I have enjoyed enormous success in helping many little ones sleep better at night, but some of their parents are wanting help as well. This is not my specialty as adult sleep issues can be a result of a variety of sources from poor sleep habits to stress to medical conditions. The following is a brief article offering natural remidies adults can implement to help when sleep is elusive: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/sleep-better-with-acupressure-points.html
Posted by Child Works at 05:03 PM | Comments (2012)
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:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080407/ap_on_he_me/infant_sleep_obesity_5
Posted by Child Works at 02:01 PM | Comments (3)
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:http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/articles/2007/11/19/news/local/acover1116.txt
Posted by Child Works at 09:08 AM | Comments (1)
Many parents who work very hard to establish a healthy sleep routine can dread daylight savings time. Parents worry about how this one hour change in time will alter their well preserved sleep schedule. The good news is the change in time should not significantly alter your child’s sleep habits. The even better news is the “spring forward” time change is easier on children’s sleep than the “fall back” time change.
Since the time change occurs in the wee hours of Sunday, March 9th this year, I recommend beginning making changes to your routine starting Saturday, March 8th. If your child does not nap then put her down 15 minutes earlier at bedtime starting Saturday evening and continue to do this nightly until she is at the appropriate bedtime. If your child is still napping then put your child down at her normal naptime on Saturday, but wake her about halfway through her final nap. For example, if your child naps from 1pm to 3pm then wake her at 2pm. If your child takes a morning and afternoon nap then put her down normally for her morning nap, but wake her from her afternoon nap after 45 minutes of sleep if she typically naps for an hour and a half. That evening put your child to bed 15-30 minutes earlier than normal. How much earlier you are able to do is dependent on your child, but the earlier the better.
Posted by Child Works at 02:25 PM | Comments (1)
Many times when I finish helping parents get their child's sleeping on track they ask if I can help them. Although I do not work with adults, I do suggest they follow many of the basic ideas behind their child's sleep plan. The New York Times recently published an article on basic behavioral changes to implement to help an adult suffering from insomnia. If you suffer from insomnia it is worth trying these ideas and hopefully you will be surprised at how beneficial it can be. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/05/curing-insomnia-without-the-pills/?WT.mc_id=HL-D-I-NYT-MOD-MOD-M003-ROS-1107-HDR&WT.mc_ev=click&mkt=HL-D-I-NYT-MOD-MOD-M003-ROS-1107-HDR
Posted by Child Works at 09:44 AM | Comments (2016)
A fascinating article came out in Time magazine last month on the implications of birth order. Many of us were either raised with siblings or are raising more than one child ourselves. This article looks at what recent studies have found on the affects of birth order:
Posted by Child Works at 11:37 AM | Comments (665)
In my artcle "Why The Fuss Over Sleep" I discuss research based on adults that link sleep deprivation with obesity. New studies have emerged that connects lack of sleep in children with childhood obesity. Many parents are surprised to learn how much sleep their children should be getting. Not only does lack of sleep affect mood and ability to learn, but has physical repercussions as well. For more information:
Posted by Child Works at 03:36 PM | Comments (17)
I have always been a proponent of giving medicine when kids are sick, so that they can get adequate sleep which aids in recovery. However, it is important for parents to be aware of the changes in recommendations with cough and cold medicines. Below is a link to read more:http://www6.comcast.net/news/articles/health/2007/10/18/Cold.Medicines/
Posted by Child Works at 03:32 PM | Comments (2660)
All my clients complete a detailed assessment prior to every meeting. It is important to ensure that if a child is not sleeping due to medical reasons these red flags are tagged and appropriately addressed. By in large the marjority of sleep problems have no medical basis, but it is always an important consideration. The following article discusses kid snoring and what sleep labs have found while studying kids who snore:
Posted by Child Works at 06:58 AM | Comments (1)
The vast majority of my clients are exhausted moms. They feel they have lost control on aspects of their lives and feel desperate. After implimentation of a Child-Works sleep plan where their children are finally sleeping, these moms are quick to comment on how they are finally getting sleep again themselves and how wonderful that feels! Many of my articles and consults with parents focus on how lack of sleep affects children, but it is important, as adults, to consider how lack of sleep affects us as parents, partners, employees and friends. The following article from the UK made a big splash on this very topic: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/13/nmums113.xml
Posted by Child Works at 01:05 PM | Comments (8)
I have told all my clients that teaching the skill to sleep is a one time deal, but managing sleep continues until their child is off to college. Here is a wonderful article on sleep for teenagers. Although most of us have young children, it is good information to keep in mind for down the road.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20643572/site/newsweek/
Posted by Child Works at 04:43 PM | Comments (149)
Some people truly enjoy having a family bed and it is not disruptive for anyone. Other families have taken to co-sleeping not by choice. Sleep problems that began when the child was an infant continued on into childhood. The following is an article from the NY Times describing such families:http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/01/garden/01bed.html?pagewanted=3&ei=5070&en=c5bc3bd5820a0002&ex=1173416400&adxnnl=0&emc=eta1&adxnnlx=1173036292-09CDHigWhSzUtso7M0KUnQ
Posted by Child Works at 12:38 PM | Comments (4846)
By LINDSEY TANNER
The Associated Press
Monday, October 9, 2006; 1:13 AM
CHICAGO -- Here's some soothing medicine for stressed-out parents and overscheduled kids: The American Academy of Pediatrics says what children really need for healthy development is more good, old-fashioned playtime.
