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This time change is the less 'scary' of the two :) Parents tend to not sweat this one as much, because it typically doesn't involve 5AM wake up calls from your kiddos! In short, try not to overthink it! If your child is well rested and is not sensitive to change (1 hour), then I say follow the clock. This time change will involve your child being under tired this time around. I will take that over overtired any day, wouldn’t you?? Being under tired, may look like: + Playing in bed or looking restless for upwards of 1 hour (most common) + Waking middle of the night for a brief period. Or split nights. + Waking early in the morning if sleep needs have been met. + Taking extra time to fall asleep at nap time. + Skipping a nap entirely. Quick Tips: If you have a child who is well rested and/or is a chronic 'mucker' at bedtime, wake them 30 minutes early in the morning. Then do nap and bedtime 30 minutes later, as well. This will help them build just a little more sleep pressure, so that when the clocks do change, they will be able to fall asleep a little easier. With this approach, you are incorporating that 1-hour difference. You can take this approach in preparation, or you can be on the defense on Sunday. Either way is fine! Preschoolers who can tell time on a digital clock could benefit from this trick! Set the clock forward by 30 minutes. This way when it reads 8:30 they will have successfully gone to bed 30-minutes "later". wink, wink! This will split the difference of that 1 hour change and also given them a little extra time awake to build sleep pressure with some added positive reinforcement. Now that the sun will be out longer and later, be sure you are exposing your child to natural sunlight and outdoor play. On the flip side of that, double check the darkness of your child's room. The sun will be shining before AND after your child should be awake in the morning or asleep for the night. Make sure their rooms are completely blacked out from light as much as possible to avoid sleep disturbances. As always, thank you for reading and be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook for daily tips about healthy sleep habits for your children! If you need one on one assistance to help your child sleep better at night, take longer naps or get on a schedule, book your FREE call with Lindsay when you are ready! Lindsay Loring is a certified pediatric sleep consultant. She is a Mom to twin girls and finds joy in helping families get the sleep they need to be their best selves.

Sleep training and schedules with twins can seem overwhelming. Because, what's worse than one baby up in the middle of the night? It's two! Here are my best tips on keeping twins on the same schedule and sleep patterns so that everyone can get some sleep. 1. Where should twins sleep? Investing in a twin pack n play with divider or two bassinets can give you options to keep your twins in your bedroom for the first few months. It’s very important to note that twins should NOT share a sleep space. As in, they need their own crib, pack n play or bassinet. Invest in two separate ‘beds’ when you are expecting twins. But where should they sleep? Moving them to their room only when you are comfortable is very important. That could be their first night home or anytime in the first year. The AAP recommends keeping your newborn(s) in a room sharing environment for the first 6-months and up to a year as it keeps everyone in a lighter sleep. Many parents keep their twins in their room out of convenience given the time it takes to feed middle of the night. There is no right or wrong answer here, so follow your intuition! Once moved into their room, I recommend setting the cribs up on parallel walls or at least adjoining wall. You'll be thankful you did once they become toddlers. :) 2. Will my twins stay on the same schedule? They can! But, in the beginning, it will be difficult. Always, always keep them on the same feeding schedule overnight. But, keeping one from falling asleep or waking up during the day will prove to be tricky. Around 4 months, you will see a pattern of sleep and naps emerge and your twins will start to be more in sync. Here’s what their schedule may look like at each age. Download my FREE Newborn Schedule to get started with a plan each morning. Another thing I want to stress, is to keep your expectations low. Figuring out nap schedules, wake times and realizing they are humans and not robots is extremely difficult. I had a hard time with the unexpected daily events when my twins were little. It brought on tons of anxiety as the sun started to set. Sleep training literally saved my sanity. 3. When do twins start sleeping through the night? Babies start sleeping through the night at all different ages. Some are organically born with natural sleep skills, but most are not. With a parent led approach, your twins can sleep through the night as early at 4-5 months old. With a baby-led approach, it can happen as late as 2 years. 4. How to sleep train twins? Pretty much just as you would sleep train a singleton. Learning how to help our children sleep is a skill.. it can be difficult, overwhelming and confusing. My biggest advice here is: Choose your method that fits your philosophy. Typically, I do not recommend the chair method for twins. The logistics are tricky and it may not fit both personalities. A leave & check approach can work wonderfully when paired with a solid bedtime routine. Not sure how to start a bedtime routine? No worries, I have a guide just for you. Stay consistent. Our children thrive on routine and consistency. They look to us to see what environment and routines they can rely on. As a sleep consultant who has coached close to 150 sets of twins, I help families pick the method most suited for them, and then I coach them through it. With twins, there are things to consider, but the process of sleep training isn’t different. With two babies, the number one thing to remember is keeping them on the same schedule. If one wakes to eat, then you will wake the other to eat in those early months. Also, keeping them within 15-20 minutes of each other, during the day sleep and eating-wise, will keep bedtime the same for both. And, always start out as you wish to finish. So, if you plan on keeping your twins in the same room long term, then practice new sleep routines while keeping them together. 