Labor Day Weekend

Have a fun and safe Labor Day weekend.  Baby to Kids Boutique

Signs of a Happy Baby

Considering that your newborn won’t learn to smile until after her first month, you’ll have to study her other physical signs to see if Baby is having a good day. If she conforms her body to your arms and doesn’t arch her back, she’s comfortable and happy. She’ll show pleasure with high-pitched babbling. Follow her signals and continue to build your Mama-and-Baby bond!

You probably learned the signs (and sounds) of an unhappy newborn early on. But the signs of happiness can be more mystifying. Baby doesn’t even hit the first true happiness milestone, smiling, until after the first month! Here’s how to tell if your tyke is feeling fine.

Newborn: Two Close for ComfortThe sight of your face and the sound of your voice soothe your new baby. It can be frustrating when you smile and coo and him and are met with a blank, drowsy stare, but that’s a good sign! “At this point babies don’t have the capacity to express positive emotions other than by looking peaceful,” says Linda Acredolo, Ph.D., cofounder of Baby Signs, Inc. “They either cry or don’t cry.” When he turns toward you and gazes at your face, he’s saying, Life is good.

0 to 3 months: Holding PatternsWhen your baby conforms her body to your arms and doesn’t arch her back, it’s a sign that she’s comfortable. At this age, she’s happy when you meet her basic needs: You respond to her cries, feed her, change her diapers, and lull her to sleep. Liz Matheis, of Parsippany, New Jersey, says that before her daughter, Abby, first smiled, “I called her my ‘grouchy old woman.’ But I knew she was happy because she snuggled in my arms and fell asleep.”

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Cute Baby Quotes

Babies are always more trouble than you thought – and more wonderful.
– Charles Osgood

10 Ways to Stop Yelling

When your child is driving you crazy, it can feel as if he’s always misbehaving. Instead of losing your cool, check out 10 ways to stay calm while still making your point and setting necessary boundaries

Inhale. Exhale. Repeat. Sometimes all it takes is a moment to cool down.

You told your child to pick up all his toys and get ready for bed. Five minutes later when you check in, the toy cars are still all over. You feel your blood start to boil. You’re on the verge of losing it. Turn around, close your eyes, and breathe. Take a moment to collect yourself — and your emotions. Michelle LaRowe, author of A Mom’s Ultimate Book of Lists, says, “Take a time-out. If you’re worked up, you’re only going to work up your child. Before addressing your child, take a deep breath and think through what you’re going to say, calmly.”

Address the BehaviorWe all have good kids; sometimes their behavior just stinks.

When you’re teaching your children to ride their bikes, do you punish them when they don’t get it the first try? Of course not. You encourage them, support them, and give them guidance. Rex Forehand, Ph.D., author of Parenting the Strong-Willed Child: The Third Edition, with Nicholas Long, Ph.D., says that disciplining your children should be the same way. “When we think about teaching our children, we usually go about it in positive ways, that is except for behavior,” Dr. Forehand says. “For some reason we think that punishment should be our teaching tool.” It doesn’t need to be. When your child hits another child during a playdate, it’s easy to react with yelling, “Stop! Don’t do that!” Instead, Dr. Forehand suggests focusing on addressing the specific behavior and taking the opportunity to patiently teach your child why hitting is wrong.

Mean Business Without Being MeanInstead of yelling, use a firm, but soft, I-mean-business tone when giving behavior directions.

Direction that makes the most impact on a child is actually one that is stern and even somewhat gentle, says LaRowe. “When you speak in a calm but firm soft voice, children have to work to listen — and they most always do. The calmer and softer you speak, the more impact your words will have,” she says. Not only will your child most likely grasp your instructions faster, you won’t have to lose your voice trying to convey it.

Help Your Child Explain FeelingsBefore you lose your cool because your child has misbehaved, figure out what is causing the behavior.

One of the biggest reasons toddlers misbehave is they simply haven’t learned an alternative approach to displaying their feelings. “Our goal as parents should be to teach our children how to effectively express themselves by validating their feelings without validating their behavior,” LaRowe says. Next time Tommy pushes a friend who just knocked over his blocks, stray away from the tempting ridicule of yelling “No! Don’t do that!” LaRowe suggests instead explaining why the action is bad. “Tommy, I understand you are mad that your friend knocked over your blocks. It’s okay to be mad, but when you are mad you tell your friend ‘I’m mad;’ you don’t push.”

Have Clear Rules & Follow ThroughNot carrying out your threats will result in them testing you — and you getting angry.

“Jenna, please turn off the TV.” Five minutes later, Jenna is still watching TV. “Jenna, I mean it, turn off the TV or you will sit in time-out.” Five minutes later, Jenna is still watching TV. “Jenna, I mean it …” Empty threats and nagging won’t work on your children, and eventually they will call your bluff. And when they do, it’s likely parents will find themselves frustrated and yelling. But this is easy to avoid. Have clear rules. When you state a consequence, follow through.

