has for a poor sleep pattern, it is your choice whether you live with it or change it.

Tips:  Once you have made up your mind to improve your child’s sleep habits don’t hesitate to use professional help.  Many parents have commented on how they have benefited from professional assistance.

Remember:   It is not always an easy road but with perseverance and consistency you are sure to see positive results.

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

How Cradle 2 Kindy Can Help

If you want to improve your child’s sleep, there is a solution.  Cradle 2 Kindy parenting coaches provide practical sleep solutions that have been effective with families throughout the Sydney area and beyond. 

Book your personal Cradle 2 Kindy coach by calling now on 1300 786 101

Also see: What happens at a Coaching session?

More Articles related to sleep

Do you have a baby or toddler who wakes early?  You may wonder how to encourage them to sleep a little longer.  One family I visited told me that they had been able to resettle their toddler by explaining that it was dark outside, the sun was still sleeping.  This seemed to work quite well until daylight saving arrived and the sun was up by four thirty to five o'clock.  It was then I came up with an idea that has worked for many parents ever since.

Some parents have tried the following method with babies as young as nine months old.  Obviously you don’t see immediate results with a little baby but over time they eventually learn what you are trying to teach them.  The thing is to be patient and consistent with your message.

The magic lamp

Using a timer purchased from a hardware store and a lamp, set the timer for fifteen minutes after your baby’s or toddler’s regular waking time.  When they wake resettle them till the lamp goes on.  Then go in and make a big fuss about the light going on and that it is now time to get up.  

With a toddler it is easier because you can explain to them before going to bed that they can get out of bed once the light come on in the morning.  If he gets out of bed or comes out of his room before the light goes on gently lead him back to bed and explain that the light much to on first before he can come out of his room. 

As he gets older you may explain to him that he can play quietly in his room if it is light outside but the bed-light hasn’t gone on.  Once the light goes on he can leave his room and come and see mummy and daddy. 

Rest time

The lamp may also be used during the day to indicate when it is time to get up after a rest time.  This is of course if your toddler has a sleep at the same time every day.  If he is unable to sleep, allow him to read quietly till the lamp goes on.  This will indicate to him that his rest time is over.

This method can be used with infants in a cot and will prepare them for when they move into a bed.  If you choose to use this technique, please remember to get him out of the cot if he is awake when the lamp goes on.  This will reward him for playing quietly on his own and when you move him to his own bed the lamp will have the same meaning. 

Tips: This method can be used with babies as young as nine months old and if introduced before a child is moved from her cot will assist with sleeping in a bed.

Remember: As your child gets older, you can begin to teach them how to read the time by showing them where the hands of the clock need to be when it is time to get out of bed.  

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

How Cradle 2 Kindy Can Help

If you would like more assistance with teaching your child to sleep to a reasonable time in the morning or if you child is night waking we at Cradle 2 Kindy can assist you.  

Call us now and book a personal Cradle 2 Kindy coach on 1300 786 101

Also see: What happens at a Coaching session?

For more see Articles related to sleep

Daily routines vary with each age group.  The basic routine for a newborn is eat and sleep.  As they get older and more alert they will need more time awake and more stimulation.  Their sleep time remains around two to two and a half hours.  When they reach eight or nine months they may only be needing one hour of sleep during either their morning or afternoon sleep.  The other sleep will usually be two to two and a half hours.  If your baby is sleeping any less than one hour he/she is not getting sufficient sleep and will need to be taught how to resettle. 

The majority of my home calls are from sleep-deprived parents whose babies are ‘catnapping’.  These babies have not learnt to sleep for long periods of time between feeds - either during the day or night, or both.  This obviously affects not only the baby but the whole household - especially mothers.  The quality of life for the family with a grizzly, sleep-deprived baby is far from optimal.   Your baby, who was initially the joy of your lives, has now taken over the routine of the house and demands constant attention and pacifying. 

Below are some age-appropriate daily routines that you can use as a guideline.  The specific time is not important as this will vary each day. Keep in mind some babies may sleep through without a night feed from an early age.  The time your baby wakes in the morning is when your day begins. 

