Melanie Campbell - Sweet Home Sleep Solutions

🌼🌷⏰ SPRINGING FORWARD ⏰🌷 🌼

One of our least favorite days of the year is coming soon! Time changes next weekend. Little bodies (and big, for that matter!) can take quite some time to adjust, so baby steps are very helpful. Spreading the one-hour jump over a week can help a lot!

Want to get a little ahead of the game? Below is a little guide that shows how you can change in 15-minute increments. Starting tomorrow (Monday) begin moving bed times and nap times up 15 minutes every two days. By Sunday, you'll be right on track!

If the thought of another thing on your plate makes your head hurt, wait until next week! I'll have another guide for those wanting to wait and change when the clocks actually change. :)

Several mamas have already reached out wondering how to handle it and I know MANY more have questions, so please share with your friends with littles.

If you do have questions, please let me know in the comments!

This child. This feisty, life-loving child has quite the fears...

Last night about 3am, she called out for us. Daddy went in to find that she was seeing shadows of mice. A little attention and love and back to bed was enough...

Until she saw more shadows. We heard the tiny tiptoes into our room. This time it was shadows of buttons. Yeah, that's what I thought, too... What on earth?! Again, a little love and back to bed.

The last time, she appeared in our room after seeing glitter in her room.

Y'all, I'm not one to want my kids in my bed. I just do not sleep well at all and we strive for consistency.

BUT, when a child presents their case to get in your bed and glitter is the best thing she can come up with that should seem scary enough to warrant it, I'm giving in.

Did any of us sleep well after that? No. But, if once every six months my child ends up in my bed, it's okay.

I was reminded of how magical a 4 year old's world is and how short a time it is before her fears are WAY beyond buttons and glitter during the night.

Sometimes we need a little extra love and sometimes, that just happens to be during the night.

Is your baby ready to transition from two naps to one? If so, Sunday, March 8th is a GREAT day!

Why? Because you are already "losing" an hour. That 10:00am nap will now be 11:00am. If you can push your baby a little further, you can get close to 11:30am, which is a great place to start! You may even make it to 12:00. Then, if your baby is tired before the normal bedtime, you're in luck! Why? Because with the new time, an early bedtime is now more in line with your "old" bedtime.

Is it that easy? No. We know that babies often find nap changes challenging, and rightfully so. It will be a struggle to help them make it to the new nap time for a while, but extra sunlight and being outside helps a ton.

Not sure if you baby is ready to transition? Here are a couple of pointers:
- Many babies begin to struggle with their first or second nap rather consistently. If it continues for around two weeks, he or she may be ready. One "off" nap here or there doesn't necessarily mean they are ready.
- Most babies are in the neighborhood of 15 months old, but certainly some are earlier and some later.

If you're wondering if your baby is ready, reach out! I'll be happy to help.

In the meantime, let's all say a prayer for Sunday events for all parents and Church nursery workers ❤️.

Whether we like it or not, it's that time! BUT, while we may be losing an hour of sleep, at least we won't have babies waking an hour early (like in the fall).

Use my little cheat guide for a gentle approach that is a little easier on our kiddos. I've done the math for you! ;)

IF YOU CAN, start putting your kids to bed early TONIGHT (even if it's 15 minutes early). That makes Sunday a little easier if you're getting up early for church and such.

Also, GET OUTSIDE. It's hard to get our kiddos to fall asleep early if they've been on the couch most of the day. For us Alabama folks, the rain is outta here and it's finally nice outside! Take advantage of it and let those little bodies move as much as possible in the sunshine.

Have a question about your schedule and how to adjust to the new time? Post below or send me a message. I'm always happy to help!

Maybe you like the idea of co-sleeping or maybe you need your space. Neither makes you less or more of a mama!

I am more of a "I need my own bubble at night" kind of mama, but I did it out of necessity until my daughter fell off of our bed one night. Talk about guilt!

Needless to say, I am a huge advocate of safe sleep.

For those of you who want the best of both worlds (co-sleeping and an independent sleeper), that's not easy.

My honest and somewhat comical take on co-sleeping is below!

Co-sleeping and sleep training — Sweet Home Sleep Solutions The idea of co-sleeping sounds magical unless it means that neither you or your baby sleeps well! Is it possible to co-sleep AND sleep train? That's a great question!

Is your child craving time with you in your bed, wanting attention or just extra snuggles?

Maybe they prefer your bed all night long and you're looking or a way out?

One idea that can help fill your child's snuggle cup but also give you the space you need during the night is to set aside "snuggle time" before bedtime or after your child wakes.

