January 24, 2017

Sleep Center, The Sleep Lady

Why Your Baby Needs a Transitional Object

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By Kim West, LCSW-C, The Sleep Lady®

As your baby gets older, you will notice some major developmental changes that usually happen between six and eight months, including crawling, the (potential) transition from three naps down to two, as well as an increase in your baby’s separation anxiety. That’s a lot of changes! Transitional objects are one way that parents can help baby feel safe and secure.

This secure bond is a positive sleep association that can help your baby during their partial awakenings. Because the transitional object does not change, it is soothing. In fact, Dr. George Askew of Zero to Three, points out that a transitional object is often an indicator of a strong parent-child bond. Essentially, the object is meeting baby’s need for love and attention even when mom or dad is not actually there. Now that’s pretty cool. Read more

January 17, 2017

Sleep Center, The Sleep Lady

What Newborn Sleep Really Looks Like

what newborn sleep really looks like - cloud b

By Kim West, LCSW-C, The Sleep Lady®

When you prepare for your baby, you make sure everything is in order, right down to your baby’s sleeping arrangements. You make sure that you have washed her clothes, set up the changing table, and you pack your hospital bag.

You make sure that all the feeding supplies are sanitized and ready for use, and that the dog is groomed to meet his new sibling. As new (or new again) parents, we try to prepare for everything. What we really, truly cannot prepare for is the utter exhaustion of having a baby who is up all night. Read more

Sleep Center, The Sleep Lady

Typical Sleep Schedules: Recommended Hours of Sleep for Babies and Toddlers

recommended hours of sleep for babies and toddlers - cloud b

By Kim West, LCSW-C, The Sleep Lady®

Most parents ask me what a “typical day” of feedings, naps, and bedtime would look like for their child. Because I get so many questions about this, I decided to dedicate this post to just that. What follows are typical baby and toddler sleep schedules for  specific ages and stages.

Please note that “typical stages” apply to generally healthy children with no growth or developmental concerns. These sleep schedules are based upon recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. However, the guidelines are very flexible, so you don’t need to adhere to them too rigidly. Read more

January 10, 2017

Sleep Center, The Sleep Lady

11 Steps To Eliminate Preschooler Bedtime Battles

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By Kim West, LCSW-C, The Sleep Lady®

All of the energy and independence of a preschooler can either snowball into a bad situation at bedtime or be deftly managed to become a peaceful path toward slumber.

I’m just going to assume you want a peaceful bedtime routine for the sake of this article (no one wants to deal with preschooler bedtime battles). While this can seem overwhelming, it’s really all about having a good, flexible routine and sticking to it. Read more