Newborn Care & Sleep: don't just survive...thrive!

Congratulations!

2011-06-17T20:33:00.000-04:00

Hello friends,
It is my pleasure to announce that the winner of a FREE hour of consulting is.......Rebeca @ The Average Parent! Yay!!!
Congratulations Rebeca. To get started, just submit our Client Questionnaire and I'll contact you about setting up your consultation.
In other news, the tip if the day is about cleaning with less chemicals. There are tons of new "green" cleaning products, but the best all-pupose cleaner is plain old distilled white vinegar. That's right, you probably have some under the sink right now. It's non-toxic, cheap, a natural deodorizer, disinfectant, and much more.
Check out this awesome website for tons of vinegar uses. I use vinegar in place of softener in my Downey ball. I also clean my counters and floors with it. In the winter, I use a vinegar/water mixture to keep my car windows from icing over. The possibilities are endless!
Your personal baby care expert,
Cortney

FREE Consultation

2011-06-15T11:05:00.000-04:00

Hello friends,
To celebrate our Facebook "likes", we're giving away a 60 minute phone/email consultation ($75 value). We can talk about sleep or lack thereof, nursing troubles, nap time drama, what to do with your charming, colicky baby, how to increase brain power through play, or anything else you can dream up.
Sound like a good deal? Perfect, well here's how to win.

Go to our Facebook Page and "like" it.
Follow our blog by clicking one of the "subscribe" buttons on the right side.
Post a comment here that is a baby-related problem you'd like to solve or an issue you're having with your little one.

At 5:00 pm EST on Friday, we'll randomly select the winner and pretend to do a balloon drop/confetti cannon. :)

Don't forget, you have to do all three steps to be considered. Now, fire up those questions!!

Your personal baby expert,

Cortney

Happiest Baby/Toddler Workshops

2011-06-07T17:59:00.000-04:00

Hello friends,
Have you ever wished your baby had an off switch for crying? Wondering how you can extend your newborn's sleep by an hour or two? Are you fed up with your tantrum-throwing toddler? Counting the days until your 3 year old learns to be patient? Well, I've got you covered.

Join me in Chicago for two parenting workshops designed to educate and empower parents. Learn some game-changing techniques for soothing your baby or taming your toddler. First Class Care is hosting the event at New Mother New Baby in Northbrook.
Space is limited, so register today. I'm looking forward to meeting you all!
Click here to see all the details and to sign up.
Your personal baby expert,
Cortney

Sleep trouble for a 12 week old baby?

2011-06-05T22:40:00.000-04:00

Hello friends,
Loyal GNS follower, Kristina, submitted this question:
"I have read all of your posts and have tried your methods. My baby is 12 weeks however after her 730 evening feeding she wakes at anywhere from 1145 to 2 am for a feeding and then about every 3 hours from there. I feel like I am missing something minor yet apparently crucial. Her naps are also starting to get bad. She is waking about an hour or so into the nap not quite hitting the 90 minute point. When she wakes early do I just let her cry and just not pick her up until she hits 90 mins even if she never goes back to sleep? Should I let the whitenoise machine play the whole nap? HELP PLEASE!!!"
Well Kristina, thanks for the question and so sorry your little one is having trouble with her sleep. First let me say that the advice I give here is general and you should always consult your pediatrician before making any changes to your baby's diet or routine. When I perform an assessment for a consulting client, I ask the parents a lot of questions that help me determine what is going on with their specific baby. That's hard to do through a blog, but I'll give it a try.

I use white noise during all sleeping times (and during very fussy times for babies under 3-4 months old). The white noise should be loud enough that you can't hear someone whispering in the room, but not so loud that you can't have a normal conversation. I would also still swaddle a 12 week old with the arms safely down at her sides. Favorite swaddle: Swaddle Buddies
Your baby is too young to cry for extended periods of time, in my opinion. You can use the "minute rule" to allow your baby to try out self soothing. As long as she's clean, dry, well-fed, and not in pain, you can allow her to fuss and cry up to one minute per week of age. 12 weeks = 12 minutes.
Naps tend to change between 12-16 weeks. Eventually they become more predictable, but this age is often accompanied by a regression in napping. Your baby will likely be able to stay awake for longer periods of time in the coming month, so watch for those sleepy signs!
Day sleep is different than night sleep, but they do effect one another.
Be sure to feed your baby every 3 hours during the day, even if you have to wake her. Aim for full feedings! She should probably be awake no more than 90 minutes at a time, including feeding. Be sure to transition from playtime to nap time with some cuddle time, dim lights, and white noise.
Follow the FAST plan: Feed, Activity, Sleep, Time for you. Resist the temptation to feed right before a nap. Be sure not to feed, rock, or soothe your baby all the way to sleep. It's fine to get her groggy, but try to put her in bed awake. If she does fall asleep in your arms, gently rouse her before placing her into bed. This way she knows she's going in to her crib for sleep.
When she wakes during a nap and you know she needs more rest, you can allow her that 12 minutes to try and find her way back to sleep or you can go straight to soothing in the crib. Patting and shushing work best, but you can also offer a pacifier if she takes one.
When she wakes after the 7:30 feed/bedtime, give her 12 minutes, then use your soothing techniques to get her to go 15 more minutes. 7:30-1 or 2 would be great, but if it's earlier, try getting her back to sleep. If she's a big, healthy baby, she can probably go from 8-2 (with a little encouragement).

