#nurturemethod

Understanding your baby’s 45 minute sleep cycle. 😴💕🌟#happybabyandme #nurturemethod

I ordered a pretty backdrop for my videos... this teeny tiny baby version arrived in it’s place 😂👌🏻 #happybabyandme #nurturemethod #allfunandgames #taketwo

It's a day of working on my book 🤓😊 #nurturemethod #happybabyandme #gentlesleep

Use Lavender in your baby's room for sleep: Research shows Lavender can aid sleep. Prevention alternative medicine editor Sara Altshul writes, 'In one study done at Britain's University of Southampton, researchers tracked the sleep patterns of 10 adults. For a week, half of the participants slept in a room where lavender essential oil was diffused in the air throughout the night; the rest slept in a similar room where a placebo, sweet almond oil, was released. After a week, the groups switched rooms. At the end of the study, the volunteers ranked the quality of their sleep 20% better on average when in the lavender-scented room. The researchers found that lavender increased slow-wave sleep, the very deep slumber in which the heartbeat slows, and muscles relax. During this phase, the brain is thought to organise memory, as well'. Sprinkle a few drops of pure lavender essential oil onto a muslin and leave somewhere out of your baby's reach, allowing the scent to permeate through your little one's room through the night; or use an aromatherapy diffuser. If you are a not a massive fan of Lavender, here are six more essential oils believed to aid sleep Ylang Ylang: Floral and fruity smelling, improves quality of sleep Vetiver: Rich and earthy smelling, is said to help the brain 'switch off.' Roman Chamomile: Has a light, floral scents and is known for its calming, soothing, and relaxing properties. Bergamot: Bergamot is a citrus fruit, and the oil is cold-pressed from the rind or peel. Said to be bright yet calming at the same time. Sandalwood: A rich and woody oil, more expensive but a little goes a long way. Marjoram: Not only excellent for muscles and joints, but it also excels in creating peaceful sleep. #lavendar #nurturemethod #gentlebabysleep #parenting

Happy! :) 💝🌟 #nurturemethod #gentlebabysleep

Overtired or colic? A baby’s ‘awake time’ is the amount of time a baby can comfortably stay awake for in between naps and bedtime before becoming tired again – and then overtired if you miss this window. It becomes much harder to put a little one down for a nap or bedtime when they are overtired. Young babies are often misdiagnosed as having colic when in fact they are overtired, as on paper the symptoms are incredibly similar. See below. #baby #colic #nurturemethod #overtired #gentlebabysleep

Help your baby's body produce Melatonin (the sleepy hormone): The Hypothalamus is a part of the brain which is connected to the back of the eyes. It releases different hormones according to the amount of light it perceives. Cortisol, which wakes us up in the morning, and Melatonin, the hormone responsible for making us sleepy at night. Four factors which affect Melatonin - Lighting: Light affects the production of melatonin. Make sure all the lights in your baby's room are off during the night. The only night light that does not inhibit melatonin production is a red light. - Overtiredness: When babies become overtired their bodies secrete Cortisol, (the stress hormone) to keep them awake. Cortisol inhibits Melatonin - you can see how these two don't go very well together. - Temperature: A cool room will help your baby produce melatonin. A room which is too warm will inhibit sleep. It's better to keep your little one's room cooler and dress your baby warmer than keep your baby's room warm and dress him lighter. - A Bath: Bathing your little one increases his core body temperature, it then drops when you take your little one out of the bath, this not only signals to your baby's body that he is ready for sleep but also encourages the release of Melatonin, helping babies sleep better. #baby #parenting #melatonin #gentlebabysleep #nurturemethod

Decorating your baby's room for peaceful sleep: Feng Shui Specialist Denise O'Dwyer says:' The way in which you decorate your baby's nursery and the pictures you display, all affect the Feng Shui of the room. Avoid stimulating and aggressive images, such as roaring lions, pictures of fast cars, or any image that does not promote calm. Decorating with pale, soft colours is preferable to bright, primary colours as pale colours create a more Yin, sleep supporting, environment'.#fengshui #baby #gentlebabysleep #nurturemethod