Tip of the day!

Hello friends,
Well, it's Monday, so that means it's time for Tip Of The Day! Today's tip is related to shopping trips and kiddos.
When you go to the grocery or Target-like store with your baby or babies, park next to the cart corral. Even if you have to park at the back, take a spot next to that metal playpen for runaway carts. First of all, this keeps at least one side of your car from getting dinged. Secondly, you can rest assured that you will be able to load and unload your kids, no matter how close the guy next to you parks his car.
If you have two or more infants, consider a stroller for the kids and a cart for your stuff. Yes, it slows down your otherwise streamlined shopping experience, but it's safer and you can fir more stuff in your cart.
NEVER attach an infant seat to the top of your cart. Although it appears as though this is what you're supposed to do, it is highly unsafe and a great way to earn a trip to the ER. If you must, put the infant carrier in the big part of the cart, but leave him strapped in tight. Another option is to wear your baby in an infant carrier while in the store. This frees up your hands and your cart.
When you return to your vehicle with all your loot, load your baby first, and then your purchases. Stay alert and don't leave your keys or purse while you load your car. Because you were so smart and parked next to the cart corral, you can return your cart without leaving your child alone.
Happy shopping!
Your personal baby care expert,
Cortney

The power of white noise

Hello friends,

If you have a fussy baby or a little one who doesn't sleep well, listen up. For the first 3-4 months after Baby's 40 week due date, strong white noise is one of the ways to turn on the calming reflex. It can instantly calm a colicky, fussy baby and can increase sleep by a few hours.

Babies spend 9 months surrounded by the whooshing sounds of your womb and are often in a state of sensory deprivation when they are born into a "quiet" world of tip toeing and whispering. Strong white noise, at the level of a vacuum cleaner or running shower, is your baby's language of love. He hears this and feels instantly calmed and more secure. Be sure to match your baby's intensity, then lower the sound as he settles down into sleep.

White noise can be used for all sleep times and particularly fussy times. After 3-4 months, white noise loses a little magic, but remains a great buffer for sleep times and a cue that helps Baby know it's time for sleep. You can utilize white noise into toddlerhood and can easily wean a baby off it by turning it down a little every 3-5 days.

Use a white noise machine, mp3 and speaker dock, or the real thing. Just remember, hairdryers should be at least 6 feet from Baby and can't be left on for long periods of time. GNS recommends using a white noise track on a continuous loop with your iPod and speaker dock for the optimal sound experience. If you don't want to invest in anything new, your carpets will never be cleaner than if you make your own white noise. :)

Check out this fussy baby who is instantly calmed by white noise. Can you see in his eyes when the calming reflex is turned on?

As always, if you need help implementing any of our advice or you have a specific problem that needs solving, get in touch and we'll be happy to help!

Your personal newborn care expert,

Cortney

The dangers of allowing Baby to sleep in a car seat

Hello Friends,

Many parents rely on the naps their kiddos get in the car seat. Some parents even use a long car ride to get their babies to fall asleep. Then there are those of you who have spent many nights in the driveway, sleeping in the car with your baby. Sounds familiar?
Of course, I recommend protecting and respecting a child's need for restorative sleep by sticking close to home during nap time. I realize this isn't always possible, so if you have to run errands during your child's nap time, keep a close eye on your little one. Research now shows that oxygen levels can drop while infants are sleeping in their car seats, which can clearly be a hazard. Check out this article about car seat sleep and remember to transfer your sleeping baby from her car seat to her crib when you return from an outing.
If you find yourself loading up the car to get your baby to sleep and it's not how you'd like to spend every bedtime from here on out, consider a sleep consultation with GNS. We'll work together to eliminate negative sleep props and start creating new healthy sleep habits and a manageable routine.
If you're using the car seat to provide relief to your refluxing baby, you might be surprised to learn that this position actually exacerbates reflux symptoms. A better alternative to elevating your baby's sleeping surface is the Baby Stay Asleep system.
Your personal baby care expert,
Cortney