Safer Sleep For Babies, Advice And Guidance.

by Iva Faulknerova | Apr 1, 2022 | newborn, breastfeeding, dummy

TABLE OF CONTENT:

SLEEP LOCATION AND SLEEP POSITION FOR SAFER SLEEP FOR BABIES

COT SET UP, SLEEP NESTS AND SLEEPY HEADS

How Can I Make Sure My Child-Care Provider Follows My Safe Sleep Guidelines?

Safer Sleep For babies

It’s important to spend some time considering how to implement safer sleep for babies. The decisions we make about where and how we place our babies to sleep can impact their health and safety. Some common practices of the past are no longer considered to be the safest way to support your baby to sleep. The advice listed here is from the evidence-informed information provided by the Lullaby Trust: a leading UK Charity who aim to reduce the number of SIDS (Sudden infant death syndrome) deaths by providing safer sleep advice.

Sleep Location For 0 – 6 Month-Old Babies

The safest place for your baby to sleep is in the same room with you for the first six months.
Place your baby to sleep in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first 6 months, even during the day.
Some parents choose to co-sleep with their baby. See the advice listed below specifically for safer co-sleeping.
Never sleep on a sofa or in an armchair with your baby. Sleeping on a sofa or in an armchair with your baby is one of the most high-risk situations for them.
The chance of SIDS is lower when babies sleep in a separate cot in the same room as their parents

Sleep Position for SAFER SLEEP FOR Babies

You should always place your baby on their back to sleep and not on their front or side.
Sleeping your baby on their back (known as the supine position) every night is one of the most protective actions you can take to ensure your baby is sleeping as safely as possible.
There is substantial evidence from around the world to show that sleeping your baby on their back at the beginning of every sleep or nap (day and night) significantly reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
You should always place your baby on their back to sleep and not on their front or side (unless your doctor has advised you of a medical reason to do so)
Sleeping a baby on their front or side greatly increases the chance of SIDS
It is important that you always put your baby on their back as part of their regular sleep routine – the chance of SIDS is particularly high for babies who are sometimes placed on their front or side
Once your baby can move themselves from their back to their front and back again by themselves, they will be able to find their own sleeping position.
The first few times they roll onto their tummy, you might like to gently turn them back, but do not feel you have to get up all night to check. Give them some time to play on their tummy while they are awake to help their development, but make sure you supervise them while they are on their front.

How to Set Up Baby Cot safely / Moses Basket Contents

Remove soft toys from your baby’s sleep area before each sleep period. Babies should be slept in a clear sleep space, which is easy to create in a cot or Moses basket.

Sleep Pods Or Sleep Nests Are NOT Safe For Baby to Sleep In

There are some items that I would not recommend:

• pods or nests
• pillows, duvets or thick heavy bedding
• cot bumpers
• hammocks
• sleep positioners

Parent And Baby Co-Sleeping

Sharing your bed with your baby is called co-sleeping.

For safer co-sleeping:

Keep pillows, sheets, blankets away from your baby or any other items that could obstruct your baby’s breathing or cause them to overheat. A high proportion of infants who die as a result of SIDS are found with their head covered by loose bedding.
Follow the other safer sleep for babies advice to reduce the risk of SIDS such as sleeping baby on their back.
Avoid letting pets or other children in the bed.
Make sure baby won’t fall out of bed or get trapped between the mattress and the wall.

It is important for you to know that there are some circumstances in which co-sleeping with your baby can be very dangerous:

Either you or your partner smokes (even if you do not smoke in the bedroom).
Either you or your partner has drunk alcohol or taken drugs (including medications that may make you drowsy).
You are extremely tired.
Your baby was born premature (37 weeks or less).
Your baby was born at a low weight (2.5kg or 5½ lbs or less).
Never sleep on a sofa or armchair with your baby, this can increase the risk of SIDS by 50 times.

You should never sleep together with your baby if any of the above points apply to you or your partner.

How Can I Make Sure My Child-Care Provider Follows My Safe Sleep Guidelines?

All Child-care providers whether they are independent child-minders, a nursery setting or a relative should be following safer sleep guidelines for safer sleep for babies. It is definitely a conversation you should have with them when considering your child’s placement with them. Look for pro-active nurseries such as Highbury Community Nursery, who are actively engaging conversations around best sleep practices with their parents by seeking out professional advice to follow and dispense. If you are a child-care provider and would like to discuss getting an informational newsletter to send out to your parents from a professional Baby Sleep Coach, then please get in touch as I’d be happy to help!

References:

https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/

Have you downloaded your freebie yet? Top 10 Baby Sleep Coach Tips To Help Your Baby Sleep Better Guide! If not, then make sure to click here.

