Safe Crib Sleeping... cont'd

In addition to the toys, blankets and pillows...also be sure to remove these before naptime

-Pacy Clips/Strings
-Sweatshirts with Hoods
-Necklaces
-Earrings (unless secured)
-Hair Accessories
headbands can get around the neck, or little pieces fall off
barretts and clips
-Beware of Buttons
-Toys with Small Pieces
-Books with Pages that can Rip
-No Snacks in the Crib

Also, be aware of nearby cords for monitors, humidifiers etc. I am also not a big fan of crib bumpers either, they are more likely to cause suffocation/entanglement than they are preventing a head bumping against a rail. Its just not worth it to me, so we go without.

Sorry, Baby!

Relating to ADD, ADHD & Dyslexia through "Percy"

We hear so much about Childhood ADHD, ADD and Dyslexia. I, myself, do not not know much about it, let alone enough to tell you anything you haven't already heard.

But one night, while watching "Rock Center with Brian Williams" I learned about a cool kids (school-age) book series that might help encourage those who are dealing with ADD, ADHD and Dyslexia symptoms.

Rick Riordan, a former Middle School Teacher who used to teach about Greek Mythology, used to tell stories to his son at bedtime. His son (who was in second grade at the time) had been diagnosed with ADHD and Dyslexia and wasn't much interested in reading. So, the Greek Mythology stories kept his attention quite naturally.

His Dad (author Rick Riordan) then began making up stories about a character named "Percy Jackson." "Percy" also was said to have ADHD & Dyslexia, which instead of inhibiting and frustrating him, actually made him extra talented and powerful.

Riordan began to write these stories as books and then a series was born. Kids really seem to enjoy READING about these Mythological stories and relating to the main character. Kids who normally did not like reading, found themselves unable to set down the books.

What a fantastic idea.

To learn more about the books and the author, check out

www.RickRiordan.com

Bundling Up Baby in the Crib...

Loose Blankets and Pillows in Cribs make me nervous.

Actually, the crib is not a place for loose blankets and especially not pillows! The rule of thumb, is that babies aren't ready for adult size pillows until they are at least in a toddler bed anyways. Also, blankets (I know its chilly!) should be used other places. Babies toss and turn so much in their cribs, that they can strangle and entangle themselves in even small sized and thin blankets. Also, beware of large stuffed animals, books, toys etc. in the crib. They are handy for entertainment, but once the baby is asleep, you probably should remove most of them from the crib. Your little genius can find a way to use them as a step to climb out.

So how do they stay warm if they aren't covered up?

You have a few options. Its all in how you dress them.

Go ahead and put on the onesie, then a thin pair of pjs (like long sleeve and pant separates), and then a second pair of warm (fleece is great) footy-jammies. Socks are optional in the footy-jammies, but the seam can rub those toes, so maybe they would like some light socks. Definitely put socks on the foot-less jammies!

When our first daughter was starting to walk, she outgrew the regular sleep sacks. But, the sleep sacks were PERFECT for the winter! It was like the blanket stayed on her whichever way she turned. Its like a mini-snuggie.

I hit up the fabric store, bought some awful purple fleece from the "remanents" bin ($4), a long zipper and a "Layette" pattern which had blankets, hats, onesies and sleep sack patterns included. I followed the pattern (so easy) for a toddler size (like 18mo-2T) and made a big sleeveless sleepsack with a huge zipper. (dont panic, you can do it!)

(a much cuter version than ours)

Example.....

http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/patterns/sewingpatterns.pl?patternid=13971

So now our second daughter (18mo) wears that ugly purple sleepsack every night in the fall and winter, too. She sleeps so comfortably and her temperature seems to feel pretty good. She can stand up in it and walk around her crib (funny stuff) too! She wears regular long sleeve light jammies underneath it. Diaper changes are pretty easy with that big zipper too.