5. How will your twins sleep in the same room without waking each other? Okay, ready? They WILL wake each other! Think about it this way. Your twins are no different than you are. When you first moved to a new house or slept in the same room as your partner, in the beginning, you had to get used to the sounds and patterns that disrupted your sleep. First step is to put yourself back to sleep after you get woken up. The next step is to put yourself back to sleep in a shorter amount of time. We can't protect our twins from each other forever, so with that in mind, you kind of just have to let it play out. Because, once they get it, they HAVE it! You’ll need a few things in your tool kit to be successful when sleep training twins. Stellar bedtime routine (no drowsiness) Confidence White noise machines (two of them if you have a large room) Chosen soothing method Synced schedules And tons of consistency! Many twins share a room because parents don’t have the option to separate them! Or because they want them to share to secure their bond as twins. With that in mind, your twins can learn to sleep in the same room and sleep through each other’s noises. It would be like moving somewhere new and having a train come by in the distance some nights at 2am. You would hear it at first, maybe it will wake you, but your brain will start to process the stimulator and eventually it won’t wake you at all. My biggest piece of advice here is to let them get used to each other’s noises by not intervening, and if a twin wakes up the other, let them practice falling asleep if they truly woke up because of the other’s noises. This may be hard at first, but over time each of them will become desensitized to their siblings sounds. The wakings will be super short or wont even happen at all. I know you may be reading this and wondering if you will ever sleep again! Yes, you will! Each phase with twins comes with its own set of challenges, and I am here to tell you that you are doing a great job! Being a parent to multiples is no easy task. Give yourself grace and reach out to those around you for support. I took to relying heavily on routine with my twins, and it saved my sanity. Looking back, I am very glad I made sleep a priority for all of us! My twins have been sleeping through the night since they were 5 months old. The same can be true for you! Lastly, let's check the room/environment for your twin's nursery setup Dark, dark room- here is my favorite room darkening curtain. Use code tweetdreamzz for a discount on Sleep Out curtains! Two cribs, opposite walls. This will be ideal come toddler stage. White noise between the cribs. Protecting them from each other's noises versus the noises in your house is the way to go. Cribs that will convert to toddler beds and then big beds. You will save money in the long run by only purchasing one piece of furniture that your twins can grow into. Author: Lindsay is a Mom to twin girls and she’s a sleep enthusiast! Lindsay is a certified child sleep consultant, and she helps families all over practice sustainable sleep patterns that will keep their children sleeping soundly for years! Lindsay understands how life-changing it is bringing twins into the world, and that is why she’s chosen the life path of helping parents navigate this momentous time. You can reach out to Lindsay at Instagram.com/tweetdreamzz

The most common sleep regressions happen at 4 months, 8 months, 18 months and 2 years old. I remember my twins falling asleep at night and for their naps folded up like pretzels. It was taking them much longer than usual to fall asleep for the afternoon nap and at bedtime. Lots of sitting up, falling over and everything in between. This particular time for us stands out especially because of our daughter in her boots and bar for her clubfoot treatment. She would lay on her back and "fly" her feet and legs in the air. She even would fall asleep with the entire brace resting on her forehead. Kids are so weird!! Around 8-10 months, your baby may have mastered sitting up; they will be working on crawling and even pulling up to stand. If you think about it, that is an extreme amount of progress in a short time period. What happens is baby may take the time in their crib to work on some of these things. There are no distractions, so, they can really focus. That means that sleep can be compromised during this time. Which for me, gave me lots of stress. Here are a few things you can do to work through the 8-10 month sleep regression. Practice these new skills intentionally during the day. Place a coveted item outside of their reach to witness them 'get back down'. You can even do this in their crib before nap time. Think about where you can add some intentional wake time to their day. I suggest before their second nap and/or before bedtime. 15-30 minutes is a good place to start. If your baby is an independent sleeper, continue to keep your foundation present. Not adding any props to their sleep experience will be the quickest way back to peaceful sleep. Take some deep breaths! This is a very short period in your kiddos life. If sleep overall has been a struggle and wish for change, reach out! It is NEVER too late to start on improvement for everyone. If you want sleep for your family, you can get it. Talk to Lindsay for FREE to find out when you can get started. Tweetdreamzz.com/booknow Lindsay Loring is a certified pediatric sleep consultant who works with families all over US & Canada. She is a Mom to twin girls and resides in the Metro St. Louis Area. Join her community of online parents here.