How To Get Baby Sleep When Travelling?

by Iva Faulknerova | Apr 1, 2022 | travel

TABLE OF CONTENT:

HOW TO HELP BABY SLEEP WHEN TRAVELLING - WILL TRAVEL RUIN BABYS SLEEP ROUTINE?

TOP TIPS ON HOW TO HELP BABY SLEEP WHEN TRAVELLING

WHERE DOES BABY NAP WHEN ON HOLIDAY?

DO YOU KEEP TO BABY’S BED-TIME ROUTINE WHEN AWAY FROM HOME?

WHAT SHOULD BABY WEAT TO BED ON HOLLIDAY

HOW TO GET BABY SLEEP WHEN TRAVELLING

As travel begins to slowly reappear you might suddenly be faced with stress around how to travel with your baby and how to get your baby sleep when travelling and of course where your baby can sleep when travelling.
Fear not, combining years of baby and child experience your Baby Sleep Coach has come up with the answers to new parents five most asked questions about baby sleep whilst on holiday:

Will Travel Ruin Baby’s Sleep Routine?

This is likely the most asked question relating to travel and holidays that I get asked. The answer is no, a week or two of a slightly altered routine won’t put your efforts to waste and, if they do throw your baby off their usual sleep schedule, it shouldn’t be too hard to get them back on track. When you return from your holiday ensure you begin your ‘pre-holiday’ sleep routine the first night back, this helps to show that when you are at home it’s business as usual. The best way to help baby sleep when travelling is to create a ‘home from home’ environment wherever you are staying.

Top Tips ON HOW TO GET BABY SLEEP WHEN TRAVELLING :

Using your own travel cot where possible and practicing beforehand is ideal; if you can’t bring your own (such as when flying), check the hotel’s travel cot size and bring your own sheets for familiarity, which can enhance baby sleep when traveling, especially if they smell like home. If the hotel’s cot mattress differs in size from yours, it’s worthwhile to buy sheets that fit to ensure your baby enjoys this home comfort.
Don’t forget the favourite features of their bedtime routine! Whether your baby has a favourite soft toy, baby comforter, bedtime story, their top baby bath toy, a white noise machine or even a favourite pair of pyjama’s make sure to pack it! If you wear their pyjama under your top for few days, your baby will find your scent very calming, relaxing and soothing.

Travel black-out blinds – these can be a lifesaver when staying somewhere other than home. If your baby is accustomed to a dark room then you will want to purchase one of these before staying away.

An Air BnB is a great way to create that ‘home from home’ environment as they tend to have more home comforts and features than a hotel room.

Where Does Baby Nap When On Holiday?

Every baby is different, especially when it comes to their sleeping habits. By now you will know if your baby is likely to sleep on the move or whether they absolutely need their beds. If you want to be out and about during your travels then practise with on-the-move naps prior to your trip.

Our Suggestions For On The Move Napping For Active Parents Include:

Pram or Buggy – if you’re going somewhere warm ensure you have a form of shade available either from a parasol or an extended pram hood. Avoid hanging a muslin or blanket over the front of the pram in order to create shade, it can get very hot very quickly under there.

A baby carrier – There are baby carriers available for a wider range of baby sizes on the current market. If you’re going to try a baby carrier for the first time, ensure you do a trial run to check the settings are comfortable – you definitely don’t want to injure your back halfway through a hike and still have a baby to carry around!

In a car seat whilst travelling – the gentle vibrations of a moving car are often ideal sleep promoters for babies and if you are transporting yourselves by car it might be a good idea to do so at nap time so they don’t get restless. Please remember to never leave your baby in a hot car as the temperature can rise very quickly once the air conditioning is turned off. Make sure to take frequent breaks and get your baby out of the car seat, if you doing long journeys

In the hotel/room – don’t be afraid to sacrifice some of your usual exploration time for a nap in the hotel room. Some babies will only sleep in a cot but if you are travelling in a warm environment the break from the heat might do you both good.

How Can I my Help Baby Sleep When Travelling in the Travel Cot?

Travel cots aren’t the most luxurious of items, you can buy additional mattresses for most but if you are travelling abroad taking a mattress, even a fold-up one, is likely not an option. In the absence of an extra mattress – and don’t be afraid to ask the hotel for one – we recommended padding the bottom of the cot with a couple of flat bath towels and putting the sheet over the top. This should help baby to sleep better, don’t be tempted to use soft duvets or thick blankets as baby’s sleep surface should be flat and firm – but the towel should just ensure the base of the bottom of the cot isn’t poking into babies back.

If your little one is a toddler then consider whether a mattress on the floor would be more comfortable for them as the travel cots can be quite flimsy and a determined toddler could knock one over. If your toddler isn’t used to sleeping without the sides of a cot then ensure you line the floor next to them with a duvet or towels as hotel floors tend to be much firmer than bedroom carpets!

