Why Pacifiers Don’t Work After 12-Weeks
Pacifiers are SUCH a helpful tool for newborns...but after 12-weeks, they simply don't work well with sleep.
**if your baby sleeps 12 hours through the night with their pacifier, then this video isn't for you. But you've taken my sleep training program, so you know that paci's aren't allowed after 12 weeks, so continue on 😉
One of the reasons that pacifiers don't work well is that they don't allow your baby to get into a deep sleep. They are staying in a lighter stage of sleep to try to keep their pacifier in, and when it falls out - they wake!
Parents are sometimes waking 6-10 times a night JUST to put the pacifier in. Even if it doesn't seem so bad because baby does go back to sleep quickly, it's just so disturbing to your sleep as well.
So, bye-bye paci at the 12 week mark!
Dealing With Sickness
Keep your baby comfortable:
For congestion/stuffiness, use saline drops and a Nose Frida to suction out any gunk.
For coughing, try running a hot shower and sitting together in the bathroom with the door closed.
For congestion/colds, put a humidifier in baby's room while they sleep.
For gas, try putting a hot, wet washcloth in a ziplock bag, placing it on baby's belly, and doing bicycle legs.
Discuss with your paediatrician about adding in any extra fluids (like Pedialyte) or reintroducing/increasing nighttime feedings.
Make sure to do lots and lots of cuddling
If you begin with an independent sleeper and do happen to backslide a little, don’t worry. Just go back to basics and encourage those independent sleep habits and self- soothing techniques when your child is feeling better. Your child already knows how to fall asleep independently, they just need to be reminded. We have "muscle memory" when it comes to sleep skills, so usually they will be back to their old selves after 2-3 days back on track with clear expectations.
Some children will go back to “business as usual” quickly, especially if their illness was mild or lasted only a short time. Other children will have more difficulty and their sleep habits will regress more significantly. Their ability to rebound their sleep skills will also depend heavily on how much support you had to give them during the time they were sick.
Tummy Sleeping
Is your baby a tummy sleeper? Learn how tummy sleeping can be safe!
Nighttime Diaper Changes
Nighttime Diaper Changes:
The thing about nighttime diaper changes is that they often don't have to happen! Once a baby's circadian rhythm is normalized and they're out of the newborn stage, their body most-likely won't let them poop randomly in the middle of the night.
The only time I do recommend nighttime diaper changes is when you go into your child's room and you:
A) Smell Poop
B) Can tell their diaper is sopping wet
I highly recommend getting a nighttime diaper - they're often a bit more pricey, but definitely worth it!