Children with Crib or Room Anxiety

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Mar 252011
 

Just got an great report back from a family whose baby was having anxiety around his crib. I’ve worked with several families that have had anxiety issues and I continue to be amazed at the quick progress that babies and toddlers can have in melting away anxieties. This family mentioned that after 1-2 days of following the activities I gave them that they have noticed marked progress. I’m not surprized as I have seen it time and time again.

 

Simple routine changes can help with anxieties, parent attitudes and grounding exercises.

The family can spend more time in the child’s room during the day playing and doing routine tasks. Some families spend little to no time in the child’s room before they day they decide to start night training in there.

Be relaxed about the child’s anxieties. Try to take a matter-of-fact attitude and calm yourself first before attempting to calm the child. Children can pick up on the parents stress and feel unsafe. If you think this might be an issue at sleep time, try taking 2 deep, cleansing breaths before putting your child in the crib; on the second exhale lay your child gently into the crib.

There are a number of grounding techniques that I use with parents to melt away stress and anxieties. The goal of these activities  is to use simple strategies to calm the child from negative feelings. One activity that I suggest is to calmly take the child around the room and slowly point and name the objects in the room.

Another idea which most parents think sounds a little crazy is to post a life size head shot of  one or more parents in the room. Younger children can relate better if the size is more realistic. Research has been done showing this as helpful for children in dealing with separations, including specific research with children in daycare settings who are giving a picture of Mom to keep in their pockets. The children will take it out and look at it from time to time and be comforted.

I get excited and celebrate every success in this area!

Anyways, I better stop rambling on and get to bed as I was up all night helping a family with a 6 month old with sleep training.

Have a wonderful day!

Andrea

 

btw, Check out all of my upcoming workshops and free sleep clinics from Kitchener to Orangeville on my home page. I will be adding a new June workshop soon in Brampton and will have a separate event page soon.

Spring Forward into Summer Time!

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Mar 102011
 

Parents delight at the spring time change as they may have a bit more time to themselves and they have hopes that their children might actually sleep later. This year Daylight Saving Time starts Sunday March 13th.

March forward into the new time. Most children do well with switching to the new time right away when we change the clocks. However, if your child is more sensitive to being over-tired you can gradually shift her bedtime and wake time earlier by 15 to 30 minutes a day either before Sunday or after.

To help with this transition make sure your child gets good naps and is not over-tired at bedtime. You may need to use blackout blinds in your child’s room or dim the lights as you are getting ready for bed.

If your child is already waking up too early you may be able to take advantage of this time change to encourage sleeping in longer. “The key is to use the naps to get to the new bedtime rested” suggests Kim West. If you are at risk of your child getting to bedtime over-tired, try to get in an emergency cat nap by the end of the day even if it means going for a ride in the stroller or car. Just make sure your child is awake by 4:30pm at the latest.

Most of us will adjust to the new time in a few days to a week, although it can cause some sleep disruptions in the process. After this short transition you can enjoy summer time until fall back comes again.

Upcoming Speaking Engagements and Events

Thursday, March 31  6:30 to 8:00pm Workshop:  Baby Sleep Basics – $30

Belly Buttons, Kitchener, Ontario
Maximizing sleep and enjoying the early months. Recommended for Pregnancy to 3+ months.
For more details contact: trish@inniesandouties.ca

Saturday, April 9th 10am to 2pm Free Sleep Clinic at

SPRING MOMPRENEURS SHOWCASE
Maples Independent Country School,
513047 2nd Line Amaranth, R.R. 4 Orangeville

Tuesday, April 12th 1pm to 3pm Workshop: Helping Babies and Toddlers Sleep Through the Night - $30

Sleep expectations for babies from 4 to 18+ months, basic sleep strategies and various techniques for “sleep teaching” your baby will be covered. Participants will have the opportunity to develop a personal sleep plan, have individual concerns addressed and be given the tools to successfully execute their baby/toddler sleep plan. This session is full.

Wednesday April 13th 2pm to 3pm Workshop: Helping Babies and Toddlers Sleep Through the Night
Erin, Ontario
Sleep expectations for babies from 4 to 18+ months, basic sleep strategies and various techniques for “sleep teaching” your baby will be covered.

Sunday May 15th 2pm to 5pm Gentle Sleep Coach Workshop with Kim West
Baltimore, MD

So excited for the opportunity to assist Kim West with a sleep workshop in Maryland!

Monday May 16th 1pm to 3pm Workshop: Helping Babies and Toddlers Sleep Through the Night - $30

Sleep expectations for babies from 4 to 18+ months, basic sleep strategies and various techniques for “sleep teaching” your baby will be covered. Participants will have the opportunity to develop a personal sleep plan, have individual concerns addressed and be given the tools to successfully execute their baby/toddler sleep plan.

Saturday, May 28th 10am to 2pm Free Sleep Clinic at

BABYLOVE SHOWCASE
Maples Independent Country School,
513047 2nd Line Amaranth, R.R. 4 Orangeville

For more information email: info@thebabysource.ca

Andrea Strang is a Child and Infant Sleep Consultant, Gentle Sleep Coach and Postpartum and Sleep Doula from Erin, Ontario. In the past 6 years she has helped over 1000 families get better sleep.