Do You Keep To Baby’s Bed-Time Routine When Away From Home?

Where possible, try to keep the night-time routine similar such as bath, book and bed. If you do need to adjust bedtimes to make the most of your time away then don’t panic too much – it shouldn’t harm your usual routine when you return! Just make sure that on your return home you go straight back to the usual bedtime or baby sleep schedule. This will help differentiate between ‘holiday bedtime’ and ‘home bedtime’. I have fond memories of the excitement of staying up past bedtime when on holiday as a child.

It is also common to find that holiday excitement, activities and sunshine tire your children out quicker. After all, Vitamin D can help your baby sleep so as you’re more likely to be outside, they are more likely to tire out – we’ll let you decide whether that is a help or hindrance to your time away!
You know your child and how they will cope best however, we would recommend if you are staying up later to try and be near to your hotel. That way should the signs of over-tiredness begin to creep up you can quickly get them to bed, don’t forget that they can start the night sleeping in the pram whilst you’re out and when you get them back to your room you can just transfer them in their bed. There’s nothing wrong with letting baby snooze in the buggy whilst the adults enjoy a nice meal on their holiday.

What Should My Baby Wear To Bed On Holiday?

Ensuring the baby sleep when travelling can be stress-free by packing versatile, breathable layers suitable for varying weather conditions and always prioritising comfort and safety.

To practise baby safe sleeping guidelines, I always recommend that once they are big enough (check your sleeping bag manufacturer but most are from 8lbs) they sleep in a baby sleeping bag or baby gro bag. You can get lower tog sleeping bags up to even 0.5 tog, which is very thin. Alternatively, you can let baby just sleep in a vest or nappy if they will, my baby would never go to sleep without some covering so we would get the lowest tog possible and keep baby in nappy underneath if it was still warm.

If you’re worried about it being warm, taking a room thermometer is a good idea. You can take small ones that are just a piece of card that will give you a good enough estimate to make a decision. You can use a fan in the baby’s room but make sure it’s not pointed at them and, as usual, keep them away from heat sources and direct sunlight. The Lullaby Trust has a some great advice on keeping baby safe during the summer.

Let us know if this has helped you or if you have any further questions about getting your baby to sleep when travelling, in the comments section below.

Have you downloaded your freebie yet? Top 10 Baby Sleep Coach Tips To Help Your Baby Sleep Better Guide! If not, then make sure to click here.

Top 10 Tips For Travelling With Kids

by Iva Faulknerova | Mar 30, 2022 | travel

TABLE OF CONTENT:

TRAVEL GAMES

HOW DO YOU FLY WITH A BABY (OR YOUNG CHILD)?

HOW SHOULD I PLAN MEALTIMES WHEN TRAVELLING WITH KIDS?

HOW CAN WE ENJOY THE SUN WITH OUR BABY OR TODDLER?

CHOOSING THE HOTEL AND ACTIVITIES. WHERE SHOULD YOU STAY?

WHO SHOULD I BRING WITH ME ON HOLIDAY?

TOP 10 TIPS FOR TRAVELLING WITH KIDS

We had a great response to our first blog on How To Get Your Baby To Sleep Whilst Travelling, along with many other questions! We all know the secret to a great family-friendly holiday is to keep your kids happy and busy, so to keep baby entertained whilst travelling whether in a car, on a plane or on a day trip be sure to read our top 10 tips for parents:

1. What Are Good Games To Play When Travelling with Kids?

If your child can talk, every parent fears the dreaded words ‘Are we there yet?’ and with good reason, as it usually comes before we have even left our home town. Try beginning the journey with some game instructions rather than desperately scrambling once you’re already in transit. You might suggest they look for a yellow car (more popular now than when we used to play as children!) or older children might keep a tally chart with points for each colour, which I used to play with my children when we travelled to Europe in the summer.

You could create a scavenger hunt game in advance for spotting landmarks or silly items/features throughout the journey. If you have multiple children then you could also add a touch of competitiveness such as ‘first to see the sea…’ wins a simple choice prize which might be picking their room first when you arrive or selecting where you eat out for tea.

Other suggestions include:

I spy with my little eye
Spelling games – Say a word based on a theme that starts with the last word’s last letter. E.g, Sandwich, Ham, Mango, Orange etc.
Memory games – Such as ‘My Gran went on holiday and in her suitcase, she packed…’ and then you list all the items that came before yours. Name that Tune – Hum or tap a song and the rest of the group tries to guess what it is. If you think your children would struggle with songs you could use the theme ‘Disney movies’
Heads Up – Take a pack of post-it notes and write characters or famous people on them. The player sticks it on their forehead and asks yes or no questions to guess who it is – we suggest limiting it to 15 questions! There is also an app that does this using your phone.
Audio Stories are great for helping excited toddlers calm down and maybe even have a quick snooze for the remaining journey.

