What do you need to know about the difference between SnoozeShade for Pack ‘n’ Plays and the Slumberpod? Parenting expert Sally J. Hall discusses the pros and cons of each.

If you are looking for a better solution for your baby’s sleep when you are travelling away from home, you may have come across darkened fabric covers for your Pack ’n’ Play.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the two best and most popular sleep tents on the market at the moment; Slumberpod and SnoozeShade. I have examined the key differences between them, their price points and what makes each unique.

Why Do You Need a Sleep Tent?

Sleep tents can help reduce the amount of light that gets into your Pack ’n’ Play while your little one sleeps, especially if you end up in a hotel room or apartment with no drapes, or if you are in a time zone when the sun rises much earlier than you would like to! For many babies, they also act as a sleep cue, as they cut out all distractions and external factors that might cause your baby to fight off sleep. If you use a shade on your stroller, your baby may already be used to the darkened, calm environment that this offers and may sleep better in a sleep tent.

You can use a sleep shade at home too, so that your child gets used to it and gets consistently good sleep – the Holy Grail of parenting!

SnoozeShade vs Slumberpod – What’s the Difference?

Both of these products create a calm and dark space inside a Pack ’n’ Play or crib and have been specifically designed for these travel cribs. But how do they differ?

Design

SnoozeShade is a darkened fabric cover that fits over most brands of Pack ’n’ Play and many cribs and cots too. It is a rectangular shape, with Velcro straps that attach to the legs at the base of the crib and a zip opening at the top so that you can have easy access to your baby.

Slumberpod is built like an actual tent, with poles. It can be used alone as a dark space, or over the top of the Pack ’n’ Play. It has a front section that zips open for access.

They are fairly similar in their purpose, except that SnoozeShade is always ready to go – no need to insert poles and erect a tent, it simply drapes over the Pack ’n’ Play.

SnoozeShade has a flat top, while Slumberpod has an arched top. While the latter might be better for toddlers who want to stand up in the crib, they will both act as sleep cues.

Which Products Do They Fit?

Slumberpod can be used over several types of baby bed such as a Pack ’n’ Play, cot, mini crib or even without a crib underneath, if your child is older. They might like to camp out with a sleeping bag under there.

SnoozeShade fits most popular brands of rectangular (up to 42”) and triangular (up to 46”) Pack ’n’ Plays and will also fit over smaller cots and cribs (up to 42”) too. It fits the Graco, Guava Lotus, Dream on Me, Babybjorn, 4Moms Breeze, Bugaboo Stardust, Phil&Teds, Micralite, Venture, Baby Trend, Maxi-Cosi Pack ‘n’ Plays and more.

Materials

SnoozeShade comes out as a clear winner on the use of fabric. Not only does it use a double layer of black mesh that offers a very dark interior, it is also made from a thoroughly scientifically tested air permeable material, so you will have no worries about your baby’s breathing and you have the peace of mind that they will not overheat. The fabric blocks 94% of light and has been endorsed by baby sleep experts all over the world. It even uses short straps and baby-safe certified poppers with has no choking hazards. It’s also the only baby shade that has been endorsed by the Melanoma International Foundation, to have won over 80 awards and to have no chemicals or nasties in its manufacture. It is washable too.

Slumberpod is made from an opaque washable black fabric that blocks 90% of the light. While it claims to be breathable, it is not made from mesh like SnoozeShade (though they have recently added a mesh section) and you are encouraged to add on a fan to your purchase – it can get pretty warm under there. There is a mesh pocket for a baby monitor inside and another for the fan.

Weight

SnoozeShade weighs 2 lbs.

Slumberpod weighs 6 lbs.

Extras

Both come with a storage pouch.

Cost

Slumberpod; just the tent itself costs $179.99. If you buy it with the fan, it is $199.99

SnoozeShade; the version for Pack ’n’ Plays costs $79.99 and there is a crib version that sells for $89.99.

SnoozeShade is the clear winner here.

Beware of Cheap Alternatives

When buying a product for your baby’s safety and sleep, make sure you always choose a product that has been thoroughly tested and that is safe for use. While you may come across much cheaper copies of these sleep tents, they will not be made from good materials and will not have been through rigorous testing to ensure that they are breathable. When it comes to your baby, safety is the most important thing of all.

Further Reading:

Using Your SnoozeShade in Colder Weather
How To Use SnoozeShade Baby Sunshade
How To Use Your SnoozeShade Infant Carrier Cover

The best-selling pushchair UV shade is not just for Summer. Here’s how to continue making the most of SnoozeShade as the weather gets cooler.