Many parents load their children's schedules with get-smart videos, enrichment activities and lots of classes in a drive to help them excel. The efforts often begin as early as infancy.
Spontaneous, free play _ whether it's chasing butterflies, playing with "true toys" like blocks and dolls, or just romping on the floor with mom and dad _ often is sacrificed in the shuffle, a new academy report says.
Posted by Child Works at 07:30 AM | Comments (6362)
The end of Daylight Savings Time marks the time when we “fall back” or set our clocks back one hour. Those who aren’t parents delight in the gift of an extra hour of sleep. Those of us who have children fear waking at 5 am instead of 6 am! However, there are some basic techniques you can employ that will help this transition go smoother.
Posted by Child Works at 07:40 AM | Comments (7150)
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: http://babyzone.com/features/content/display.asp?ContentID=2098
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.
Posted by Child Works at 08:05 AM | Comments (5540)
Recently a mother was telling me about her six year old daughter who was sleeping in their bed due to nightmares. Since she had recently started Kindergarten, the parents decided for the first two weeks of shcool she could crawl into their bed at night if she had a nightmare. During that time she came to their bed every night around 1:00am. Two weeks of waking in the middle of the night and walking to her parents bedroom to continue sleep took a tole on this six year old. She was clearly suffering from gradual sleep deprivation.
Posted by Child Works at 07:58 PM | Comments (56)
The debate about when it is okay for children to watch television, what is appropriate and how much is okay is a hot debate among parents and child specialists. NY Times has recently published an article explaining current research on toddlers and television:http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/05/health/psychology/05tots.html?ex=1158120000&en=0abfbce3c6bde299&ei=5070
Let us know your thoughts and experience regarding your child(ren) and television!
Posted by Child Works at 09:18 PM | Comments (1665)
Children all over the country are making their way back to school in the next few weeks. Since many children need to wake earlier in the morning to prepare for school, it is critical for families to establish a sleep schedule that accommodates earlier bed times. For most of us this means moving our evening routine a half hour earlier or more. Since quality and quantity of sleep directly impacts a child's success in school, it is well worth the effort to establish a healthy sleep schedule. To read an article on this topic please visit: http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20060821/hl_hsn/backtoschoolmeansadjustingkidssleepclocks
Posted by Child Works at 01:07 PM | Comments (5032)
Many clients have had great luck using noise machines for their babies that were light sleepers. Now there are convienient noise machines specifically made for travel. A current mom working with Child-Works is in search of a noise machine that actually makes noise! She purchased one on amazon that she states is barely audible. If anyone has a suggestion as to a particular brand of noise machine you have had luck with please respond to this post.
Posted by Child Works at 01:07 PM | Comments (1)
Recently a client told me that when she was a fussy baby her mother was prescribed drugs by the peditrician to help her (the baby) sleep through the night. My client was relieved that as a mother she had Child-Works to turn to for help with her baby's sleep problem. However, using drugs to help children sleep is on the rise. Many parents are unaware of the potential dangers inherent with utilizing drugs as a sleep aid. The Boulder Daily Camera recently published an article on this issue:
Daily Camera Article
If you are considering using drugs to help your child please don't hesitate to discuss this with you pediatrician and/or contact Child-Works for guidance prior to administering the drug.