Whilst we have spoken before about how blue light can affect our little ones, it’s all about balance – so don’t be ashamed to pull out the tablet or phone to let your little ones enjoy some screen-time.

2. What Is The Best Way To Stick To A Sleep Routine When Travelling with Kids?

You probably have a pretty good idea of whether your little one is likely to fall asleep whilst travelling by now. If they do fall asleep whilst travelling then try to plan journeys at naptime or night-time wherever possible. Don’t forget a blanket to stay cosy but be sure to follow safe sleep guidelines and only use a blanket on the baby that isn’t going to end up covering their face! If the baby is the only child travelling in a car and there are two adults, we recommend an adult sitting in the back to keep an eye on the baby’s wants and needs.

If your baby or child doesn’t nap during journeys, firstly we send our sympathies! Try to arrange journey times for when they have just woken up and try to avoid night-time travelling where at all possible. The last thing you want on your first day of the holiday is a child who has been awake all night on a plane!

Try not to worry about nap times too much if it is making your journey more difficult though. Your little one will sleep eventually and it might be useful to have a lazy first day to catch up on sleep and come to grips with where you’re staying.

We have a full blog on how to help baby sleep whilst travelling right here!

3. HOW DO YOU FLY WITH A BABY (OR YOUNG CHILD)?

There are countless online articles about travelling with kids, but I think a lot of them just add unnecessary stress to the run-up to your holiday. Follow the above guidelines in terms of keeping them entertained, don’t feel ashamed to use screen-time or audiobooks to try and keep them distracted. Some plane companies offer cots for babies so don’t forget to look into what’s available and ask in advance.

When the plane sets off, give your baby either a milk feed or a dummy (if they use one – have questions about using a dummy? Check out this blog) as the sucking motion helps to soothe the ear pressure and popping. If your child is older either give them a drink or a sweet to suck on (if they can be trusted not to swallow it whole!).

Often ‘under 3’s go free’ on a plane, but consider whether your journey would be easier and more enjoyable for everyone if you paid for their own seat. At 2, my children would not have been happy to sit on my lap for over an hour and I can’t say I would have enjoyed the experience myself either.

Don’t feel embarrassed about the way your children behave on a plane, especially if it is your first time travelling with kids as a family. Take them up and down the aisle if it’s a long flight to stretch their legs, you’ll probably brighten a few peoples journey if your little one is chatty and wants to make lots of new friends! As long as you are trying to control the situation through distraction and calming methods then you have nothing to be ashamed of, it is very common for children to be upset or more frustrated whilst travelling – us adults are too.

4. What Should You Pack In Your Carry On Luggage For Your Child?

If you’re packing a carry on bag for a child, it’s important to get the essentials in first:

Take plenty of snacks and make sure they aren’t going to be super messy and end up needing to change their clothes during a flight
Drinks – whether they are on milk (which you can take on with you, if it’s pre-made they might make you sample some) or water make sure you have plenty!
Medication – A lot of the main medication companies, such as Calpol, offer travel size sachets. If your child takes unwell during the flight you’ll be grateful you had some with you. It can also help a younger child feel a placebo effect if their ears have popped due to pressure.
Spare Clothes
Sleeping Bag or Blanket (for older children) if you’re wanting them to sleep during the flight
Changing bag
Lots of baby wipes
If they weaning then be sure to pack their favourite foods.
Entertainment – favourite books, toys, drawing etc.

For long-haul flights, try travelling with kids at night time so that the whole family can try to have a sleep and help adjust their body clocks – remember this for the journey home as well!

5. HOW SHOULD I PLAN MEALTIMES WHEN TRAVELLING WITH KIDS?

As adults, we usually indulge on holiday so don’t feel too bad if your little one does as well. Just ensure you don’t introduce new allergens whilst travelling with kids, as you don’t want them needing medical attention if you’re in a different country. Foods such as seafood, which are more popular by the sea, are a common allergen that a lot of children may not have tried before – just because your child is fine with fish does not mean they can eat prawns or other seafood without a reaction.

Other suggestions include taking flasks to use on the move, especially if you’re using formula powder. Look up and trial ways using a flask before you go – you can always ask a cafe for a flask of boiling water whilst you have a coffee! Alternatively, you can buy pre-made formula, these are more expensive than a tub of formula but for the ease of not carrying a large flask, it could be worth it. Be sure to bring enough formula for the whole of your holiday as if you are in another country it could be difficult to source your brand – and some babies won’t drink other brands!

If you’re eating out, a lot of restaurants will blend foods for a baby or, if the kids’ menu doesn’t appeal, try to request one of the adult meals on a smaller scale. You would be surprised how accommodating they will be.