Tips:  Aim to start your day between six or seven am. 

Remember:  All children are basically the same when it comes to sleep needs. Babies under seven months should not be sleeping less than one hour at every sleep or down time.  
 
If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

Age appropriate routines

How Cradle 2 Kindy Can Help

Cradle 2 Kindy parenting coaches are versed in the various needs of each age group. We can assist in a program and daily routine that will best suit you and your family taking into consideration other family members and their activities and sleep needs.  

Call Cradle 2 Kindy to book our personal coach on 1300 786 101

Also see: What happens at a Coaching session?

For more see Articles related to sleep

While wrapping helps your baby to feel secure; it also helps to restrain his startle reflex which, although a normal part of your baby’s development, often wakes him.  Thrashing or twitching arms and legs can frustrate a baby trying to sleep.  Young babies have limited control of their limbs.  They are not even aware that they belong to them, so by wrapping your baby you assist them to sleep more comfortably.  During the last stages of pregnancy a baby is tight and snug within the womb, his movements are restricted, his hands are up around his face.  When we wrap a baby, we need to keep this in mind.  Being wrapped helps them to feel this snug security but we must also remember that they like their hands up.  I have often been told that a baby will thrash about trying to release their hands because they have been swaddled with their arms down or across their chest. The wrap I have demonstrated see (Wrap Instructions) or (Video Demo) is one that will allow your baby to have his hands up but still within the wrap to prevent him from scratching his face.  It will also give your baby the freedom to move his arms up or down.  Strapping a babies arms down may also restrict or hamper the growth of little bones. 

In my experience, many babies continue to benefit from being wrapped up to ten months of age, others even longer.  When a wrap has been used from an early age, baby begins to associate wrapping with sleeping and will quickly settle when put to bed.  Often by the time they are sitting up unassisted or crawling, they will wriggle out of a wrap.  This is usually the time to stop wrapping.  Before this occurs it is wise to introduce other sleep-time routines, such as a story, lullaby or music. 

Tips:  A baby who is only wraped for sleep will associate wrap with sleep time and be quicker to settle when put to bed.  Once wrapped he will be able to sleep anywhere.   

Remember: Strapping your babies arms against his body is not a natural way to sleep it may also cause problems when it comes time to cease wrapping you baby.  

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

How Cradle 2 Kindy Can Help

If you would like a visit from personal parenting coach to teach you our methods of wrapping a baby and to improve your child’s sleep, or to establish a routine please don’t hesitate to call.

Book your personal Cradle 2 Kindy coach on 1300 786 101

Also see: What happens at a Coaching session?

For more see Articles related to sleep

Night lights although very convenient can cause a problem later if your child will not sleep in a room without a light.  If you need to have a light on when checking your child, it is better to turn on a light outside the room such as the hall light. Turn it off when you have finished checking your child.  Use a night light for an extended time while you are in your child’s room only when you  are night feeding or changing your child.  Many children are afraid of the dark because they are accustomed to having a night light on since birth.  Avoid this from the start and your child will be able to sleep alone in a dark room.

How to wean your child off a night light:  Try finding a duller light or put something in front of the light to make it dimmer (be careful it is not inflammable and is not close enough to the light to cause a fire). You may like to remove the night light from their room and plug it in outside their room in the hall or leave a distant light which can be gradually dimmed over a period of time or a bathroom light.  The door to the bathroom can be pulled closed so eventually there is only a thin shaft of light showing.  This will help your child’s confident to increase, ‘till they are willing to sleep in the dark.  Another method is to turn the light off when your child is asleep.  If they wake and are afraid, turn on a night light outside their room as described previously. 

Tips: Remove the celing bulb if your child is old enough to turn his light on himself until he adjusts to the new system. 

Remember: Research carried out by the University of Pennsylvania and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia says children who sleep in a dimly lit room until age two may become prone to near-sightedness in later life.   

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

How Cradle 2 Kindy Can Help

If you would like more information or need some assistance with teaching your baby or toddler to sleep please don’t hesitate to call Cradle 2 Kindy.

