At Kari Poppinz, we believe in the resilience of children to adapt to various conditions, whether they’re under the weather, teething, or adjusting to a new location. It’s important not to rush to your child’s side at the first sign of distress. For minor ailments like colds or teething, consider a safe dose of children’s Tylenol or Advil, coupled with a little extra affection before bedtime. When traveling, help your child acclimate to new sleeping environments by spending some playful or quiet time there before bedtime. If challenges persist, provide the necessary comfort, but aim to resume normal routines once the situation stabilizes.
Traveling might disrupt your child’s routine, so flexibility is key. Not all naps can occur in a bed; some might need to be on the go. Try to maintain nap schedules as much as possible and bring along comforting items from home, like their favorite books or a familiar blanket. To ease anxiety about new environments, spend some fun time in the sleep area. For trips across time zones, sticking to your home time zone for short trips is advisable, but for longer stays of 4-5 days, adjusting to local time may be beneficial. Remember, managing your expectations is vital as adaptability improves with age.
We recommend reducing naps when it becomes clear that your child is ready, rather than on a predetermined schedule. If a nap becomes difficult, try adjusting other naps or shifting bedtime to a little bit later rather than eliminating it entirely. Consult our Sleep Chart for guidance on optimal sleep amounts by age before making any changes.
Delay this transition as long as feasible to ensure they continue to feel secure and sleep well in their crib. However, if safety becomes a concern, such as your child attempting to climb out, transition them to a bed promptly to maintain a safe sleep environment.
Clear communication is essential. Set expectations and explain the new boundaries, such as staying in bed until a certain time and calling for help when needed. Introducing tools like an “OK to wake” clock can reinforce these new habits, and rewarding good behavior will encourage your child to adhere to them.
For safe infant sleep, stick to the basics: a crib, bassinet, or pack n’ play are all safe choices where your baby should sleep alone, on their back. Products like Dockatot and Snuggle Me are not suitable for sleep due to safety concerns. If you’re looking for a temporary aid, consider a Snoo bassinet, which can be bought or rented for the early months.
You can begin laying the groundwork for independent sleep right from birth. Establish a predictable routine of feeding and naps, allowing your newborn to acclimate to their crib or bassinet during the day. Avoid creating sleep crutches such as sleeping in swings, being rocked to sleep, nursed to sleep etc, early on. This consistency helps facilitate smoother naps and night-time sleep. Formal sleep training can effectively begin between 12 and 20 weeks of age and the sweet spot tends to be between the ages of 12-16 weeks.
If you find yourself needing further advice, don’t hesitate to schedule an “Ask Me Anything” call through our website or contact me directly for personalized support.