Monday, May 30, 2011
Filed under: Parenthood
Adam Mansbach obviously had enough sleep-deprived nights to write the now controversially popular Go the F** to Sleep kids book parody, and given its instand sales success, it hit the mark with fellow sleep deprived parents. So, I'd like to ask... what crazy or funny stories do you have from your days as a sleep deprived parent?
Here's an old clients of mine:
"I tried to breastfeed my husband's arm one night, thinking that it was the baby!"
I'm looking for funny sleep deprivation stories as inspiration, so please do share your stories!
| Posted by Cheeky Chops at 9:13PM |
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Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Filed under: Baby Sleep, Dawnn's News
Last week, I did a guest interview on CBC's "On The Coast" program, The Parent Project. The topic at hand was How To Get Your Child To Sleep.
The segment takes us into a real-life and common scenario where a typically good sleeper hits a regression where bedtime becomes difficult and there can be difficult wake-ups during the night as well. There's a recording of the child begging to sleep with Mommy during the night, which is never a fun situation to be facing.
In this situation, the child is 2.5years old and has just suffered some ear infections, possibly leading to this regression. As you hear when I come on at about the 5 minute mark, share that you can't change the fact that they're waking in the night, you never want to change something, but what you can do is change their expectations of what you'll do through the night.
Listen to the interview here.
| Posted by Cheeky Chops at 7:59PM |
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Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Filed under: Travel
As you know, I have been one of the experts selected to contribute to the Spring Fling running from May 15th through May 31st. This is part of the Positive Parenting Network where other selected experts have shared or will be sharing their wisdom to empower parents to raise happy, healthy and vibrant children.
Well today, its my turn to make a contribution SO, happy reading!!
Believe it or not, summer is nearly here! If you, like many familes put off travel due to your children's sleeping habit's or go away for a much deserved rest, only to return with bags under your eyes larger than the suitcase you carried, you may wonder how to set up a suitable sleeping arrangment for your family, during trips both abroad and locally.
As a sleep consultant, I often get asked the following questions frequently prior to summer:
- Where should my child sleep whilst away?
- How can I maintain a bedtime whilst on holiday in a hotel?
- How do I adjust my child to the time change?
Of course, if you have a child who does not sleep well at home before you leave, then it's very likely they will not sleep well whilst on holiday; in which case you should work on modifying your child's sleep behaviour's in good time, before you leave. If you don't know how - then feel free to contact me to see how I can help you, through my one on one coaching services.
If you have a child who is a great sleeper at home, but you are afraid to go away incase it unravels, then test out these tips and feel free to add a comment on what has and has not worked for you below.
Here is a list of my favourite tips to help you turn your helliday into a holiday - so sit back - slap on the sunscreen and enjoy!
Plan ahead.
- Have realistic expectations.
Planning Ahead: First and foremost before you go, think about the anticpated space that you will be staying in and all the things that you child use's at home, for sleeping. Make sure that you take it with you or you have an equivelant that will work in your destination, think about the climate that you are going too, also.
Sleep environment: When possible take a pack n play or your item of choice from home if you have one. You can actually set it up before you leave and have your child sleep in it at home for a few nights. If you don't have one, then check ahead to make sure that the hotel can provide you with something suitable. Try to set the crib / pack n play up, in it's own space if/when possible. Take a look at the room when you first get there and move furntiture around if you need too.
Bedding: Take your baby/child's bedding; directly off their bed so that it smells familar to them - crib sheet - sleep sac/blanket and favourite lovey. Use this in the crib/pack n play and have it set up, as you would at home. Put your child in the enviroment awake to play, whilst you unpack and potter around the room when you first get there. If your budget will stretch, it's even better to get a one bedroomed suite so that you can have a seperate room for your child to sleep in and then you too can relax once bubs is asleep. No more locking yourself out on the balcony or tip toeing around whilst your child settles.
Routine: Stick to your normal routine whenever possible - if you do a bath before bed at home, then also do this whilst away. Don't feel completely obliged to stick with a rigid bedtime - whilst on holiday it's not always easy to have an earlier bedtime, like you would at home. If you know that you will be having a later night, adjust the naps in the day to allow a longer awake window in the evening before bed, regardless of bedtime still stick with a pre bedtime routine/wind down - so that your child will know, that bedtime is next.
Enroute: Whether driving or flying, its hard to be able to have a structured plan in place as you never know whats going to happen. You may have a hassle free journey or be stuck in a 10 mile jam or have a flight delay/unexpected stop. It once took me 48 hours to get back to England from Thailand on a journey that should have been just 16 hours, I am so thankful that I was young and sans children on this particular journey as if I were travelling with my pack of 4, I would not have much hair left on landing. Flying will have its pros and cons, children and babies can be more free in the cabin than strapped crying in a carseat whilst you drive stressed (nothing stresses me out more than driving with an upset baby) but you can't stop and get out for some clean fresh air (instead you have to sit and inhale everyone elses germs). If you are a nursing mum - nurse on both take off and landing, if you are bottle feeding them let your child suck on a bottle to help their delicate, thin ear tubes adapt to the changes in cabin pressure.