With non-weaned babies, you might consider trying to eat around their nap-time so they can sleep in the pram, or past their bedtime, if you’re out for the evening, whereas with toddlers or older children try to stick to the usual food times when possible.

6. How Can We Enjoy The Sun With Our Baby Or Toddler?

Your young child or baby needs regular applications of sunblock whenever they are in the sunshine in any country (even in the UK!). Ensure you try the sunblock before you go away to check for allergies or irritations and apply it every couple of hours.

A lot of young babies and children refuse to wear sunhats, mine will whip it off automatically within a few moments so due to this we required a parasol for the pram when we went away as the hood just didn’t cut it! This is another item to try before you depart as you need to be prepared.

Don’t forget that your baby will eat sand if on the beach! Our tip is to take a travel cot to the beach if you’re wanting to have a little quiet, beach time. That way they can be safely contained, shaded by parasols or similar and play without the fear of sand or beach rubbish being picked up.

If you have a small paddling pool with a cover, this can be handy for a little one – just because you are by the sea doesn’t mean you have to be in it! Throw in some toys, buckets and spades along with some sand and you’ve got a great messy play area.

If you are close to the hotel, going back for a nap in a cooler room would probably help your baby to sleep. However, it’s perfectly fine for them to nap in the buggy or the travel cot (if you took it to the beach) just make sure it is well shaded, and keep checking the sun hasn’t moved onto them, don’t cover with towels or muslins as this can create a dangerously high level of heat. Check out the summer guidance from the Lullaby Trust.

7. Choosing The Hotel And Activities. Where Should You Stay?

Before your child was born you might have selected the hotel based on the price and its proximity to the local nightlife, but now is the time to accept that holiday prices rise with children even if where you’re staying is not as luxurious. If you don’t have school-age children then definitely select term-time dates to keep those prices lower! It also means that the majority of children at your resort will be of a similar age and you can worry less about ‘big kids’ interrupting activities or play

Whilst you may cringe at the concept of ‘kids’ entertainment’ at your hotel, you will likely find this a life-saver if your children are old enough to engage. If you plan to leave your little one in kids clubs for any period of time, we recommend checking the hotel’s reviews and credentials – and always ensure the staff know you are leaving! We recommend staying by the pool if they are joining in those activities or, even better, joining in yourself as it’s a great bonding exercise.

When it comes to beds, a mattress on the floor is safer than a bed for toddlers and babies – even if the toddler has had the walls of their crib removed! Chances are this bed is a lot higher and in warm countries, the floors are often firm tiles as opposed to carpeting. If your little one is small enough still, don’t forget to request a travel cot, even if you can’t see the option when booking this doesn’t mean they aren’t available.

8. Other Things To Consider When Booking Your Room when You Traveling with Kids Are:

Fridge for food/snacks/drinks/milk
Air conditioning
Pram Accessible (or at least a lift so you don’t have to carry the pram up flights of stairs).
Stairgate (if it is a multi-level apartment)
Safety doors/latches if there is a balcony or similar.
If Camping, being in the tent might be a bit tricky with babies but lots of fun for toddlers and older children who will find it exciting.

children sitting in the sun chairs while you travelling with kids

9. Who Should I Bring With Me On Holiday?

The idea of child-care whilst away, from a trusted friend or relative, is highly appealing. The chances are that the grandparents would be chomping at the bit to join you but take into consideration what this means and set boundaries and guidelines beforehand. It’s worth setting out if you want some ‘just you’ time with your family when away, whether you’d prefer them to be staying in a room on the opposite side of the hotel and if you’re expecting all meal-times to be together. To you, they might be coming along as babysitters for the evening so you and your partner can enjoy some time together alone, but if they are seeing it as a non-stop family-fun festival they are participating in, toes can easily be trodden on.

You may also want to consider that if one set of grandparents comes away, the others might try to book a holiday with you as well which may or may not be a good thing. If you have a nanny, consider bringing them with you or if you don’t want to bring a relative but still need the help, there are travel nannies available for short-term contracts.

10. Should I Stick To My Night-Time Routine when Travelling with Kids?

Where possible, try to keep the night-time routine similar such as bath, book and bed. If you do need to adjust bedtimes to make the most of your time away then don’t panic too much – it shouldn’t harm your usual routine when you return! Just make sure that on your return home you go straight back to the usual bedtime. This will help differentiate between ‘holiday bedtime’ and ‘home bedtime’. I have fond memories of the excitement of staying up past bedtime when on holiday as an older child! It is common to find that holiday excitement, activities and sunshine tire your children out quicker.