The most common sleep regression happen at 4 months, 8 months, 18 months and 2 years old. Right around 4-months old, a switch will flip and your sleepy newborn may appear to fight sleep at every corner. Your sleepy newborn isn't a newborn anymore. Their capacity to stay awake and take in the world trumps the previous need to always sleep. This is the most popular age when parents reach out to me. It also lines up with parents heading back to work making sleep more of a necessity. It really is one of the most common remarks that I hear.. "My baby used to sleep MUCH longer stretches, now they are awake every 90 minutes overnight". This may sound familiar. You had a good groove going and then all of a sudden it’s not working anymore. 4-month sleep regression signs: Baby doesn't sleep long stretches anymore Baby is fussier than normal and is hard to settle Baby fights naps and wants to be held more Because of that, you might find yourself rocking and feeding more, and that’s okay. But, why does the regression happen? 1️⃣ Your baby is now developmentally sleeping through MORE sleep cycles, and at the end of each of those cycles, baby will wake up. They will complete all the sleep cycles same as adults. 3 NREM cycles 1REM cycle In short, this just means more cycles causes more arousals and wakings. 2️⃣ Before, newborns spent about 50% of their time in REM sleep, whereas after 4-months of age, it decreases to 20-25%… Goodbye long stretches! 👋🏻 3️⃣ As your baby fully awakens, they will check their surroundings and comfort level. If something is not the same as it was when they fell asleep at the beginning of the night, they will likely signal to you (cry) What can you do about the 4-month sleep regression? 1. If you were down to 1-2 night feedings, think about soothing back to sleep in other ways before introducing new calories at night. Doing this will ensure your baby is taking full feeds during the day which encourages longer sleep stretches at night. If your baby is not waking up hungry first thing in the morning, this is a sign they are eating too much overnight. 2️. This is the optimal time to achieve drowsy but awake at bedtime with the intention to move to WIDE awake. Gradually move your babies last feeding further away from “into crib” time and work on keeping your baby’s eyes open when placing them in bed. Then, when they rouse after a sleep cycle, wait a few minutes before soothing your baby. If that doesn’t work, use loud shushing and gentle pats to help them return to sleep while still in their bed. 3. Drop the swaddle. Baby is ready to explore their body control and AAP says swaddling arms in MUST be discontinued by this time. 4. Implement a bedtime routine. Watch wake windows to determine your child's optimal bedtime (lights out). Use the same sequence of events each night to cue to your child that sleep is coming. Feed Bath Book Song Kiss/Hug Into bed with white noise This is an exciting, but also stressful time. For some, both parents and baby, this can be a tremendous change. Here's what you need to do if you are experiencing the 4-month sleep regression. Formulate a plan Regulate yourself Lean on someone close to you Remind yourself that you are a good Mother/Father This is the perfect age to introduce routines and environment changes. I’d be honored to help you do that. Click the Link in my BIO to setup your evaluation call 💛 If you haven't yet, download my night waking guide, you can do that here! Lindsay Loring is a Mom to twins and a certified sleep consultant. She lives near St. Louis MO. She virtually helps parents through the struggle of no sleep at home after baby(s) arrives. Join her community here. #sleepregression #4monthsleepregression #whencanisleeptrain #sleeptraining #newmom #babysleepschedule #sleepingthroughthenight #sleepconsultant

It's no surprise that if you are thinking about dropping the crib, that you are feeling anxious. The crib to bed transition is a big one. But, before you say Goodbye to your child's crib, I want you to be sure it really is the best time for your family. Keep reading. After You're done, I want you to feel more confident in your choice; whatever that is. Common Reasons Parents Transition to a Toddler Bed Too Soon Need the crib for a sibling? If you need the crib for a sibling, look at buying used or refurbishing a crib. Ikea has cute, no frills baby cribs for around $100. No need to disrupt your toddlers sleep (and yours), because there may be other options. Plus, your newborn will likely sleep in a co-sleeper bassinet or pack n play, meaning you won’t need the crib for at least another 2-3 months after baby is born. Have a crib climber? Think about troubleshooting your tiny ninja before ditching the crib. If they aren’t in a sleep sack already, I would start using one. They have many benefits. They are a wearable blanket to keep them warm, and they also can prevent them from lifting a leg over the front of the crib. Assess how you can discourage the climbing. Be sure the mattress is on the lowest setting, then, if needed, turn the crib around. The back of cribs typically are higher than the front. Your child is climbing out the front because that is where the door is. Turning it around can buy you some time. Talk to your child. Tell them it isn’t safe to crawl out and they could get very hurt. Catch them in the act and communicate that it’s not okay to try to climb out. "Stay in bed, please" can do the trick. Check the schedule! Always take this opportunity to ask yourself if your child is spending too much time in bed. Sleep needs continue to decline and at 2/3 years old, your child definitely is ready for more awake time. Typically, they need about 6 hours awake time before nap and 5.5 hours before asleep for the night. Increasing sleep pressure for them will discourage the crib shenanigans. It could be time to cut nap time way back or even stagger it throughout the week to increase sleep pressure at bedtime. Child Sleep Needs Chart If after reading through the yield signs above you are certain that it's time, follow these 5 steps when transitioning from a crib to toddler bed. Step 1. Age Pump the breaks before you take apart your child’s crib & stop and think it over. How old is your child? If they are younger than 3 years old, I encourage you to wait. There is so much development and maturity that is needed to grasp the concept of a big bed. Impulse control has a much better chance of forming and being in place when our kiddo’s are closer to 3 years old. Step 2. Stage Children go through so many ‘phases’. Taking apart their bed in hope of ‘fixing’ a sleep issue typically backfires. Maybe they are going through a stage of separation anxiety or they have a new sibling at home. Their crib can be a place of comfort and consistency when times are tough. Make sure your child is showing signs of readiness to move to a bed. i.e. asking for one, noticing their friends have a ‘big’ bed, are doing well with limits and boundaries during the day plus making good decisions. Step 3. Routine Toddlers and preschoolers need a routine even more so than babies. Young children thrive in a routine. The world and our busy lives can seem hectic and chaotic, so having a set of rituals each night that they learn to know and expect can be comforting. Bedtime is also a tricky time of day as it the end of the day and a long time of separation is coming up which can cue anxieties. Download my bedtime chart, print it off and hang it in your child’s room. The chart will help them take ownership