As we get more into colder weather here in the U.S., that means we are spending a lot of time indoors these days! Between freezing temps and snow, this time of year doesn't exactly scream, "Let's get outside!" But did you know that in some cultures, sub-freezing temps are considered perfect napping temperatures? For BABIES?! It's true! In Scandinavia and Iceland (just to name two), it is common practice to nap babies outside in all seasons - even when the temperature drops well below
How We Sleep
Sleep Regression, Phase, or Habit – Which Is Causing Your Baby’s Sleep Problems?
We've written quite a bit about sleep regressions on this site (in fact, Nicole herself was instrumental in coining that term!), and with good reason: your child goes through FIVE sleep regressions in the first year of life alone! But how can you know for sure if something is a sleep regression? How do you distinguish a sleep regression from a growth spurt? What about a sleep regression vs. a funky phase that has no real explanation? And, for that matter, how do you distinguish
Do Your Child’s Food Choices Affect Sleep?
From the time your baby was born, you have no doubt been diligent about what kinds of food and nourishment goes into her mouth. From breastfeeding and/or choosing the best formula during her newborn months, to introducing healthy foods once your baby started solids, to coming up with creative and healthy meals that your toddler will actually eat - you are no doubt well-aware that what goes into your child's body has a big impact on her health. But did you know that your child's meals and food
Baby Waking Up Too Early? Here Are 5 Tips To Help
Whether your early-riser is a wee babe or a great big toddler, one thing is certain: early waking is rough! The timing of your baby or toddler's morning wake-up sets the tone for the rest of the day, AND it sets the pace for the day's sleep and feeding schedule. That means a way-too-early wake-up call can wreak havoc on what could have otherwise been a perfectly fine day. Clearly, early rising is a problem that needs fixing! What Is "Waking Up Too Early", Anyway? Now, remember that
The Co-Sleeping Campaign That Backfired Completely
To co-sleep, or not to co-sleep...that's a hot, debatable topic these days! Of course, we work with families all over the world, who sleep in a variety of arrangements, so we pass no judgment. We make it our priority to respect every parent's personal philosophies and goals. But we also make it a priority to emphasize the importance of safe sleep practices. And let's face it, when it comes to co-sleeping, there is quite a debate out there about whether or not it's a safe way to sleep.
How Room-Sharing Affects Your Baby’s Sleep
When a family is expecting a new baby, one thing that’s likely high on the to-do list is setting up a nursery. That’s one of the fun parts of being pregnant, after all -- buying cute nursery stuff makes up for all the nausea, leg cramps, and constant trips to the bathroom! ;) What is Room-sharing? When setting up a nursery for your baby, you’ll probably include a crib in your plans. Whether or not your baby will sleep there, though, is less certain. Plenty of parents prefer keeping their
5 Reasons Why Your Baby is Night Waking and Won’t Sleep
A baby night waking is one of the most common issues that bring tired parents to The Baby Sleep Site. But, why exactly do babies wake at night? Why won’t your baby sleep? This article will discuss the 5 primary reasons for baby night waking. 1. Sleep Prop The official name is "sleep association" but these are more widely known as "sleep props" or "crutches." This is something your baby "needs" (using that term loosely) in order to sleep. For most babies, in my experience, this will be
Getting Your Baby to Sleep in the Crib
When you were pregnant, you probably took great care in designing your baby's nursery and carefully selected the best items for your baby registry. One of the most important things in the nursery is your baby's crib. After all, she will sleep in her crib for 2 to 4 years, right? Unfortunately, for some of us, sleeping in the crib is just a nice dream. After you had your baby, you might have purposely decided to keep baby in your room in a co-sleeper bassinet and imagined transitioning her to
Baby’s Sleep and the Moon
A long time ago, a reader commented on one of our blog posts about the moon affecting her baby's sleep. I thought this would make for an interesting article to research! There was a full moon just a few nights ago, and lo and behold both my sons woke up at night. You all know that one kid waking up is bad, but both, especially at different times, is downright brutal! (Bowing down to those of you with multiples right now!) My youngest started crying at about midnight. I went in, cuddled him