Hello Fall! Once the warm, days and long evenings of Summer are over, it’s time to embrace some cooler days and longer, cosier, evenings. We can’t wait!

Just because it’s a bit colder and the evenings are drawing in, there’s no reason to remove SnoozeShade from your pushchair. There are several ways that you can still make the most of your trusty SnoozeShade this season and beyond.

Here are just three reasons why you should use SnoozeShade in Fall…

Sun Protection

Skin experts agree that sun protection should be worn between April and October and we think this is something more parents need to be aware of. The same experts also advise against the use of sunscreen on babies younger than six months, so this makes SnoozeShade even more essential as we move into a new season.

While it may be cooler and the sun may be hidden behind clouds, don’t let that fool you. Leaving aside late Summer or early Autumn heatwaves, the sun’s UV rays are still strong enough to cause damage to sensitive skin at this time of year, so it’s really not worth the risk. When you’re out and about with the pushchair, pop SnoozeShade on. You can use lookout mode until it’s time for sleep and then it will work to encourage better, longer naps thanks to the darkened environment it creates.

Protection From The Elements

As well as protecting against the sun’s harmful UV rays, SnoozeShade can also be used as a protection against light wind and rain during the Fall months. Though it’s not totally waterproof, SnoozeShade is able to provide some protection against the elements – and it is definitely better than nothing if you’re caught short without your rain cover.

Routine

During the Summer, you’ve probably been able to get out and about a lot more. All those longer stroller walks in glorious weather has got your little one used to sleeping on the go, which is amazing. However, now it’s colder, the parks are empty and the kids are back at school, don’t worry. Just because the Summer has finished, there’s no reason why you should disrupt your hard-earned routine!

Perhaps you need to tweak your routine a little, such as walking to a café rather than the park but your baby doesn’t need to be thrown out of their routine. If your little one has got used to a walk at a certain time and you both use this as nap time, keep it up!

SnoozeShade helps minimise distractions and can act as a sleep cue, too. Older babies benefit from maintaining a good routine – and consistency is key when it comes to better night time sleep too – as is plenty of fresh air. Additionally, (if you need another reason) getting outdoors at least once a day will help to boost your serotonin levels and elevate your mood, too.

Further Reading:

Your Newborn Travel Checklist 
Easy Ways to Protect Babies and Toddlers from the Sun
Top Travel Hacks for Busy Parents

Looking for the perfect present for a new baby girl? We’ve found some lovely keepsakes for babies.

Baby Keepsake Book $44 Amazon

Somewhere to keep those first photos, first curl and first anecdotes. This stylish book has a linen cover with an embossed gold title, gold ring binding and sturdy pages to attach photos to. You can share it with your child in later years.

Personalised Rabbit Plush $36.95 Bunnies by the Bay

Every baby needs a cuddly toy and this can be personalised with your baby’s name embroidered on it’s ear. It can be ordered in up to 14 different colors including grey, pink and lilac and is suitable from birth. It also comes in two other sizes.

Silver Brush and Comb Set $59 Harrods

This is really more of an heirloom than a brush and comb to be used but a silver gift is traditional for new babies. In a luxe presentation box, the soft brush comes with a matching comb.

Sophie la Giraffe Gift Set $79.98 Bloomingdales

In a cloth basket with handles sits a lovely set of the ever-popular Sophie gifts including a teether, a plus Sophie comforter, a muslin and a rattle toy (not suitable under 3 months). The basket can be used later on to store socks or other small items and the teether will be invaluable when those little toothie pegs start to pop through.

Mary Meyer Leika Little Owl Rattle $12.99 Buy Buy Baby

First Curl and Tooth Keepsake Box $18.89 Amazon

A beautiful way to remember those ‘firsts’ is this pair of elephant shaped keepsake boxes. There’s one for their first curl, another for their first tooth and the elephants link trunks.

Baby Milestone Blanket $44.24 Etsy

Keep friends and relatives in the loop by using this mat to update them on your little one’s progress. Later, you can create a montage of the photos to see your baby’s amazing transformation from a newborn to a toddler.

SnoozeShade Deluxe Bundle $107.98

This gift is the SnoozeShade Original and Pack ‘n’ Play bundle. Offering a premium blackout solution for every age and method of travel, the award-winning products are made from better-than-breathable mesh fabric that stops your baby getting distracted when you’re trying to get them to nod off. This one off buy also saves you 10% on the cost, too!

