Posts Tagged ‘Sleep training’
Childhood Sleep Issues
From the time a baby is born until he is about six months old, he requires more sleep than an adult — a lot more. Newborns may sleep between 12 and 18 hours out of every 24-hour period. After a child is about six months old, his sleep requirements are a bit higher, but very similar to an adult’s sleep requirements. 
It is of the utmost importance that parents help the child to establish a regular sleep/wake schedule as early as possible. This will make life easier for everybody in the household, including the baby. Babies, even as young as six months old, like continuity.
A regular “go-to-bed” time and a regular “get-up” time as well as a regular “naptime” will help to prevent all kinds of sleep-related problems.
There are lots of reasons why children can have sleep problems. Some of the problems are caused by physical discomfort or illness. Some sleep problems are caused by emotional or developmental problems that might seem totally unrelated to sleep. If your child is consistently unable to sleep (and consistently is the operative word here) it is best to talk to your pediatrician about the problem and have him or her help you resolve the issue.
The thing to remember is that when humans are tired, no matter how old or young they are, they sleep if they aren’t having mental, physical, or emotional pain. Sleep is natural; it isn’t a behavior that must be learned.
If you have worked to establish a regular schedule for your child (eliminated all of the foods and drinks that might prevent sleep, read him a story and tucked him in), and sleep continues to be a problem, it really is time to seek professional help. The lack of normal sleep is a symptom, not a disease.
The professionals at TLC Family Care personally assist nannies, babysitters and families in St. Louis, Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, Memphis, Charlotte, Miami and Orlando to find the right childcare arrangement. Our mission is to provide a safe and personalized approach for families and caregivers to connect with each other that is not an internet search. TLC has worked with families, nannies, sitters, newborn care providers, and tutors for over 35 years and looks forward to working with you! To find great nanny and babysitting jobs visit us at tlc@tlcforkids.com or Call 314-725-5660.
Three Benefits of Sleep Consultants
TLC for Kids has more than just sitters to help parents and families adjust to having a new baby at home. TLC for Kids also has a certified sleep consultant on staff who helps parents get their baby or babies on a sleep schedule that works for their lifestyle.
Here are a few ways a sleep consult will help parents and babies:
1. Reduced stress levels. When you and your baby are not getting enough sleep, everyone is crankier. With a sleep consultant, you can set up a schedule and routine that fits your lifestyle and meets the needs of your growing baby. When done correctly, this will lead to less crying for your baby and more productive days for you (after all, nobody is good at their job when they were up all night with a crying baby).
2. Consistency. Humans are creatures of habit. In fact, parents who are consistent with their children are shown to raise children with lower anxiety levels. During a sleep consult, you and the consultant can talk about your daily and nightly activities and brainstorm a nighttime routine that works for your family and baby. For example, if you read a book and take a bath every night before putting your baby down to sleep, your child will associate these activities with bedtime. Putting them to sleep will become less of a hassle because they already know bedtime is coming.
3. Answer questions. A lot of times a pediatrician can tell parents how much sleep their child should be getting, but doesn’t offer solutions on how to make sure their baby sleeps for the recommended amount of time. With a sleep consultant, parents have access to someone who has specialized training on baby sleep patterns. A sleep consultant is here to help get your baby to sleep, so parents won’t have to wonder if what they are doing is wrong or right. With a sleep consultant, parents can evaluate their baby’s sleep environment and routine (do they have blinds in the baby’s room? Is there a sound machine? What did they do before bed?), and see their strengths and weaknesses.
To learn more about TLC’s “Sleep Lady” Consultant and set up your consult call the TLC office today (314) 725-5660.
The Sleep Lady Sleep Tips
Every parent of a newborn could use more sleep. I know I always did! TLC for Kids has teamed up with a Gentle Sleep expert to help St. Louis parents get more sleep. Here are some tips on creating a sleep space for your baby from Kim West, aka The Sleep Lady, and founder of Gentle Sleep. The goal is to create a sleep space for your baby that is relaxing and conducive to sleep.