of the routine, BUT don’t forget to also give them some choices! Pajamas, tooth brush and books are a good way to give your little one the power of choice. Step 4. Communication Get your kiddo involved in the big change. Get their input on what kind of sheets or new blanket they would like. Are you moving the bed? Where do they want it in the room? Have them help you take the crib apart or take the side off. Explain what you are doing each step of the way. Explain that their door is the new boundary, and if they need you, to call out like they did before in their crib. I recommend making the crib to bed transition over the weekend (morning time) so they have several hours to process the change. First night in a transitioned crib. Step 5. Products & Design This is a BIG one! You will need a couple things at this transition. Visual chart. Not to be confused with a reward chart. A bedtime chart is simply a grouping of steps that takes your child from the beginning of the bedtime experience to the end. Download your own here! Print it out and place it at eye level in your child's room Appropriate for ages 2.5+. Toddler clock. I personally think color clocks are an integral part to kid's success. It is another visual and thing to 'own' for them. Learn hard into the clock. If you have an early riser, start small and give lots of positive affirmations if they wait. Then, slowly move the time forward. Weighted blanket. A new bed paired with big imaginations, can be a recipe for fears and anxieties. Did you ever think about how it helps YOU to put a pillow on your lap when getting comfortable, or how your bath robe makes your feel secure? The weight of something can really help your preschooler feel more secure in their new environment. I loved that we used Dreamland Baby's weighted blanket during this time, and my twins ask for it a few times a week when they need some extra comfort at bedtime. Trying out their new weighted blanket Minimal style room. This is especially important if your child struggles with sensory. Too much on the walls and/or toys and clutter in the room can interfere with their ability to sleep well. Less is more in this situation! Neat & tidy rooms help kids relax A few takeaways to keep in mind when transitioning to a toddler bed! Don’t rush it. The older the child is, the smoother the change will be. Check their schedule for any needed timing changes. Convert to a toddler rail first, then move to a twin or full size bed a few months later. Create new boundaries and do not waver on those. This is the prime age for boundary and limit testing! I wish you very much luck during this fun, new time with your child. If you need a step by step coaching experience to help you transition, that's perfectly okay! Book your discovery call with me here. Lindsay Loring is a certified pediatric sleep consultant and Owner of Tweet Dreamzz Sleep Consulting. Join her online community of parents here.

How do I handle the fall time change & my child's sleep: This time change has to do with your child being slightly overtired. Your family is absorbing an extra hour into their day, so for babies and young children, their nap times and bedtimes will feel like they will never come. Follow these easy steps to help adjust your family to the 'fall back' time change. If your child is well rested and is generally not sensitive to change (1 hour), then I say follow the clock. On Sunday morning, the clock will say 6AM, but it really feels like 7AM to you and your child. Leave them in their room/bed until close to 7AM (clock time) as possible, but if they are raring to go at 6AM, that's okay too. Practice waiting 10/15 minutes over the course of a few days before exposing your child to light or milk/food. Time change and your baby's naps It will make for a LONG morning and afternoon, so IF your child is melting before your eyes, put them down for their nap 30 minutes early, but be sure to cap their naps at their typical duration. Then the same goes for bedtime; put them down 30 minutes early. You have a two-fold change working against you! The clocks have changed, AND you all have an extra 1-hour of awake time in the day. To combat this, always go conservative with early bedtime. What to do on Monday after the time changes You can just follow the clock starting Monday (following the time change), the early mornings should disappear in about 5 days and all will be well again! If you have a very young baby or child who doesn't sleep well at night, you may follow a slower approach. As said above, delay getting your child out of bed, but you may need to allow for earlier bedtime and naps across the duration of 5-7 days. Ideally, by one week into the time change, you are following the original times on the clock again. Quick Tips on how to handle the time change with your baby's sleep: + If you have a child who is sensitive to change, continue with the early nap and bedtime for up to 3 -7 days (30 minutes early, which actually feels like 30 minutes later than usual). + Preschoolers who can tell time on a digital clock could benefit from this trick! Cover the minutes with electrical tape and set the clock forward by 30 minutes. This way when it reads 7AM they will have successfully waited for 30- minutes which is a win for everyone! If you have a Hatch clock, this is a great clock to be able to manipulate for your young child. Praise them (over the top!) after they have waited a short period of time! Don't have a toddler clock yet? This one is my favorite! Questions about the time change? Head on over to the Gram for extra content to help you! Lindsay Loring is a Pediatric Sleep Consultant with Tweet Dreamzz Sleep Consulting helping families all over the world. She finds passion and joy in helping others get more rest in their day. Lindsay has twin girls and lives in the Metro East St. Louis, MO area. Tweetdreamzz.com

Is there not enough time in the day to fit in 3 naps anymore? Around the age of 7-8 months, your baby will drop their 3rd nap. This nap is most likely a catnap and more often than not, pushing bedtime pretty late (past 7:45/8PM). As you near the 3-2 nap transition, there are warning signs: Refusing the 3rd nap Difficulty falling asleep for the 3rd nap. Bedtime is getting too late (moving past a 10.5 hour night). Taking a long time to fall asleep at bedtime. Naps altogether have become very short. 2-nap schedules are GREAT, because sleep times become completely by the clock. No more counting wake times! Ideal 2 nap schedule 6:30/7 awake Nap 1- 9:30-11 Nap 2- 2-3:30 Bedtime 6:15-7:00 Bedtime will be brought earlier while 2 naps settle. The most important thing to remember is 4 hours is too long to be awake in the beginning. If nap 2 is short, then bedtime is brought earlier to compensate. Bedtime will be predictable eventually. 6:45-7:15PM. But, in the beginning, it can be as early as 6:15 PM. Tips to ensure the 3-2 nap transition is successful! Encourage a 90 minute crib time for each nap An Eat/Wake/Sleep pattern can fit nicely within the day. Starting solids and moving to 4 liquid feedings is common. Give it a full two weeks to settle Find activities to enjoy to pass the time and avoid car rides and stroller walks, momentarily. This transition is by far the most stressful, in my own experience and with clients. Keeping this predictable and by the clock is the fastest way to longer, more restorative naps! Lindsay Loring is Pediatric Sleep Consultant and mama to twin girls. To work one on one with Lindsay, visit her scheduling page!

