v 3 issue 35: Sweet Dreams

It's time for bed and sweet dreams. This issue is full of bedtime treats that will make night time easy and fun.



Cover by Heather Jenkins




Sweet Dreams



1 Swaddle your cherub in the heavenly softness of robbie adrian luxury organics. These precious blankets are made of 100% certified organic cotton or fleece fabric and are topped off with a natural silk trim in a ruffled or straight edge. Makes an elegant & unforgettable present when tucked inside the available keepsake gift box!
2 The TykeLight by Mobi will make nighttime fun as they explore their room, tent or backyard. The TykeLight is fully rechargeable and has a soft glow nightlight feature, as well as brighter lights as you click the bottom. Illuminates up to 10 hours on a single charge and even glows while charging. The impact resistant plastic means its safe and durable. $25, Baby-wise.com.
3 Goodbye sleepless nights. Hello Sandman! Dreamerz is Grandma's warm glass of milk with a new twist. They have added two safe, all-natural & scientifically proven ingredients, Lactium and Melatonin, to promote a state of relaxation and sleepiness. In three yummy flavors of chocolate s'nores, creme de la REM & vanilla van winkle, you are sure to pleased with the flavor and effectiveness of this fabulous nighttime concoction.
4 Keep the kiddies in bed longer with the help of Arf Kids. This revolutionary product is a triple function alarm clock, night light and sleep aid which is simple for children to comprehend. With a little practice and patience, children will quickly understand when the bunny is in bed they should be in bed & when the bunny is awake they can be awake!
5 Ease your child into a bedtime ritual with the help of a soft and friendly ladybug which lights up walls and ceilings with the stars of the night sky. With the press of a button, children can change the color of illumination between ruby red, emerald green and sapphire blue. The Twilight Ladybug Nightlight is also portable and has a built in 45 minute timer!
6 We are lovin' this funky Kashwere fabric robe in bright and savvy colored stripes. Kashwere is an utterly fantastic soft and cushy fabric children will love to cuddle in before bedtime. Check out this great find along with many others at sleepyhead.com.
7 Swaddling is a safe and effective way to make babies feel secure and comfortable by mimicking the close quarters of the womb and reducing wakefulness due to startle reflexes. We love these wraps because they are the right size (bigger than we are used to here in America!), the right price (a 4 pack for $44.-) & the right fabric for perfect swaddles. The open weave design of soft breathable muslin used in the aden + anais baby wrap ensures warmth by allowing body temperature to adjust naturally without overheating. Special wraps are available for a little extra winter warmth!
8 Dim the lights and induce restful sleep with the Downtime Sleepy Hat. The super cute hat, with it's built-in sleeping mask, works by decreasing visual stimuli and creating a dark environment to help babies safely fall off to sleep and/or keep them asleep for longer periods. Plus, the clever closed eyelash design of the flip down mask clues onlookers to do not disturb!
9 Make sleepy memories into creative art at friends with a fish. The idea is simple and unique. Send in favorite pajamas, stuffed toys or any adored memorabilia and friends with a fish will create samples of artwork to be treasured by you and your child for years to come.



Q&A from our readers
One of our readers inquired for your advice:


My 3 year old will not go to sleep unless my husband or I lay down with her. When we have friends over this is very difficult as one of us has to go upstairs to be with her for 30-40 minutes to get her to sleep. Now that we have a baby on the way we have to fix the problem.
-Missy, mom to Meghan. San Diego, CA.

So many of you sent in your advice, thank you!

Each night slowly move closer and closer to the door until you're out of their room. - Jennifer

The couple should buy Dr. Weisbluth's book, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. The book contains excellent information about how to correct many different sleep problems. I wish I had read it before I had my daughter. I now buy it for everyone I know who's expecting. Hopefully this will help! - Kelly; Phonix, AZ.

I suggest that you create a really good and predictable (routine) that includes a bath and a story and some snuggle time before the lights go out. Once the light goes out you need to tell your daughter that you love her and tuck her in snuggly and then leave the room. If she protests you have to be loving but firm and tell her that it is bed time and that she needs to go to sleep on her own. This may be met with tears and protest but your daughter’s needs for your affection and attention can be met during waking hours. It may not seem kind and loving to leave a three year old in her room crying but it may be the only way that she can learn. If she gets out of bed take her back to bed without talking and put her lovingly back in bed and again leave immediately. -V.S. Milton

I hate bribery... but you could try some small trinket OR special toys to put by her bed - make the limit of ONE and only ONE short story, remind the child that after one story and prayer you will leave the room with the toy beside the bed - if the child stays in bed w/ no pouting/crying then in the AM the toy is for keeps - worth a try - you may want to start w/ small toys or it could cost a lot - good luck - sweet dreams!! Tiffany; Parsons, KS.

Try the 10 minute rule. Let them fuss for 10 minutes and then go in, then add 5 minutes every time you have to go back. If they come out of the room, walk them back in queitly and do not speak, just lay them down. It does break you heart, but if you stick to your guns, you will have a sleeping toddler in no time and more time for adult time!! -Shawn

Sweet Dreams Baby - Tips for a Good Night's Sleep

If your newborn is not getting enough sleep you'll be sure to have a fussy baby on hand. A fussy baby can mean more sleep deprivation for already worn down new parents. In fact, the American Sleep Association states that adults need at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night which is nearly impossible during your newborn's first few months. For a newborn baby 5 hours of straight sleep is considered "sleeping through the night" and 16 hours of sleep a day is generally required for infants overall. It's also important to create a sleeping environment that's comfortable, soothing and safe for baby. It will not only help your baby ease into successful sleeping habits but hopefully allow you to enjoy more sleep filled nights.

Important Tips for a Good Night's Sleep:

* Make good nutrition a priority - assure your baby is getting well balanced meals through out the day so that she doesn't wake up hungry.
* Provide a consistent bedtime routine for your baby - children function better under a regular sleep routine so make sure to keep things consistent. For example, giving your baby a bath and reading her a bedtime story before bed every night will help your baby wind down.
* Make sure baby has a comfortable sleep environment - check the room temperature, make sure baby is not too hot or cold in her sleepwear, dim the lights to signal it's sleep time, add soft lullaby music to set the mood.
* A safe sleep environment is important - make sure there aren't any loose blankets or stuffed animals near baby's sleep space so she's not endanger of suffocation.
* Nap times should be consistent - an over tired baby with no naps will get fussy towards the end of the day and a baby who naps too long may not sleep through the night.
* Allow your baby to soothe herself to sleep - it's ok to rock your baby until she's drowsy before you put her down. However, do not allow her to fall completely asleep in your arms. This will help her learn how to soothe herself to sleep and less dependent on you.

For more resources on sleep information for your baby and you check out the following:
Elizabeth Pantley's No Cry Sleep Solution:
http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth/index.html
Ask Dr. Sears:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/7/T070300.asp
American Sleep Association:
http://www.sleepassociation.org/index.php
American Academy of Sleep Medicine:
http://www.aasmnet.org/

Melissa Moog is Founder of Itsabelly Baby Concierge, a premier baby planning service that helps new and expectant parents navigate the world of all things maternity and newborn. Itsabelly has been featured in Pregnancy Magazine, Cool Mom Picks and Metro Parent. Melissa is also the Pregnancy Planning Expert for The Bump. For more information on Itsabelly see: www.itsa-belly.com