I hope that helps! If you'd like a personalized Plan of Action and email/phone support, don't hesitate to call or email to schedule a consulting appointment.

Best wishes for a good night's sleep,

Cortney

Do you have a question for us?

2011-05-05T12:03:00.000-04:00

Hello friends,
GNS took a little vacation, but we're back and ready to answer some of your burning questions. Submit your question today and if yours is chosen, we'll give you 25% off a one hour phone consultation.
Let the question-asking begin!
Your personal newborn expert,
Cortney

Tip of the day!

2011-04-11T17:55:00.000-04:00

Hello friends,
Well, it's Monday, so that means it's time for Tip Of The Day! Today's tip is related to shopping trips and kiddos.
When you go to the grocery or Target-like store with your baby or babies, park next to the cart corral. Even if you have to park at the back, take a spot next to that metal playpen for runaway carts. First of all, this keeps at least one side of your car from getting dinged. Secondly, you can rest assured that you will be able to load and unload your kids, no matter how close the guy next to you parks his car.
If you have two or more infants, consider a stroller for the kids and a cart for your stuff. Yes, it slows down your otherwise streamlined shopping experience, but it's safer and you can fir more stuff in your cart.
NEVER attach an infant seat to the top of your cart. Although it appears as though this is what you're supposed to do, it is highly unsafe and a great way to earn a trip to the ER. If you must, put the infant carrier in the big part of the cart, but leave him strapped in tight. Another option is to wear your baby in an infant carrier while in the store. This frees up your hands and your cart.
When you return to your vehicle with all your loot, load your baby first, and then your purchases. Stay alert and don't leave your keys or purse while you load your car. Because you were so smart and parked next to the cart corral, you can return your cart without leaving your child alone.
Happy shopping!
Your personal baby care expert,
Cortney

The power of white noise

2011-04-07T14:14:00.000-04:00

Hello friends,

If you have a fussy baby or a little one who doesn't sleep well, listen up. For the first 3-4 months after Baby's 40 week due date, strong white noise is one of the ways to turn on the calming reflex. It can instantly calm a colicky, fussy baby and can increase sleep by a few hours.

Babies spend 9 months surrounded by the whooshing sounds of your womb and are often in a state of sensory deprivation when they are born into a "quiet" world of tip toeing and whispering. Strong white noise, at the level of a vacuum cleaner or running shower, is your baby's language of love. He hears this and feels instantly calmed and more secure. Be sure to match your baby's intensity, then lower the sound as he settles down into sleep.

White noise can be used for all sleep times and particularly fussy times. After 3-4 months, white noise loses a little magic, but remains a great buffer for sleep times and a cue that helps Baby know it's time for sleep. You can utilize white noise into toddlerhood and can easily wean a baby off it by turning it down a little every 3-5 days.

Use a white noise machine, mp3 and speaker dock, or the real thing. Just remember, hairdryers should be at least 6 feet from Baby and can't be left on for long periods of time. GNS recommends using a white noise track on a continuous loop with your iPod and speaker dock for the optimal sound experience. If you don't want to invest in anything new, your carpets will never be cleaner than if you make your own white noise. :)

Check out this fussy baby who is instantly calmed by white noise. Can you see in his eyes when the calming reflex is turned on?

As always, if you need help implementing any of our advice or you have a specific problem that needs solving, get in touch and we'll be happy to help!

Your personal newborn care expert,

Cortney

The dangers of allowing Baby to sleep in a car seat

2011-04-01T18:50:00.000-04:00

Hello Friends,

Many parents rely on the naps their kiddos get in the car seat. Some parents even use a long car ride to get their babies to fall asleep. Then there are those of you who have spent many nights in the driveway, sleeping in the car with your baby. Sounds familiar?
Of course, I recommend protecting and respecting a child's need for restorative sleep by sticking close to home during nap time. I realize this isn't always possible, so if you have to run errands during your child's nap time, keep a close eye on your little one. Research now shows that oxygen levels can drop while infants are sleeping in their car seats, which can clearly be a hazard. Check out this article about car seat sleep and remember to transfer your sleeping baby from her car seat to her crib when you return from an outing.
If you find yourself loading up the car to get your baby to sleep and it's not how you'd like to spend every bedtime from here on out, consider a sleep consultation with GNS. We'll work together to eliminate negative sleep props and start creating new healthy sleep habits and a manageable routine.
If you're using the car seat to provide relief to your refluxing baby, you might be surprised to learn that this position actually exacerbates reflux symptoms. A better alternative to elevating your baby's sleeping surface is the Baby Stay Asleep system.
Your personal baby care expert,
Cortney

Worried about SIDS?

2011-03-29T13:49:00.000-04:00

Hello friends,
Most parents worry about SIDS. As an NCS and a devoted aunt, I too worry about it. I also worry about apnea, asphyxiation, and other sleep-related tragedies.
As many parents probably do, I frequently check on the babies in my care, but as an extra layer of protection I also use a Babysense V infant movement monitor. It's the only product of it's kind that I use.
Although the AAP discourages its use, I find that when you follow safe sleep guidelines and continue to supervise your baby, the use of the Babysense is perfectly fine. The monitor is a back up to attentive parenting, not a replacement.
Although it can't prevent a tragedy, it alerts parents and caregivers to act and does indeed save lives. If the baby stops moving (including breathing) for more than 20 seconds, a loud alarm sounds, prompting you to act. The sensor goes under the mattress and is very sensitive. Unlike other products, the Babysense is battery operated, so there is nothing plugged in to the wall that is also connected to the crib.
"False" alarms are non-existent, in my experience. When installed and used properly, it does its job and it puts my clients' minds at ease.
Make no mistake, using a movement monitor does not replace adult supervision and certainly doesn't give parents a license to break all the rules. It does, however, give you precious seconds to resuscitate and call 911. If you are a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, please take a CPR/First Aid class and post laminated CPR instructions in the nursery (I like to use the inside of the closet door).
Sleep safe and you'll rest well!
Cortney

Houdini baby? Not any more!

