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Bedtime Routine 101 For Toddlers (Complete Guide)

22/03/2018/0 Comments/in Baby Tips /by Eric Siew

Having difficulties putting your child to bed?

Then look no further. A bedtime routine may just be the answer you have been looking for.

You may, or may not have heard of a bedtime routine so let’s start with the basics first.

What is a bedtime routine?

The word routine is defined as a sequence of actions which are regularly followed.

Hence, a bedtime routine is a set of actions that you perform regularly before you go to bed, and in this case, before your child goes to bed.

Why do toddlers need a bedtime routine?

Check with yourself, are you in these situations:

I can’t get my child to sleep.
My kid does not want to go to bed.
My baby gets up frequently at night.
I do not have time for myself!

If you are, then maybe, setting up a bedtime routine for your little one is a good choice, for you and your baby.

What are the advantages?

It is easier for your child to go to bed and fall asleep.
It helps your child to fall asleep in an unfamiliar environment as long as the routine stays the same.
A repetition of events comforts your child as he feels secure, knowing what is coming next.
You get to build your child’s confidence in his world.
Your child will learn how to wind down and relax after a busy day.
It allows you to spend quality time with your child.

What are the benefits of an early bedtime for baby?

When you want to start a bedtime routine for your child, best to start it during the baby stages.

Here are 5 important benefits that may help you and your child in the long run:

Less night waking

Do you find your child getting up repeatedly at night?

And for some reason, you just could not figure out why? Chances are, your child may not be getting enough sleep altogether.

When your child’s body and mind are tired, he’s in the “stress” zone. Let’s take yourself for example. If you are really tired and stressed out, do you find yourself getting up repeatedly?

That’s right! No quality sleep. Through a bedtime routine, you can pretty much rest assured that your child is probably (I say probably cause every child are different) getting ample amount of sleep.

Fall asleep faster

Some kids take an awfully long time to sleep.

Possibly that their minds are still very active, and they just don’t want to sleep, yet.

For children who go through a bedtime routine, their minds are somewhat prepared for sleep. They know bedtime’s coming and they generally have no issues with it.

If your child sleeps at odd and random hours, this fixes that problem.

Quality bedtime

Like it or not, bedtime involves you, or your spouse.

You just got to spend some time with your child during that precious 30 minutes or so before he goes to bed.

During this process, you can ber-bonding-bonding with your child. Your child goes to bed happy. You get to put your child to bed easily.

Win-win for both parties.

Less bedtime resistance

Live I mentioned earlier, your child is somewhat ready to go to bed. You don’t even have to tell him that it’s bedtime.

Once your child is already using a bedtime routine, his biological clock automatically tells him that it is time to sleep.

That’s why you see some parents are able to get their child to sleep easily while you’re struggling left and right with yours.

Better sleeping habits in the future

As your child grows older, you don’t really want to nag, nag and nag your child to go to bed all the time.

Once a routine is “programmed’ in an individual, it’s kind of hard to get it to go out of sync.

At least you know that you are investing in your child’s future by having him going to bed early and regularly.

When to start a baby bedtime routine?

Although there are articles suggesting to start a routine as early as 3 months old, it is somewhat easier to start a routine when your child has some form of understanding.

Some say from 4 weeks old onwards.

To be honest, it’s flexible. You can start it anytime you want.

However, you can start introducing simple routines during the early stages of infancy, which will do you good in the future. It’s sort of like a prep course for your baby.

It is best to keep the routine short, for about 30 minutes or so.

You do not want to be doing the same thing again and again for more than an hour each day.

A toddler bedtime routine chart

Once your child is older, it’ll be interesting to have a chart so that your toddler can refer to before bedtime.

But first, you need to pick the routines which you plan to use.

Here are a few options:

A warm bath.
Drinking a bottle/cup of warm milk.
Changing into pyjamas.
Assembling a puzzle.
Read a book.
Hugs and cuddles.
Brushing teeth.
Singing a lullaby.
Turning off the lights.
Body massage.

Now, with the options above, pick a few of them and make them into a sequence. If you have others, feel free to use them too.

Here’s an example of what you can do with this simple chart.

You can simply use the above as an example.

Download the printable version of the bedtime routine chart.

Download

Of course, it’s flexible. Just mix and match which you deemed fit.

What time should my child go to bed?

The recommended time to go to bed:

Between 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

Anytime after 8:30 pm is not advisable as your child may be overtired by then. When your child is overtired, he can be cranky and frustrated. You do not want that to happen as this will disrupt the routine itself.

When a child is overtired, a stress hormone called cortisol will be released into your child’s body. This hormone will cause your child to wake up many times throughout the night, and wake up early in the morning.

Truth be told, getting our children to bed within the recommended time frame is not an easy task. It takes a lot of hard work and commitment to do so.

Some factors to consider:

Dinner time (especially with extended families).
Outing sessions (Malaysians & Singaporeans have a tendency to spend their evening outside).
Working parents (late working hours).
Influence by other caretakers (conflict of opinions – some do believe that tiring the child out just before bedtime is a better option).

If you do face some of the issues above, it is best to sort them out first before proceeding with a bedtime routine.

How long should my child sleep?

The sleeping hours for different age group varies. Here’s the latest recommendation by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine:

Infants 4 to 12 months: 12 – 16 hours
Toddlers 1 to 2 years old: 11 – 14 hours
Children 3 to 5 years old: 10 – 13 hours
Older children 6 to 12 years old: 9 – 12 hours

The sleeping hours stated above are inclusive of nap hours. By knowing the number of hours of sleep your child should be getting, you can roughly gauge the time your child should go to bed.

How to make the bedtime routine an easier process?

Offer lots of choices for your child’s bedtime – Let your child pick between 2 options. Try not to use open-ended questions as these questions tend to agitate your child if he can’t come to a decision.