As adults, some of us can sleep sitting up on an airplane with a screaming baby next to us while the flight attendant goes over the safety features of the aircraft. For others, Me, we need the room at just the right temperature, a fan blowing on medium setting and an eye mask on to block out ALL. OF. THE. LIGHT. Babies and children are no different. They come to learn and need a specific environment to fall asleep and stay asleep. And, it's up to us as parents to provide that every single time. Before I give my recommendations on the "perfect" sleep environment, here is what the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends for SAFE sleep. 1. Place the baby on his or her back on a firm sleep surface such as a crib or bassinet with a tight-fitting sheet. 2. Avoid use of soft bedding, including crib bumpers, blankets, pillows and soft toys. The crib should be bare. 3. Share a bedroom with parents, but not the same sleeping surface, preferably until the baby turns 1-year old but at least for the first six months. Studies show room-sharing decreases the risk of SIDS by as much as 50 percent. “The AAP recommends room-sharing because it can decrease the risk of SIDS by as much as 50% and is much safer than bed sharing. In addition, room-sharing will make it easier for you to feed, comfort and watch your baby” Rachel Y. Moon, MD, FAAP, healthychildren.org 4. Avoid baby's exposure to smoke, alcohol and illicit drugs. This is important to remember during pregnancy and postpartum. Keeping all of this in mind is very important, and always remember your ABC’s of safe sleep. Alone-Back-Crib. Since there is no black and white answer on to how to 100% prevent SIDS, the best thing you can do is follow the safe sleep guidelines from the AAP. What if your baby likes to sleep on their side? Ensure they have proper head and neck control, and that they can roll back over from their side/tummy to their back unassisted. This is when you will know if your baby is safe to sleep on their stomach. If they can’t, placing them back to a supine (back) position is suggested. Optimizing Baby’s Sleep Environment to Welcome Sleep Here are a few sleep expert tips that I recommend when creating an environment that's optimal for quality, sound sleep. · Keep temperature of the room on the cool side, 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. A good way to tell how hot or cold your baby is running is to check that their hands and feet and nape of their neck feels cool to the touch; not hot or ice cold. Use a sleep sack instead of a blanket if you think your child is cold. · Make the room extra dark. So dark that you can't see your hand in front of your face! Many curtains and shades are sold as "black out" but this really isn't true. My cheap fix for this is black plastic table cloths, which you can find at the Dollar Store. Layer those over the window with painter’s tape, and then put your curtains and blinds back up to hide it. I even take this "window kit" along while traveling. You better believe my kids still need to nap while on vacation, so if blacking out the windows equals a nap, I'm doing it! · White noise, white noise, white noise. Did I mention white noise? Why does white noise help babies sleep? Think about the womb-like experience they came from. They spent 9 months listening to our blood rush through our bodies and now the spontaneous, interrupting noises of our world can be overwhelming to a tiny baby. Using white noise will help calm them and allow them to return to sleep during an arousal between sleep cycles. Studies show white noise allows you to spend more time in deep sleep, which is the stage of sleep that supports short- and long-term memories, as well as regenerating cells, muscles, energy and your immune system. Babies and young children need TONS of deep sleep, as this is where development and growth take place. Helping your child optimize deep sleep is also very important when thinking about focus and attention spans throughout the day. When frantically looking for the right baby lullaby to go to sleep, rest assured that white noise is your best bet! You can even download White noise Apps to your phone and conveniently use while on the go or traveling. PRO TIP: If using a tablet or device, always keep it on airplane mode around your child. Using white noise is a cue to your child that sleep is coming. As a sleep consultant, I encourage creating cues for your children so they can process what to expect and what is coming next in their day. Not sure how loud it should be? Think about the noise level of a running shower (60-65 decibels). I am sure all of us as Mom’s have tried that trick many times to calm our fussy babies, I know I have. With that same thought, white noise can also be used to calm and soothe your baby during a fussy period or witching hour; recreating that womb-like environment that newborns crave. It’s even okay to increase the volume up to 70 decibels to help deescalate their crying. Once your child has calmed, return the white noise down to an appropriate level. Studies show white noise can be helpful during the 4th trimester and it gets them through restless, colicky periods. If you are unsure of the noise level your machine is putting out, there are free decibel metering Apps available in the App store! For peace of mind, download it to be sure the sound is not at a damaging level. If you don’t wish to invest in a white noise machine, a box fan can work just as well! Studies also show that keeping a room free of stagnant air is important. When I was young in the 80’s and 90’s, fans and humidifiers were our versions of white noise. I remember the soothing sound of the humidifier to this day! As kids get older, let them decide if they still want to use their white noise for sleep. Many may find it a positive step in their sleep routine by letting them turn it on themselves. Allowing them to exert their independence and make choices at bedtime is a healthy way to keep the routine short and calm. Experts at the Study.com website believe that white noise has benefits for children who have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Since kids with