Christening Baby Bangle $32.37 Etsy

One of the most traditional baby girl gifts is a silver bracelet or bangle, given either for the birth or for a Christening or naming ceremony. This has an engraved design and one tiny diamond. It is adjustable but is designed to fit a newborn. It can then be kept as a memory for years and even passed on down the family. 

Grey Bunny Ears Romper $25.99 Tiny Tots Town

Many people buy clothing for a new baby and parents are always grateful. You can never have enough! A cute romper is a great gift and this one is fun too, with its rabbit ears. It’s made from soft jersey cotton and is easy to put on as it has a simple zip fastener.

Further Reading:

Which SnoozeShade Should I Choose?
10 of the Best Baby Sleep Books and Apps
Your Month-by-Month Guide to Sleep Regression

Excited for a new arrival? Get ready to celebrate with the perfect baby shower!

From who should host and organise, to how you can spoil your mom-to-be – we’ll show you all the ways of making this special occasion even more unforgettable. Whether it’s close family or friends involved, make sure that whoever is throwing knows just what kind of party they’re putting on so everyone has an incredible time celebrating your little one’s birth!

What is a Baby Shower?
A baby shower is an event held in celebration of an impending or recent birth. It typically includes food and small gifts for the expectant mother and child. These days, baby showers have become more elaborate than ever before, with unique themes and activities tailored specifically to the new parents-to-be.

Who Should Throw the Baby Shower?
Traditionally, family members or close friends of the expectant parents will host the baby shower. However, these days it’s not uncommon for an expectant mom-to-be to plan her own shower or even hire someone to help her coordinate it. No matter who throws it, the goal should always be to create a warm and inviting atmosphere that celebrates welcoming a new life into the world.

What Should Be at a Baby Shower?
The centerpiece of any successful baby shower is usually food and drinks — especially if there are guests who may not be familiar with each other — as well as plenty of activities for everyone to participate in (think baby-themed bingo or guessing games).

You can also include fun decorations like balloons, banners and confetti to make your event extra special. Lastly, don’t forget about presents! Whether it’s books for mommy-to-be or something more practical like diapers, being surrounded by thoughtful gifts from our friends is always appreciated.

Here are five tips that will help you have the best baby shower possible.

1. Plan Ahead and Set a Date Early – It’s important to give everyone plenty of time to clear their schedule and plan for your special day. Make sure you set a date early and send out invitations at least two weeks in advance so that everyone can save the date! It’s a good idea to check with all the most important people before setting the date – immediate family, close friends, godparents and so on. Make sure invitations are sent in plenty of time and that you follow up on responses, so that you know how many people are coming.
2. Choose the Right Venue – Do you want an outdoor garden party or an intimate gathering in someone’s home? Consider what kind of atmosphere you want and find a venue that suits your needs. You can also look into restaurants, community centers, or even virtual options if you don’t want to host an in-person event.
3. Have Fun Games Planned – Games are always a great way to get people laughing, talking, and bonding with each other before the baby arrives! A few classic games like diaper bingo, guess the baby food flavor, or baby jeopardy are always crowd pleasers.
4. Get Creative with Decorations – Get creative with decorations by using balloons, streamers, banners, flowers, and more! You can even customize items like plates, cups and napkins with your own personal touch. Don’t forget about photos of mommy-to-be as well!
5. After the Event Send Out Thank You Notes – Last but not least, make sure you send out thank-you notes after the shower has ended! This is a great way to show appreciation for all those who came out to support your special day.

When Should a Baby Shower Be Held?

The perfect time to hold it would be about six weeks before the baby’s due date.

Other things to consider:

Should a Baby Shower Have a Theme?

Some people like to have a theme for the baby shower. If the gender of the baby is known, there might be decorations and food that’s suited to that – think pink muffins or blue balloons.

What Presents Should People Bring to a Baby Shower?

It’s a great idea for the parents of the expected baby to have a think about what they still need for their baby’s arrival and then to make a list. Guests at the shower can then choose something from the list. This means that the parents will receive gifts that they like and need. The list might be complied by the organiser of the shower or it could be held online at a retailer, like a wedding list.

What Food and Drinks Should You Serve at a Baby Shower?

Any good party is made by the food you serve – and the drinks. If you are holding the shower at a café or restaurant, make sure you discuss the menu for the shower in plenty of time and confirm the expected number of people attending. If you are catering it at home, make sure the food will be easy for everyone to eat – finger or bowl food is perfect – and also be sure to check if you have any people with specific dietary needs or preferences such as needing gluten-free or vegan food. A mixture of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks is the perfect way to celebrate and you might want to theme the food and drinks, to give them more of a focus. You may want to have a cake to cut – though individual cupcakes or cake pops are more popular for showers. Make sure you have plenty of plates, bowls and flatware, plus napkins and table decorations. You can also decorate the venue with balloons, bunting, flowers and so on, plus photos of the mom- and dad-to-be.