Examples:

Do you want to play with the puzzles or read a book?
Pyjamas with cars or pyjamas with animals?
Which song? Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or Baa Baa Black Sheep?
Do you want Mummy or Daddy to put you to bed?

Use a soft toy or a baby comforter – There will be a certain extent of separation anxiety when it comes to bedtime.

To help ease the anxiety, it is good to have an object to replace you when you leave the room after your child falls asleep. It works exactly the same way as how you had your smelly pillow back then.

Create a relaxed environment to wind down – Keep the television out of the bedroom. Do not watch any television an hour before bedtime. Put away all mobile and electronic devices away.

Provide a comfortable and safe environment to sleep – Keep the room temperature cool and constant. Consider using a baby sleeping bag to achieve a constant temperature. This will eliminate the use of common blankets that are considered unsafe for newborns and toddlers.

Are baby sleeping bags 100% safe for newborns?

Learn More

Persist and stay consistent – It is always very easy to give up if the routine does not work out in the beginning. Most parents succumb to their little ones’ cry. Who doesn’t anyway? However, it is important to know that it takes a few nights for your child to get adjusted to. Therefore, be patient, be consistent.

One final benefit.

And what is that?

A benefit just for you. Yes, you.

Not only does it brings a lot of benefits for your child, it helps you too. We as parents are human beings after all. We too, need to wind down and relax after a busy day at work or at home.

If your child has no trouble sleeping and goes to bed early, the remaining hours of the evening are all yours!

You can watch a movie, read a book, listen to your favourite music or even indulge in your hobbies.

It helps you to relax, alleviates the stress accumulated throughout the day and gets you recharged and ready for the next day.

A bedtime routine for your child. Are you up for it?

References:

10 Surefire Solutions to End the Bedtime Battle | WebMD
Bedtime Routines For Babies | BabyCentre
The Value of a Child’s Bedtime Routine | PsychCentral
Reducing bedtime tantrums: comparison between positive routines and graduated extinction. Pediatrics. 1989 Nov; 84(5): 756-61. | PubMed

(Sleep Regression) My Baby Wakes Up At Night!

08/03/2018/0 Comments/in Baby Tips /by Eric Siew

If your newborn has been sleeping well for the last 3 months since birth and for no apparent reason, now your baby wakes up at night and won’t go back to sleep?

Have you heard of sleep regression?

If you have not, then you are in the right place. In this topic, we will touch more on this matter.

What is sleep regression?

Although the word “regression” sounds like your baby is going into reverse gear rather than moving forward, it is not a bad thing.

I’m sure you have heard of the light and deep cycles of sleep in adults.

This happens to newborns too.

SLEEP REGRESSION IS NOT A MEDICAL CONDITION

In the first few months of life, your baby is always in the deep cycle of his sleep.

Hence why regardless of how much noise or distraction that surrounds your newborn, he is still able to sleep through them.

The thing is… when your baby reaches 4 months old, your newborn’s brain starts to develop.

That is a good thing, right? Your baby starts to be more aware and sensitive towards his surroundings and responds to it differently.

The downside?

He will have a harder time going back to sleep, especially when they are awake during this period.

And with you being tired and all, in the midst of recuperating from all the sleepless nights earlier, it is just going to get harder.

When does sleep regression happen?

The most noticeable period is when your baby hits 4 months old. If you read about it online, everyone talks about 4-month sleep regression.

This regression itself can even be considered a milestone for your baby.

Here’s a short clip about 4-month old regression by a sleep expert.

Being able to achieve this milestone is considered a healthy development for your little one.

Like I mentioned earlier, your baby is not going to go back into his usual deep sleep cycles alone anymore.

CONSIDER YOUR “HONEYMOON” PERIOD OVER

Here are the “expected” regressions that will happen when your child is older:

Between 8 to 10 months
18 months
24 months

The other regressions usually last a couple of weeks. These are not true regressions as compared to the 4-month old sleep regression.

Your child’s sleep pattern will return to normal after that.

How long does the 4-month sleep regression last?

Well… permanent.

Yes, it is permanent because other regressions which tend to fade off after weeks but this sticks to your baby like super-glue.

You will find it happening frequently, especially during the nights.

It is noticeable at night partly because your baby sleeps longer at night as compared to daytime.

Then again, it is also more noticeable because you tend to get up more frequently, feeling rather tired and agitated.

SLEEP REGRESSION CAUSES YOUR BABY TO WAKE UP FREQUENTLY

Take yourself for example. Even us, adults tend to wake up in the middle of the night while we are asleep and this happens when we are tired and we have a lot of things going through our mind.

Nevertheless, it takes us less than a few minutes for us to fall back asleep.

On the other hand, it is completely different for your baby. To fall back asleep is a skill acquired over time and most babies will not have the ability to self-soothe themselves back to sleep without aid.

Apart from that, your baby gets more cranky too since your baby is not getting adequate sleep due to his interrupted sleep patterns.

Who would not be? We ourselves get extremely cranky too when we are tired.

However, fret not as your baby will soon learn the skill to sleep again after waking up.

Patience is the key here.

What about the other sleep regressions?

We have been touching about the 4-month sleep regression because by far, it is the most noticeable regression as compared to the other ones.

Also, 4-month sleep regression is permanent while the rest of the regressions are somewhat temporary, which tends to improve after weeks.

Do you know why regressions happen in older babies and toddlers?

If you look carefully, these regressions tend to happen when your child attains a particular milestone.

Be it crawling for the first time, taking his first few steps or even other prominent milestones.

SLEEP REGRESSION IS LIKELY TO HAPPEN WHEN YOUR CHILD ACHIEVES A NEW MILESTONE

However, take this with a pinch of salt. It is not proven scientifically but some experts believed that there is a link between your baby developing a new skill and his sleeping pattern.

As his brain is loaded with so much of new information, he needs the time to process all of them and that itself disrupts his sleep. Nonetheless, it is just a theory.