2011-03-24T17:34:00.000-04:00

Hello friends,
If you've been following the GNS method, you know that swaddling is the cornerstone for soothing and EST (Early Sleep Teaching). For many parents, swaddling can be a bit daunting, as a safe and effective swaddle must be tight with the baby's arms down at his sides. There are many different kinds of swaddling blankets on the market that promise the relief of sleep and a happy baby. Unfortunately, most of those products, in my professional opinion, have some major flaws. Because of these serious drawbacks, I have not recommended anything but a large, square flannelette blanket...until now.
PeaWee Baby has designed a series of products that address all the issues I have with other "gimmicky" blankets. There are three options that all utilize the same swaddling mechanism. The SwaddleBuddy keeps the arms secure and can be used with any blanket. The SwaddleBuddy Suit is great for swaddling babies who need to be strapped in to a swing, bouncy seat, or reflux nest. The SwaddleBuddy Sack uses that same arm securing technology with a large pocket for the baby's legs.
Benefits:

No long "belt" to wrap around and around the baby.
Hook and loop keeps the swaddle in place and doesn't allow the blanket to ride up over the baby's face, like other blankets.
Fool proof, even for the novice swaddler.
Light weight and stretchy - perfect for any weather, just layer clothing as needed.
No busting out! Even your big strong baby will be happily contained for the night.
Multiple options to fit any situation. Even a baby on an apnea monitor could be swaddled with the SB Suit.
Perfect companion to the Baby Stay Asleep system for safely elevating reflux babies.

If you'd like to learn more about how swaddling can help your baby stay calm and sleep longer, call us today!

Your personal baby sleep expert,

Cortney

New recommendations for rear-facing car seats!

2011-03-22T20:39:00.000-04:00

Hello friends,
I've been sharing this message with families for several years now, but the rear-facing movement has finally taken root with a strong statement from the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics).
Babies should sit rear-facing until they no longer meet the height and weight requirements of the seat's manufacturer. Many convertible car seats are designed to be used rear-facing up to 35 lbs and some go even higher than that! For many kiddos, that means they can safely sit RF until 3+ years old.
I've heard all the excuses in the book about why parents don't want to keep their kids RF. Not a single one of those excuses is worth the life of a child. I know it can be tough, but there are ways to make RF not only manageable, but completely comfortable and hassle-free. Check out this video and pay close attention to the side by side crash test of forward facing vs rear facing. Also note all the happy, big kids in their RF seats!

We all want the best for our kids, so protect them by keeping them rear-facing. No more excuses. Your baby's life is too precious to risk. If you need more information or want to learn how to make RF a more pleasant experience, please call today.

Best wishes for happy, healthy babies,

Cortney

Daylight Savings Time

2011-03-10T16:50:00.000-05:00

Hello friends,

Spring is just around the corner and that means it's time to change the clocks. Most of us will "spring forward" this weekend, which has parents asking "what does that mean for my baby's sleep"?

The good news is that the Spring time change is usually more beneficial for sleep training than the Fall time change. If you have a little one who tends to wake earlier than you'd prefer, like 5:30 am, that wake up time is now going to be 6:30 am. To your baby, it still feels like 5:30, but your clock will say 6:30. Make sense? Good.

So, now you're probably wondering how to adjust your baby's routine to take advantage of the time change. Well, your window of opportunity is short. After a few days, your baby will adjust to the new time, so it's important to help your baby make the most of the time change.

There are two ways to handle DST. The first is to just make the switch cold turkey style. If your baby's bedtime is 7:30 pm, you can change the clocks on Sunday evening and put your baby to bed at the new 7:30 (which feels like 6:30 pm). If your baby isn't ready for sleep, you can put her to bed at 8:30 (which feels like her good ole' 7:30 pm). The next morning, you should wake your baby at her regular time, say 7:00 am (which feels like 6:00 am). Now you should follow your regular routine according to the new time. By the second or third night, you and your baby will adjust to the time change.

The other way to adjust your baby's bedtime is to do it slowly over the next few days. Start backing up your baby's bedtime by 15-30 minutes each day until you've reached the new time (so you're backing it up one hour). So, if 8:00 pm is bedtime at your house, you'll need to work on getting to a 7:00 pm bedtime because once DST happens, what feels like 7 pm will now be 8 pm on the clock. The next morning, be sure to wake your baby at her regular start time, like 7:30 am (which feels like 6:30 am).

Alternatively, you could just change the clocks and change your child's bedtime to be an hour later than usual, which means the same would apply for your morning start time, feedings, and naps. The baby wouldn't feel any different, only the number on the clock would change. For example, if 7:00 pm is bedtime now, next week it would be 8:00 pm.

The time change is really helpful if you have a baby or toddler who tends to wake earlier than you'd like and has trouble going back to sleep. The baby who likes to start her day at 5:30 am will now be getting up at 6:30, which is a much more reasonable start time.

Still have questions? Call or email for a quick consultation!