ADHD are more sensitive to distractions they may experience a negative impact on their school performance, but using white noise may be the key to helping ADHD children learn. Is white noise a negative sleep association and is it sustainable? A common question I hear is, “Will my baby NEED it to sleep?” No, they won’t stay awake all night if you don’t have it on or available. Maybe you have anxiety about the power going out or the machine breaking in the middle of the night. Will your baby still sleep? YES, they will sleep. I’ve experienced situations where I forgot to turn it on, or I hit the timer button and it turned off after 30 minutes. My child still fell asleep and slept through the night. The studies that have been done on white noise show it encourages babies to fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer and accumulate more deep sleep. Space! Give your child the space to fall asleep and put themselves back to sleep. Offering your words and gentle touch can adequately show your child you are there and not abandoning them. Sometimes, accidental parenting gets in the way. If you are room-sharing, remove yourself for a period of time to allow your baby the space and privacy to fall asleep. Because our presence can sometimes be too stimulating, our intentions can create roadblocks and hinder the progress we are trying to make. Of course, that doesn’t mean to ignore your child’s needs: sickness, soiled diaper, hunger, etc. Self-soothing takes place when all your child’s needs are met, and they are practicing falling asleep and self-settling. Hear a grunt or a sleep cry? Babies and young children are very noisy sleepers. They thrash around, breathe heavily and sometimes moan or whimper in their sleep. Their bodies are resetting and resting to allow them to grow and develop. Take a deep breath and see if your child can resettle themselves during an arousal or sleep cycle transition. Utilize the white noise in these situations and make loud shushing noises. This is the first step into a gentle sleep training method. As first-time parents, its hard to know what the perfect environment is to help your child sleep. You may buy all the gadgets and read a thousand reviews online in hopes of getting your child to sleep. But keep in mind, there is no miracle mattress or blanket. Following safe sleep guidelines along with implementing routines will be the best way to ensure you have one of those “unicorn baby” good sleepers. Implementing the environmental suggestions above will help your child be motivated to sleep for nights and naps….Ugh Naps! Many families struggle with naps; either they are short, or baby outright refuses them until overtired. The brain processes day sleep differently and the drive to sleep is relatively low. So, by making the room completely dark with white noise, we are ensuring outside stimulations are not the source of the nap issue. Plus, staying consistent with your approach and being mindful of your baby’s cues are additional steps to take to be sure you are on the right track. If you have a first-time mom checklist or wishlist, make sure that white noise machine is on it! Tips for using white noise for your baby Check that the volume is similar to that of a running shower. Increase the volume temporarily to calm baby during fussy periods. Use it at home and when traveling or on a day trip. If you receive one of those fancy shmancy machines with projections, lights and lullabies… SKIP all of that. Dark, dark room with white noise is what you want. My favorite white noise machine that will take your child through their toddler and even preschool years is this one. Ways to create white noise. 1. Sound machine set to white noise. (sometimes called tv static or waterfall) 2. Table top or box fan. 3. Humidifier. 4. App on tablet in airplane mode. Let's face it. You have your rituals and routines to get to sleep..eye mask anyone? Your baby will need the same to help create a comforting and calm disposition of sleep. Questions about how to HELP your little one sleep better? Join my online community here! Lindsay Loring is a certified pediatric sleep consultant helping families all over with restful routines for their family.

The concept of the Wonder Weeks was created by a Dutch psychologist and anthropologist in the 1990's. The book and research has been published and republished many times over the years. Many say the research has been "debunked", but the findings DO have some validity to the. Lots of mama's and parents cling to the App that was created to help them better understand their babies odd behavior. In a nutshell, the Wonder Weeks explains that over the course of your young child's life (birth-18 months) they will go through developmental leaps. During these leaps, they will appear irritable and fussy. Appetite and sleep are affected; and just when you think you will never get your content baby back, it all goes back to normal. What skills is your baby working on? But now, your little one has learned a new skill; social smiles, crawling, object permanence, pulling up, the list goes on and on. I consulted the App MANY times with my twins. It helped me relax some, but it also created additional #anxiety when it was needed. I could see a looming cloud on the calendar and could only speculate on what was going to happen. Sometimes my little girls were not themselves, and other times the leap passed with no disruption. The worst leap for us was leap 10 (75 weeks after due date). My Baby B literally cried for 6 weeks straight...literally. I thought I would lose my mind. But, during this time, I witnessed her exert her new independence and her cognitive learning soared. I guess it was worth it :-/ If everything seems on point with your child, like schedule, feedings and environment, but you still have an extremely fussy child, then check out the App to see if your baby is in a leap. On the contrary, don't let the leaps be an excuse for poorly timed sleep and habits. This could be the difference in poor sleep lasting 2 weeks instead of 6! When working with families, those are the things I consult about. Rarely do the leaps ever come up. Happy Sleeping!