The only thing you should know is that the other regressions are temporary and your child will eventually return to his normal sleeping habits. Fingers crossed.

What to do when baby wakes up at night?

Patience is the key here.

Getting up in the middle of the night and being all cranky is all part of your baby’s growth.

More importantly, by learning this and understanding that your baby has difficulty in self-soothing himself back to sleep, you can do your part by helping him out.

However, some of the methods mentioned may have implications later. Although it may solve the current issue, another issue may arise from it.

I will touch on these as we go through the options.

This is how to get your baby back to sleep in the middle of the night:

Keep to what works best

If your baby has a routine before going to bed, stick with it. Even during times of regression, your baby will feel comforted knowing what is to come next.

If you have never heard about sleep routines but are interested in it, you may consider another article of ours which focuses more on the bedtime routine.

Just in case you are not in the mood for another article.

Watch Video

Apart from that, if your baby is used to being cuddled, sang to or even being rocked to sleep, then carry on with what works best for him.

[ Important note ] Rocking or swinging or dancing your baby to sleep sounds like a great idea, but if your baby gets too used to it, he will not be able to fall asleep without having to go through the same sets of motion repetitively in future. If you are comfortable with doing this each time your baby wakes up, then be my guest.

Feed your baby

Who does not feel contented having a full tummy before going to bed? Some babies tend to sleep longer when their tummy is full.

You can try feeding your baby prior to sleep. It may prolong his sleep a little longer rather than getting up in the middle of the night feeling both hungry and cranky.

[ Important note ] This method does work to a certain extent but as your baby grows older, he may associate feeding with sleeping. In other words, each time he gets up, he will need his feed before he can fall asleep again. Just be wary when you use this method.

Use a pacifier or a soother

Time, again and again, remind yourself the pacifier is not your enemy. As long as you use it correctly, it helps you and your baby in the long run.

Look at it from another perspective. If your baby does need some form of comfort before dozing off to slumberland, either by rocking him or using a pacifier, which would you choose?

The choice is pretty obvious, right?

THE PACIFIER IS NOT YOUR ENEMY

Sometimes, you just got to pick the right battle. If your baby associates sleeping with rocking in the later stages, you will have a tough time weaning him off from that.

Some babies may even learn how to self-soothe by sucking their thumbs too. So, using a pacifier is a more hygienic alternative.

Swaddle your baby

Most babies grow out from being swaddled by the time they reach 3 months. However, there are instances babies are still being swaddled when they are older.

If your baby is one of them, you may consider swaddling them if it helps him to sleep better.

Just make sure that you swaddle the upper body and allow the lower limbs to be free to avoid causing any harm to the hips.

If you are unsure how to swaddle a baby, we do have a swaddling guide to help you out too.

Buy Swaddles

[ Important note ] If your baby has already learned to roll over, then swaddling your baby may not be a wise choice at this point. You may want to consider using a baby sleeping bag instead.

Get help from another person

Always remind yourself that you are not alone in this. Exhaustion and extreme tiredness may take a toll on you but that does not mean you cannot get help.

There are times when you have used all measures to get your baby to sleep but he refuses. Then, get someone to stand in for you and take charge for a while.

Take the time you have to recharge before you try again.

My baby wakes up crying hysterically!

At times, it may not be sleep regression at all.

We have been talking about sleep regression from the beginning but common things being common, we should also take other aspects into consideration.

If your baby is past 4 months, or say your 2-year-old waking up at night crying, you should look into these other aspects:

Hungry

There is also a period in which your baby goes through when he gets older called the growth spurts.

These are the expected age for growth spurts to happen:

1 week after birth
2 weeks
4 – 6 weeks
3 months
6 months
9 months

During these growth spurts, your baby’s demand for milk will increase and he will consume more milk than he usually goes. So, in the end, could he be just hungry?

Soiled diapers

The quality of diapers has improved tremendously these days. Most diapers tend to stay dry throughout the night. If your baby has a diaper rash, a soiled diaper at night may aggravate the skin further causing distress to your baby.

Unable to self-soothe

Younger babies have difficulty in soothing themselves back to sleep and it can get frustrating even for your little one.

Just like what I mentioned above, the pacifier is not the enemy. Your baby sucks for comfort, and the pacifier may be the solution.

Overtired

This is quite a common condition. A good number of parents tend to believe in overtiring their babies out in order for them to have a good night sleep.

Truth be told, it works the other way round. If your baby has enough naps in the morning and afternoon, he will sleep better at night.

Do you know that a newborn baby sleeps an average of 12 hours every night? And naps about 4 to 5 hours during the day before 3 months of age? You do the math.

If your baby is sleeping way lesser than that, chances are your baby is overtired.

Night terrors

We commonly refer to it as nightmares. Thing is, night terrors do not really occur in a child less than 4 years old.

In a baby, even more unlikely.

However, it has been reported in toddlers as young as 18 months old.

Nonetheless, just to make sure that it’s not happening in your child, this is what you can do to prevent them:

a relaxing and soothing bedtime routine
make sure your child gets enough rest in the day
don’t let your child be overtired
go to bed early and not staying up too late

Gum aches

A baby starts to teeth as early as 3 months old. So remember to check on your baby’s gum to see if there is any tooth popping out.

Make sure you get those teething gel ready before teething starts. Also, it is always good to have a bottle of syrup paracetamol (Panadol) at home for pain relief. Always remember to consult your doctor for the right dose.

Separation anxiety

Is your 6 month-old waking up screaming?

It’s common for babies around 6 months old as separation anxiety starts kicking in. Meaning, once your baby loses sight of you, he will get really worried.

This can cause them to wake up multiple times at night calling out for you.

If you want to know how to manage this, we have another in-depth guide for this.