Make a Keepsake Book

Have a keepsake book that guests can sign; an Instamatic camera is also a great idea – guests can take their pictures with the mom-to-be and then stick the photo into the keepsake book, along with a comment.

What are your favourite ideas for a baby shower?

Further Reading:

The Importance of Sleep Routines for the Whole Family
What You Really Need to Pack in Your Hospital Bag
Top Travel Hacks for Busy Parents

Discover why your little one is finding it hard to stay asleep.

Most parents will tell you that one of the most spine chilling sounds is that of your baby crying in the middle of the night. Lack of sleep seriously sucks, which is why there are so many books, websites and apps dedicated to helping babies sleep better, so parents can also sleep better too.

Wondering why your baby wakes at night? Wondering what you can do about it? Well wonder no more! We’ve put together the top five reasons why your baby wakes and some useful information on why it happens too. We’re not saying we can solve it and get you a full night’s sleep – but it’s a start!

Hunger

It might seem obvious but it can be surprising to parents when their baby still wakes at five months for food. In fact, it’s completely normal for your baby to wake for food up to 12 months and beyond.

In the newborn days, your baby’s tummy is so small that any food taken in is digested within two to three hours. This means that sleep is also in short chunks, as hunger is the number one reason why a newborn baby wakes. As babies get older, their tummies get bigger and so the length of time that they sleep for increases but this doesn’t mean that they can sleep all the way through the night without feeding.

Some babies may stop feeding at night from around three months of age, some around six months. Some babies may still need a night feed up to twelve months old. If your baby is clean, dry and well, yet still waking in the night seeming to be hungry, chances are she is. Try looking at it this way – the average night is 12 hours long, so you’re asking your baby to go for 12 hours without food. If you know that you would struggle that long without eating, it stands to reason your baby might too.

If you suspect that your baby is not hungry, then it might be the right time to night wean; bear in mind that this is only really recommended after the age of nine months. Until then, make sure daytime feeds are regular and consistent and go with the flow and pop in a ‘dream feed’ when you go to bed. A hungry baby is not going to sleep, whether you like it or not!

Teething

This is a HUGE reason why your baby wakes at night and this will be a major cause of lost sleep until all those pesky teeth appear! Teething hurts and pain disrupts sleep. However, there are ways that you can soothe your baby if teething is keeping her awake at night.

Remember that your once great sleeper will once again become a great sleeper once those teeth are through. Teething pain tends to last around a week or so, so take comfort from the fact that it will soon pass.

Use teething remedies as much as you can.

‘Sleep Props’

This is a tricky one. There are some who believe that if a toy, pacifier or white noise app helps their baby to sleep, then there is no reason why they shouldn’t be used. There are others who say that these things are nothing more than ‘sleep props’ and won’t prevent your baby from waking at night. If rocking, singing or swinging helps your baby to sleep and you’re happy to do it, then that’s no problem but if you think sleep props are causing your baby to wake, read on.

Sometimes a baby will use a sleep prop to fall asleep and this is great for all concerned… until your baby wakes and that prop is nowhere to be seen. Perhaps the pacifier has fallen out or the white noise machine has long since fallen silent. If this is why your baby has woken, chances are your best bet at getting your baby back to sleep is to re-apply the same prop. The problem with this, according to some, is that your little one will be unable to get back to sleep by themself if they rely on sleep props to fall asleep.

If you think this is the case for your baby, it might be a good idea to do away with the sleep prop and help your baby to fall asleep another way.

Growth Spurt or Developmental Leap

Babies are constantly growing and developing and this can affect their sleep too. Some babies find the whole business of learning new tricks so unsettling that they struggle to sleep at night. Think of it in terms of having a presentation due at work, or an impending exam. Sometimes, these things can keep us awake at night – and for some babies, learning to crawl or having an increasing awareness of the world is exactly the same.

Some babies will wake during these developmental periods and be able to fall straight back to sleep by themselves. Others will need some help going back to sleep. Only you will know which category your baby falls into!

Human Nature

Human beings are not designed to sleep through the night in one solid chunk of 12 hours. We’re designed to go through periods of lighter sleep, followed by deeper sleep. We naturally have periods of being almost awake during lighter sleep because we are more susceptible to being disturbed by the slightest thing. You know that being poorly, cold, hungry, hot, worried or excited can prevent you from sleeping and your baby is no different.