If you don't think you can make one (I've never seen them for sale in a store larger than 12months) you can find a boatload of them for sale on Esty.com

http://www.etsy.com/listing/90412283/18m-2t-toddler-fleece-sleep-sack-in?ref=sr_gallery_1&sref=&ga_search_submit=&ga_ref=auto&ga_search_query=fleece+sleep+sack+toddler&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_ship_to=US&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

HandSanitizers...Good or Bad? (Mayo Clinic)

Hand-washing: Do's and don'ts

Had a request for this one...
I don't know stats, so I thought I would share the article I came across on MayoClinic's website. (Hey Karlyn, RN!)

Your "SNOOZE" button...

Feeling Tired after you wake up? It could be because trying to sneak in a few more "snooze" minutes might make you more tired. But, if I am sleeping more minutes, how can that be?

I went to a Day-Long seminar on Restless Leg Syndrome, Depression and Sleep Disorders in Peoria. While Mommy enjoyed a day-off..I really did learn alot.

One of the interesting things I learned, is about sleep cycles. The study of sleep is extremely complicated....but there are some basics that made sense. There are 5 re-curring stages of sleep, and we go through all of the stages a few times a night.

Stage I: 5-10min of drowsiness, if awakened, you might have thought you never went to sleep.

Stage II: Light Sleep, easily arousable. Heart Rate and Body Temp start to decrease to prepare for deep sleep. I think this is the stage my husband is in when we are watching a movie together!

Stage III & IV: Sleep is Deep, with IV being deeper. Your eyes are not rapidly moving yet (REM).

{Stage I-IV lasts about 90min-120min long total}
{A POWER NAP (about 20min) will get you through Stage I-II and usually makes you feel rested, if you wake up before the Deep Sleep stages }

Stage V "REM": (Rapid Eye Movement) Rapid breathing, increased heart rate, brain activity etc. This is when begin dreaming! Your dreams seem so real, that you may want to act them out..and so your body is temporarily "paralyzed" so you don't move about. It is believe that REM is when you have body restoration, healing, learning, memory and concentration basics. The time in REM varies, but Babies and Elderly have the greatest time spent in REM sleep. Jealous!

Everyone varies, and every night varies, as far as how long a person is in each stage. But, regardless of how long you spend in each stage, you do still have to complete each one in order, everytime. You may complete all 5 stages, many times in one night. You may remember your dreams, and maybe you never do. (I almost always get to! but my Husband never does... lucky me! I kinda think its because he wakes up to an alarm, and I do not*)

When you are awakened by an alarm every morning, you rush right out of REM sleep and are awake. When you hit "SNOOZE" you are back to the beginnning of Stage I. Those 5-10minutes of snoozing, do not allow you to complete your 5 stages of sleep, and therefore you keep waking up and keep starting all over again. Messing with your sleep stages, is enough to make you wake up and not feel Rested.
If you want to feel more rested, set your alarm for the time you need to get up, and when it goes off, turn it off and actually stay UP. I think you would be surprised at how much better you will feel!

*Please note, it is not because I sleep-in that I do not wake up to an alarm. Its because, I always wake up at the same time everyday, 7:30. I just do. Anyone can train themselves to wake up at the same everyday too! Its pretty cool if it works. Thats another topic!

Happy Sleeping!!

Dear 16 Year Old Me....

http://youtu.be/_4jgUcxMezM

BrainFreeze, Side Cramps, and Toe Cramps!

I have no idea how to cure hiccups, but I think I can help you with BrainFreeze, Toes that get stuck in a cramp, and those side cramps you get when running.

BrainFreeze..this one is easy and works like a charm. As soon as you feel the brain freeze, rub your tongue up on the roof of your mouth until it stops. The heat from your tongue does the trick.

Toes twisted in a cramp (this used to happen alot when I was pregnant) It is tempting to grab your toes in pain, but just put weight on your foot, flattening it back out. Stand up, and it seems to release the tension.

Side Cramps: When you have trouble breathing and your side is in pain while exercising....It seems that there is carbon dioxide (the stuff you exhale) trapped in your lungs. Exhale all of the air out you possibly can, until there is none left to blow out. This should release the trapped CO2, and take in a fresh breath of Oxygen. Breath normally until you feel better.

When your friends come down with any of these, you'll be the genius who knows how to fix it!