How To Manage Your Baby’s Separation Anxiety

Read Guide

Take home points

Sleep regression usually happens when your baby reaches 4 months old.
The 4-month sleep regression is permanent.
The 4-month sleep regression is related to your baby’s milestone development.
Other sleep regressions are just a temporary phase.
Remember to look out for other reasons why your baby is waking up at night.

Baby Sleeping Bags (Malaysia): 100% Safe & Useful?

04/01/2018/0 Comments/in Baby Tips /by Ethissa

If you have gone through our web store, you may have noticed that we have Grobags as part of our line of baby products.

Thing is, are these baby sleeping bags really worth it? We shall look into the practicality of using one in Malaysia and whether they are safe enough to be used on a newborn baby.

Nevertheless, to say that these bags are 100% safe, that is debatable. There is no one product in this world which is 100% safe.

It certainly depends on how you use it, and correctly too. Having the right knowledge increases the safety net.

Are sleeping bags safe for newborns?

As new parents, we are all very excited when our newborn baby arrives.

However, there are things that are considered unsafe, especially when you put them in a baby cot:

toys
blankets
pillows
other large objects

It is recommended to use a baby sleeping bag if possible as there are a couple of important benefits:

Reduces risk of SIDS

Now, by using a baby sleeping bag, it prevents your baby from rolling around, especially in the few first months of life.

Therefore the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) reduces because it reduces the chance of your baby’s face sleeping face-flat on the bed itself.

A constant temperature

Apart from that, a baby sleeping bag helps to keep your baby’s body temperature constant too by creating a more constant temperature profile.

It helps to prevent extreme of temperatures. Not too hot, not too cold.

As you know, our Malaysian weather is not too forgiving, and some of us may use the air-conditioner.

With your baby in a sleeping bag, at least you know your baby is not getting too chilly at night.

A safer sleep environment

As babies tend to kick a lot, using a sleeping bag prevents your baby kicking everything within his reach.

Of course, it is advisable not to have anything inside the cot when your baby is asleep but under certain circumstances (if your baby really likes a soft toy or a pillow and there is no way of removing it), it is unavoidable.

Prevents baby from rolling over

Generally, these sleeping bags prevent babies from rolling over, or at least when they are still small.

Babies start to roll when they are between 3 to 6 months old. The sleeping bag does not prevent your baby from rolling a 100% but at least it reduces the chance.

As long as they sleep with their face facing the ceiling, it will reduce the risk of SIDS too.

Better and longer sleep

All babies like to be swaddled. Or at least when they are still very young. Even if they outgrow the swaddles, baby sleeping bags help them to feel secure and safe.

So, if you are getting a baby swaddle, it helps when you get a sleeping bag which is convertible from a “swaddling” bag to a baby sleeping bag.

To keep it simple, here’s a recap of the benefits:

Reduces risks of SIDS.
Creates a constant temperature for your baby to sleep in.
Prevents your baby from rolling over.
Reduces the chances of baby items covering your baby’s face.
Better sleep.

Zip-up swaddles. Are they the same?

It depends entirely on the product itself, or the brand. Take this brand as an example, Love To Dream. It functions as a baby sleeping bag, just with a different name.

The Gro Company has its own version of zip-swaddles as well, as shown below:

More importantly, always take note of the material of the sleeping bag itself and its tog rating.

Cheaper sleeping bags may look and feel the same, but they do not meet the safety standards of a baby sleeping bag.

How to keep a baby warm at night without swaddle?

To be honest, you are already staring at the answer.

Use a baby sleeping bag.

Some babies tend to wriggle a lot and the swaddle tends to get loose easily especially when they grow older.

So, what’s the next best solution?

Baby sleeping bags these days are designed to fit even a newborn baby. You just have to get the right size for your little one.

We shall look into the next section on how to pick the right one.

Baby sleep sack vs. baby sleeping bag

Confusing? Yes.

But they are essentially the same thing.

The sleep sack is a term generally used in America and sleeping bag is used in UK/Europe.

The baby sleeping bag is a more common term used in Malaysia since our education system is based off the UK in the early centuries.

How to use a sleeping bag for a baby?

Great! Now that you have decided to use one, let’s touch on how to pick the right one.

The size

In general, most parents will wait for their newborn baby to be at least a few weeks old before letting him use the sleeping bag.

However, we want to be specific here to make sure it is safe for your newborn.

How do we make sure that it is the right time to use the sleeping bag?

Look at the recommended weight

For example, Gro-Snug is recommended for babies weighing between 2.3 to 5.5 kg.

If your baby’s weight falls below the recommended range, please wait until he reaches the recommended weight before using one.

Your baby may slip into the bag if he is still small and will get trapped in the sleeping bag. You definitely do not want that to happen as the risk of suffocation is really high.

Apart from that, it depends on whether your baby prefers to be swaddled in the first few weeks of life. If your baby is comfortable being swaddled, then there is no hurry in using a sleeping bag.

The material

The fabric used in making the sleeping bag should be considered. From 100% cotton, bamboo muslin to premium organic cotton, there are lots to choose from.

100% cotton is, cotton. Bamboo muslin is lighter, naturally anti-bacterial and breathable. Organic types are cotton which is grown organically without any use of pesticides or artificial fertilizer.

To note. Do not forget that we are living in Malaysia. Hot and humid 24-7!

Check the Tog before buying a baby sleeping bag

A smaller Tog if your baby does not sleep in an air-conditioned room or a bigger one if he does.

The hood

Some baby sleeping bags come with a hood to cover your baby’s head. Avoid sleeping bags with hoods at all cost.

Nothing is worse than having a cloth covering your baby’s face at night when he sleeps.

Having a hood attached to the sleeping bag is no different than having a blanket covering your baby’s face when he sleeps.

The brand

Suffice to say, there are different types of baby sleeping bags on the market. However, one can never go wrong going along with a brand that has been well received by the community.

Here are some of the popular brands:

The Gro Company
Ergopouch
Aden + Anais
Mothercare
Love To Dream

What is Tog?