These are the five top reasons why your baby wakes at night and the best advice we can give is to cope with each as it comes and get through it. Meanwhile, stick to a good bedtime routine, follow your instincts and heed the advice of the parenting manuals that appeal to you. And remember – your baby is supposed to wake now and then.

Further Reading:

A Month by Month Guide to Sleep Regression
Why Going for a Walk When Your Baby is Asleep is Such a Good Idea
Keep Your Baby Safe While Using a Car Seat

How do you keep your child’s sleep routine on track when the clocks change in the Fall? 

It’s hard to maintain a good baby sleep routine at the best of times and no sooner have you got your child into a good routine than something happens to disturb it. Perhaps it’s teething, or a sleep regression. One thing that’s beyond your control, however, is that the clocks go back in the Fall. 

Babies have no concept of the clock change and are governed only by their own body clocks. How do we help them to transition through the loss of an hour’s sleep? 

When and Why Do the Clocks Go Back?

The date the clocks change can vary by region and country so check for the specific dates where you are. 

How Does the Clocks Going Back Affect Your Baby?

The good news? You get an extra hour in bed (if your baby will allow you to). The bad news? It can play havoc with your baby’s bedtimes for the next few days to come. 

How Can I Avoid an Overtired Baby When The Clocks Go Back?

Some parents start reacting to the clock change early and gradually change their baby’s bedtime each night. This will get them ready for the change and is suitable for those with a very strict baby bedtime routine.

If you do want to prep ahead, start putting them down for their naps and bedtimes 10 to 15 minutes later each day. Start four days ahead. When Sunday is here, your routine will be an hour ahead in preparation for the clock change. If, after the clock change, your baby starts to wake earlier, slowly move their naps and bedtime forward by 10 to 15 minutes every day until they’re waking at a civilised hour. Try to stick to your usual bedtime routine as consistently as you can.

 Your Baby’s Clock Change Sleep Routine May Look Like This:

• Baby goes to bed at 7pm usually.
• First night, move bedtime to 7.15
• Next night, move bedtime to 7.30
• Next night, move bedtime to 7.45
• Last night (clock change night) move bedtime to 8pm 

Once this transition has been made, you will continue to put your baby to bed at the usual time of 7pm but as the clocks have changed, this will not affect her sleep at all. Her body will be used to this new time. And hopefully she won’t wake up at 6am instead of 7am!

Don’t Forget to Adjust Naps, Too 

If your daytime routine allows it, adjust your baby’s naps to suit the clock change too. It will make it so much easier when the clocks have moved back an hour. Don’t forget that if your little one is finding it hard to adjust to a new nap time, SnoozeShade is your friend! Lots of families report that the shade acts as a sleep cue for their little ones, and at the very least you’re blocking out stimulation, which can make sleep a lot easier.

Make Sure Your Baby Bedtime Routine is Up to Scratch

A good bedtime sleep routine is so important for little ones, never more so than when the clocks are changing. Start tweaking it now if you need to, to make sure that everything is running smoothly when the clocks move back. Remember to stay consistent and all will work out well.

Make Sure Your Child’s Bedroom is Inviting For Sleep

Again, now is the time to check your child’s bedroom and make sure that it is a suitable environment for sleep. Is it warm enough, dim enough and safe enough? You want to eliminate all possible problems so that the transition to new sleeping times goes as well as possible.

Praise Older Kids 

When your child is not quite so little anymore, the clock change can be a different kind of challenge. Some parents allow older kids to stay up a little later on clock change night, so that they don’t want to get up earlier than usual the following day. But as we all know, this doesn’t always work! The best thing to do is to change the clocks in their bedroom (if you have one) the night before and let them know what’s happening. Explain that they still need to get up at the usual time and praise them when they do so. It’s only an hour but when it comes to getting up either at 5am or 6am, we know which we would prefer! 

With thanks to Lucy Shrimpton, The Sleep Nanny, for her help with this post. Lucy has helped hundreds of tired parents and children around the world to win bedtime battles and finally gain the gift of a good night’s sleep. Combining insights from psychology, sleep, parenting and wellness, Lucy helps mothers all over the world to live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. 

Further Reading:

Clocks Going Back and Baby Sleep
4 Tips to Adjust Baby Sleep When Clocks Go Forward
How to Help Your Child Adjust to the Clock Change

Many parents get so confused about why their baby is waking up multiple times a night and struggling to get back to sleep. What they don’t realise though, is the impact that day sleep has on those nights and the fact that if you nail those naps, night time sleep can quickly resolve itself.