Your personal baby sleep expert,
Cortney

How much should your baby be eating?

2011-03-08T13:01:00.000-05:00

Hello friends,
One of the most common questions my clients ask is "how much should my baby be eating" and the answer might surprise you.
For nursed babies who are healthy and weight-gaining, the answer is exactly what they are already eating. Now, I realize this isn't the answer most new parents are looking for when they worry about their baby's health. As long as your nursling is gaining weight (1/2 - 1 oz per day), has several wet diapers and bowel movements and is content between feedings, he's probably eating precisely what his body needs.
For your bottle fed baby, there are a couple of easy guidelines for knowing how much to offer your baby. The first is the most simple, but not quite as accurate. Take your baby's weight in pounds and multiply by 2.5. For example: an 8 pound baby should eat around 20 ounces in 24 hours. 8 x 2.5 = 20. This is just a guideline! It's okay if your little one takes in 22 oz or only 18. Just be sure your baby has at least 6 wet diapers a day and is steadily gaining weight.
My favorite way to calculate the amount you offer your baby is to convert the baby's weight into ounces and divide by 6. For example: a 7 lb 6 oz baby weighs 118 ounces, divided by 6 equals 19.7 ounces per day (rounded up). 7 x 16 = 112 + 6 = 118/6 = 19.7.
Spread the total equally over the whole day. For some babies, this might be 8 feedings or for others it might be 6 feedings.
As babies get older, they require fewer feedings each day , but are able to eat a larger amount at each feeding. The bottom line is this: don't worry so much! Just in case you do tend to worry, now you know how to estimate what your newborn is likely to eat.
Best wishes for healthy and happy babies,
Cortney

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-08T12:41:00.002-04:00

Hello friends,

Tomorrow is the day we celebrate our mothers and thank them for all they do. I want to say thanks to my mom, Pam, for giving me life and raising me right.

She sacrificed time and again to make sure all her children had what they needed. She taught us to be kind and thoughtful, to be productive and passionate. Because of her, I have grown into the woman I am today. Thanks Mom!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mommies out there. Do something nice for yourself and treasure the time you have with your family, because come Monday, it's back to the daily grind. :)

Best wishes for happy, healthy, well-rested babies,

Cortney

Never wake a sleeping baby - myth or truth?

2010-04-30T22:10:00.003-04:00

Hello friends,

I often hear parents, caregivers and especially grandparents saying "you should never wake a sleeping baby". Is this true or just a gross error in judgement that previous generations have been passing down to their children? My answer depends on the circumstances surrounding the decision to wake or not wake a sleeping baby, but here are some guidelines.

I believe ALL babies should be awakened to feed every three hours during the daytime until around 4 months old. Nursing babies and babies under 6 pounds may even need to feed every two hours, but NOT longer than three.

If you just let a baby sleep as long as he wants, he'll sleep all day and eat all night. If you consistently wake him to feed every 3 hours after a nice, restorative nap, he will soon start sleeping longer stretches at night. Essentially, he will figure out the difference between day and night!

Once a baby is nursing well, has regained his birthweight and is over 6 pounds, he can eat at night only when he wakes on his own. In other words, don't wake a healthy, weight-gaining, sleeping baby at night.

Ideally, a 4 week old should be eating at 7 am, 10 am, 1 pm, 4 pm, 7 pm, 11 pm, and 3 am. Nurslings may still need to eat every 3 hours around-the-clock or may cluster feed in the evening.

For a customized plan for you and your baby, along with tips for less crying and more sleeping, call me today! It's the six year anniversary of the start of Gibson Newborn Services and to celebrate, we are offering 20% off consulting services. Call us today for sleep tonight!

Best wishes for happy, healthy, well-rested babies,

Cortney

Understanding sleep training

2010-04-24T20:29:00.004-04:00

Hello friends,

Have you heard of "sleep training"? It's a popular term that has been floating around for years. It's becoming more and more clear to me that most people really have no idea what "sleep training" is. Doctors, authors, parents and even supposed sleep trainers are all talking about baby sleep training and they are usually wrong.

Undoubtedly, the biggest misconception is that sleep training and "cry it out" are the same thing. They are not the same thing, not even close. It's true that some sleep training might involve some level of crying, but not all sleep training involves crying, just as, not all crying is sleep training.

Gibson Newborn Services specializes in early sleep training and teaching healthy sleep habits without crying. For babies under 4 months, sleep training is simply about avoiding bad habits and instilling good ones. Unfortunately, for older babies who have not been taught to fall asleep on their own, sleep teaching often requires some crying and even CIO. The older the baby is, the harder and harder it is to teach good sleep habits. Call us start off on the right foot!

So the next time someone tries to tell you that sleep training is a bad thing or is all about crying and ignoring your baby's needs, you can correct them. With our gentle method, babies are sleeping 10-12 hours by 12 weeks old. The side effects of this are; continued breast-feeding success, less post-partum depression, little to no crying, and happy, well-rested babies and parents. We don't withhold feedings, ignore baby's needs or force them to sleep.

Beware of sleep trainers who want to allow your 0-12 week old baby to cry for extended periods of time or who advise putting your baby to sleep on his belly. Babies should be getting 8-12 feedings a day until they regain their birthweight. Then they should be fed at least 5 times during the day and fed when they wake at night (1-3 times).

If you are seeking professional advice about newborn care or sleep training, call the experts, we're here to help!

Best wishes for healthy sleep and happy babies,

Cortney

How much should your baby eat?