Posted by Child Works at 01:10 PM | Comments (288)
Many parents who take the time and emotional energy to teach their child the skill of sleeping are devasted when their child falls ill. Teaching a child to sleep is a one time deal; however, maintaining a a healthy sleep schedule is continuous. Getting sick is one obstacle that disrupts a child's routine; vacation, hosting company, and/or various appointments are also hiccups in a child's schedule. Below is a link to an article I puplished that will help guide you through these issues and get your child's sleep schedule back on track:
Managing Healthy Sleep Habits
Posted by Child Works at 03:30 PM | Comments (0)
Many parents have recently been asking how to handle daylight savings and their child's sleep schedule. Some parents who have babies on a very early schedule, i.e. going to bed at 6:30pm and waking at 5:30am, may consider not changing this schedule at all. With the time change the baby's bedtime will be 7:30pm and s/he will wake at 6:30am. If you decide to not change your schedule keep in mind that if your child begins to wake earlier and earlier, adjusting to the time change, that his/her bedtime needs to correspond. For those interested in adjusting their schedule I have recently written an article on how to do this. Please go to the following link:http://ezinearticles.com/?Your-Childs-Sleep:-Making-Adjustments-During-Daylight-Savings-Time&id=168206
If you have specific questions please enter in the comment section. I will be answering these questions for everyone in the next two weeks.
Posted by Child Works at 08:32 AM | Comments (5333)
All parents look forward to that time when their child is sleeping through the night. After many sleepless nights, many parents work very hard to establish healthy sleep with their child and are so excited to be able to sleep themselves. Certainly all parents, once their baby reaches the developmental point of being able to sleep through the night, deserve to slumber sweetly as well. Unfortunately this is not always the case. After spending such long periods waking with their child it is hard for some parents' bodies to readjust. For many this is corrected within a week, but others struggle longer. The following link provides some advice on how adult's can achieve a good nights rest:
http:///www.livescience.com/humanbiology/060323_sleep_tips.html
Posted by Child Works at 06:50 AM | Comments (4)
A recent client shared how different her child's mood was after only one week of implementing a healthier sleep schedule. Once her two year old daughter had a nighttime routine that provided an earlier bedtime for her, she slept in later in the morning. The mother was telling me what a great mood her daughter was in when she woke every morning. In her words she described her daughter as "almost excited!" Now mornings are fun and the battles of getting ready for the day have been eradicated.
Getting behind on sleep affects children differently, but it does have a significant impact. Many times parents do not realize how sleep loss affects their child. Once their child is well rested, parents then see a noticeable change in mood and behavior. It is important for parents to realize the far reaching effects healthy sleep has for their child.
Posted by Child Works at 08:17 AM | Comments (0)
Many parents debate whether to have siblings share a bedroom even if they have space to separate them. There really is no right or wrong decision when it comes to sharing a bedroom. Some parents worry that a baby will wake the older child, but usually this is not the case. Toddlers and preschoolers quickly adapt to a frequently waking baby and sleep right through feedings that are done in the same room! The following is a recently written article on this very subject:
http://www.ecnnews.com/cgi-bin/05/ntstory.pl?-sec-Lifestyle+bailey.0320
Posted by Child Works at 10:46 AM | Comments (190)
Many parents, especially nursing moms, want to co-sleep with their child. Here in Boulder, CO it is quite common, but this is not so accross the country. Now that Ferber has altered his views from his well known book, "Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems" parents are feeling a sense of relief. Ferber is advocating parents take a more individualized approach to their child, which has always been an underlying philosophy here at Child-Works. To read the full article: http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060221/LIFESTYLE/602210416/1005
Note that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a crib/bassinet in the same room or cosleeper for the baby so that the child is physically in his/her own sleep space. There has been a rising debate in the safety of cosleeping where infants have died as a result of sleeping in an adult bed. If you are interested in this subject you can read a recent news article: http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Headlines/frtWEST01022106.htm
Posted by Child Works at 06:52 AM | Comments (3)
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 breasfead 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:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/116/5/e716
Please share what your pediatrician had to say on the subject!
Rachel Steinberg
Posted by Child Works at 02:46 PM | Comments (9)
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.
Posted by Child Works at 10:30 AM | Comments (3)