Sleeping Should Be Easy

How to Encourage Individuality in Twins

Two babies celebrating individuality in twins

Worried that your twins are getting lumped in together too much? Encourage individuality in twins to develop their unique personalities and interests. Before my twins were born, I swore I wouldn't dress them the same. "I want them to have their own personalities and not get clumped in as twins all the time. They'll look too alike and others will forget they're individual people." Well... come delivery time, my twins looked nothing alike. Even now at two-years-old, they're as different as can be. One is tall, the other short. One has straight hair, the other wavy. One is tall and lean, the other short and round. And that's just with their appearances. They also have their own personalities, favorite activities and food preferences. I have it easy with my twins. They were … Read More...

Top 6 Tips to Get Through the Toddler Sleep Regression

sleeping

A little boy going through the toddler sleep regression

The toddler sleep regression can take on many forms, don't you think? Maybe your toddler has always been a "good sleeper" or, quite the opposite, he's now waking up every night for at least an hour. He refuses to sleep until late into the night, only to wake up at 4am ready to go. Perhaps he screams for 30 minutes at nap time, or refuses to let your partner put him down. In short, your toddler has decided to boycott sleep now, leaving you completely exhausted and losing your mind. Maybe ever since he started daycare, he's been up at least once a night, and you're tired of going in to check each time. Or you soothed him to sleep when he was sick, except now he's grown used to sleeping in your bed even though he's well and happy. Or maybe he wakes up asking to watch TV, … Read More...

How to Get a Teething Baby to Sleep

development

Teething baby won’t sleep at night? Discover how to get a teething baby to sleep, the tips and products that help, and how to handle the sleep regression. I can't remember how many times my baby would fuss and I'd declare, "He must be teething," only for no teeth to show. Another fussy episode would pass, and again I'd say, "Okay, now he's probably teething," yet still no teeth would poke through. After a while I got tired of blaming his fits on his teeth. That is, until the fiasco a few weeks back when, for about half an hour or so, he was inconsolable. Nothing that normally soothed him worked—not looking out the window, not swaying to music, not even his fire truck. (Which, to its credit, bought me about 30 seconds of calm before he erupted in screaming again.) A quick … Read More...

What Are the Signs to Stop Working During Pregnancy?

pregnancy

Are you pregnant and wondering if you should stop working? Take a look at the top signs to stop working during pregnancy and reasons you should. My first pregnancy went smoothly... that is, until I hit that last and final month. Now I struggled to walk, bracing myself for the inevitable pain in my pelvic bones and hips. I felt heavy, waddling from side to side, with shortness of breath. And let's not even get into the sleepless nights and waking up five times a night, leaving me barely able to function the next day. I was so exhausted, so over everything, and so drained. But like many moms, I wanted to save my maternity leave for after the baby was born, not before. After all, we want to use that time to bond with the baby, push back the need for child care, and … Read More...

Toddler Beach Essentials for Stress-Free Family Fun

family life

A collection of beach essentials for toddlers

Wondering what to bring to the beach with a toddler? Take a look at these beach essentials for toddlers — a collection of must have beach items for your next vacation. Bringing toddlers to the beach isn't always an easy feat. The first time I brought my twins to the beach, one of them cried for 20 minutes straight while the other had to poop in the public restroom. Snacks fall straight into the wet sand, beach towels never seem to stay clean, and naps are unpredictable. You might imagine your toddler darting off the one second you looked away, or dread coming home with sand in every crevice of his body. And let's not forget figuring out how to lug all your gear with a toddler in tow. Still, having lived near the beach for several years now, I've learned that a trip to … Read More...

Top 5 Reasons Your Newborn Wakes Up Screaming

newborn

Panicked because your newborn wakes up screaming and crying suddenly from naps and sleep, as if in pain? Learn the top 5 reasons this happens, and what to do about it. Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, which means I will earn a commission—at no extra cost to you—if you make a purchase. I was used to hearing my newborn's cries after waking up... but screaming? This wasn't your regular whimpers and tears, but a sudden cry that caught me off guard and sent me in a panic. But of course, the minute I picked him up, he immediately calmed down and fell back asleep. It got to the point where he wouldn't sleep—at least for long—unless someone was holding him. I tried the bassinet, the portable crib, the swing... he'd last maaaaaybe 20 minutes before waking up … Read More...

6 Ways to Resolve Your 2 Year Old Sleep Problems

sleeping

2 year old sleep problems: A little boy jumping on the bed

What to do when your toddler won’t go to sleep? Discover the top 6 solutions to resolve your 2 year old sleep problems and regression. Rest assured, you're not the only one caught off guard by your 2 year old's unexplained middle-of-the-night wakings. You know, the ones where he wakes up six times, running to your room for you to put him back to sleep. Or perhaps it's when he wakes up crying hysterically, leaving him tired and grumpy during the day. He might even stay wide awake, refusing to fall asleep for several hours. Other parents say that their toddlers have recently been difficult to put down for naps or bedtime, despite being obviously tired. They extend story time and ask to be rocked to sleep, or sob for their parents to stay in their rooms, afraid to be left … Read More...

Transitioning to a Toddler Bed at 18 Months

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A little boy transitioning to toddler bed at 18 months

Wondering if it’s possible to start transitioning to toddler bed at 18 months? Take a look at the signs your child is ready, and the best practices to do so. Transitioning my eldest to a toddler bed came with the inevitable tears. The first set of course was convincing him to sleep in the bed at bedtime. Next came the predictable middle-of-the-night wake-up, starting with drawn-out cries before petering to five-second sniffles. And finally, the early wake-ups meant hearing him cry as early as 5:30 in the morning. Let's just say the transition wasn't exactly easy peasy. Thankfully he adjusted, but the experience reminded me why so many parents wonder if transitioning to toddler bed at 18 months is even possible. And the reasons are plenty: You're expecting a new … Read More...

Sleeping Should Be Easy

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How to Encourage Individuality in Twins

Top 6 Tips to Get Through the Toddler Sleep Regression

How to Get a Teething Baby to Sleep

What Are the Signs to Stop Working During Pregnancy?

Top Questions About Transitioning from Breastmilk to Whole Milk

Toddler Beach Essentials for Stress-Free Family Fun

Top 5 Reasons Your Newborn Wakes Up Screaming

6 Ways to Resolve Your 2 Year Old Sleep Problems

Transitioning to a Toddler Bed at 18 Months

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