2008-10-26T20:35:00.003-04:00

Hello friends,

One of the most common questions my clients ask is "how much should my baby be eating?" and the answer might surprise you.

For nursed babies who are healthy and weight-gaining, the answer is exactly what they are already eating. Now, I realize this isn't the answer most new parents are looking for when they worry about their baby's health. As long as your nursling is gaining weight (1/2 - 1 oz per day), has several wet diapers and bowel movements and is content between feedings, he's probably eating precisely what his body needs.

For your bottle fed baby, there are a couple of easy guidelines for knowing how much to offer your baby. The first is the most simple, but not quite as accurate. Take your baby's weight in pounds and multiply by 2.5. For example: an 8 pound baby should eat around 20 ounces in 24 hours. 8 x 2.5 = 20.

This is just a guideline! It's okay if your little one takes in 22 oz or only 18. Just be sure your baby has at least 6 wet diapers a day and is steadily gaining weight.

My favorite way to calculate the amount you offer your baby is to convert the baby's weight into ounces and divide by 6. For example: a 7 lb 6 oz baby weighs 118 ounces, divided by 6 equals 19.7 ounces per day (rounded up). 7 x 16 = 112 + 6 = 118/6 = 19.7.

Spread the total equally over the whole day. For some babies, this might be 8 feedings or for others it might be 6 feedings. As babies get older, they require fewer feedings each day , but are able to eat a larger amount at each feeding.

The bottom line is this: don't worry so much! Just in case you do tend to worry, now you know how to estimate what your newborn is likely to eat.

Best wishes for healthy, happy babies,

Cortney

Sleeping struggles of 12 week old

2008-08-28T10:15:00.002-04:00

Hello friends,

Summer is coming to an end and school will be starting soon - if not already! I am in the midst of potty training 2 1/2 year old twins, which is going surprisingly well. These are kids that I took care of when they were born and have returned many times to "fix" things or tackle milestones.

My summer has been filled with sleep training consultations, parenting classes and spending time with my niece. One of the highlights was a dinner meeting with Dr. Bryan Vartabedian, author of Colic Solved.

I just happened to be in Houston on a consult and Dr. V was kind enough to meet with me. His book is a fantastic resource for dealing with reflux in infants. In a world where some kids are treated unnecessarily and yet so many cases go undiagnosed, Vartabedian's book provides the facts on reflux and what parents and caregivers can do to advocate for their babies!

Now onto our latest question: Galtscrapper posted a comment about her 12 week old's sleep issues and hopefully I can help. Let's go through a few points from galtscrapper's post before I offer some suggestions.

My first child was a dream, sleeping 6 hours at a stretch practically from the get-go, but she was also drinking 6 ounces of formula from the get-go, which I now realize was a BAD IDEA, and one which we're paying for, so I don't want to repeat that with this one.

Why was this a "bad idea"? Did your first baby have allergies or some aversion to formula? If not, there is nothing "wrong" with feeding formula. Of course breast is best, but not all mothers are able to nurse. Some just don't feel comfortable or their babies have a hard time. I've always believed the best way to feed your baby is the way that makes Momma happy. Because if Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy! Every family is different, so breast or bottle or combination of the two - it's all about happy, growing babies. Parents shouldn't feel bad about using formula if nursing doesn't work out.

I can't see being able to go 4 hours between feedings, and from everything I've read, this is a bad idea anyway. MAYBE at night, but not during the day.

Babies less than 16-18 weeks old should not be going 4 hours between feeds during the day, in my opinion. Once nursing is well established, your baby should be able to feed every 3 hours on a FLEXIBLE ROUTINE. By following a few simple guidelines, you'll be waking your baby to eat, not the other way around. Breast fed babies, particularly, should be fed when truly hungry, regardless of the clock. This may be 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

I admit to being lousy at swaddling, anytime I try this, she simply kicks or flails off the blanket, crying the entire time.

Swaddling is the cornerstone of soothing babies and teaching them to sleep longer. You MUST master this skill to get any use out of my methods. There are tricks to getting it just right and you don't have to spend a fortune, although a $30 Miracle Blanket is fairly fool proof.

I need simple things I can do to get her to sleep without me spending two hours moving her from one breast to another waiting for her to get into a deep enough sleep to sneak off. And if she's in my arms and falls asleep, I don't care HOW deep it is, unless it's 1 a.m. if I put her down, she wakes right back up. And simply putting her down while sleepy results in a crying baby.

Typically, putting a sleeping baby to bed will not work, at least not for long. Rocking, walking, feeding, driving or swinging babies to sleep will not help you in your quest for sleep. Even though you say putting her down sleepy results in crying, that's the best thing to do. Putting a baby down drowsy (but awake) only works if you use it in conjunction with other tools - swaddling, white noise, flexible routine, soothing methods, etc. You have to teach your baby HOW to fall asleep without your direct assistance.

You are probably not going to like the advice I'm about to give, but you asked for it so here it goes.

I'm fundamentally opposed to bed sharing. I am familiar with all the research and the different views on this practice, so my opinion has been well thought out. If you need or want your baby near you at night, consider a side car (also called a co-sleeper) or crib near your bed. In my opinion, bed sharing can be dangerous and often develops hard-to-break habits down the road when Mom and Dad want their lives back. Also, sleep training will go infinitely better if the child is in her own room. If you don't have the space, you'll need to create an area in your room where the baby can't see you. Try a folding screen or curtain off the area around the crib.