Tog is a European measurement of warmth. The higher the Tog, the warmer the material is.

Here are the tog recommended for different types of room temperature:

24˚C or more – 0.5 Tog
20 – 24˚C – 1 Tog
17 – 20˚C – 2.5 Tog
17˚C or below – 3.5 Tog

The Grobags available in our web store are 1.0 Tog, suitable for room temperatures between 20˚C-24˚C.

The reason we did not take in the higher Tog values is due to our weather. Malaysia can’t even go any colder than 20˚C on rainy days.

If your baby sleeps in an air-conditioned room, then these sleeping bags will definitely be of use to keep your baby warm.

Can you put a blanket over a baby sleeping bag?

Why would you even think of using a baby blanket for your baby who is already in a sleeping bag?

Please enlighten us. We may be missing something here.

As we have mentioned above, baby sleeping bags are able to keep your baby warm. All you need to do is to get the right one to suit your baby’s needs.

Using a blanket on top of a sleeping baby defeats the purpose of using one in the first place.

Not only does the blanket causes your baby’s temperature to rise, it also increases the risks of SIDS.

So think twice, and think hard before you decide to use a baby blanket concurrently.

What to wear under Grobag?

Since we have Grobags available, we’ll refer to the Grobag instead.

If you plan to use a Grobag for the majority of the nights, you should let your child wear the right clothing to prevent overheating.

As the baby sleeping bag is already well insulated to keep your baby warm, it is advisable to let your child wear clothing that is airy.

Thick clothes cause overheating.

The recommended sleepwear for babies using sleeping bags is onesies and rompers.

Onesies and rompers generally made of light material so they work well with sleeping bags.

Refer to the chart in the next section to which type of sleepwear you should use for your baby.

The other factor to consider is actually your room temperature.

By understanding that sleeping bags act as an insulator and the type of sleepwear your baby uses affect his body’s temperature, it is important to make sure that your room temperature is appropriate.

To have a room thermometer to measure your room’s temperature would be most ideal.

You can’t really rely on the settings of the air-conditioner alone as the size of your baby’s room, the presence of large windows and even the horsepower of your air-conditioner may alter the temperature.

Grobag temperature guide

This chart gives you a general idea what your baby should wear based on room temperature.

As you can see, a sleeping bag with 1.0 Tog is sufficient for our weather here in Malaysia.

Using a short or long-sleeved cotton body suits (what we call rompers) are recommended if your baby sleeps in an air-conditioned room with a Grobag.

When to stop using sleeping bags for babies?

Eventually, there should be a cutoff point to when your child should stop using the sleeping bag.

There is no fixed time as to when you should stop it.

We’ve picked out some of these comments from these mommy forums (Essential Baby, Mumsnet, Netsmum & Huggies) and here’s what we got:

“My 3-year old still sleeps in one. We have a thin one which he gets put in and then he goes under the covers.“

“My 18-month old is still in them and I’m glad as it prevents her from climbing out of the cot.“

“We stopped using Grobags at the 17th month.“

“I use bigger ones – Grobag 18-36M. I’ll stop using them when she’s in a proper bed.“

“I used them right up until earlier this year and he turns 3.“

“She was in hers until she went into a bed at 2.5. They’re so much easier than blankets & quilts.“

As you can see, the general consensus among most mothers, the time when they stop using sleeping bags for their child is around 3 years old.

Should I buy a baby sleeping bag?

Ultimately, it boils down to this question of whether you should buy one for your baby or not.

As Malaysians, using a baby sleeping bag is not exactly our culture and there are other factors to consider before that.

Some of these factors include:

Willingness to spend that amount of money in a baby sleeping bag.
More money in a bigger bag when your child grows older.
Your home environment. Air-conditioned versus non air-conditioned.
The amount of baby stuff your baby has in the baby cot.
Your baby likes to be swaddled. Check out our safety guide to swaddling too.
You believe in the safety of using a sleeping bag for your baby.

In summary, if you do not mind spending that amount of money in a sleeping bag for your baby who sleeps in the air-conditioned room, wriggles out of the swaddling blanket and needs to have his favourite toy/blankie next to him, then getting a baby sleeping bag would be the right investment.

Are you convinced to get a Grobag?

Buy Now

References:

Infant Deaths and Injuries Associated with Wearable Blankets, Swaddle Wraps, and Swaddling | PubMed
Baby Sleeping Bags – Everything You Need To Know | BellyBelly
The Best Sleepwear For Your Newborn, Infant and Toddler | theAsianparent.com

Is The iPad Hurting Children’s Brain Development?

28/12/2017/0 Comments/in Baby Tips /by Ethissa

It is very common to come across children who are so caught up in their mobile phones, iPad or any other tablets for that matter.

These children are so focused on these devices that they become so oblivious to their surroundings until they are taken away from their hands.

IS THE IPAD REALLY HURTING A CHILD’S BRAIN?

One mommy even shared with us that she tries her very best not to use her smartphone in front of her child to avoid exposing her child to these gadgets at an early age.

Such determination!

In this topic, we will be touching on these:

The negative effects of using iPad or any electronic devices on a toddler
The symptoms indicating an addiction
The recommended screen time according to age
8 ways on how to limit screen time

Do you have the same thought as this mommy?

If you do, then keep reading.

You can jump to sections relevant to you using the table below.

What are the negative effects of iPad on toddlers?

Before we answer the question, understand this.

Looking at the time and society we are currently in, these electronic devices are everywhere and it is just impossible to avoid them all unless you decide to live in a jungle.

SCREENTIME REDUCES QUALITY TIME WITH YOUR CHILD

It’s not that these media are all bad and stuff, but rather the quality that you should spend with your child has been drastically reduced because of these devices.

Now, to answer the question.

The negative effects.

Bad for the eyes

Really? Is iPad bad for toddlers’ eyes?