Karen from Asleep at Last explains the link and what you can to get your baby sleep on track.

How Do Naps Impact Nights?

This is the science bit, where I have to talk a little about hormones. When we are tired our sleepy hormone, Melatonin starts to rise. When it’s high is the perfect time to go for a sleep, if however, we don’t go to sleep our brain signals for Melatonin to stop rising and the non sleepy hormone, Cortisol will begin to rise instead. Cortisol will wake you up and that is why you have a baby that may seem sleepy one minute, but by the time you try to get them down for a nap they’re now wide awake – essentially you have missed the sleepy window.

Why This Matters

If you have a baby that is fighting sleep all day, come bedtime you’re now on the back foot and any attempts to get baby to sleep will result in tears, sometimes for hours on end. The hormones are now all over the place and the baby is extremely overtired.

Eventually your baby will crash out but it is likely they will be restless and wake often in the night and take short naps.

What You Can Do About It

Getting them to sleep within that sleepy window is going to give them the best chance of falling asleep quickly and staying asleep for longer. Not only that, but if you keep on top of this overtired loop you’ll be in a really good place come bedtime to get them to sleep quickly.

All babies’ sleepy windows are different depending on age so having a guide is key. I have a FREE guide for babies 4-12 months here. Put baby down within their window through the day and help them to link sleep cycles, so they get the total amount of day sleep for their age.

DARKNESS is key for babies to encourage the production of Melatonin, using SnoozeShade when out and about will help avoid babies being distracted by the outside world. When the baby only needs a short nap I do recommend going for a pram walk to get this in as motion will help. Longer naps are better in their own beds and using sleep bags and black out blinds will be key to encouraging more sleep as well.

How Many Naps Does My Baby Need?

Again this will differ depending on age, but as a guide this is what you can expect by age….

0-16 weeks 3-4 naps across the day.

4 – 7 months 3 naps across the day, 2 shorter ones and 1 longer one in the middle.

8-15 months 2 naps, 1 short and 1 longer middle of the day.

15 months + 1 nap in the middle of the day until 2.5-3 years old.

Keeping to a set nap time, helps to set an age appropriate bedtime as well. I recommend a bedtime of around 6.30pm for most little ones and this won’t mean an earlier wake up like most people think.

Consistency is KEY

Waking up at the same time each morning is also key, even if the baby has a bad night, in order to get the correct amount of day sleep in. You can do a 7-7 day or a 8-8 day but sticking to that will help to set the baby’s circadian rhythm.

Of course there will be days you cannot stick to a structure if babies unwell or you’re on holiday. Flexing a routine for a baby who is already established and in healthy sleep habits is easier than one who isn’t and the odd day / week off schedule will not ruin everything.

Conclusion

To recap then, day sleep directly correlates to night sleep because babies only need so much sleep across a 24 hour period. Ensuring they get the right amount of this sleep during the day will allow them to sleep better at night.

Yes this may mean waking the baby up if they sleep past 7am, waking them up if the nap is too long or having to help them to go back to sleep if the nap is too short. But this consistency and commitment will pay off when they start to sleep better at night.

Naps is exactly where I start with my clients when we begin working together and getting on top of any sleep debt is a priority so baby is no longer overtired.

If you want to explore working with Karen, she works with newborns through the children age 5 on her 4 week programme ‘The Dream Sleep Solution’. You can find out more about it and book a call here. Also head over and follow on Instagram for information and tips directly from Karen.

Further Reading:

Help Your Baby Nap Longer
Toddler Nap Problems and Their Solutions
The Importance of a Good Sleep Routine for the Whole Family

Here’s how to keep your baby nap schedule if you’re traveling with a baby

Hopefully by now, your baby’s sleep at night is getting easier and you may have even sorted a great sleep routine for your baby.

But then along comes a holiday like Christmas, or a vacation that means staying away from home for a few days and you’re away from all the home comforts that make night times so much easier. Staying away from home – even without a baby – takes a little planning but when you have a small person to factor into the mix, it can be easy to worry about how your trip is going to go and how much sleep you’ll all get!

Stick to Your Baby Bedtime Routine as Much as Possible

If you normally have a ‘bath, book and bed’ baby sleep routine starting at a certain time, then stick to it as closely as possible, including the time you start. The familiarity will help your baby to know what’s expected of them and give them their familiar sleep cues.

Surroundings Are Key

It’s important to show your baby both the room and crib they will be sleeping in before you start the bedtime routine – perhaps you might put them into the vacation cot as soon as you reach your destination, so they can have some play time in there. This will mean that their sleep surroundings aren’t a complete shock to them when you’re trying to get them off to sleep.

