If your little one is teething (especially if it's a painful tooth) it can temporarily interrupt his/her usual sleep schedule. Here are a couple of tips that can help you keep your healthy sleep habits all while providing some comfort to your little one...

1. During the day you can use teething "toys" to help minimize discomfort. Many teething products can be refrigerated or frozen, which can help numb the swollen gum.

2. If your child is experiencing a lot of discomfort and it is interrupting his/her sleep you can consider using a pain reliever recommended by your pediatrician during nap or nighttime to help your little one get some rest. *Always check with your child's doctor prior to administering any medication*

3. You can definitely provide comfort to your little one during periods of teething discomfort. The key is finding ways to console your little one with out creating sleep associations and habits that you don't want to have.

If your child isn't sleeping well and your family needs individualized pediatric sleep support, please do not hesitate to contact Tracie at Rest Well Baby (www.restwellbaby.com) to schedule a FREE 15 minute initial phone call to learn more about her professional sleep coaching services. Tracie is passionate about helping tired families get the sleep they need!

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Wishing you all a restful night's sleep! www.restwellbaby.com

As most parents with new babies can attest, newborns wake frequently and get tired quickly. If your newborn is tired, but having trouble sleeping, here are some possible reasons why:

Your newborn is hungry - This is probably the most common reason why a newborn is not sleeping. Newborn babies have very tiny tummies and require more frequent feedings (especially during growth spurts). If your newborn seems upset and is having a hard time falling asleep you might want to try to offer a feeding.

Your newborn is overtired - While it may be hard to believe, newborn babies can simply be too tired to fall asleep. Try to watch your baby for sleep cues (signs that he/she is getting tired) and put him/her to sleep as soon as possible once you notice your little one is getting sleepy.

Your newborn is overstimulated - While singing, talking and reading to your newborn are all wonderful activities to do when your baby is awake, there is such a thing as too much stimulation. Loud environments, bright lights and lots of activity can be too much for your newborn. If your newborn is getting fussy, you might want to remove him/her to a quieter environment and try for a nap.

Your newborn is startling him/herself awake -Newborn babies have what is known as the Moro reflex. This normal response (to a sudden loss of support) causes babies to feel like they are falling. This sensation can cause babies to startle themselves awake. A great way to combat this sensation in newborn babies is to swaddle them.

Your newborn is uncomfortable - Sometimes the reason why your newborn is not sleeping is because he/she is uncomfortable. This could be because he/she is not feeling well, has a dirty diaper, or is too hot/cold. If your newborn is not comfortable it can make it much more challenging to fall asleep.

If your family needs individualized pediatric sleep support, please do not hesitate to contact Tracie at Rest Well Baby to learn more about her professional sleep coaching services and to schedule a FREE 15 minute initial phone call.  Tracie is passionate about helping tired families get the sleep they need!

--Follow Rest Well Baby on FB for more information and tips!--

Wishing you all a restful night's sleep! www.restwellbaby.com