Have realistic expecations: If your travel will entail a large time difference - expect that your baby/child/partner will be off for a few days. Nobody can instantly switch to a different time zone. Exposure to daylight is very important when travelling across several time zones. It will help your natural biological clock that ticks away inside of us all to regulate. Flights that land in the afternoon at your destination are always easier to handle and ajust too. Once in a new time zone, work on real time as soon as you can. Usually time changes under 3 hours either way are easier on the body. If you would like to do a personal calculation to see when you should expose yourself to daylight then click here.
If your child is putting up a fuss on the first night at your new destiation, this is to be expected. Children do not have the same cognitive skills as us - As the parent, you would have known the trip was coming and will have prepared for the holiday in a variety of ways, your infant however, will have not. They will suddenly just find themselve's there - this can sometimes make them a little anxious, which in turn can make them feel vunerable, hence , falling asleep becomes more difficult.
Think about how you would sleep is you were unsure or anxious. If you are met with some resistance at bedtime, then make sure you give your child lots of reassurance, remind them that they are okay and continue to encourage them to fall asleep - even if it means sitting with them until they are asleep rubbing their back and saying shhh - however dont go back to phsyically putting them to sleep yourself (rocking for example). If push came to shove and things really derail - its nothing that can not be changed once you are home.
Usually within a few days of being in your new enviroment - everything will have settled down and you child will be more comfortable and confident in their new surroundings.
Relax: Last but not least - you have come away to spend some quality with your family - if everything falls apart in your childs sleep department - it can soon be fixed once you are home - so instead of stressing about it and making yourself crazy, go with the flow and just enjoy getting away from it all.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
| Posted by Dawnn Whittaker at 2:30PM |
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Monday, May 16, 2011
Filed under: Parenthood
I have been asked by The Positive Parenting Network on be a featured expert for their SPRING FLING.
My featured blog will be going on Wednesday May 25th, so watch out for it. Check in daily to read or listen to blogs and podcasts by other views on parenting.
Guest Authors include the likes of Po Bronson & Ashley Merryman; who wrote the new thinking book Nurture Shock. I have a copy and thorougly enjoyed it.
The Spring Fling has been brought to you by Kisten Nelson and Anamarie Seidel from Parenting Chat Cafe ; who are two overworked, overstressed, overachieving Moms who deliver humerous and informative podcasts for parents raising children in the new Mellenium. Check in daily for parenting tips.
| Posted by Dawnn Whittaker at 2:57PM |
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Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Filed under: Vancouver
The Toonies for Kids Society has put together a charity evening to fight child poverty in the Lower Mainland. The Child Poverty Casino Night Fundraiser will be held on May 14th at the Executive Plaza Hotel in Coquitlam.
Tickets for the event are $75 and includes, dinner (choice of 3 entrees), music by DJ Baby Bliss, dancing, a belly dancing show by Ala Nar Belly Dancing Troupe, and casino action all night long!
There are some amazing prizes to be won including a trip for 2 anywhere Westjet flies, spa sessions, hotel stays and more!
You can buy your tickets here.
| Posted by Cheeky Chops at 1:49PM |
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Comments
L.
Posted 11 months ago
Mine involved breastfeeding my son while he was still done up in his car seat on one trip to visit the Grandparents! NO, THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING! However, at that point (5 months old) we still hadn't clued into the sleep 'prop' problem...that being my boob! First I tried to feed him and then place him back in the car seat at several points at pullouts off the freeway. He'd wake up and we'd start at square one again. I told my husband that he'd go to sleep after crying but he wouldn't have it (darn guy!). In an act of desperation, which I am not proud of, I just leaned over and fed my screaming baby while he was still strapped in to his car seat :( Again, NO the car was not moving! It wasn't funny at the time but it is now. The lengths that we go sometimes to get our babies to sleep. IF we have another child we now know where to start.....a baby sleep consultant to help us shape sleep habits :)
Katie
Posted 11 months ago
I was trying to put my baby down for a nap, and she still used a soother back then. I was staring at her, thinking that something was wrong - something with her face, maybe? Does she need an eye mask to cover her eyes? No, that's weird.
Then it finally hit me - her soother was missing! It covered her mouth, which I guess is why I was thinking about her eyes. But it took three minutes of staring and thinking to realize this!
I also have a friend who walked into a wall, asleep, and kept on walking. Another friend put a dirty diaper in the fridge!
Arieanna
Posted 11 months ago
I dropped ketchup on my son's head while trying to scarf a burger in a completely dark room while rocking him to sleep. I'd also walk around the house with my shirts undone and my bra pulled down, completely oblivious. Thankfully that never happened in public.