Child-Works Blog » Infants http://www.child-works.com/blog Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:04:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Parenting Styles and Baby Sleep http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/parenting-styles-and-baby-sleep http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/parenting-styles-and-baby-sleep#comments Tue, 27 Sep 2011 19:30:30 +0000 chosen http://www.child-works.com/blog/?p=41 Many of my clients have heard my philosophical approach to parenting and sleep training a child. I always refer to “attachment parenting” (as described by Dr. Sears) as child directed and “baby wise” (by Gary Ezzo) as parent directed. Child-Works aims to strike a balance between these two approaches where both the parents and child’s needs are being met. NPR reported on a study recently published in the journal Pediatrics on these parenting styles, infant crying and infant sleep during the early weeks and again at 10 months of age. The results showed the babies with the “middle of the road” approach experienced little crying after the first six weeks and slept well after 12 weeks of age. To read the full report please visit: “New Advice for Sleep-Deprived Parents”

As always, comments on this article are welcome!

]]> http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/parenting-styles-and-baby-sleep/feed 0 Common Sleep Myths http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/common-sleep-myths http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/common-sleep-myths#comments Tue, 09 Aug 2011 15:02:13 +0000 admin http://www.child-works.com/blog/?p=160 MYTH: Healthy sleep habits develop automatically.
FACT: The process of sleep is a learned skill. Some children learn this skill more readily than others. Parents can help or hinder the development of healthy sleep habits.

MYTH: Crying signifies pain.
FACT: An infant cries to communicate a wide range of feelings and needs. Crying does not always mean a child is in distress. Infants cry out of protest, as if to say, “I don’t want to do this” or “I don’t like this.”

MYTH: Protest crying at bedtime causes longterm emotional or psychological problems.
FACT: The research is clear that there is no evidence crying results in long term health issues for the child. In fact, the opposite is true. The ability to be alone is a vital sign of maturity in emotional development.

MYTH: Children outgrow unhealthy sleep habits.
FACT: As stated previously, healthy sleep habits are something that must be learned. There is no magical age or developmental time where children make a switch to autonomous sleep on their own.

MYTH: Removing a nap means longer night sleep.
FACT: Sleep begets sleep. A child will sleep longer at night without night wakings when s/he has healthy naps during the day.

MYTH: Later bedtime equals later wakeup time.
FACT: It is counterintuitive, but an earlier bedtime can result in a later wake up time.

MYTH: Feeding solids to infants affects sleep.
FACT: Sleeping longer is due to maturation, not diet. Hunger has little to do with how a baby sleeps.

MYTH: Teething causes child sleep problems.
FACT: Teething by an infant should not disrupt sleep significantly.

]]> http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/common-sleep-myths/feed 0 Children With Sleep Apnea http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/children-with-sleep-apnea http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/children-with-sleep-apnea#comments Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:24:21 +0000 chosen http://www.child-works.com/blog/?p=15 Although sleep apnea affects a small percentage of children, it can have devasting effects on a child’s behavior, learning and brain functioning. The following is an article touching on this issue: “Made in China, Growing up in America”

]]> http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/children-with-sleep-apnea/feed 0 Why A Good Night Sleep Is Critical To Your Child’s Well Being http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/why-a-good-night-sleep-is-critical-to-your-childs-well-being http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/why-a-good-night-sleep-is-critical-to-your-childs-well-being#comments Mon, 18 Jul 2011 21:45:57 +0000 chosen http://www.child-works.com/blog/?p=109 More and more information is coming out on the importance of sleep for both adults and children. I have written an article that consolodates much of the recent research on sleep for children which can be found under Sleep Information/Articles. The following article also provides information on the importance of sleep: “6 Reasons Why Your Child Needs More Sleep!”

Experts always give a range of how much sleep children should get at certain ages. To know where your child best fits within this range observe his/her behavior. The most common signs of not getting enough sleep is if your child falls asleep in the car, stroller or couch during non sleep periods (sleep periods include naptimes and bedtime). For a complete checklist on overtired behavior look under Sleep Solutions/Overtired Sleep Quiz.

]]> http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/why-a-good-night-sleep-is-critical-to-your-childs-well-being/feed 1 Too Little Sleep Can Lead to Obesity In Children http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/too-little-sleep-can-lead-to-obesity-in-children http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/too-little-sleep-can-lead-to-obesity-in-children#comments Mon, 11 Jul 2011 23:22:36 +0000 chosen http://www.child-works.com/blog/?p=17 If you are reading this blog then you most likely have a good idea that sleep is important to our children’s overall health. All my clients have learned that sleep affects a child’s behavior, emotional development, learning ability and physical health. More and more research is being done on pediatric sleep. The following article discusses how lack of sleep and too much television in very young children can set them up for early obesity issues:  “Infant Sleep Linked to Obesity: Study”