1. Make sure the room is dark. Use blackout shades, curtains, or blinds to help darken the room and keep early morning rays out.
2. Keep televisions, computers, cell phones off while your baby is sleeping in his room at night. Studies have shown that the light emitted from electronics can overstimulate the brain and make it harder for your baby to fall asleep and stay asleep.
3. White noise is a very effective tool that can help your baby sleep better. Actual “white noise” is the best rather than ocean waves or sounds of trains, birds, etc. Keep the white noise on during the entire sleep duration and turn it off as soon as your baby wakes.
4. Swaddling during the newborn months can help extend sleep periods and help if your baby is sensitive to the startle reflex. Make sure to always put your baby to sleep on his back and practice safe sleeping.
5. Keeping your baby close by can help you manage feedings more efficiently and make it easier for you to settle and get your baby back to sleep quickly when he does wake.
TLC has teamed up with Certified “Gentle Sleep Coach” Jessica Manela Litwack who will work with your family to create an individualized, loving and responsive step-by-step sleep plan teaching your child the vital life skill of putting themselves to sleep.
The Gentle Sleep Program will consider your personal parenting philosophy, child’s age, health and temperament, mother’s well-being and the related family dynamics. Most importantly Jessica will support and coach you through the process from beginning to end- for night sleep and naps!
Call TLC at 314-725-5660 to set up your consultation today!
Sleep Training Your Child
TLC For Kids is now offering sleep coaching services. TLC has teamed up with Gentle Sleep Coach Jessica Litwack, certified by Kim West, LCSW-C, aka The Sleep Lady ®. Jessica will provide TLC families with excellent guidance for dealing with sleep issues with their 4 month to 6 year olds.
Jessica Manela Litwack LCSW is a not only a Certified Gentle Sleep Coach, but also and a Certified Baby Planner through the International Maternity Institute, a mother of two young children and the founder of the online mom support group, mamaSpace.
After learning early on with her first child that having a “good sleeper” wasn’t something that was just going to happen on its own, Jessica started to look into various sleep coaching methods. The Sleep Lady philosophy, developed by Kim West, was a perfect fit for her family because of its gradual and gentle approach. After gaining experience with her daughter, Jessica realized she wanted to support other families with sleep issues. She received training as a Certified Gentle Sleep Coach in early 2013. The Gentle Sleep Coaching Program has been helping tired parents for 17 years and is currently the most extensive and professional sleep certification program available.
The GSC approach is a gentler alternative for families who emotionally or philosophically are not comfortable letting their babies “cry it out”. GSC is also for families who believe in co-sleeping but find that their children aren’t really sleeping all that well, even nestled snugly with their parents. Or for families who did co-sleep for a few months to a few years and now want the family bed to revert back to the marital one.
For over 27 years TLC for Kids has been helping St. Louis families with all their child care needs. TLC is thrilled to expand its services to offer help to tired parents, babies and young children looking to get a good night’s sleep. Jessica is currently booking clients for December and into 2014. Please contact Jessica at 314-725-5660 or tlc@tlcforkids.com to book your consultation today.
TLC Is Now Offering Sleep Training!
I will never forget the pain of letting my youngest “cry it out” We tried the “ferber method,” but listening to him cry for 5 minutes seemed like 30! We tried co-sleeping but neither one of us got any sleep.
I am so excited to tell you about the new service TLC for Kids is offering. We have teamed up with Jessica Litwack, a certified sleep coach, to provide sleep training.
Jessica Manela Litwack, is a Certified “Gentle Sleep Coach” who will work with your family to create an individualized, loving and responsive step-by-step sleep plan teaching your child the vital life skill of putting themselves to sleep.
The Gentle Sleep Program will consider your personal parenting philosophy, child’s age, health and temperament, mother’s well-being and the related family dynamics. Most importantly Jessica will support and coach you through the process from beginning to end- for night sleep and naps!
The art of putting yourself to sleep is a priceless gift you can give to your child and your entire family. To learn more visit our website tlcforkids.com, or call us at 314-725-5660.