Kim Fusaro, blogger at The Daily WD, shares her experience as a first time mom,

“My husband, Rory, went back to work on Monday after two weeks of paternity leave. I offered to handle all of Emmett’s nighttime feedings so Rory wouldn’t be in total zombie mode in the office. But now I’m a wreck!…Emmett woke up every two hours! Since each feeding takes almost and hour, that meant I was only sleeping in one-hour intervals. So I stayed in bed ’til almost noon—but only got about six hours of sleep, total! During the day (when I didn’t feel like sleeping) he went back to his every-four-hours schedule. Not helpful!”

Kim asks is it too early to worry about sleep training? I highly recommend encouraging a good routine as soon as possible. She has to realize Emmett is in need of direction. It seems likely that he is not sleeping enough in the day or is needing to more often than every four hours. The typical 2 week old is able to eat every two and half hours to three hours (unless there is a feeding challenge). The feeding should last about 30 to 45 minutes (breast or bottle). He then is ready to be swaddled and settled to bed. The goal is for him to sleep until his next feeding time, two and half to three hours from the start of his last feeding. This is giving him direction on what is best for him. By continuing in the direction you are lovingly providing his needs teaching him good sleep habits!

Penelope Leach may have some good advice but her new book does not have solid advice.  In her new book The Essential First Year Leach claims “cry-it-out sleep training” can cause brain damage. Oh Penelope! She made this claim with no backing. Take it away Strollerderby getting the truth straight!
http://blogs.babble.com/strollerderby/2010/04/26/dont-believe-the-hype-the-cry-it-out-sleep-method-doesnt-harm-babies/

You heard what a babynurse is but did you know that they are even more specialized babynurses!

A Multiples Baby Nurse is experienced with caring for two or more babies at a time. They are skilled in helping and teaching parents how to negotiate the unique challenges of caring for more than one baby at a time. A Multiples Baby Nurse is also knowledgeable about the ongoing concerns and special needs of preemies.  Their ability to support parents also includes getting them both onto a schedule and helping with sleep training.

We really do know this but do we?  It is very important that babies have a down time, a time to drift into a deep REM sleep that will allow them to take in what they have learned.  Many parents are very well meaning to provide stimulation (i.e., toys, talking, reading) but Science Daily this week shares that there is evidence that baby’s nap times are necessary.

Are you not sure how to get your baby to sleep for naps?  Only getting catnaps and rough nights?  Don’t be discouraged; I can help you.  http://www.babiease.com/contact.htm

Read more from Science Daily: Naps help babies learn and retain new information.

Photo courtesy of Elle Photography

Looking for something sweet for your nursery?  Quiet morning play toy?  A mobile is a great idea; I often add mobile time to baby’s schedules.  They are stimulating, quiet, and this one is particularly sweet:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39182411

I get this question often.  The easy answer is NO.  What your baby needs is for your to provide him direction.  Direction is a daily routine of what he needs (i.e., feeding, sleep, stimulation) for his age.  For an example of a daily routine: 7am feed, play, 8:30am nap, 10am feed.  If your baby didn’t go to sleep when he needed to at 8:30am for his first nap he may be particularly fussy.  You have several choices: (1) You can hold him until he is almost settled (works more for 0-2 month olds)  (2) Let him fuss and see if he will go to sleep  (3)  If he just won’t settle hold him until he is asleep.

Now if you are able to get him to settle on his own- great!  If he fusses through his nap you will see he needs some help from you.  He has now gone beyond his “sleep window”.  (The Sleep Window is when babies go beyond the time they are able to be awake, which causes them to become overstimulated leading to stress. Read more in Good Night, Sleep Tight)  You will now need to calm him in your arms to sleep.

If your baby missed his first nap you’ll need to make sure he get’s his second nap or you’ll have a very fussy overtired baby.  Start the cycle of settling him to sleep earlier.  He may fight this sleep and cry when put down.  It’s ok.  Remember that you know he needs sleep and you are providing what he needs.  Let him fuss for a bit and see what happens.  Often times within a few minutes they will be quickly settled.

So in answering, no, your baby doesn’t need to cry to sleep if his needs of sleep are provided for.   Provide your baby what he needs by learning what amount of sleep he needs, learn his sleep cues, and you’ll have a well rested baby!

If you aren’t sure why naps are a struggle let me help you.  Contact me for a phone consult!

Some days and nights can be tough but don’t get discouraged.  (I tell myself this too as I can for a little man who really loves to eat day and night and has alot to learn. ) They really will sleep better soon.  Here are some tips to help!

*Baby is well rested/sleeping without assistance during the day

*White noise machineshushing them when rousing or sibling waking

*Separate cribs overnight for multiples.

*Pacify first and see the baby(s) can sleep even for another 20-30 minutes. This helps push the feed time closer to the morning wake time.

*Gradually decrease night (3-4am) bottle amounts

*Miracle Blanket swaddled, to grow with them

*Patience. With these few changes you will see improvement. This is a learning process for you and the babies. There will be tweaking here and there but it will improve if you follow the above tips.

Yes, my girls are wonderful!  They are sleeping through the night!!!  I've almost have them sleeping without their dreamfeed.  They go down at night between 6:30-7 and I feed them 2-3 ounces at 10 and they sleep until 6-6:30.  I'm hoping this week to totally drop their dreamfeed but not too quickly as they are just getting over a cold.  All said, it's so nice to have sleeping babies at night!

FACTS:  The Twins are 13.5 pounds born at 33.5 gestation, now 4.5 months old.  They have been sleeping through for about 5 weeks.  We still use the Miracles Blankets and white noise machine!

Yes, that tummy!  So often we forget (or mean to!) how important tummy time is.  You lay your baby down like you are told and they just fussy and scream like it's torture.  Well it may not be fun for them but it is important that they get time to strengthen their upper body, neck and shoulder muscles.  This time on their tummy also helps prevents their head from flattening.

There are many ways to "enjoy" tummy time.  To start, the earlier you start adding tummy time to your routine the better.  Place the baby on a mat on the floor with arms close to their chest.  They may complain but they are do.ing just fine.  Actually when they do start complaining you will see them at work! 

Here are a few ideas to encourage a happy time:

*Roll a receiving blanket under their arms/chest.  The same idea is with a Boppy but not as high and they are able to use their arms to push up.

*Talk to them!  We all need encouragement!

*Place a mirror in front of them.  It will be a good distration.

*Though not as helpful in strengthening those muscles, lie the baby on your chest.  There is nothing like cuddling with a little one.

*Though out the day keep offering little bits of time, 5 minutes here and 5 minutes there will add up.  

Enjoy the fun!