You know your child and how they will cope best however, we would recommend if you are staying up later to try and be near to your hotel room. That way should the signs of over-tiredness begin to creep up you can quickly get them to bed.

As mentioned before they can start the night sleep in the pram and when you get them home just transfer them in their bed

If you have a toddler, consider whether they would be best placed sleeping on the mattress on the floor, especially as some hotel rooms abroad can be on harder surfaces than your nursery carpet. Hotels tend to provide travel cots but they can be quite uncomfortable so consider putting flattened towels underneath the mattress to soften it slightly – just remember that baby needs a flat surface. If you have a white noise machine at home, don’t forget to bring it with you.

Enjoy Yourself!

You probably need this holiday more than the little ones do! Travelling with kids can be a wonderful experience, but it can also be exhausting. Take the time to enjoy yourselves as a family, and make sure you’re in the photos as well (does anyone else seem to find that they have a few photos of them and baby?) If you’re feeling particularly stressed, maybe consider going for a short break with a friend or partner whilst a relative looks after baby for one or two nights. Parents can’t run on empty and self-care is very important.

So there we have our top ten FAQ’s answered! If you have any suggestions of your own please suggest them in the comments, don’t forget to check out our blog on how to help your baby sleep whilst travelling.

Have you downloaded your freebie yet? Top 10 Baby Sleep Coach Tips To Help Your Baby Sleep Better Guide! If not, then make sure to click here.

How to Help Baby Sleep in Hot Weather?

by Iva Faulknerova | Mar 29, 2022 | travel

TABLE OF CONTENT:

HOW TO DRESS BABY TO SLEEP

HOW TO KEEP NURSERY COOL TO HELP BABY SLEEP IN HOT WEATHER?

HOW TO CHECK IF BABY IS TOO HOT AND WHAT TO DO WHEN THEY TOO HOT

How To Settle Baby To Sleep In Hot Weather?

HOW DO YOU GET BABY SLEEP IN HOT WEATHER

TO HELP BABY SLEEP IN HOT WEATHER

As summer arrives, your baby may have trouble sleeping in the heat – which is perfectly normal! Many parents worry about the temperature of their baby or toddler on a hot day and, whilst it is definitely something to pay attention to, it doesn’t mean all past baby sleep solutions need to be disregarded.

To help parents help their baby sleep in hot weather, our baby sleep coach has gathered some of our best summer sleep solutions for your baby or toddler!

How To Keep Nursery Cool to Help Baby Sleep In Hot Weather?

It can be a real struggle for parents to keep their baby’s room at the ideal temperature during the summer months. There are many factors at play – how can you keep your baby cool at night in summer without having them wake up cold if the temperature drops?

Luckily we have gathered top tips to help you out:

Buy a Room Thermometer – if there is one essential item for a baby’s nursery after a cot, let it be your room thermometer. Being able to monitor your baby or toddler’s room temperature will enable you to make informed decisions about how to dress the baby for sleep in all weathers. Bonus Tip: A lot of modern baby monitors have thermometers included, ensure you check this with an alternative thermometer before relying on it as these tend to be at a higher temperature. Remember, heat rises so you want the thermometer as close to the level with where the baby is sleeping as possible.

Keep the blinds and curtains closed and the door open for the baby’s room during the day. Whilst you may feel like to help baby sleep better in the heat you should have the curtains wide open to let in as much air as possible, sunlight coming into the room will make it warmer. Keep the windows open but the curtains closed to avoid this sunny side-effect, as recommended by the lullaby trust site.

Use a fan to circulate air around the room but ensure it is not pointing at the baby. A lot of babies actually enjoy the white noise that a fan emits so you may find that it helps soothe the baby to sleep. Great tip – use a bowl of ice or freeze a large bottle of water and place it in front of the fan, this will make the air circulating cold.

Use air conditioning if available, there are many portable air conditioning units you can buy. If using an air conditioning unit, cool the room before you put your baby to sleep. Use it for the duration of their sleep, set the temperature for 16 – 18 degrees and make sure the unit is in a suitable position so it’s not blowing cold air directly at the baby. If the room is cooled to lower temperatures, remember to dress your baby accordingly.

Some babies won’t settle in the cot with distractions going on, so if you need to close the door of the baby’s room to get to sleep, wait 5 or 10 minutes after they have dropped off and open it up to let air from the rest of the house flow through.

If you are having doors and windows open whilst your baby is asleep, don’t forget to use a doorstop or heavy item so that a wind-induced door slam doesn’t wake up your baby!

You can also hang a wet towel over the chair, the evaporating water will cool the air

Fill a hot water bottle with ice and place it in their cot if they are over 1 year old.

How To Check If A Baby Is Too Hot Whilst Sleeping?