Using a sleeping sack, comforter and sheet from home will help them to feel comfortable, as it will have the familiar scent of home.  If you have a portable nightlight and you can bring it with you easily – do!

SnoozeShade for pack & plays will be really help to block out distracting light and disturbances if you’re sharing a room with your baby.

Be Prepared for Some Disruption

Try not to let any disruptions stress you out – generally if you are staying away somewhere it’s because you are on vacation or with friends and family. Try not to get too worked up if your baby’s bedtime goes a little wonky. Remember that your baby will pick up on your stress and mirror it, so try to stay calm and relaxed. 

For more tips on how to maintain a good sleep pattern when you’re out and about or away from home read our post from Wee Sleep baby sleep consultants.

Further Reading:

Going Away on Vacation Over Christmas with Babies and Toddlers
Help Your Baby Sleep Well on Vacation
How Do I Establish a Good Sleep Routine for My Baby?

You’ve just had a baby, you’re tired and trying to settle into some sort of routine, just when your friends decide to pop round. How do you cope with well-meaning visitors who want to meet the new baby while trying to protect some private time as you adjust to being a new family?

A new baby!  Everyone wants to see them and have a cuddle. Sadly, having visitors in your home when you have a new baby can be really disruptive. We’ve brought together nine tips to help you manage any disruption and to help you get started on a sleep routine.

1. Just say no! If you’re not ready for visitors after you have welcomed your new baby, it’s fine to tell people who want to come to visit that you’re not having guests just yet! 
2. Plan ahead and ask visitors to arrive after nap time, before nap time – just any time but nap time! 
3. Ask visitors to text you when they arrive (have your cellphone on silent but vibrating) instead of ringing the bell or banging on the door, in case your baby is asleep. 
4. It’s okay to cancel visitors if you need to. They will understand that babies often don’t behave as you might imagine and they won’t want to stress you out unnecessarily.
5. If you want to keep visits short, it’s helpful to explain what baby might be doing, so visitors know they might have only a short time to see the new baby. 
6. Don’t let anyone into the bedroom for ‘just for a look’, as this may disturb your baby before they’re ready to wake up. Result – an unhappy baby and parent!
7. Stay in tune with your baby. When your baby starts showing signs of tiredness, start calming them down and start their nap routine – don’t let others deter you. Remember, your house, your rules! 
8. If you’re meeting up with friends for a walk or at a café and your baby is sleeping in a stroller, we recommend SnoozeShade as a great way to stop people from poking their head in to say hello to a sleeping baby!
9. Unexpected guests? This can create all sorts of chaos, so if you have friends or family who tend to just pop in, ask them to let you know beforehand so you can tell them if it’s a good time or not. You could also ask them to pick up any groceries you need, or a coffee!

Further Reading:

Three Newborn Sleep Hacks
Baby Sleep Patterns; What You Need to Know
Planning on Getting Away? Here are Ten of the Best Baby Travel Cribs

New parents like to get all the help they can when establishing a sleep routine for their baby. That’s why we have rounded up some of the best baby sleep books and baby sleep apps for you

The No-Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley

This book helps get a baby to sleep without tears and is aimed at parents whose babies are over four months old. The book helps parents keep a diary of their child’s bedtime routine, how many times they wake during the night and how they wake – crying, yelling, making small noises. It also asks you to record how you got your child back to sleep again. Based on this, you can start to pinpoint what might be hampering your baby from getting to sleep and staying that way, from external things like light and noise to when they had their last feed. It helps you to notice sleep cues, ensure they are getting enough daytime naps and helps you to be able to put your child down to sleep when they are sleepy but not yet asleep – the holy grail in terms of your baby learning to be able to self-settle. It’s good for parents who want to introduce some sort of structure but not one’s that’s too rigid.

Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg

Suitable from birth, this booked based on the acronym EASY (Eat, Activity, Sleep, You), advocates a routine, sure but one that ultimately revolves around both you and your baby. It’s great for those whose lives need some element of spontaneity, as it doesn’t enforce a strict routine but it helps new parents understand what babies do and when. It also helps you to understand the different noises babies make, from ‘hungry’ to ‘uncomfortable,’ so as to be able to calm your baby back to sleep at night if they are not actually hungry.

Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems by Richard Ferber

Ferber helps parents to understand the principles of baby sleep and self-settling in order to help establish a good sleep routine. It can help parents who have previously established a good sleep pattern in their babies but whose child then suddenly bucks their pattern with a. sleep regression. This may be due to illness or teething – or an unknown factor. Advocating a wind-down routine and sleep cues for your baby, plus helpful ideas like getting your partner to settle them if they wake in the night but are not hungry, it shows you how to establish a good routine once more. It’s great for babies who are a few months old and the helpful ideas for getting your baby back to sleep during the night will soon have them sleeping through.

The Gentle Sleep Book by Sarah Ockwell-Smith

Sarah is the founder of a method of gentle sleep training and provides help and advice to new moms. This book puts all her years of experience and knowledge into one place. For parents who do not want to approach cry-it-out solutions, this book helps them address their baby’s sleep in a gentle way, helping both sleep-deprived parents and restless babies alike. She offers lots of good, practical advice, such as telling you how long you should expect your child to sleep at each age, why so much sleep advice is inaccurate and how to treat common problems such as bedtime refusal, nightmares and frequent waking. With consistent bedtimes and how to use both diet and sleep comforters effectively, this book is a best seller for a reason.

The New Contented Little Baby Book by Gina Ford

Some people rave about Gina Ford, others steer well clear of what is a very restrictive routine that is supposed to be followed from birth – though you can start later on. But if you’re the kind of person for whom structure, planning ahead and routine is music to your ears, this method may just save your sleep! From the time your baby is woken in the morning, to nap times, mealtime and bedtime routines, everything is planned out for you at specific times. It may take you a couple of tries before you can get it to work with your baby, as they may already have some established patterns but in a few days, they will be used to their new routine and so will you. The bedtime routine is very long – two hours – and you can’t abandon the routine if you fancy a day doing something different but it may help establish sleeping through the night if you get your baby into a pattern.

Nanny Louenna – The Nanny in Your Pocket (free on Apple Store and Google Play with in app purchases)

Louenna Hood is a highly qualified nanny and maternity nurse. Since graduating from the prestigious Norland College, she has worked all over the world for several high profile and royal families. The Louenna app was created in 2020, to guide parents through the incredible journey of parenthood. From what to buy for your newborn, to feeding, bathing, sleep routines, potty training, language development and so much more. Whatever your question or concern, there is simple and practical advice available at your fingertips 24/7 with the Louenna app.

The Best Baby Tracker (free on Apple Store)

This app has lots of different functions, so whether you’re a laid back parent who just wants some tips, or are a tech addict who wants to know every move your little one makes, it has all you need. The app can track your baby’s feeds, when they feed and for how long, when their nappies were changed and of course your baby’s sleep too. It can also hold information like your little one’s weight and height so you can check their growth.

Baby Connect ($4.99 on Apple Store and Google Play)

With this you can track all the information you need (and a lot you probably don’t) about your baby’s sleep, mood, nappies, activities, feeds, photos and more. You can allow several adults to use the app so that both parents, the babysitter, grandparents and day care staff can all have access to it and you and other carers can exchange information on your baby via the app. This can help ensure all grown-ups are following the same sleep routines.

Sound Sleeper (free on Apple Store)

This app focuses on sleep and relaxation and can be used for daytime naps or night time sleep. It can also be used for people of any age and the couple who created it for their baby still use it to help them relax and focus. It has several sounds to soothe your baby including a hairdryer, vacuum cleaner and shushing plus lullabies and it can keep track of how well and how long your baby sleeps. You can share it with other users and (best of all) the app does not collect your data.

BabyBoon (free on Apple Store)

With 30 sounds including white noise and lullabies, this has more than you need to be able to find some noises your baby finds relaxing. It offers high quality sounds and they are louder than you might expect – the app creator explains that sounds within the womb are actually quite loud to a baby! By replicating the loud and rhythmic sounds inside their mom’s tummy, this helps your baby feel at home and therefore able to sleep. You can record your own voice to calm your baby when you’re not there and the app will react when your baby cries and automatically turn on.

White Noise Baby (free on Google Play)

Many parents know that white noise can be a great asset when you are trying to get your baby to sleep – and that’s for a couple of reasons. It mimics some of the sounds from inside the womb, which is comforting and it also blocks noises from outside such as traffic, dogs and the TV, so it can keep your baby from getting distracted when they are dropping off. There are other noises too, such as the sounds of a car ride, the inside a seashell and the sounds of the womb. In addition, tunes by Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin provide sleepy time lullabies.

Further Reading:

Your Month-by-Month Guide to Sleep Regression
Three Baby Sleep Problems and How to Fix Them
What Should My Baby Wear in Bed? Tips from our sleep experts