Truth be told, iPad itself does not cause direct damage to your toddler’s eyes but rather the lack of sunlight devoids your toddler the chance of a healthy eye development.

How to reduce the chances of your child wearing spectacles?

Learn More

Most toddlers who use an iPad stay indoors most of the time, which deprive them the chance of getting natural light.

SUNLIGHT REDUCES THE RISK OF GETTING NEARSIGHTEDNESS

Take a look at this study comparing nearsightedness in children of Chinese ethnicity in Sydney and Singapore.

The rate of nearsightedness in Singapore is almost 9 times higher than in Sydney.

The reason?

Singapore has a competitive education system in which toddlers as young as 18 months are enrolled in a preschool before getting into primary one.

Most learning and activities are conducted indoors.

On the other hand, children in Sydney has extracurricular activities and spend an average of 14 hours a week outside as compared to children in Singapore, who spent a measly 3 hours a week.

In summary, iPad does not cause your toddler’s eyes to deteriorate but the lack of natural sunlight does as usage of electronic devices are usually confined to a house.

Reduced sensory stimulation

Screens do not provide your toddler with the necessary stimulation needed for his growth.

Just imagine your child watches a beach on the iPad, apart from sight, what else can he feel?

We are blessed with 5 types of sensory:

touch
smell
vision
taste
hear

Why use one when you can use all 5?

Your toddler will have a richer experience if he is actually brought to a beach instead. He can feel the breeze on his face, the texture of the sands beneath his soles, the smell of the beach, the sound of the tides and the taste of the seawater.

Can an iPad give you all that?

Sleep interference

I do not deny the fact that iPad contains lots of informational and educational apps that may aid a toddler’s learning.

However, truth is, nothing beats reading a good old book.

When it is close to bedtime, using the iPad may not be a wise choice.

The blue and white light emitted by electronic devices stimulates the toddler’s brain, tricking it into thinking that it is still daylight.

Your toddler will have a tougher time falling asleep after using an iPad as compared to reading a book.

Delay in language and social development

That’s right, it delays development!

Albeit the popular belief that iPad will enhance your toddler’s learning ability, it does not.

Learning in itself, especially for little ones, is a 2-way process.

Do you know that babies will have a larger vocabulary and higher intelligence if their language environment is richer?

That means you have to get involved. Speak to your child, and not let the iPad do the talking.

We will talk more about this in the following section.

A moody and lazy child

As you know, excessive exposure to iPad causes sleep disruptions.

What happens when are you tired?

You are cranky, right?

This applies to your child too!

Also, if your little one has started playing games on the iPad, albeit educational ones, it may also induce a certain amount of stress in your toddler when he plays it.

If the stress level builds up, it may cause your child to feel irritable and agitated.

GAMES MAKE YOUR CHILD LAZY

Apart from that, these apps (that provides rewards) and games on the iPad put your child in a “feel-good” state for as long as he is playing with it as it triggers the constant release of dopamine, a hormone that creates this feel-good feeling.

In other words, instant gratification.

When you take this feeling away from your child, he will be demotivated and has a lack of energy in performing other activities as they are not as rewarding as playing with the iPad.

As a result, you are creating a lazy child.

Not able to make friends

Being lazy is one. Not being able to make friends is another.

Your child will lack the ability to understand emotions and have difficulty in creating relationships with others.

You know why?

This is because your child has been only taking to the iPad itself. Or more like the iPad “talking” to your child.

There is no communication involved.

Increased screen time stops your child’s frontal brain from developing which is needed for social interactions.

You don’t want your child to be a zombie and a lone ranger, do you?

Why is screen time bad for toddlers?

Alright, sure. You are still not convinced about not letting your child use the iPad.

You still believe that using an iPad or any electronic devices may help your toddler to be smarter.

Like “You know what? My child knows how to operate the iPad by himself and starts his favourite app!”.

Personally, it is not actually an “achievement” that you should be proud of. It is more worrisome rather than an accomplishment.

There are always two sides to a coin.

Yes, your toddler is definitely good at what he can do with the iPad, but there are also other serious implications that may have gone unnoticed.

Is your 2-year old not talking at all?

Learn More

Let us take this for an example.

You have a busy schedule.
You need some time to run your errands.
You hand your child an iPad to keep him entertained for the time being.
Chore gets done.
Your child remains glued to the iPad.
Given this opportunity, you think to yourself “Why not I get a few more things done too?”.

As time goes by, you will find yourself repeating this process over and over again.

Many of us fall into this category because we need time to do things or time-off from their kids.

Don’t we all?

A CHILD SHOULD USE AN IPAD WITH SUPERVISION

Pause and straighten your thought.

All these time that your child is spending in front of the media, the numbers of hours gone by, there was no communication between you and your child.

How do you expect your child to learn this way?

I am sure that the next thing that comes to mind is this, “I’m giving my child educational apps to use and videos to watch, isn’t he learning something?”.

Here’s what American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends:

High-quality programs, videos or apps with supervision.

Your supervision!

When your child learns from these apps, there is only one-way communication as compared to when you view or learn it with your child.

The disadvantages of excessive screen time without supervision:

It delays a child’s speech and language skill development.
A child will not be able to understand emotions as electronic devices are emotionless.
A younger child will have a skewed version of the world, unable to differentiate between a cartoon and a real object.
Poor short-term memory and attention span.

Sounds bad right?

Truth be told, letting your child use an electronic device is not a bad thing.

Just like an old saying, a bad craftsman always blames his tools.

Your electronic devices are not at fault.

It is you who is responsible for your child’s growth and development.

Screen addiction symptoms in children

There is this saying that goes “The eyes don’t see what the mind doesn’t know”.

If you don’t know the symptoms, then likely you will not realize that your child is addicted to the screen.

Here are the 8 symptoms that point towards screen addition:

1. No control

Your child just can’t stop using the device. Even during meal times, he has to use it.

