Sweet Slumber
Things to rule out if infant is struggling to sleep:
Feeding issues (problems with breastfeeding and/or bottle-feeding or food sensitivity they are exposed to via breastmilk, formula, or food if they started solids)
Oral ties
Obstructive airways (signs are mouth breathing during day or inability to sleep on back, preferring inclined or belly sleep)
Digestive issues (reflux, gassiness, etc.)
Disruption from sleep environment
Things to rule out if you are struggling to sleep:
Mental health or lingering birth trauma
Thyroid function
Nutritional needs
Disruption from sleep habits or sleep environment
Safe Sleep resources:
The National Institute of Health’s website on safe sleep and reducing risk: https://safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov/
CDC website on safe sleep: https://www.cdc.gov/sids/parents-caregivers.htm
Test for firmness of infant sleep surface: https://youtu.be/d6hauspdXlo?si=B9zaYw6cXAR5rmUb
Co-sleeping education resources:
University of Notre Dame Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory website on safe co-sleeping guidelines (other resources for parents under the “Important Resources for Parents guide”): https://cosleeping.nd.edu/safe-co-sleeping-guidelines/
La Leche League Safe Sleep Seven: https://llli.org/breastfeeding-info/sleep-bedshare/
Free sleep education resources:
Sleep mantras (for getting back to sleep, especially with sleep progressions): https://www.stress.org/45-sleep-mantras-better-than-counting-sheep
Online weekly Sleep Support group on Zoom every Tuesday from 12:30-1:30 pm with Slumbertime Solution: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/161265211. Group is hosted by Marie-Eve, a Pediatric sleep consultant, who uses the Kim West, The Sleep Lady known for her “gentle sleep parenting” approach
Free sleep resources from Taloy Kulik, OT, Holistic Sleep and Parenting Educator: https://taylorkulik.com/#free This is the OT that gave the sleep training, and I do highly recommend her sleep materials.
Free sleep guides by Kim West: https://sleeplady.com/guides/
Explanation of dream feeding, and all its considerations: https://parentingscience.com/dream-feeding/
Contribution from Carrie Miller-Conley