]]> http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/too-little-sleep-can-lead-to-obesity-in-children/feed 3 Pacifier Use and SIDS http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/pacifier-use-and-sids http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/pacifier-use-and-sids#comments Mon, 23 May 2011 10:58:00 +0000 chosen http://www.child-works.com/blog/?p=74 Not too long ago the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a recommendation for parents to use a pacifier during naps and night sleep until the child is one as a preventative to SIDS. There was an uproar among lactation professionals as to the effects of pacifier use on breastfeeding. AAP did clarify that breastfed babies should not be given a pacifier until breastfeeding is well established. However, there is another “side effect” that has not been addressed by the AAP–dependency on a pacifier to sleep and crying out frequently at night to have the pacifier put back in. The AAP states that pacifiers only need to be in the child’s mouth while falling asleep; parents do not need to keep reinserting the pacifier. The problem lies in the fact that babies are using the pacifier to fall asleep. If they are not developmentally able to put the pacifier back in by themselves then they wake and cry out for a parent to come and help put the pacifiers back in order to fall back asleep. This drastically reduces the quality of sleep for the baby and leaves parents exhausted. We recommend our clients discuss this issue with their pediatrician before deciding to introduce or discontinue a pacifier. To read the full article go to: “Do Pacifiers Reduce the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?”

Please share what your pediatrician had to say on the subject!

]]> http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/pacifier-use-and-sids/feed 2 Ferber’s Revisions http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/ferbers-revisions http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/ferbers-revisions#comments Thu, 19 May 2011 08:00:13 +0000 chosen http://www.child-works.com/blog/?p=70 Recently a parent of a 7-month-old son surprised me with her interpretation of all the recent news on Dr. Richard Ferber and his new book due out this spring. A few months ago she and her husband successfully taught their son to go to sleep on his own (she previously had to nurse him to sleep each time). I provided moral and professional support through the process, which did involve some tears on everyone’s part. Their son did really well with the night sleep and after some time adjusted to a healthy daytime sleep routine.

When speaking the other day she asked, “Can you believe Ferber has completely gone back on his methods? I feel so guilty now!” She was of course referring to the recent reports that famed sleep expert, Dr. Richard Ferber, has revised his best selling book, “Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems”.

(SEE http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05319/606752.stm for the complete WallStreet Journal article)

Most people now know his method simply as “Ferberizing”, a system whereby parents are instructed to leave the child alone in a crib for gradually longer periods of time (checking on him at each interval but not picking them up) until the baby falls asleep on his own.

This mother’s assertion that Ferber has changed his mind completely is incorrect. I have heard this from many other parents as well. To clarify, Ferber has said that he was “misunderstood” and never intended the advice to fix all childhood sleep problems. He will elaborate on some other solutions in his revised book. However, Ferber has NOT said that he is “going back” on his previously advised methods.

As many of you already know, the world of childhood sleep problems, advice, methods, and philosophies is muttled with drastically varying views. I found it striking that this mom who has enjoyed great success with a “Ferber-like” method immediately abandoned her success and felt guilty for allowing her son to cry in the process. I agree with Ferber’s most recent assertions that there is no “one way” for all children. EVERY child is unique and parents ultimately need to choose an approach they feel comfortable with, listen to their intuition, and remain consistent.

As parents we should not feel guilty for teaching our children healthy sleep habits. So much of their development, health and behavior is dependent on adequate sleep. I look forward to reading Dr. Ferber’s newest edition this Spring and for the many critics to realize he hasn’t abandoned a successful sleep training method, he has just acknowledged what many of us already believe – each child deserve to be looked at as individuals with unique personalities, temperaments and needs. A lesson parents will need to remember whether they are dealing with their child’s sleep, academic career, relationships or behavior issues.

Happy, Guilt-Free Sleeping! – Shannon Kalisher

]]> http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/ferbers-revisions/feed 4 New Campaign Against SIDS http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/new-campaign-against-sids http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/new-campaign-against-sids#comments Tue, 25 Sep 2007 19:09:00 +0000 chosen http://www.child-works.com/blog/?p=48 In the news I cam across this new campaign to curb SIDS in Baltimore. Some of the recommendations were ones I hadn’t heard about yet. I thought it worth sharing: Continue reading “New Campaign Against SIDS” »

]]> http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/new-campaign-against-sids/feed 4 To Sleep With Your Baby or Not http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/to-sleep-with-your-baby-or-not http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/to-sleep-with-your-baby-or-not#comments Mon, 25 Sep 2006 19:06:32 +0000 chosen http://www.child-works.com/blog/?p=46 The debate about co-sleeping in the United States is growing. Here at Child-Works we believe co-sleeping can be a wonderful situation in the early months as long as it is done safely. It is a tremendous benefit to a mother who is nursing every hour or two. It can also be an incredible bonding time. As with all decisions around your child it is family specific and what works best for you may look different than other families. We encourage parents to negotiate the best solutions for their particular family. 

]]> http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/to-sleep-with-your-baby-or-not/feed 0 Good Books for Babies and Toddlers http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/good-books-for-babies-and-toddlers http://www.child-works.com/blog/infants/good-books-for-babies-and-toddlers#comments Mon, 04 Sep 2006 19:03:42 +0000 chosen http://www.child-works.com/blog/?p=44 Babies become interested in books at various ages and in different ways. Some babies like to hold the book and “read” themselves, others want to focus on the pictures while others enjoy hearing every word read to them. A literacy group located in Pittsburgh gathers specialists together to determine the 10 best books for babies and toddlers among hundreds of books. For a list of these books, please visit: “10 Best Books for Babies and Toddlers”


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