The best way to check your baby isn’t overheating when it’s hot at night is to go in and gently place a hand on their chest and their back. A lot of babies’ backs of their heads will get warm – this is completely normal and common in both children and adults alike! So if you focus on the chest you should get an idea of how hot they are.

What To Do If Baby Is Hot Whilst Sleeping?

If you do find that your child is too hot at night, whilst you will want to avoid waking them up if you have finally settled baby to sleep, it’s worth working to make the room cooler. If you want to introduce a fan that is particularly noisy, we would recommend starting the fan off in a different room a bit further away but pointing in the direction of the baby’s room and then after 5 minutes bringing it closer whilst ensuring it isn’t pointing at the baby. This will gradually introduce the fan-noise to them without starting them. If you place a frozen water bottle or bowl of ice in front of the fan it will keep the circulating air cooler.

Try to keep them on their back, whilst this is a normal safety issue a lot of parents find that when older their baby likes to sleep on their stomach. This is still okay to do but ensure that their cot sheet is tight-fitting and will not go over their face. Similarly, try to avoid using blankets that may end up covering their face. If your child requires a blanket and won’t use a gro bag or sleep without covering, then ensure it is a cellular blanket as these have breathable holes in them.

Whilst you will be keeping your baby’s blinds closed (but window open in the heat) you may feel this doesn’t allow for much of a draft. Try propping open the doors in multiple rooms with the windows open in order to create a cooler house overall and a gentle draft of fresh air.

How To Settle Baby To Sleep In Hot Weather?

You will likely find that the heat will either wipe your baby out so they sleep easier or make them hot and bothered so they take longer to fall asleep. Check out these 3 tips:

Return to baby every 20 minutes if they are struggling to sleep in order to offer them a drink of cold water if they are weaned. Try not to engage in conversation during this time for the risk of waking them. If your baby isn’t weaned then try to have a bottle (or breast) handy to top them up with fluid every half an hour.

Give baby a cooler bath close to bedtime, this will help to lower their body temperature before bed.

Try not to have a baby in an overly cold room for their bedtime routine. If they have been downstairs in a room with a cooling fan, in just a nappy then when they go to bed they are going to feel warmer instantly!

Whilst it may feel uncomfortable and warm for you, try not to be sleeveless if holding them for a feed before bed. Having the skin on skin on the back of the neck when it is hot outside is just going to contribute to them feeling sweaty and clammy.

Try to be patient! It can be frustrating when your baby won’t go to sleep, but it is natural for it to be a more difficult sleep process when the weather is warmer.

fan and ice bucket to help baby sleep in hot weather

What Else Can I Do To Help My Baby In The Hot Weather?

Aside from sleep, the day-to-day challenges of having a baby or toddler in the summer months can be quite daunting. If you want to read about the best ways to help your baby when travelling check out our blog for helping baby to sleep whilst travelling here.

Otherwise, Remember These Important Tips to Help you Baby Sleep in Hot Weather:

Don’t leave your little one anywhere it can get hot fast. This includes; the car, covered in a pram, or just sat out in the sun. Covering prams with a muslin will heat them up like a greenhouse. Cover them with safety checked cooling pram covers made for purpose if you have to. Use pram parasols.

Sunhats are your baby’s best friend! What can you do if your baby or toddler won’t wear a hat? Keep them in the shade! It’s an unfortunate consequence when we want to enjoy the sun ourselves, but keeping their heads out of the sun is very important. There are several reasonably priced parasols available on the market if your toddler refuses to wear a sunhat.

Keep them hydrated! If you are breastfeeding, your milk will naturally adjust to the hot temperature and provide more hydrating milk for your little one, so there is no need to top them up with water if they are under 6 months. Just make sure to offer breast more often. If your baby is on formula, you can offer them sips of cooled boiled water (under 6 months). If your little one is older and isn’t drinking enough water, whilst you may be resistant to offering them a flavoured substitute, very lightly diluted cordial or fresh juice watered down a lot may be necessary if they aren’t drinking. Alternatively, you can make a smoothie using fresh or frozen fruit and even turn that smoothie into ice lollies by freezing it in a suitable container.

Paddling pools (in the shade or with hats) are a great way to have fun whilst maintaining a good temperature.

Let us know if this has helped you or if you have any further questions about getting your baby to sleep when in the heat, in the comments section below.

Have you downloaded your freebie yet? Top 10 Baby Sleep Coach Tips To Help Your Baby Sleep Better Guide! If not, then make sure to click here.

6 Top Tips on How to Breast Pump, When to pump and How to Store Breastmilk Safely.

by Iva Faulknerova | Mar 28, 2022 | newborn, breastfeeding, dummy

TABLE OF CONTENT:

What Are Your Reasons For Breast Pumping?