Did you know that twins are more likely to have positional plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) than singletons? So, it is very possible that one or both of your babies may have a flat head or a flat spot in back. Makes sense, right? They have less room to move and often get stuck in one position during the later months of gestation. But, it's not just twins who require physical therapy due to positional plagiocephaly and torticollis. For a lot of families, torticollis and flat head syndrome lead to helmet wear. About 50% of babies are now dealing with some type of skull asymetry. Insert cute photo of a baby in a helmet 😊 And without treatment, such as physical therapy, a flat head can affect the symmetry of gross motor skills adversely affecting things like vision and balance. How we avoided our baby getting a helmet For us, we were able to skip the helmet, and that was only because we were already seeing a specialist for club foot. The physician diagnosed it very early. As first time parents, we didn’t realize that our daughter would constantly lie with her head looking to the right. A common indicator that torticollis (tight tendon) is present. Looking back, it should have been very obvious, but it wasn't. My best advice is to seek physical therapy as soon as possible and don't let your pediatrician say it's 'okay to wait until the 6 month appointment'. By then it will be too late! The chances of correction without helmet drop drastically after 4 months old (if treatment hasn't already begun). I recommend to follow Baby Begin on social media. They will be realistic with you about what can be done to avoid a helmet at your baby's particular age & state of plagiocephaly. Why does your baby have a flat head? Positional restriction within the womb (higher rates with multiples) Tight tendons in one side of the neck (torticollis) Baby is spending too much time on back or in a container. More tummy time please! Males are more likely to have a flat head than females. First born This picture above shows hows the therapist is stretching out the tendon to exercise it/loosen it to allow her head to move more freely from side to side. This reduces the amount of time spent in one single position. This picture below was taken shortly after our twins were born. You can clearly see the positional discrepancy and torticollis that was present in our Twin A.. We had no idea at the time, though. If I would have know about organizations like Baby Begin, we likely would have reached out to them as soon as she was born :) Many times torticollis goes unnoticed until around 6 months, just in time for that lovely flat spot to become concerning. The good news, is you can act on it earlier than 6 months. If you notice a flat spot sooner or that your baby favors one side, pressure your pediatrician for a physical therapy referral. I see many parents so fearful of helmets, because they believe it will disrupt their child’s sleep...which I 100% relate too as we went through months and now years of therapy, bracing and castings for uni-lateral club foot/talipes. Sleep seems so fleeting as parents, and we grasp really hard to keep a hold on it. Something as big as a helmet would seem pretty daunting when it comes to the sleep/comfort of your baby. I’m here to tell you that you CAN have a good sleeper even when these types of therapies and devices are required for your child. Babies may be hotter than usual when sleeping in a helmet As a sleep consultant, I recommend the following as far as sleep environment for baby. Cool room, 66-70 degrees Dark, dark room. Use this window blackout option with code tweetdreamzz! ABC's of sleep- Alone, Back, Crib Cotton Sleep sack White noise/Pink noise/Brown noise Tips to handle your baby's sleep while wearing a helmet. Can you sleep train while wearing a helmet? You bet you can! 🙌🏼 Healthy sleep habits and routines can start as early as newborn which helps make these BIG changes less disruptive. Download my guide to a better bedtime with your baby here. This is a step by step sleep guide to optimal sleep routines to foster independent sleep with or without a helmet. Additional tips to help your baby sleep while wearing a helmet Practice a bedtime routine every night. Make sure your baby is getting adequate sleep during the day to ensure they aren't overtired at bedtime. Practice putting baby down wide awake at bedtime. Drowsiness won't be helpful after newborn phase. - Lindsay is a sleep expert and mama to twin girls. Lindsay is a certified pediatric sleep consultant who has coached hundreds of families including 100+ sets of twins & countless singletons. She has worked with families all over to feel confident and comfortable within their sleep routines. Join her online community here.