If you are doing it too, you may jolly well have some form of addiction issues.

2. Loss of interest

Nothing interest your child more than the iPad itself.

He just wants the iPad and is not keen to participate in other activities.

3. Preoccupied

Just like a football fan during World Cup who eats, sleeps and thinks nothing but football.

Your child is doing the same exact thing, except with the iPad.

4. Does not socialize

Finds no joy in creating a conversation with others.

Rather face the iPad than people in real life.

5. Argumentative

Does your child argue with you when you take away the iPad from him?

Does he get angry and refuse to listen to you?

This is one of the symptoms of addiction.

6. Tolerance

Your child needs to use the iPad for a longer period of time to satisfy his need.

Over time, the time needed to reach the same pleasurable (dopamine) levels increases, which means longer usage of the device as compared to when he first started.

7. Withdrawal

He can’t seem to sit still when the device is kept away from him.

Easily agitated.

8. Mood stabilizer

Does your child depend on the device to keep calm? Especially on a bad day?

If nothing seems to be able to calm your child down apart from the iPad, be wary.

It’s just like an adult who needs alcohol to take his sorrows away.

Recommended screen time for children

Here is the screen time recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for each age group:

Screen time for babies under 18 months old

0 hours. None. Zilch.

Although an exception is made for video-chatting (eg. Skype. Facetime, etc.) it’s best to avoid them if possible.

Screen time for toddlers between 18 to 24 months old

If you want to introduce digital media to your child, then wait till 18 months old.

In general, no longer than 1 hour (although no time frame has been given) since the maximum screen time for 2-year olds are 1-hour max.

High-quality programs, please. And be sure you explain to your child what’s on screen.

Screen time for 2, 3, 4 and 5-year olds

1-hour max.

Again, let me reinforce this.

High-quality programs and provided that you are using these programs or apps with your child.

Screen time for 6-year olds or older

There are no specific hours given but it is advisable to set a time limit.

More importantly, make sure that media usage does not take over your child’s physical activities or sleep.

Or any other activities that are essential for his growth and health.

Who is the teacher? You or the iPad?

After reading the above, I hope you should be able to understand the effects of iPad on little ones and be wary when you plan to use it.

More importantly, you can start off by using pictures books and cards if your child is less than 18 months of age.

Even flashcards themselves won’t teach your child anything if you just leave the cards to your child’s hands without spending the quality time teaching him how to identify and read.

The very same principle applies to apps or education programs on mobile devices.

BE YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER

Once your child is older, you can introduce apps to him gradually, let him use them with you by his side as he learns and set a limitation to how long your child can use them.

You are your child’s first teacher.

Remember, no one can ever replace that.

All the books, flashcards, apps and other electronic devices are just your tools to help you along the way.

How you use them, will eventually dictate your child’s future outcome.

How to limit children’s screen time?

If your toddler has already started to use an iPad, you can either let him have the freedom to use the iPad as long as he wants and face the consequences later.

Or, set a limit. If the limit is your pick, then here are 8 tips to help you out:

Be a parent and not a friend

You are your child’s parent. Set rules and limitations.

A lot of parents fall into this trap because of the unwanted meltdowns and screams.

In the end, they just give in to their child’s demands.

Making the bold move

Trash the iPad.

Okay, fine. Sounds a little drastic but you can sell the iPad, or even give it away.

If your child does not see one lying at home, the chances of him asking for it will reduce significantly.

Set an example

If you are a screen addict yourself, how do you expect your child to stop using one?

Children follow their parent’s footsteps.

So changes should begin with yourself, first.

Play with your child

Children by nature, like to play. Not to be glued to the screen.

It is us that makes them a screen-addict.

Spend time with your child doing other activities. Be it arts and crafts or outdoor activities.

It takes effort but like the saying goes, no pain no gain.

No iPad/TV in the room

It is highly encouraged to keep these away from your child’s room.

Not even yours.

Keep bedtime special for you and your child:

Read a book
Sing a couple of songs
Run through the day’s event with your child

There is no better time to bond with your child than bedtime itself.

Agree on a time limit

If your toddler has some level of understanding, instead of just saying no, reason it out with him.

Discuss the reasons behind it and come to an agreement on the time he should be spending on the iPad.

A win-win situation for both parties.

Do stuff together

Allow your child to be involved in your life. It’s easy to just chuck your child into a corner with an iPad while you do your chores.

Children are great little helpers.

Although it takes more time to get the work done with your little one helping, it teaches your child responsibility and independence from young.

Besides, it’s a great way to bond with your child too!

Eat together

Meal times are actually the best time to have a conversation with your child.

Take this time to listen and understand your child more.

A lot of people are pretty much glued to their phones at the eating tables these days.

Even a toddler is given an iPad to watch while being fed.

Sad, isn’t it? Who’s going to make the change if it’s not you?

The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) of Singapore summarized all the above relatively well in this short video clip.

Take home points

Advisable not to let your toddler use the iPad until he is 2 years old.
Use the iPad together with your child, not as a babysitting tool.
There are more negative effects than benefits of letting your child use an iPad at an early age.
For an older child (2 to 5 years old), limit the iPad usage to no more than 1 hour a day.
You are the teacher of your child, not the iPad.

What do you think?

Will you be compromising on certain (busy) days, letting your child use the iPad?

Or ban it completely?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

References:

Screentime Is Making Kids Moody, Crazy and Lazy | Psychology Today
Myopia, Lifestyle, and Schooling in Students of Chinese Ethnicity in Singapore and Sydney | The JAMA Network
How To Limit Your Child’s Screen Time | Becoming Minimalist
American Academy of Pediatrics Announces New Recommendations for Children’s Media Use | American Academy of Pediatrics

How To Manage Your Baby’s Separation Anxiety

02/03/2017/0 Comments/in Baby Tips /by Ethissa

Your baby or toddler has been sleeping well throughout the night. And one fine day, you realize that your baby starts to cry in the middle of the night.