To achieve your goal, which at 12 weeks old should be 3-4 ninety-minute daytime naps and 10-12 hours at night, you'll need to create an environment that is conducive to developing good sleep habits.

First, make sure the sleeping area is darkened. Many parents have been told that babies should learn to sleep in the daylight. Actually, they need to learn HOW to sleep first. Then they can learn to sleep just about anywhere!

Second, get a good white noise machine (check out the best one for the money at www.gibsonnewbornservices.com/resources). You'll need it to buffer the sounds of the house and sibs, not to mention white noise is a soothing sound that clearly helps babies sleep longer. Place the machine under or near the crib and play it on the white noise setting about the volume level of a running shower or vacuum cleaner.

Third, remove anything stimulating or fun from the crib. This includes toys, mobiles, and anything that sings or lights up. Nothing fun happens at night, that's your new mantra. Once the baby learns how to go to sleep on her own and is 6+ months old, you can try crib attachments that keep her entertained when needed.

Okay, now that you have set the mood, it's time to cover the other important ingredients. As I mentioned earlier, tight swaddling is a must. Use the right sized blanket and if you need instructions, search youtube - many good demos are available.

Next, create a flexible routine that works with your family's busy schedule. Start at the same time each day, like 7 am. Nurse and then have some low stimulation awake time. Watch for sleepy cues and prepare to put her down for a nap within 60-90 minutes of waking (8 to 8:30). Swaddle, turn on sound machine, dim the lights and start sleepy time routine. Stand at the crib or sit in a chair and just firmly pat her bottom while holding her close. Hum or sing a lullaby and sway or rock for 2-5 minutes. Then say goodnight and place her in the crib. You may try using a sleep positioner and turning her slightly toward the wall (be sure she's still on her back). Leave the room and wait to see what happens.

My babies don’t generally cry much during sleep training, but they are trained early and I put an incredible amount of energy into the task. When my babies do need help going to sleep, I use the minute rule. One minute per week of age. Your 12 week old would be just fine if you let her fuss and cry for 12 minutes - as long as you can stand it.

Continue with your 3-hour routine, feeding about every 3 hours and getting her down for a nap after an hour and a half of awake time, including the feed. Babies often wake at the 45-minute mark during naps. This means the baby is in a lighter stage of sleep and can’t quite drift back into another sleep cycle without a little help. Use soothing techniques to help her back to sleep.

When you put your baby to bed (7:30-8 pm) after the 7 pm feeding, use the same sleepy time routine and guideline from above. At this point you should allow her to sleep until she wakes on her own. Try to go at least 4 hours, but feed her if she’s truly hungry. Continue through the night, hopefully feeding only twice then wake her at 7 am.

There is so much more to sleep training than what I have posted here, but I don’t want to overwhelm you. When I consult with clients for sleep training, I spend a great deal of time personalizing their Plan of Action. I provide them with a detailed binder of information and go over every detail with them. It’s very difficult to unlock all the answers in a single blog posting!

Give these suggestions a try and let me know when you have mastered the swaddling, routine, naps and 4+ hour stretches at night. Then we can talk about the next step toward 10-12 hours of sleep at night!

Best wishes for a restful night,

Cortney

Successful Sleep Training!

2008-06-30T18:49:00.002-04:00

Hello friends,
Congratulations to Alecia! She tried a few of my suggestions from previous posts and asked good questions too. Armed with the right information, she is helping her sweet baby learn to fall asleep on her own. Everyone is getting more sleep now! Super job!
It just reminds me that this doesn't have to be awful and miserable. You and your baby don't have to be sleep deprived forever!
So many parents just accept the fact that they are going to be exhausted and grouchy for years to come. You hear it from friends and family all the time. They may even joke about how you should "get some sleep now, because when the baby comes you'll never sleep again". Even congratulatory greeting cards emphasize this idea that parenting a newborn is just going to suck for awhile. It's depicted in movies, TV and even cartoons as an event that should just be accepted and looked at as something that everyone just inevitably goes through as a parent.
The truth is, it doesn't have to be like that. Yes, you are going to be sleep deprived for a few weeks, - unless you hire a Newborn Care Specialist - but it doesn't have to be your permanent state of existence.
You can plan on catching 30-90 minute naps for the first few weeks, especially if you are nursing, as babies require 8-12 feedings a day for a while. With a consultation from Gibson Newborn Services, your baby will be doing at least 4-hour stretches at night, by 4 weeks old. Most of my clients get 6-8 hours at night by 6-8 weeks old and 10-12 hours by 9-10 weeks. When you have good information and a plan of action, you can navigate through the tough part and know that your little one will be sleeping better and longer in a few weeks. There is a light at the end of the tunnel!
There is definitely a period of time that newborns require a great deal of attention, around-the-clock attention to be precise. By that point, most bleary-eyed parents are so overwhelmed that they fall into "unconscious parenting". They are merely surviving and doing whatever it takes to get from one hour to the next. Suddenly they find themselves with a 6 month old that doesn't sleep and is crabby much of the day. Wow, doesn't that sound like fun? No wonder the new parent stereotype exists!
Be prepared and plan ahead. If you can, get help like; a cleaning service, Newborn Care Specialist (commonly called a baby nurse), hire a chef or food delivery service or enlist the support of family and friends. Whatever you do, know that since the dawn of time, women all over this planet haven't been raising babies on their own with no help. You know the saying "it takes a village"? Well it's true. We weren't meant to do this all alone. Get support in ways that make you feel good about parenting and caring for your newborn.
For more information or to schedule a consultation please visit www.GibsonNewbornServices.com or call (866) 432-BABY.
Best wishes for happy, healthy, well-rested babies,
Cortney