Babies wake up early for many reasons. Keep reading to find out the top 5 reasons why your child is waking up at 5am or 6am or even earlier! Have you been awake with the sun as long as you can remember? It must be frustrating.. and exhausting! Early morning wake ups are considered any time before 6AM or less than 11 hours total sleep at night. Early wake ups are a sign that your child is not getting enough sleep (yes, you heard me right) Chronic over-tiredness hinders the body from achieving long, restorative sleep and only repeats the cycle unless something is done about it. Here are a few things to consider when trying to help your child sleep later in the morning & the reasons why your child wakes up early. 1. Last wake time is too long. This means bedtime happened too late and you missed your child's sleep window. Chances are they are going down fussy and crying at the end of the day. Last wake window sweet spots! <2 months avoid 2 hours hours last wake window. <3 months avoid 2.5 hours last wake window. <4 months old avoid 3 hours last wake window. <7 months old avoid 4 hours last wake window. 2. Too short of a first wake time. This is a tricky one because many children get stuck in a "early nap time" due to the 5AM wakeup, but in reality, this is what could be causing the wakeup. Depending on their age, they need a set amount of dedicated wakeful hours before the next sleep onset. By stretching that morning nap later, and also by practicing the crib rule in the morning, you will be able to welcome a later sleep in. This means delaying exposing your child to sunlight until closer to your desired out of crib time. Then you will base their first nap off the out of crib time. 3. Nap transitions. Your child may be on the verge of having one too many naps. Early wake ups are common during 3-2 and 2-1 transitions. Let an expert like me walk you through the transition... because, let's be honest, transitions are HARD! Need help with a nap transition? You'll want to read this! 4. Your child is maxing out on sleep at 5AM. That means their sleep tanks are full at this time, so it's important to look at overall sleep in a 24 hour period. It may mean its time to cap their nap(s) or push bedtime forward just a smidge! It's not uncommon to see too much daytime sleep happening! Total Sleep Needs By Age If schedule or over-tiredness doesn't seem to be the culprit look for other things that could be causing the wakeup. Birds outside the window..or light coming in. Make sure you are using a sound machine and have completely blocked the light from the windows. Ruling out these environmental factors can encourage sleep during the early morning hours when melatonin is lowest. It could also be that your child is in a short-term disrupted sleep phase. These are super common despite all the things being perfect. This was one of the hardest things to navigate as a sleep consultant who also has kids, not robots lol. Toddlers & preschoolers These ages are notorious for early morning wakes. It's usually two-fold. Heavy daytime sleep paired with instant gratification to fuel the early morning; thinks like, food, milk, screen time or parent's bed. Using a toddler clock or color clock like the Hatch, can be integral to your big kid's success. Practice waiting short increments (10-15 minutes at first), then slowly adding more time paired with a TON of praise and quality time together during the day. And lastly, look at what habits are formed. Is your child waking for a bottle or cup or milk that they always receive as soon as they wake up? Delay any instant gratification for at least 15 minutes FROM YOUR DESIRED WAKE TIME to eliminate those associations. Lindsay Loring is a certified pediatric sleep consultant with Tweet Dreamzz who is passionate about sleep. Lindsay has helped many families restore sleep balance in their home after a birth of a child. She is a Mama to twin girls and resides in the Midwest with her family. Join Lindsay's online community

Learning something new can make you tired, cranky and in need of an extra confidence boost, because it brings out our insecurities and anxious feelings. When our kids learn something new like riding a bike, reading, writing and even sleeping independently there are tears, refusals and TONS of growth. I know, I know. Learning to read and learning to sleep are two different things. No one NEEDS to learn to sleep. Some of you may agree and some may disagree, that’s the beauty of choice and intuition. I am going to circle back to anxiety. Anxiety is the fuel behind many behaviors. When we feel anxious, we feel restless, afraid, and desperate. Desperate for something or someone to FIX how we feel. And as parents, our own anxieties drive our impatience. We aren’t patient when our kids take a million minutes to put their coat on because we are already thinking about all the tasks that have to be done that day. We aren’t patient when our babies are crying because we immediately want to stop the crying as it triggers our own feelings deep down. Our impatience will cause us to jump into action to swiftly fix the anxiety instead of digging deep and addressing where it’s coming from and how it truly makes us feel. As humans we distract distract distract in order to avoid how we FEEL. I worry that I do the same with my twins in that I repeatedly try to fix whatever it is so that they don’t feel the hard stuff. Recently, I shared some hard times we were experiencing with our daughter and her need for control. I was masking her anxieties by fixing everything she demanded. I was like a puppet on a string. It wasn’t until I listened very closely to @janetlansbury that I dug deep and didn’t fix what Brynn wanted. Instead, I held on as her feelings boiled up and then over. I let her know I was there, but that I wasn’t going to fix it. I’ve seen a huge change in her ability to cope with things she cannot control since that day. It seems easy, yeah? Not quite! So, what does this have to do with sleep? My opinion is that sleep is a skill just like anything else. When we learn skills, we mess up, we feel inadequate and it takes practice. Learning to sleep taps into our kiddos anxious feelings because it means separation from parents and its dark outside triggering feelings of unknown. Our children will feel anxious when they are learning to sleep independently or when they are transitioning out of the crib into a big bed, for example. I help parents coach their babies to learn to sleep and to LOVE sleep. That doesn’t mean that as those babies get older that sleep will be seamless. It’s a constant skill that has to be sharpened and practiced. Your kids anxieties, personalities and experiences will dull those skills and cause us to feel impatient. I don’t know any adult that doesn’t have to prioritize their sleep skills and habits in order to feel rested and not like a zombie. I hope you can take some of this to heart and that my words have encouraged you to tap into your own STUFF. It will make a hug difference when you let your babies know its OKAY to experience or express whatever they are feeling in that moment.