My son is in second grade and my daughter is in preschool. They go to different schools and their starting times are different. In order to make it to the school bus, I have to wake my son up, the latest at 6:30 am during school days. It is hard for him to wake up at 6:30 am even though he goes to bed as early as possible. It's even hard for me to … [Read more...]
Simple tip to make your morning routine to school a breeze
As a parent, you learn early on that sleep cycle doesn't work as logical with babies and kids, as it does in adults. The biggest advice for early risers is to put them in bed earlier. Also the less day-sleep they get, the less they sleep at night. It goes pretty much the same for the morning routine.I have been waking my son up as late as … [Read more...]
5 reasons why I chose not to co-sleep with my babies
Our children sleep in their own cribs and beds a soon as they were born. For the first 8 months, their crib stayed in our rooms (in parents’ room). Once they started standing up and cruising, and became more alert to sounds around them, we figured out that their sleep is interrupted when we sleep in the same room. We did "separate room readiness … [Read more...]
Product Review: Portable Hide Away Bed Rail
Kids have been sleeping in their new bunk beds for a long time. My son is 6,5 and daughter is 4 years-old now. They occasionally wake up at night. Sometimes they come into our bed in the morning. In some cases, when they need to sleep in separate rooms, when one still wants to chat, we take one into our bedroom (until they fall asleep) and the … [Read more...]
Easy wearable blanket for children
My daughter grew out of her Cozy blanket with arms for children. I decided to use one of her existing blankets and turned it into a wearable blanket. It's the easiest solution to keep the kids covered with their blankets while asleep at night. Materials: 1. Blanket big enough to cover your child 2. Ribbon 3. Bias (optional) Directions: 1. … [Read more...]
Moving into new bunk beds
Last year during our trip to my parent's house, kids loved sleeping in the bunk beds that I and my brother used to sleep. Especially my son enjoyed the top bed.As my daughter got closer to outgrowing her crib, we started thinking about how to setup their rooms. Out house layout has 2 rooms on one floor and 2 rooms on the second floor. … [Read more...]
Siblings share a bed
Once upon time, Daddy was late. It was upon mommy, To put the kids to bed.Once she put them In their own rooms, Kids started calling mommy From opposite directions.Tired of running in between rooms mommy decided to tuck the little one in her big brother's bed. Kids thought it was a game first. Then were surprised when lights were … [Read more...]
Separate room readiness test for children and parents
Our babies slept in their cribs, in our room, from the day they came from the hospital until they were 8 months-old (2,5 years apart). Around 8-months, after a test I'll call "separate room readiness test", we decided to move them into their own rooms for their and our sake. Actually, let me rephrase, we moved out of the room and found ourselves a … [Read more...]
DIY: Cozy blanket with sleeves for children
My daughter is quite independent and can dress up and down by herself. Which is really good. Except when we find her stripped to her underwear when we go to check up on her after she goes to sleep. it's really hard to get her dressed when she's asleep. Not because she won't fall back asleep if she wakes up, but she gets really upset if she wakes up … [Read more...]
Comparison of books on baby sleep and daily routine
This is the last article I am writing in regards to getting babies used to training babies to sleep on their own and harmoniously. As stated very well in some of the comments, I wanted to help not only the babies with sleeping problems but also the adults who have a problem being able to put their baby a sleep.I think the main reason why some … [Read more...]
Just when you think you’ve got it … Everything changes!
EXCEPTIONSI would like to note that, everything we do in terms of daily routine works only when my son is healthy and does not have any physical or health problems. Even though we try our best, there are some exceptions to our sleeping routine.Discomfort due to cold, stuffy nose, teething may cause babies to wake up in the middle of their … [Read more...]
Book Review: The happiest baby on the block
I read so many books on baby sleep and daily routine that I really appreciated Chicago Public Library had the VHS version of Happiest baby on the block. It was two hours of crash course on the 5 essential methods to comfort the baby and help him/her to fall asleep.The 5 “S” explained in the video are: • Swaddling • Side/stomach … [Read more...]
Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg – Part III
SLEEPING CEREMONYLet’s talk about how my son fell asleep. We always regarded this as "a ceremony or ritual". All books talk about this as a ritual without exception. A ritual with same activities so that the baby knows what is coming. At the beginning, I calmed him down for a while, since my son was a "spirited" type. We could never once … [Read more...]
Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg – Part II
EATINGEating is an important part of the whole daily routine as sleep that includes (mother's) milk at first and then solid foods. I knew, just like a vicious cycle, if my son did not eat enough, that he was going to be hungry again in less than 3 hours, therefore wake up in the middle of his nap/sleep because he is hungry. I had shared with … [Read more...]
Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg – Part I
COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR BABYBW starts by reminding parents that the baby, even not very interactive for first few months, is not a part of you, not a mini-you or a material object but is a completely different person of his/her own. One might ask, "yeah, of course! what kind of an ignorant statement is this?". However especially during those … [Read more...]
Baby’s Sleep Routine – III
CRYING BABIESAs a new mom, initially, it's hard to accept that babies do cry. That is the only way for them to express their needs as a newborn. They cannot use mimics or words for milk or a diapers change. When they are comfortable, they look around quietly and peacefully and cry when they need something. (Grandmas, mothers, aunties or … [Read more...]
Baby’s Sleep Routine – II
SECRET WORD: DAILY ROUTINEBabies do need a certain routine. In their new home, they need safety, objects and sounds they are familiar with utmost. Changes excite them but if they would know what is going to happen, what is going to come by with their parents' signs, they would be less uncomfortable and can move from feeding to play and from … [Read more...]
Baby’s Sleep Routine – I
I have compiled the information I am about to share with you through my personal observations, experiences as well as the books and articles I have read on the subject. Though some of the information contains general facts, technical information, it might also reflect my own thoughts and beliefs.Every baby is different. Some babies might be … [Read more...]
Sleeping like a baby
I am going to write a series about sleeping habits for babies - and their parents - of course.Once you become parents, some of the main issues you mainly deal with are feeding the baby/appetite as well as sleeping habits. There is a saying "Sleeping like a baby". Many parents and I, we ask ourselves who came up with this unrealistic … [Read more...]
Disposable Mattress Pad as Baby Changing Pad
Wherever you change your baby's diaper, at a changing table, on the crib mattress, on the bed, on the carpet, it just gets messy and dirty. Especially, with boys, who tend to squirt as soon as you open their diapers. In these cases plastic changing pads or fabric protectors aren't very practical either.I started using the "disposable bed … [Read more...]