I suggest offering snuggle time in the morning since we'd prefer our kids settling down and getting comfy in their own beds, but depending on the age and situation it may work to offer it before bed.

Obviously, we don't want to reward an early waking with snuggles in mommy and/or daddy's bed, so we'd set our standard with a clock or okay to wake. Then, we allow for 15-20 minutes of time with our child in our bed.

Now, obviously, this wouldn't work for every family depending on morning routines. But, if having a bedtime buddy is a challenge right now and it fits your schedule, it's certainly worth a shot!

I'll be talking more about this in the Baby's Sweetest Sleep group, so if you haven't joined, head on over!

This week we are talking about co-sleeping!

I have friends who love it, friends who need their space, and friends who want to love it but hate the 3 a.m. pokes in the face.

Whether or not to co-sleep is definitely a family decision.

Wondering whether you can co-sleep and sleep train? I've got you covered. Be on the lookout for my answers to this question and more on Wednesday!

Happy Monday, mamas! ❤️

Toddlers are rambunctious, high energy creatures and Goldfish can only get us so far!

Here are a few tips for making holiday travel more manageable:

1. When possible, plan to travel during nap time. It makes for a more peaceful ride for everyone.

2. Step outside! A little fresh air and sunshine are good for the soul. If the weather permits, walk around for a bit.

3. If your trip is longer than a normal nap time, or you are flying, break out something new that captures their attention. A toy that’s been tucked away for a while often works just as well as a new Amazon delivery, so no pressure to buy.

On a hunt for something that entertains, is fairly cheap, makes no mess, and takes up little space? Melissa and Doug’s “On the Go” series is awesome! Sticker Face books are another favorite. I’ll put a few links below in case you are interested.

https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-ColorBlas…/…/ref=sr_1_9…

https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Make-Face…/…/ref=sr_1_3…

What is your favorite “go to” for travel?

Sniffles and snotty noses at home? It's certainly that time of year.

But, if we are being real, if that's all we get we are beyond blessed.

So what's a mama to do if a baby is sick? I mean, if you've worked hard to get your kiddo to sleep well, you're worried that it'll all get off track.

Well, mama, let me tell ya something. If there is one thing a sick baby needs, it's some good LOVIN!

Rock, hold, sing. Sit a while! You're baby needs YOU, so don't be worried about destroying good sleep habits.

An independent sleeper will probably find comfort in their bed. If they are really yucky sick and wind up in your bed, it's fine!

Yep, I said it. Do what you have to do to help them sleep because sleep is one thing a sick baby absolutely needs.

Will it take some work to get back on track? Maybe, but you might be surprised!

I just can't say I support leaving a baby crying for mama while they are sick.

Do the best you can to stick to your normal routine. The health of your baby always comes first. Love on your little one extra hard, help them get well, and then think about how to get back on track.

Still worried about sleeping while sick? I am always here to help!

It's that time of year! Your feed will soon be loaded down with Santa pictures.

This was our first Santa picture (three years ago) and one of many "failed" picture attempts that year. I wanted SO badly to have a picture of A and she never wanted any part of having pictures the way I wanted.

I vividly remember being on the verge of tears one morning after she didn't cooperate. I wanted to capture her the way I saw her every day with her sweet smile. She insisted in darting in every direction possible. Every. Single. Time.

Some may think it's plain silly that I was so set on a picture, but they grow up so fast and I wanted something to hold onto forever.

This morning as I sat with both kids wrestling to be in my lap and then snuggling to read a Christmas book, I realized that sometimes the sweetest memories will never be in a picture. I could hardly focus on the words of the book because I just wanted it to last forever.

This season, please take a moment to just stop and be still in the moment. Really watch your child's face and get lost in them. Sure, take your pictures, but be sure to slow down at least for a moment and take it all in.

Wishing you the sweetest memories this year!

Enjoy your extra hour of sleep this morning? 😆

Things aren't quite like they were prior to kids are they? I wouldn't change it, though!

If you are wondering what to do with the new time, here is an easy guide to follow. My biggest piece of advice is to take it slowly and be patient! It can take little bodies up to two weeks to truly adjust.

If you got an early start last week but your child still hasn't adjusted, keep at it this week.

You may choose to use each new adjustment for three days instead of two, and that's fine, too!

Either way, I would get started with naps today, delaying naps by 15 minutes.

Good luck!

P.S. If you need a little clarification, the example uses an example of a bedtime that was 7:00pm prior to the time change. That is now 6:00pm after "falling back" last night. We'll move each nap and bedtime 15 minutes later until we are back on track at 7:00pm.

Also, for school aged children, you can move in 30-minute increments.