5 month old needs music to fall asleep

2008-06-22T11:27:00.002-04:00

Hello friends and Happy June!
Alecia sent in a question regarding her 5 month old daughter (see comments for her post).
First of all Alecia, congratulations on your success with sleep training! It's not easy to do and I commend you for teaching your child a very important lesson.
Alecia's question is about using music to help her baby fall asleep. This has become part of her bed time routine and now Mom wants to know if she should wean her baby from it.
I don't generally use music for sleeping, although babies can be taught to fall asleep to just about anything. It's not necessarily a bad thing, just not what I teach.
From birth, I use a high quality white noise machine (available at http://www.gibsonnewbornservices.com/resources.htm) for all naps and night time to help my babies fall asleep on their own. This is a sound that babies already know, from being in utero. It's part of the 5 S's from the Happiest Baby on the Block and is essential for soothing newborns and helping them sleep longer.
Because her daughter is no longer a newborn, I think the use of music is fine, although you may find that transitioning to white noise will work too and is useful long-term. I have many clients who, for the most part, wean their babies off the white noise and then just use it as a buffer to block out the door bell, barking dog, etc.
As long as your baby can put herself back to sleep during the night without music, it's fine to use it as part of your bed time routine. If she is not sleeping 10-12 hours without assistance, that's another story altogether!
To be clear, all people (including babies) wake, briefly, several times at night and put themselves back to sleep. Most have no recollection of these waking events. So, if your baby needs a little reassurance when going to bed, but then doesn't need to be soothed, fed or helped back to sleep for 10-12 hours, using a little Mozart won't hurt a thing. It's part of the routine you taught her! We all have a night time ritual, whether you know it or not. Babies are no different. They need consistency and predictability in their routine (day and night).
As for weaning, you can turn the volume down and use it for less time every 3-5 days. If her reaction is negative, go back to the previous setting. Whatever you do, don't replace the music with rocking, feeding or anything that requires your help. She's doing great - don't sabotage yourself or your darling daughter!
Keep up the good work, Alecia and keep us posted on your progress!
For more information or to schedule a consultation, please visit www.GibsonNewbornServices.com or call toll-free at (866) 432-BABY.
Best wishes for happy & healthy babies,
Cortney

It's Memorial Day already?

2008-05-26T22:10:00.003-04:00

Hello friends,
Once again, I have been slow to keep up with this blog. It seems there are so many other things that must be done...this blog is sadly abused and forgotten!
So here we are again. It's Memorial Day and time seems to be flying faster than ever. First, let me update you on my travels since my last post...November 2007. Geez!
I finished up a long job the week before Christmas and was very thrilled to get home and decorate for the holiday, bake cookies and wrap presents. For the first time in a long time, I was home for New Year's Eve/Day, which I spent playing games on my friend's new Wii. It was a riot!
In early January, I made a trip to Tulsa to visit one of my favorite return clients. After working with their twins, born in 2005, I was excited to go back for number 3 who was born on the twins' second birthday. This trip marked my 7th time in Tulsa!
I arrived home the night before my 33rd birthday, which I celebrated with family and friends. Then came a much needed 6 week break from traveling! Although I didn't travel, I spent the time working in the office and planning my SIL's baby shower.
I decided it was time to get more organized, so I bought a new 4 drawer filing cabinet and tons of new office supplies. A trip to Office Depot always gets me motivated in the office! I went through stacks of "papers to be filed" and tons of things I have saved and keep meaning to look through. I used my trusty label maker to organize every file within a file. I pitched a ton of stuff and set up a system for going through things so this doesn't happen again! Whew!
Toward the end of February, I hosted my SIL's baby shower with much needed help from my mom. We shopped for and wrapped tons of gifts for our new little baby girl. I made the most fabulous chocolate cupcakes with a cream center. My friend Lori made super cute choc/mint candies in baby shapes. I decided at 9 pm the night before the shower that I would take on building a diaper cake. It took about 3 hours, but turned out so cute! The shower was great and Luke and Leslie received many nice and needed things for Baby Girl.
Look for Part 2 of this email tomorrow! Don't you want to know what happens next?
In the mean time, send your baby and toddler questions!
Best wishes for healthy babies,
Cortney

The latest and greatest!

2007-11-11T16:35:00.000-05:00

Hello friends,
I'm sure you can see that I haven't posted in a few months. Honestly, I just keep forgetting to submit new posts! Hopefully I'll get the hang of this soon! :)
It seems we have a good deal of catching up to do, so I'll start with the sextuplets.
After spending time caring for the Masche sextuplets, the Baby Dream Team was invited to come back to AZ to appear on the Today Show with the family on 9/12. I was two weeks into a 24/7 job with a new baby in Chicago, but managed to make the trip. I had to fly into Vegas and then drive to Lake Havasu...completely sleep deprived. Now, I admit it wasn't the safest thing to do, but thankfully I arrived in once piece at 2 am. The crew would be arriving at 5 am for a 7 am live interview, so I was able to sleep for about 3 hours. That was the most sleep I'd had in a row in weeks!
We were all arranged on stools and chairs in the living room. Jenny, Bryan, the babies and the Dream Team were sound checked and ready to go! The live interview began and was going well...until the satellite feed was dropped. Luckily, Bryan was able to improvise and managed to save the interview! After the crew left, we all helped get the babies fed and took some pictures too. It was so nice to spend time with the Masche family again. Unfortunately our visit was short. I had a job and a newborn to get back to, so at 11 am I drove back to Vegas and flew to Chicago...and went right back to work. It was a crazy trip for a few minutes of air time. :)
Since then, I've been working with that same baby in Chicago. She's doing quite well and cute as a button. I'm looking forward to a week off for Thanksgiving, but can't wait to get back to finish this job. What can I say? I just really love my job!
My most exciting news is that I'm going to be an Auntie! My brother and his wife are expecting in April. I can't wait for his/her arrival! As my clients and friends know, I have a fully stocked nursery that's ready to go...just waiting for Baby!