Since then, your baby has started to cry each time you leave your baby’s line of sight. Your baby is most likely having a separation anxiety.

To leave your baby behind when your baby cries is not an easy task. Most parents will feel guilty at some point and have difficulty coping with it.

In this article, I will focus mainly on providing you with the necessary information in identifying separation anxiety in your baby and the appropriate ways to manage it.

What is separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety is a stage in which a baby goes through during emotional development. All babies will experience it at some point of their life unless your baby’s heart is made out of pure cold steel.

During this stage, your baby starts to learn and experience that even if people or things are not visible, that does not mean they do not exist. This what we call object permanence.

Wait. Object what?

To keep it simple, object permanence is a scientific term that states that an object continues to exist even without having the need to see, hear, touch or even smell it.

While your baby starts to develop this understanding, your baby will think that you have vanished into thin air as long as he does not see you.

When does separation anxiety happen?

The age group when anxiety separation strikes: 6 months to 18 months. It can occur in younger babies too.

The anxiety eases up once your baby turns 2 years old.

What are the signs of separation anxiety?

1. Your baby starts getting up in the night.

Your baby has always been a good sleeper. Then, he starts getting up in the middle of the night crying out loud despite not being overtired.

In this situation, it is not just any cry, but a cry that needs you to carry and coax him back to sleep. Or, your baby just need you to be in his presence before he can fall back to sleep.

2. Your baby cries when carried by others.

Your child cries each time someone tries to carry him like a nanny, a caregiver or other family members and even louder when you try leave.

3. Your baby wants you to be next to him when he plays.

Despite having all the toys to play with, your child refuses to let you leave his sight. Your baby needs you to sit next to him while he plays and when you try to leave, he cries.

4. Your baby runs for you when you want to go pee or poop.

Your child starts to cry when you go to the washroom to have a pee. It is worse when you are pooping half way and he starts banging on your toilet door, crying out for you. Your poop feeling will just fade away instantaneously.

Is separation anxiety preventable?

Now, as mentioned, separation anxiety happens in all babies. Therefore, it is not preventable.

On the other hand, there are ways to prepare your child for future separations.

Here’s 7 ways to ease your child’s separation anxiety:

Practice makes perfect.

Before sending your child to the nanny or childcare, why not practice it at home first?
If your child is in the room, try to leave the room for a few minutes before going back to him.
Reassure your child that you will be back to get him after a short while. Be sure that you do that, or else it is going to be backfire.
Once this is performed repetitively, your child will learn that everything will be alright, and that you will go back and get him eventually.

Remember to say goodbye.

Kiss and hug your baby before leaving him behind.
Do not prolong your goodbyes though. It is just going to make things more difficult.
Do not run off sneakily behind his back while he is not aware of it. This will upset your child even more.
You can do this as part of your bedtime routine too. Give your child a hug and a good night kiss, and let him know that you will see him again tomorrow morning.

Give your baby time.

If you are planning to send your baby to a nanny or a child care, spend the time with him there too.
Give your baby some time to get adjusted to the new surroundings.
Limit the hours at the unfamiliar setting first, then prolonging the hours as time goes by.

Consistency.

Keep the same routine throughout the week.
If your baby has been taken care by a nanny and has adapted well, stick with the same nanny.
We all have our own comfort zones, so does your little one.

Stay calm and do not get upset.

Nothing upsets your baby more than seeing your angry and frustrated face.
Avoid scolding your child by all means.

Leave like you mean it.

When you leave your child, make sure you leave. Just go.
Do not turn back if the cries get louder.
It is just going to get harder for your and your baby if you keep turning back to check on him.
This will indirectly create a new “bad” habit for your child as he expects you to turn back in the future.

Using a soft toy or a comforter.

Does your baby have a favourite comforter toy or a blankie that soothes him?
It could be a small blankie imbued with his scent or a comforter toy that he brings to bed every night.
You can use that to calm him too as a replacement when you are not around.

I have tried all methods. None of them are working! How?

In general, not all babies are alike. Each baby has his or her own personality, so does your little one too. You may want to re-look at some of the strategies you have implemented.

You may want to consider introducing a routine for your baby. If your baby does not have a bedtime routine, you can start it off by making one. Then you can work your way to creating some short goodbye routines for your baby too.

If you want to know more about routines and their usefulness, do read our Complete Guide: Bedtime Routine For Your Child.

Trust your own instincts. If your child refuses to go to a particular nanny or a center, you may want to look into the nanny or the child care center that you are sending your child to.

There is a possibility that there might be a mismatch between your baby and the person who is taking care of him.

Should I be worried about separation anxiety in my baby?

Most babies outgrow separation anxiety around 2 years of age.

As parents, we all worry for our children but try to look at it this way. All babies goes through separation anxiety as part of their emotional development. On a positive note, it is actually a good thing.

Why?

The presence of separation anxiety indicates the bond that you have with your baby. The greater the anxiety your child has, the stronger the bond you have with your baby.

When should I seek help from a paediatrician?

If the anxiety in a child persists past 6 years of age, there could be an underlying anxiety disorder.

Talk to your paediatrician if your child develop these symptoms:

Nausea, vomiting or shortness of breath just before you leave your child behind. It is called hyperventilation syndrome, or simply put it, a panic attack.
Develop nightmares that wakes your child from sleep.
Excessive fear of sleeping alone. Some children do have this fear of sleeping alone, but majority of the time, it is manageable.
Anxiety persisting into preschool and school years which is affecting your child’s daily activities.

That being said, always remember that this is just a temporary phase and it will pass. If you have doubts or concerns, please do talk to your doctor about it.

References:

5 Signs Your Baby’s Got Separation Anxiety | Mother & Baby
Separation Anxiety | BabyCenter
How to Handle Separation Anxiety | Parents
Separation Anxiety in Children | WebMD