v 5 issue 15: Nighty Night

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


Cover by Danette Kay










1 Soft, cozy, and smart! Hello World Clothing developed the first ever baby sleeper to unzip from both ends. Parents are raving about the obvious benefits to sleepytime diaper changes. Elementary, yet brilliant indeed! SmartZip sleepers are available in Blue Me Away for the boys & Made Me Blush for the ladies. Email info[at]helloworldclothing.com to receive 20% off purchases thru 12/31/09.

2 Sized to fit standard preschool cots or kindermats, but able to adjust accordingly to any sleep environment. The Nap Mat from Crafty Baby is a 48" long fleece blanket with an attached pillow. Easily rolls up and stays secure with velcro straps. Can be carried self-sufficiently by cutie pies ages 3 and up. Free standard shipping on all purchases over $50.

3 Sweet Pete Shoes makes the most adorable moccasins in hues of bubble gum pink or chocolate brown. Quality and style inhabit the leather of these mocs right down to the nubbies on the sole. Online shoppers can purchase and monogram either pair to their liking @ twofunnygirls.com.

4 Each Bear Night Sack at jolibebeboutique.com is screenprinted with a silhouette inspired by Mother Nature herself and completed with a cubby cute nightcap. Comes in a pale echinacea color with a twig and flower neatly perched in a corner, or a bright blueberry shade with dandelion puffs blowing in the breeze. Enter code: tot trends for 10% off Jolibebe at azbabyboutique.com

5 Cradle baby in the softness of a blanket from The Modern Baby Company. Plush microfiber lines the inside of trendy cotton fabrics to provide unbeatable comfort during cool days and nights. Comes in two sizes: a mini version with an attached toy/pacifier strap 15" x 20" or the regular size of 30" x 40".

6 A custom designed baby lounger, exclusive to Tiny Dimples, starts out as a nap nest for baby, but transcends the test of time by turning into a big comfy pillow for the older kids. Long lasting durability is also the result of a removable & machine washable cover. Three delightful patterns to choose from. Enter code: TTW10 for 10% off purchases over $50.

7 My Pet Lamp from Offi is made of molded non-toxic, odorless plastic. Its soft glow is produced by a halogen bulb which is easily replaced by a quick visit to the hardware store, and all lamps come with a washable marker for decorating. Many colors and pets to choose from.

8 One of Oprah's Favorites for the month of October! Hatley's infant footed coverall with pink bears is trimmed at the neck with brown ribbing and offers a classic snap top-closure with a full zip. Adorably affordable @ $28.99.


Easy Relaxation Tips for Busy MomsMoms take care of hearth and home, but who takes care of her? If you are a busy mom, learn to value yourself as a person and schedule personal time.

Mom time refuels the tank so that you can give to your family as well as yourself in equal measure. Don’t be ashamed to sit for fifteen minutes doing nothing. Even reading a book for 30 minutes can also seem like heaven to many moms.

Here are a few tips to help you fit in much needed “mom” time:
Get up early if you have to. When you have kids, the day begins at a hurried pace. Once you hit the ground running, there is no stopping you. Waking 30 minutes to an hour ahead of time means quiet solitude to drink your coffee, read a book, meditate or listen to music.

Turn ordinary experiences into major events. When you take a bath, add candles, bubble bath, quiet music and/or an inflatable bath pillow. Your regular bath has now become a spa level experience. If you watch a movie, turn out the lights, pop a bag of microwave popcorn and curl up on the couch.

Ask your significant other for help. Kids love their mothers but time spent with dad is important too. Let them bond with dad while you go shopping for a new outfit or root around in the garden. Since the time is yours, do whatever you like.

Moms, take care of you. Your family would miss you if you were not around to love and care for them. You owe it to yourself and you deserve a break from the daily hustle and bustle.



Night Terrors
Imagine This: You wake up to your toddler screaming. You go to her room to find her sitting straight up in bed with her eyes wide open. She's crying and has a startled look on her face. There's nothing in the room that should have caused such a reaction, so you assume that she has had a nightmare. But that might not be the case.

It's possible that your toddler may have had a night terror. These typically occur in children from 2 to 6 years old, and differ somewhat from nightmares. When having a night terror, the toddler is never fully awake and probably doesn't even know you're there. She becomes confused and inconsolable, and after you see such a scene you may feel similarly.

The good news is that night terrors can often be treated without medication. Treatment usually consists of simple changes in routine or interruption of sleep patterns. Even if your child does not completely stop having night terrors with treatment, she will most likely outgrow them.

How Should I Handle a Night Terror?
When they discover their child having a night terror, the first instinct of many parents is to wake her up. But that will probably make the child even more upset and confused. That's the last thing you want.

Some experts advise parents to gently console their child, but others say it is futile due to the fact that she doesn't know you're there. The most important thing you can do is make sure that the child is safe and doesn't get hurt. Many children flail their arms and legs about when having a night terror, and some even bolt out of bed. So safety is a big concern for them.

Prevention of Night Terrors
One of the primary causes of night terrors is going to bed too tired. Making sure that your toddler is getting enough sleep may reduce or eliminate the occurrence of night terrors. You could put her to bed earlier, wake her up later, extend her nap or put her down for an additional one during the day.

If the additional sleep doesn't get rid of the night terrors, you may need to try interrupting your child's sleep cycle. This is accomplished by waking her up after about 1 to 2 hours of sleep, or about 15 minutes before the time the night terrors usually occur. This change in her sleep pattern could ward of the night terrors.

If these methods do not work, talk to your child's doctor. He may determine that she needs medication to get rid of her night terrors.

Night terrors are scarier for parents than they are for children. The child does not know what is going on when she has one, and will not remember it the next morning. But effectively treating them will result in a better night's sleep for both you and your child.

Great read on sleep terrors in young children... American Sleep Association