LilSugar

Do You Believe Parents Can Influence Babies' Sleep Habits?

babysugar — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:00:04 -0800

Some parents would give their right arm just to get their lil one to sleep through the night. They read books, consult the web, and even hire trainers to come in and coach their nocturnal tykes. While there are various philosophies when it comes to coaching your wee one to sleep through the night, Dr. Richard Ferber's self-soothing techniques continue to prevail among sleep-deprived parents.

A new study conducted by Canada's Today's Parent found that 69 percent of parents believe that controlled-crying techniques work if parents implement them properly, but more than half of the parents surveyed said it didn't work for them, meaning most parents don't believe they are implementing the philosophy correctly. A further look at the study showed that parents who enter sleep training with the belief that they can influence how their tot gets his shut-eye were more likely to be successful with the process.

Do you believe that mom and dad can train a baby to sleep?

How Do You Co-Sleep?

babysugar — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 09:00:14 -0800

Getting a restful night's sleep with a newborn requires some work. Some mamas prefer to place their tots in their own rooms, but 51 percent of LilSugar readers kept their babe's within arm's reach. Though doctors and the CDC recommend not to sleep with your wee one, 55 percent of our co-sleeping readers said they wouldn't change their ways.

To reduce the potential for suffocation, some co-sleeping parents opt to put baby in a bassinet that attaches directly to their bed, like the new Bednest. Others go the more traditional route and keep baby on their mattress. Which did you choose?

When Did You Stop Swaddling?

babysugar — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 04:00:57 -0800

Snug as a bug in a rug. That's how many mamas describe their newborns once they are swaddled up tightly in a blanket. New moms work hard to perfect their swaddling technique, watching the maternity ward nurses like hawks and testing out various sizes and shapes of blankets before finding the perfect one.

While some lil Houdinis find a way to break out of any type of wrapping, many find comfort in the warmth and security the carefully wrapped blankets provide. But, there comes a point where the lil ones start moving around too much to remain in the swaddle, and their parents must make the transition to swaddle-free sleep. Doctors recommend weaning a baby from her wrappings around the four-month mark (or when she starts to roll over) for safety reasons, but many parents keep up the practice in order to maintain a restful night's sleep (for both the parents and the baby).

When did you give up the swaddle?

Mommy's Lil Helper: The Woombie

LilSugar — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:00:08 -0800

Calling all lil Houdinis! Moms know that newborns love the warmth and security of a tight swaddle. The practice, which can be traced back to the Greeks and Romans, re-creates the feeling of the womb, preventing babies from startling themselves mid-sleep, helping them obtain REM sleep, and possibly even helping to prevent SIDS. Obtaining the perfect swaddle - one that even the strongest babies can't break out of - is a feat that many mamas can only hope to attain.

For years friends have sworn by the effectiveness of the Miracle Blanket in transforming their newborns into sleeping baby burritos, and several other brands have come up in recent conversations. The latest one to catch my attention is the Woombie ($25), a cocoon-like sack with a zipper up its front that will not unravel over the course of the night. Made with a cotton and Lycra blend, the peanut-shaped sack is snug enough to give babies the comfort of a traditional swaddle, but stretchy enough to allow babies to stretch their arms and legs and wiggle their way to comfort.

Our Sugar HQ moms who tested the Woombie found that their babies slept longer and more comfortably in it than in similar products. Though they were originally taken aback by the straight jacket-look, they found that their babies were comforted by the fabric and were happy when they awoke each morning. In fact, both moms just ordered larger sizes of the sacks as their tots have outgrown their newborn versions.

Share your favorite products, toys, and trends with other parents! Start sharing your opinion on millions of must haves for your tots in our Product Reviews group!

Favorite Tips of 2009: Helpful Hints For Sleep-Deprived New Mamas

LilSugar — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:00:29 -0800

Reflecting on the past year also means revisiting our best tips to help you usher in the new year, just a little wiser. So, let's continue our look back at the Best of 2009 with a recap of your favorite lil bits of advice.

Once you're a parent, you never get the same quality of sleep again. Well, maybe when the kids move out. Whether you are up feeding an infant or keeping your ears open for signs of a restless tot, you've kissed your hours of deep shuteye good-bye. But, there are a few ways mamas with brand new babes can help themselves adjust and deal with sleep deprivation. Brew up a cup of joe and check out our collection of helpful hints for sleep-deprived mamas, so you can get your ZZZZs before New Year's Eve.

Signs Your Child Might Be Sleep Deprived

LilSugar — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:00:31 -0800

Just like adults, children have different sleep requirements. There is not an exact magic number of hours of sleep each child needs, so parents often worry if their little ones are getting enough shut-eye. A great way to tell how your kiddos are doing at night is to watch them during the day. Here are a few points to consider when trying to figure out how much sleep is enough for your tot.

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How Many Naps Does Your Child Take?

LilSugar — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 07:00:37 -0800

Nap time is mommy's playtime. Whether mommy is getting rest or catching up on phone calls, baby's snooze fest gives both mom and child a chance to unwind and re-energize. Unfortunately, these restful moments don't last forever as children slowly drop their naps as they age. Infants can pack in three or four rests while toddlers often hold out for one big sleep. Some tots end up dropping them way before their peers - leaving mama needing her own siesta more than ever. How many naps does your child take?

When Does Your Child Wake Up?

LilSugar — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:00:07 -0800

Some kiddos are awake before the rooster crows, while others opt to snooze in a little later. Tots are notorious for being early risers, leaving sleep deprived mamas and papas reaching for the coffee instead of the nonexistent snooze button. Tired parents try to push their children to wake up later and later, but resetting a child's internal alarm clock doesn't always work. Do tell, what times do your children wake up?

Do You Ever Pull an All-Nighter?

LilSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:00:18 -0700

The term "all-nighter" takes on a new meaning during parenthood. Once reserved for studying or partying, all-nighters are now made up of crying, diapering, rocking, shushing, and more. Those fortunate enough to have tots sleep soundly through the night may even opt for tackling their to-do list by the light of the moon when everyone else is fast asleep (and can't interrupt). It truly is amazing how much parents are able to accomplish on such little sleep, and a lot of coffee. Whether it's by your own choice, or your child's choice, do you ever pull all-nighters?

Overwhelmed by a crying baby, fighting tots, overbearing in-laws and sleepless nights? Join our A Place to Vent group over in our LilSugar Community and share your stress with fellow moms who understand your plight.

Sleeping Bags For Sleepy Babies

LilSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 04:00:41 -0700

Want to keep tots warm on chilly nights without worrying about SIDS? Check out these cozy sleeping bags. They can replace loose bedding in the crib, which means baby will snooze safer (and hopefully longer). These are just a few of our favorite sleep sacks for sleepy babies.

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