Book a personal coach from Cradle 2 Kindy on 1300 786 101

Also see: What happens at a Coaching session?

For more see Articles related to sleep

When thinking of discarding the baby wrap firstly consider how disruptive this will be for your baby.  If they have become accustomed to being wrapped at sleep time then you may need to transition them slowly as wrapping is their indication it is time to sleep.  Typically I encourage mothers to wrap their babies till around 9-10 months or until they are beginning to roll over or crawl around the cot. 

Transitioning out of a baby wrap is quite simple if you have wrapped you baby with their arms up as in this photo.  If you are still strapping your baby's arms against their body I suggest your first move is to release their arms so as to be wrapped as shown here. see wrapping instructions  Once your baby has become accustomed to having their arms up yet under the wrap you can then advance to the next step.  This may take 3-5 days.

Wrap to sleeping bag

I find babies respond well when introducing another sleep association like a sleeping bag which make the switch allot easier.  When you are about to remove the baby wrap choose a sleeping bag that is appropriate for the temperature of the baby's room.  

Step one

Before wrapping your baby as normal (as seen in picture) fold the bottom of the wrap up to just below where the top fold comes down.  Fold the top fold over this and place baby slightly to one side of the centre.  Now wrap as normal leaving baby's legs out of the wrap.  Tuck the end of the flap into the bottom of the wrap which will hold the wrap in place.  Zip the sleeping bag over the wrap making sure baby's arms are free from the sleeping bag.  Allow baby to sleep like this for 3-5 days before moving to step 2.  Make sure baby is not to hot by testing his temperature at the nape of his neck.  For the summer months sleep baby in a nappy and singlet.  Continue to tuck baby in under a sheet so they still feel snug.  This will also prevent problems later when you move baby into a bed.  Some children who have not been use to a top sheet in their cot, dislike being tucked when they move to a bed, this can cause problems when the weather turns cold.

Step Two

The second step is to leave one arm out of the wrap and continue to put the sleeping bag over the top.  If your baby has begun to roll you can either start with one arm out or the legs unwrapped.   Continue to use the sleeping bag at every sleep time so that baby begins to associate the sleeping bag with sleep.  After 3-5 days eliminate the wrap altogether so that you are just using the sleeping bag.  Sleeping bags may be used until your child moves to a bed.  Once in a bed it can be dangerous to have their legs restricted to a sleeping bag.  

Comfort toy or security blanket

It is not necessary to give the wrap as a comfort blanket to your baby after you have stopped wrapping.  You may like to replace it with a soft toy but I find this is also not necessary as babies adjust quickly to their new routines.  A favourite toy if used should be swapped frequently otherwise you will have one toy which will not be parted with and this can become a problem later when if falls apart of is lost.

Hint:  Keep wrapping your baby till around 8-10 months or till baby is beginning to move around the cot.    

Remember: Always wrap with your baby's arms up not strapped to their bodies as this is very unnatural and can cause problems with growth and settling later. 

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

How Cradle 2 Kindy Can Help

Our professional coaches can help instruct you with all you baby's sleep and settling needs.  Our educators are up to date with current research and bring advice on parenting that is not only holistic but is also specific to your particular family. 

Call now and book your personal Cradle 2 Kindy coach on 1300 786 101

More Articles related to Sleep

Usually by three or four months your baby will have given up one night feed naturally and be sleeping eight hours.  Those who have not been waking their baby for the last feed before midnight (usually between 9 and 11 pm) your baby may be having their long sleep earlier in the evening, which means she will be waking you for a feed during the night.  Those who have been waking their baby before they go to bed will find her long sleep will naturally fall after this last feed which helps you to have a good night sleep too.  If you are one of the parents who still need to wake up for that early morning feed you may like to try to change your baby’s body clock by to waking her four hours after her afternoon/evening feed.  If you persist with this feed her body clock will eventually change.  By nine months baby should be able to sleep twelve hours per night.  If he continues to wake you may need to wean her off this night feed by commencing an age-appropriate sleep program.  A gradual method includes reducing the amount of breast milk or formula she is taking at this night feed.  This may be accomplished by giving a bottle of water instead of the breast or formula.  It may help if your partner gives this night feed to break the association of Mum being the comforter or method needed to sleep.  This is especially important if you are breast feeding as your baby will smell your milk.

