As told in the Parenting.com article on “14 Happy Bedtime Rituals” there is no one-size-fits-all bedtime routine when it comes to your own child.  Some of these ideas work and some may not.  It all depends on your child’s personality and what their needs are.  What is important is that you do try some of these suggestions.  It will make your child sleep more soundly and wake up refreshed and ready for a new day.

Some suggestions are:

• Bath
• Read a book (this is a must)
• Lullaby – Music has been known to calm & soothe the most distraught child…Read More About Music HERE
• Snuggle (which I am a big fan of!)

You can also read more about bedtime routines on my blog.  Just creating a routine each night will help your family have a calm evening together.

Good luck and sleep well!

Rae Lynn @ Kidz Comfort

As a Mom of two boys that are very close in age (only 15 months apart) and with two VERY VERY different personalities, it was quite clear from the beginning that I would need to come up with two clever ways to help our boys through the variety of “firsts” that were coming.  One, I will call “spirited” and the other more “easy going”.

What they did have in common was the desire to choose their surroundings, including the bed bumper for big kids that I had designed especially for them.

If you are looking for ideas to make your child’s transition a little more smooth, calm and positive, just check out some of the previous posts I have written regarding a safe bedtime routine for kids…

Crib to Bed Transition

Toddler Bedtime Routine Help

Dr. Sears, of Parenting.com has some great ideas as well.

Whatever methods you choose, just make sure your child is not stressed and remember that they will eventually embrace their new surroundings.

Sleep well!

-Rae Lynn at Kidzcomfort.com

That is one of the reasons that Kidz Comfort decided to begin offering lullaby music CDs to our customers.  After all, shouldn’t it be a part of every child’s bedtime routine?

But, don’t take my word for it.  Parenthood.com has a great article supporting these beliefs.  It doesn’t have to be a music CD though.  What is comforting to your child is often just the sound of your voice.  So, if you want to comfort your child, sing a little song.  As a backup plan, it is great to have a lullaby CD available.

Read my previous post on the great impact lullaby music can have on your child….FULL STORY

Thanks and Sleep Well!

raelynn @ Kidz Comfort

As a Mother, I am quite aware of all the stressful milestones that take place during the toddler and pre-school years. One of these stressful times happens to be transitioning from a crib to a big boy or girl bed. There are several tips and tricks that you can use to make this transition go smoothly and safely for both you and your child.

It can sometimes be difficult to determine when your child is ready to leave the crib. With this decision it is important that you follow the child’s lead. A sure sign is if your child can actually climb out of their crib. This can pose the risk for injury to your child. At young ages, children often do not have the coordination and stability to climb safely, not to mention the risk of falling several feet to the floor.

Children usually transition from their crib to a bed between the ages of 18 months and 36 months according to experts. If they are not climbing out of the crib yet, there is no need to rush it. Dr. Laura Jana, a general pediatrician in Denver, Colorado, and one of Dr. Spock’s experts says “there is no definitive answer to the question of when a child should be switched from a crib to a bed. Each family’s situation is different, and in many ways this issue really boils down to a matter of opinion.” One thing to consider is that the longer a child stays in a crib, the more attached they may become to it and transitioning to a bed may be more difficult.

There are a variety of things that you can try to make it easier on everyone involved. Once you’ve determined that it is time to abandon the crib, set a time-frame for the transition period. The reason for doing this is that it is often easier for the child if they see a bed set up in their room for a couple days while they continue to go to sleep in their own crib. This allows them to mentally adjust to it.

The type of bed that you transition them into is strictly a personal preference. Many choose to place a mattress on the floor initially so that there aren’t any accidental falls from the bed that are from too high up. There are thousands of different styles of beds available today from toddler beds to twin beds and larger. You can find themed beds, beds shaped like cars, canopy beds, etc…The list is endless. Keep in mind that the fancier the bed, the more costly it will probably be, also considering how many years they will be in this particular bed.

Allow them to help create their own space. Take them shopping for the bedding and accessories. Let them choose one special item that they can sleep with each night such as a new teddy bear or other soft cuddly item. Toddler size pillows are usually a better and safer choice than standard size pillows as they are more proportionate to the child’s smaller body. These ideas will comfort them while they try to adjust to their new sleeping arrangement.

Again, safety is always a priority. Be sure to have a means for keeping your child from falling out of the bed such as a bed rail. If the child’s bedside is up against a wall, another great safety item is the Bed Bumper for Big Kids. This will help to prevent nighttime bumps and boo-boos while your child tosses and turns in their sleep, creating a barrier between your child and their wall.

Gradually begin to let them nap in the new bed during the day if they are still taking naps. This is also a great way to actually be awake while they “react” to their new sleeping quarters. After several successful naps, begin getting excited with them about how big they are now. Let them help you disassemble the crib and remove it from the bedroom. Make the whole experience exciting and happy.

To prevent wandering around the house, a gate can be used to segregate them from the rest of the house, either by putting it in their doorway or by putting it in a hallway so that they can only access your room or their own room. Be sure that all precautions are taken with regards to child proofing your home.

It is very important that you are patient and give it time. If you are relaxed and loving during the whole process, your child will do fine and you will all sleep very well.

To sum it all up:

• The bedroom and home should be completely child proofed.
• Make their sleep area fun and interesting, allowing them to choose some décor.
• Make sure there are comforting items in the room; nightlights, stuffed animals.
• Reasonable transition period with new bed in room while child is still in crib.
• Start by having them sleep in the new bed during nap times.
• Be sure to segregate them from other areas of home by use of gate.
• Give it time.

You will be shocked to see this video.  It is almost hard to comprehend.  The Kid-Safe Chemicals Act will change the current, and very lenient, regulations for new chemicals that are used in our environment, in our food and in our personal care products.  An overhaul of our nation’s chemical regulatory law is CRITICAL.

See the facts about babies that are being born pre-polluted with as many as 300 industrial chemicals in their bodies when they enter the world.  It is frightening…

While actually calming a child’s mind and relaxing their body, lullaby music has some pretty profound benefits. Soothing lullaby music has been proven to affect the deepest structures of the human brain. Would you believe it has been said to make your child smarter? Music can help with a child’s mental development, coordination, math skills, social skills, memory, creativity and the list goes on and on.

Music has become a science. It has many healing and biological powers and is often used in some forms of therapy…yes, music therapy. It is often used in many settings including some children’s hospital settings to help sick children actually feel better. It has been shown to aid in the healing process. It has even been found to engage autistic children in play with others, bridging a gap.

Music is found to be very effective for babies who are obviously in a stressful environment for the first few months. Imagine going from a warm, quiet and dark place having only been hearing primarily your Mom’s voice for nine months, and then going into a new world rather suddenly where it is bright, cold and often far too noisy. Lullaby music is a stress reducer and it has been replicated in a number of studies that music can take an agitated baby or child with thrashing arms and, when the soothing lullaby music is played, they go into a more restful and calm state, often falling into a restful sleep.

At the least, there is NO down side to playing your child soothing lullaby music as they prepare for bed. After all, the bedtime routine can be one of the most frustrating times of the day for a parent. Why not make it easier for yourself and your child. Bedtime routines can be enjoyable.  Add a little lullaby music today.

Sleep Well!

raelynn @ Kidz Comfort

It is a fact that reading to your child for at least 15 minutes each day will have a profound affect on your child and your family relationship.  Not only do the long-term benefits make reading a great idea, but this is one of the best times of the day to bond with your child.  Adults who read to their children set a great example.  Children that read often turn into adults that want to read as well.

Mommy reading bedtime story to child