6 Best Tips For Breast Pumping

BREAST PUMPING AND BREASTFEEDING

For many parents keen to offer their baby the long-term benefits that breastfeeding provides, effective breast pumping is an important practice in establishing and maintaining breastfeeding. The NHS recommends that baby’s nutritional needs are met exclusively from breastmilk in the first 26-weeks of a baby’s life. For many working Mums and Mums keen to establish milk supply, effective breast-pumping is a fantastic tool supporting breastfeeding. Of course, seeking advice from ababy sleep consultant will provide you with tailored advice relating to your baby’s routine, including breast-pumping options. Here, we take some expert tips for effective breast-pumping that supports you and your baby.

What Are Your Reasons For Breast Pumping?

There are many reasons why parents choose breast pumping. Having a sense of what you are hoping to achieve can help you to decide how and when to breast pump. Knowing your “why” is helpful in establishing effective breast pumping. These might include:

Allow dad or other family member or a maternity nurse or a night nurse to feed the baby
To provide breastmilk for a premature baby who cannot feed yet directly from Mum.
To provide your baby with breastmilk whilst Mum is away from the baby due to work or other commitments.
To offer relief from engorged, sore breasts.
To provide sufficient breast milk for a baby that is bottle fed due to issues with latching on to the breast.
To establish and/or boost your milk supply.
To maintain supply when your baby is transitioning between sleep routines at night.
To produce breastmilk that can be used as an ingredient in your weaning baby’s porridge or other foods.
To donate breast milk for premature babies via a milk bank.

Once you have a sense of why you plan to breast pump, you can make decisions about the best times and methods for pumping.

6 Best Tips For Breast Pumping

1. Stay Calm And Relaxed For Effective Breast Pumping

Once you have decided to breast pump, it can help to stay calm whilst pumping or expressing the milk. Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit and ensure you have a drink and snack as needed. Looking at your baby or a photo of them can help. The more relaxed and comfortable you are, the better your milk will flow.

2. How Do You Store Breast Milk After Expressing

It is vital that you are prepared for safe and hygienic storage of pumped milk. Wash your hands with soap and water before pumping. Any bottles or containers used to store the milk should be sterilised in line with manufacturer’s instructions. Store the milk in small quantities to avoid wastage.

3. Where should you store breastmilk after pumping:

At home at room temperature up to 6h, pampers.co.uk
At the back of the fridge, not the door, for up to 8 days (at 4°C or lower)
In the freezer for up to 6 months.
use a cooler bag to keep in your room at night
Defrost by leaving it in the fridge to thaw out completely and never re-freeze.

4. When Is It Best To Pump Breast Milk When Breastfeeding

Continue breastfeeding your baby on demand as usual and include the breast pumping between the feeds. The best is to pump after breastfeeding. Wait at least 30 after the breastfeed and 60 minutes before the next feed.
The best time for breast pumping is in the morning. Mothers usually find that when they first get up they have the biggest supply as it has stored overnight.
It is worth experimenting at different times to see when you have the best flow of milk.
If your baby starts to sleep more through the night, but you want to maintain your milk supply, you will, unfortunately, best still waking in the early hours to pump as this tells your body that the demand for milk is still there.
If you are pumping at work, aim to speak to your employer to ensure you can pump regularly and have a suitable location and safe storage for milk. The HSE offers information and advice to support effective breast pumping at work.

5. How Does Breast Pumping Work With A Maternity Nurse, Night Nanny, or sleep consultant?

If you want to use a maternity nurse, night nurse, or baby sleep consultant, you can still breastfeed! A lot of new mothers find they can sleep better and more peacefully despite being woken to feed if they can rest in the safe knowledge that a professional is caring for their baby and they are getting a well-deserved rest.
Once breastfeeding is established, if mum breast pumps in advance or throughout the night, she can also take it in turns with the baby nurse to feed the baby (once on bottle and once at the breast, for instance) or once a supply has been built, the nurse can take over the night-time routine altogether.
If you’re considering using a night nurse for your little one, ensure you make your wishes for the night time feeds and routine known in advance, so that you can work together to ensure your preferences are met.

6. How To Stop Breastfeeding And/Or BreaSt Pumping At Night?

This supply and demand concept is also worth bearing in mind if you plan to pump to ease the discomfort of engorged breasts. The more milk you pump from engorged breasts, the more your body will produce. So, if your baby is beginning to reduce their breastmilk intake once they wean or start sleeping longer at night, aim to breast pump just enough to offer your sore breasts relief, without continuing to overstimulate supply. This can be done by hand-expressing a small amount of milk.

By implementing these tips, you can easily be on your way to effective breast pumping. Like anything, breast pumping is a skill that gets easier with practice. And, if you need support or advice, do contact your Midwife or Health Visitor and/or baby sleep consultant. Happy pumping!

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