Once you have made this transition, move on to eliminate the feed altogether by using the appropriate sleep program.  If your child is dependent on being fed to go to sleep, or she is only having a very short feed when she wakes at this time, I suggest you commence a sleep and settling program.

Tips:  A baby who self settles and does not cat nap (sleeps less than one hour) during the day, rarely has difficulty sleeping long hours over night.

Remember:  Some babies sleep through the night at a very early age but later begin to wake again at night these babies often need an extra feed at this time.

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

How Cradle 2 Kindy Can Help

Cradle 2 Kindy coaches can provide assistance with night waking behaviour by spending two or more night at your home teaching you how to settle your child.  There are several settling techniques we use which have some amazing resultls in a very short time.

Call now and book your personal Cradle 2 Kindy coach on 1300 786 101

Also see: What happens at a Coaching session?

For more see Articles related to sleep

What is ‘Pram Dependency’? I am referring to those who have a bias towards their prams for settling their baby.  There are some babies who prefer to be settled in their prams to sleep.  Cradle 2 Kindy has been called out to assist parents in teaching their children to sleep in their cots after many months of rocking baby to sleep in her pram.

Be warned a pram should not be used as a settling method unless you have already tried all other means to settle her.   This is to be a one off occasion when she is over tired or unwell.  Not an everyday occurrence.  The pram can also be used when teaching your baby to sleep in conjunction to using one of the many sleeping techniques that are taught. When taking baby for a walk during sleep time make sure baby is strapped in securely.  Cover the pram with a dark wrap (a white wrap may damage baby’s eyes due to the glare).  Being covered will prevent her from being distracted and help her to understand it is not yet up time. 

Tips:  It is better not to start settling your baby in the pram but if you have work on breaking the habbit as soon as possible.

Remember: The longer you wait to break a habit the harder it is for you and your baby. 

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop. 

How Cradle 2 Kindy Can Help

Cradle 2 Kindy provide professional skills on how to settle your baby.  If you would like a visit from a parenting coach to establish a sleep routine please give us a call.

Call us now and book your personal Cradle 2 Kindy coach on 1300 786 101

Also see: What happens at a Coaching session?

For more see Articles related to sleep

Sleep is a basic physiological need.  It is crucial for our health because when we are asleep, our body repairs and restores itself. 

For children, sleep is their time of growing.   Lack of sleep hinders growth, robbing the body of the vital rest needed for energy to grow.  We grow more in the first five years than at any other period of our lives.  This growth is also seen in the development of our brains.  Brain development in the first five years of our lives affects our entire learning lives.  Sleep deprivation in children may hinder physical and mental development. 

Long-term sleep deprivation could cause chronic fatigue.  A child who sleeps well tends to be happier, more settled, healthier and more easily managed both day and night. 

Parental sleep is also important.  During the night, if your child sleeps soundly in between feeds, you are more likely to be able to cope with waking to feed them.  A rested parent has a happier frame of mind and can manage the challenges of parenthood.  An unsettled child, who wakes several times during the night to be settled or fed, can cause sleep deprivation which affects the whole family. 

A sleep needs chart from birth to 5 years old can be seen under the heading Suggested Sleep Needs on our FAQ page under Questions relating to sleep.

Tips:  If you teach a baby to self settle they will not to be dependant on someone or something to put them off to sleep. 

Remember:  Sleep induces sleep. A well rested child is a happy child.  

If you would like more information on this and other similar topics our E-books are packed full of practical parenting tips.  Down load an E-Book specifically related to your child's age group through Publications at Our Shop.

How Cradle 2 Kindy Can Help

Our parenting coaches provide settling techniques to parents with children from birth to five years old that have sleeping difficulties. These techniques depend on the age and temperament of your child.  

Call us now and book your personal Cradle 2 Kindy coach on 1300 786 101

Also see: What happens at a Coaching session?

More Articles relating to sleep