Sleeplessness

• 3809

  2009-09-25 06:59:07 UTC

  Teething tips

  When my daughter was teething I accidentally discovered a wonderful soother. I was preparing croissants from the freezer and dropped one. My daughter who was red cheeked, teary and had latched on to my ankle for comfort, picked it up and started chewing on it. The combination of cold yet slightly soft buttery texture and pleasant taste must have been what did it. My baby girl contentedly munched her way through one end then left the squished remainder for the dog. From then on I kept the freezer stocked with mini-croissants to use as chewable cold packs for her tender gums.

  - Janette (Mum of 1), Doncaster
  Give it a Star* 3

• 3764

  2009-06-17 23:42:13 UTC

  Routine Rules

  I started a routine with my little girl when she was born. At the same time every night, I'd give her a bath, a nice massage and her bottle, then put her to bed whether she was awake or asleep. I found doing this for the first 3 mths helped so much. I still do it now and she is 18 mths old. Having a routine helps you and baby be much calmer and makes bed time a pleasant experience. It works so well, that my baby started sleeping right through the night at 8 weeks old... and still does! It's not only worked for me, but my friends also love my tip. It really works! You have to give it a go :)

  - Anna (Mum of 1), Modbury
  Give it a Star* 8

• 3702

  2009-02-21 05:57:13 UTC
  The best advice I was ever given is "always try and put your baby to bed awake". That way they learn to fall asleep on their own. I help him calm down first with a cuddle and some quiet music, and then pop him into bed while he is sleepy but awake. When they fall asleep in your arms all the time and then get put into bed they wake and can get a shock suddenly being somewhere different - I know it's not always possible but worth the effort!

  - Amy (Mum of 1), Hornsby
  Give it a Star* 8

• 3698

  2009-02-16 01:02:52 UTC
  My daughter was a terrible night owl when she was little. I researched into healthy living and discovered the benefits of lavender. I solved my little angels sleeping problems by 'squirting a couple of drops of lavender oil on her pillow before bedtime' and not a peep was heard. I do hope other mums give this one a go, because it sure worked for me.

  - Genevieve (Mum of 2), Liverpool
  Give it a Star* 5

• 3630

  2008-12-23 07:59:18 UTC
  As a new mum adapting to sleep deprivation, it's very tempting to grab the extra hour of sleep you might be able to squeeze in - but I am finding that I feel a great sense of achievement if I spend that hour with a coffee in the quiet (whether I'm staring into space or doing some ironing). Makes me feel like Super Mum! Your sleep is important though - so it's whatever works for you!

  - Samantha (Mum of 1), Kotara
  Give it a Star* 6

• 3605

  2008-12-03 10:04:00 UTC
  I have found that small children sleep soundly when bedtime is a happy time. We sometimes do a "silly walk" together, a "baby koala shoulder-ride", a "kangaroo hop" together, or start from the front door and "race" each of the kids to their bedrooms (allowing them to win of course!) all of which work a treat. We then tuck our children in, read them a storybook and kiss them goodnight!

  - Lauren (Mum of 2), Fountain Gate
  Give it a Star* 6

• 3585

  2008-11-29 08:33:11 UTC
  If you use formula get your baby used to room temperature formula, that way you don't need to wait for bottles to warm up, you just add the formula to the bottle with the water and shake. It also makes it much easier if you need to feed your baby while you're out and about as you don't need to find a way to heat up the bottle.

  - Deanne (Mum of 2), Miranda
  Give it a Star* 9

• 3551

  2008-11-24 05:21:05 UTC
  For a teething baby put a wet washer in the freezer. After is has frozen give it to them to chew on, it works!

  - Mia (Mum of 2), Penrith
  Give it a Star* 7

• 3499

  2008-11-13 22:59:01 UTC
  If your child is one that insists on getting up AFTER bed time, try staying in the room with them for 5 minutes after lights out. I do this and by the time I leave my daughter is well on her way to falling asleep. I also find sending her to bed 10-15 minutes earlier with her siblings helps settle and calm her down. And NO TV's in the bedroom, major distraction!

  - Jess (Mum of 1), Belconnen
  Give it a Star* 6

• 3494

  2008-11-13 05:46:52 UTC
  When it’s sleep time for bubs I take bubs and my 4 year old to all lay in my bed together to snuggle and put on a movie for my 4 year old to watch whilst bubs & I have a sleep (& hopefully all 3 of us sleep!) or it’s a good time for my 4 year old and myself to have a little snuggle time together!

  - Katrina (Mum of 2), Helensvale
  Give it a Star* 4