Can you tell me one thing you learned from the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child?

Just asking this if anyone can tell me something that they read and worked for them. i just got the book but am having a hard time getting a real true chance to sit down and really read it! just wondering what you remember from it that rang true for you! TIA

Re: Can you tell me one thing you learned from the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child?

i remember reading that my DD shouldn't be awake for more than 2 or 3 hours at a time, sometimes less... I didn't know that and my child would get overtired and not be able to fall asleep...

Re: Can you tell me one thing you learned from the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child?

I found this to be the most helpful book of all the sleep books I read...but you do actually have to sit and read it (which can be tough if you're also trying to soothe a screamer) I read it more than once.
Anyway, here are a few things that made a difference for us:

1. Most importantly, as pp said, I learned to keep the wake intervals to 2 hours (especially the first one). This was huge in preventing a colicky baby from getting overtired (a vicious cycle)

2. Not to stress over putting the baby to sleep at exactly the same time everyday...flexibility and reading your baby's cues is more important.

3. After the baby is 4 months, give the naps up to a hour to develop even if there is a lot of crying....

It really helped us, but it was a lot of work to get there. Good luck!

Re: Can you tell me one thing you learned from the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child?

the most important thing that i took from that book was this: well, 2 things....

1- establish healthy sleep associations....some babies need the bottle, some need the breast, some a nuk, some rocking, or patting or whatever.....the baby learns to associate sleep with these, and cannot fall asleep without....u have to break the child from these and let them learn that they CAN, in fact, fall asleep on their own....hmmm, this sounds cold hearted, but it really isnt....i learned that my DD associated sleep with being BF...at about 5 months, i "weaned" her from the breast....every nite i would cut down the time that she nursed, until she wasnt nursing anymore and i was just picking her up and rocking her....and she never started to rely on the rocking...after she was weaned from the boob, i started to let her CIO, and she has been a wonderful sleeper since...

and 2- bedtime routine is vital....whateverv your may be....bath, pjs, quiet play time, snack, teeth brush, book, bed....whatever u choose to do, do it, and stick to it....children are better when they know whats coming....

Re: Can you tell me one thing you learned from the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child?

Re: Can you tell me one thing you learned from the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child?

I learned that the book was a waste of money...

Sorry that's JMO. One day DS started taking longer naps on his own it seemed. One is 1 1/2 - 2 hours and the second one is usually 1 hour. Sometimes he may skip the second one but as he has the first one...

Re: Can you tell me one thing you learned from the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child?

Posted by CkGm

Posted by ckdk

i remember reading that my DD shouldn't be awake for more than 2 or 3 hours at a time, sometimes less... I didn't know that and my child would get overtired and not be able to fall asleep...

same here

Re: Can you tell me one thing you learned from the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child?

Posted by bedda26

I learned that the book was a waste of money...

Sorry that's JMO. One day DS started taking longer naps on his own it seemed. One is 1 1/2 - 2 hours and the second one is usually 1 hour. Sometimes he may skip the second one but as he has the first one...

Re: Can you tell me one thing you learned from the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child?

Posted by CkGm

Posted by ckdk

i remember reading that my DD shouldn't be awake for more than 2 or 3 hours at a time, sometimes less... I didn't know that and my child would get overtired and not be able to fall asleep...

same here

Re: Can you tell me one thing you learned from the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child?

I learned that I dont need it, and keep meaning to return it!!! As soon as Cailen began sleeping on his belly, all sleep issues were solved!!!