Sleeping
(Babies, Toddlers & Bed wetting)
I'm sure we have all heard the experts say that when it comes to a babies sleep that routine is the answer. This is unfortunately sometimes a difficult thing to do everyday at the same time. But as long as you have a little bedtime ritual, she will soon learn that a bath, feed then a story means that it is now bedtime. There are many different things you can have as your ritual, lullabies, change of clothes, gentle playing, storytelling etc, along as it isn't too stimulating. Make sure you have a soft voice & gentle movements so that she feels settled & relaxed. It is a great idea to put your baby in her cot while she is still awake, this way she can become familiar with her surroundings before she drifts off to sleep. The reason this is important is because is she wakes up during the night & she was put in her cot while she was asleep, she can be startled to find that the cosy cuddle she was getting from you has gone & you are no longer there. You will then find yourself resettling her during the night. It would be like you falling asleep in your bed and waking up to find yourself sitting in the car! You will need to make sure that the room isn't too bright for sleep time. Many people use a night light or use a touch lamp on the low setting. You may even want to install a dimmer switch in their room. If you use energy saving bulbs, they should not be used with dimmer switches. Once all of your babies other needs have been met, i.e. not too hot, not too cold, full belly, & had some gentle attention (gentle rocking, games, story), & you can notice they are giving you some tired signs (rubbing their eyes, jerky movements, arching her back) it is time to put them in her cot to sleep.
Most babies aged between 6 - 12 months that wake for a feed during the night, aren't actually hungry. Because they are so used to having a feed during the night, their body has told itself that it is hungry because it has always had a feed at that time. Just before going to bed, try picking up your baby & offering him a feed. Keep the lights dim & don't do anything to stimulate him. After his feed, place him back in his cot. If he does wake for a feed, try offering a drink of water instead of a breast or bottle feed & resettle him back down.
Older babies are just as hard to settle. Before starting any new settling technique, make sure that your baby is healthy and all her needs have been met. It is also very important that you are feeling well too & if you can, have someone there to support you. Most health Clinics have books & videos you can hire on subjects like settling your baby & the "controlled comforting" technique.
Another question a lot of parents have is how many layers of sheeting should I have on my baby's bed in different temperatures. Here is a guide you may like to refer to.
Along as you are sensible about your baby's bedding, they will have a comfortable sleep. Remember the much heard rule: If you are hot the chances are your baby is boiling, & if you are cold, the chances are your baby is freezing.
Toddlers can still have sleeping issues. A common one is waking during the night & climbing into Mum & Dad's bed. One solution I have heard that works is to speak to your child & let them know that they can't do that anymore, you are not going anywhere & will see them in the morning. Be sure to set the story time limit before you start reading the story. Make certain you keep to this, otherwise they will think that everything you say is flexible, for example, when you say that coming into your room during the night is not allowed anymore. By talking to your child & explaining everything you are going to do...& not do, will prevent your child from not getting too anxious about the process, such as you not coming into the room when they call out. If they do come out of the bedroom & wander to your room or the TV, simply put them back into bed & let them know you will see them in the morning. Discuss this with your partner prior to speaking with your child to facilitate this learning time. They can also be your support person. This may be a bumpy ride!
It is a good suggestion to have a reward program. Keep a chart on the fridge. If they go through the night without coming & slipping into your bed, they collect one sticker or stamp. If they accumulate 5 stickers, they receive a reward such as their favourite food for dinner, watching TV an extra 30 mins or a toy up to a set value. They may like to keep collecting rewards before they "cash them in" so they can claim an even greater prize!
Bedwetting is a very common occurrence & can be very stressful on the child. This usually means exclusions from activities such as school camps & sleep overs at a friend's house. Surprisingly, about 1% to 2% of adults still wet the bed. Bed wetting is usually divided into 2 categories: Primary Nocturnal Enuresis, PNE, & Secondary Nocturnal Enuresis, SNE. If the child has never achieved total control at night (wetting the bed at least 2 -3 times a month), then they are categorized as being in the PNE category. SNE is when the child hasn't wet the bed for at least 6mths & then begins to wet the bed again. With SNE, the key is finding out if anything has changed, such as stress, sleeping habits, change in diet, moving house/school, constipation, urinary tract infection, small bladder capacity, producing too much urine at night (& with no night time surge in the Antidiuretic Hormone which allows them to make less urine at night), diabetes, medication such as a diuretic, too much caffeine (yes...Cola), or weak pelvic floor muscles. Some specialist also think that very deep sleep contributes to bedwetting. Most children are PNE. This is when bed wetting is genetic. Most parents decide not to start a treatment plan, because it is quite possible that the child will stop wetting the bed around the same time as the parent/s did when they were young.
If you, your partner & your child are ready to start a bed wetting plan, here are a few tips that may help you get started. Children tend to react to a bed wetting plan around 5years of age, although as their parents, you will be likely to know if they are ready to start sooner or even later. Just remember, it is a great idea to start your plan at least 6mths before they begin school. Starting a new activity, such as school, can be stressful on your child. If they have been following the plan for sometime, they will be comfortable with it & less likely to add to their stress. If they start school when still wetting the bed, they can be subject to taunts from other children & have a lower self esteem, making it uncomfortable for them to meet new friends. You may also like to teach your child good bladder habits & also some exercises to help strengthen their pelvic floor muscles, even if you find that a weak bladder is not part of the cause for your child's bed wetting, it is still of great benefit for your child. For further information you may like to contact the Incontinence Foundation of Australia (1800 33 00 66) or the National Kidney Foundation (1800 682 531).