Best wishes for a good night's sleep,
Cortney

17 week old with sleep issues

2007-08-17T01:43:00.000-04:00

Thanks for your question!
This is a complicated series of questions, so I’ll try to cover several things in this post. For those of you that didn't catch the question, check out the comments on my first post.
You asked if you should be concerned about your baby’s day schedule since he’s getting “a solid 11 or so hours at night”. Well, the thing is, he isn’t getting 11 hours of sleep as he still wakes to eat twice at night. In my opinion, he’s definitely old enough and big enough to go 12 hours at night without a feeding.

So, when it comes to the Gibson method of sleep training, there are 3 critical ingredients; predictable routine, an environment that’s conducive to sleep and consistency.
The routine for a 17 week old should include feedings every 4 hours during the day. For babies that start on a routine from the beginning, it’s very easy for them to transition from a 3 hour to a four hour routine. Your little guy may need to ease into a four hour routine. You would do this by implementing a firm 3 hour routine then stretching it to 3 ½ hours and on to 4 hours. Be sure to offer full feedings in less than 30 minutes. No grazing! I suggest you start your day at the same time every day, like 7 am.
Then you feed at 7 am, 11 am, 3 pm and 7 pm. Until he has been trained to sleep through the night, you may also need to offer a “dream feed” at 11 pm.
It’s important to remember to follow feedings with activity/awake time and then keep an eye out for sleepy cues. A 4 month old should only be awake 1 ½ to 2 hours at a stretch (including feeding). Most critical is to NOT nurse or rock your baby to sleep.
Following his awake time, he should nap for 1 ½ to 2 hours. On a 4 hour schedule, he’ll likely be up for 2 hours and down for 2 hours, giving him two 2 hour naps plus a 45 minute cat nap before dinner.
To ensure that his environment is right for sleep, keep his nursery dark during sleep times. Also check the temperature. I recommend 68-72 degrees. A good white noise machine is also imperative. Until his naps are under control, I would also swaddle using a large square blanket or a miracle blanket to avoid startling himself. Consider using a security blanket or snuggle buddy for transitioning. Visit www.gibsonnewbornservices.com for many of the products I recommend.
So, give these suggestions a try and let me know how it goes! If you would like more specific information and a detailed plan of action, please call or email and we can set up a consultation for you. Best of luck with your little guy!
Cortney

Update on the sextuplets

2007-08-16T18:23:00.000-04:00

Hello friends,

Things are definitely busy here. I'm with the Masche sextuplets and loving every minute! The babies are gaining weight and sleeping better every night. Today is their "birth-day"...actually their due date. During the day, there are volunteers (friends and family) that stop by and help with feedings and chores. The nights are usually covered by just 2 of us, although I have done a couple of nights by myself. The babies are generally easy to feed, so I often feed 2-4 at a time when I'm alone. They are all sweet and love to cuddle!
Thanks to all my friends, family and clients that have donated to the Masche family and to my "travel" fund. You've made it possible for me to work with this incredible bunch of babies and to truly make a difference in this family's life!
Check back for new pictures of the babies!
Cortney

Working with sextuplets!

2007-08-06T13:56:00.000-04:00

I'm very excited to share some special news today! I will be working with the Masche Miracles next week! The Masche babies are a set of sextuplets that were born mid-June in Phoenix, AZ.

After meeting with the family, Tonya Sakowicz (a colleague and friend) sent out the call for volunteers in late June. Soon after, there were 4 ladies from our circle of professionals that were on board. Lisa Stipe and Clelie Bourne joined Tonya and I... and the Baby Dream Team was created! For more info, please visit www.babydreamteam.com.

The four of us are truly honored to be working with these special babies over the next few months. To give you an idea of what we'll be doing (and what we have already completed!), here's a little recap:

We arrived in Phoenix on July 20th to prepare for the babies to come home. Since then Lisa and Clelie have been getting everyone settled into their new routine and Tonya has done some night shifts too. I'll be arriving next week, after Lisa heads off to another assignment.

Tonya keeps things organized and is our main communication liaison. Lisa, with the help of local volunteer Heather, created color coded log books for keeping track of feedings and the like. I, with the input of the other three ladies, created the Plan of Action binder to keep important info and instructions close at hand. We've also been able to get our favorite companies to donate baby products to the Masche babies. Many of our own clients have donated products, airfare, gift certificates and more! Many thanks to all of you!

Caring for 6 tiny babies is certainly a challenge for anyone, which is why we felt so driven to volunteer. We know we can make a difference for this family and every family we work with. Using our time-tested methods, these babies will be well-fed, well-rested, happy and easier to manage! Organization and planning are the keys to success with multiples...along with a few of our signature tricks. Check back for updates and a few of those signature tricks too!

Best wishes for a good night's sleep,

Cortney