Soundly Asleep

28/11/2021

Placing your little one on their tummy for short periods throughout the day enables them to build strength in their upper body areas such as head, neck and arms. Tummy time can start a few weeks after birth. As your little one grows and develops, you can gradually increase the time.
Clear a safe space on the floor and lay a clean blanket or mat down for your little one to carry out tummy time. Place some toys just in front of them and move them from side to side to encourage movement. If your baby is only a few weeks old, start by carrying out tummy time for one to two minutes a few times a day. Babies spend lots of time sleeping on their back, so tummy time can help prevent flat spots.

17/11/2021

The use of awake windows is to firstly ensure your little one has been awake long enough to build adequate sleep pressure ready for their next sleep. Secondly is to ensure your little one does not become overtired due to being awake for too long.

11/11/2021

As the seasons change, it is essential to observe the temperature in your little one's bedroom. This temperature reading will inform you if you need to change your child's sleeping bag to prevent them from becoming too hot or cold during the seasonal changes. In Perth, Western Australia, the temperatures are now starting to warm up. At Soundly Asleep, we advise that the bedroom temperature should be around 18 to 23 degrees. This climate change may require you to purchase a new sleeping bag; if so, please also refer to the TOG guide on the product for further information.

04/11/2021

Starting daycare is both an exciting and a anxious time for most parents. Ensure you have done as many orientations as you need feel you need to. Most daycares are happy for you to do this. Let the educators in your Little one's room know their sleep needs, such as their wake windows. Giving as much information as possible will make the transition easier for everyone, your Little One, their educators and yourself.

28/10/2021

As your little one grows and develops, their sleep requirements can change. Deciding on the number and the length of naps can be challenging for you as a parent to determine. Observing your little one will give you the best indication if they are ready to transition from two naps to one. some of the possible signs are the following:
-Your little one does not want to go down at night (and you know they are not overtired or hungry).
-They are waking overnight more than usual or waking early in the morning.
-Their first nap may be longer, and they are now fighting their second nap.
- Or want to play/talk instead for one of their naps.

26/10/2021

When a little one is tongue-tied, they may present with some of the signs mentioned. Many tongue-tied babies breastfeed well, but if you feel your baby's tongue-tie is causing issues with breastfeeding, please seek medical advice.

24/10/2021

There may be a few reasons parents decide to introduce a night light into their little one's room. The night light may have been introduced as a way of helping your child sleep through the night; however, the night light may be keeping your little one awake!

As we know, our sleep-wake cycle is governed by two sleep drives: sleep pressure and the circadian rhythm. Everyone's circadian rhythm is around 24 hours which uses light and dark to signal wake and sleep times. When the body sees a night light, even though it is not a strong as actual daylight, the body can mistake this light as a signal that it is time to wake up.

If you still prefer to offer your little one a night light, here at Soundly Asleep, we recommend a night light that emits red light as this has been scientifically proven to be less disruptive to the bodies circadian rhythm than blue, green or white light. We also suggest that the night light is as dim as possible or placed away from where your little one sleeps.

17/10/2021

As your little one approaches their second birthday, they will suddenly want to become independent little people. They are now starting to become aware of the world around them and their position in it. They are egocentric and think the world revolves around them; they often want something now. Time is a concept they have not mastered yet.
They are aware that you are not there but cannot yet understand that you will return. This regression usually lasts for one to two weeks but unfortunately can last for up to six weeks.

12/10/2021

When placing your little one to bed, the environment must be as safe as possible. Some safety tips include putting your child in a cot or bassinet that meets the correct Australian standards. The mattress needs to be a clean, firm surface that fits correctly, and the bedding is layered to prevent overheating. At Soundly Asleep, we recommend using a sleeping bag with the correct tog rating for the sleep environment as little ones like to move and wriggle around in their sleep, which prevents them from slipping down and the bedding covering their heads. When positioning your cot or bassinet, it is also essential to avoid potential dangers such as cords, cables, or curtains. Electrical appliances are at a safe distance that prevents electric shocks or overheating.

11/10/2021

Colic can begin to affect babies just a few days after being born. They may show signs of discomfort and cry for long periods. It can be distressing to hear your little one crying, and no amount of cuddling or rocking can seem to settle or calm them. Experts can identify no current causes for Colic, but if your little one is upset or in discomfort, we recommend having them checked over by your doctor for further support and advice.

09/10/2021

Giving birth to your little one is a unique and fantastic experience. However, It can also be emotionally and physically draining simultaneously, and baby blues can appear just after giving birth. During this period, your hormones are also going through significant changes, making you feel very anxious and teary. The good news is you are not alone, as nearly 80% of new mothers also experience some baby blues. The hormones typically begin to settle soon after, but if you are still experiencing a low mood, please speak to your health care provider for further support and advice.

08/10/2021