Give Praise for Okay BehaviorParents praise their children for good behavior, and scold for the bad, but what about the in-between?

Children love getting attention from their parents, sometimes even if it’s bad. “Parents tend to give attention to their child either by praising them for good behavior or punishing them for bad behavior. And at times a child will take either or,” says Dr. Long, who advises to ignore your children when they are acting badly, such as whining to get attention. “If you yell at them, you are still giving them the interest they wanted, and therefore they will continue to use negative behavior to get a reaction from you,” Dr. Long says. If you praise behavior, even when it is just okay, then your child will be more likely to repeat it because of the way you took notice.

A Strong Bond Makes Discipline EasierThe stronger your relationship is with your child, the stronger your discipline will hold.

At this age your child wants to be close to you. Take advantage of it and reaffirm your bond with your child. Not only will it strengthen the relationship between parent and child, but your child will then have a greater respect for you. According to Parenting the Strong-Willed Child: The Third Edition, the closer you are to your child, the less likely your child is to act up, even though no child is perfect. “A child who has a strong relationship with a parent is more prone to accept the discipline offered by a parent,” Dr. Long says.

Put Yourself in Their ShoesAre you hurt when someone yells at you? Of course; so why wouldn’t your child be?

“Our goal as parents should be to teach our children and to build them up, not to tear them down. When we yell at our children we risk damaging their self-esteem and sense of self-worth,” LaRowe says. Consider how you’d feel if your boss yelled at you. You’d likely be embarrassed and hurt. LaRowe points out that often you don’t have a chance to process what your boss is saying because of how it was said. The same goes for your child. You want to be able to teach him what is acceptable and what is not without making him feel shame or embarrassment

Good Eating & Sleeping HabitsHealthy children are the happiest children.

Parents underestimate the power of what a well-balanced diet and a good sleeping schedule can do for a child’s behavior. If you think about it, what are two of the major underlying problems that cause toddlers to act up? Hunger and fatigue. Well-rested, well-nourished children who are on predictable schedules tend to have fewer behavioral issues. On the flip side, the better your sleeping and eating habits are as a parent, the more likely you are to keep your cool longer — and catch yourself before you start yelling.

We’re Not PerfectNo matter how hard we try, sometimes we will slip up and yell. And that’s okay, as long as we know how to make it right.

Your child has been driving you up the wall all day. You have tried to keep your cool and follow all the steps, and yet you still feel your temper escalating. And then, one small mishap from your child, and you lose it. You raise your voice, and there’s no taking it back now. Dr. Forehand and Dr. Long suggest talking to your children when you’ve calmed down after yelling. “It’s important to explain that Mommy or Daddy didn’t mean to raise their voice, and that they didn’t mean to get mad,” Dr. Forehand says. “Explain to them that it frustrates Mommy or Daddy when they don’t listen, and ask them to do better, and that you will, too.”

Copyright 2010 Meredith Corporation.

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Understanding Baby’s Quirks

She sure is a charmer, but your 12-pound mega-cutie also does a thing or two that makes you say “Huh?” Let us explain your baby’s lovable quirks.

Sweet Smells

My baby smells so good. What’s her secret?
Two words: no sweat. The apocrine glands — which are found in the armpits, breasts, and groin and are associated with strong body odor — aren’t active until puberty. Another reason she smells so good to you may be because her scent is familiar. Each of us has our own odor print, explains George Preti, PhD, a chemist who studies human body odor at the Monell Chemical Senses Center, in Philadelphia. Moms have been known to recognize their newborn by scent alone. One theory for this phenomenon: Olfactory cues from her baby may be circulating in Mom’s bloodstream during gestation, giving her an early exposure

Toe LoveWhat’s the deal with toe-sucking?
Your little one learns about the objects around her by putting them in her mouth. Nerve fibers in the mouth are more sensitive than those in the fingers, so babies can experience many wonderful touch sensations when they suck on their body parts, says Ross Thompson, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of California-Davis. While babies love to suck anything they can get their lips on — toys, the remote — many 4- and 5-month-olds find it easy to put their feet in their mouth simply because babies are so flexible.

Nail CareWhy do nails grow so fast?
Your baby’s nails are growing twice as fast as your own. Children’s metabolic rate is higher than that of adults so their skin cells (which make up nails) turn over more quickly, says Bernard Cohen, MD, director of pediatric dermatology at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, in Baltimore.

Scared BabyDo all newborns startle as much as mine does?
All healthy newborns are born with an evolutionarily programmed, involuntary impulse called the Moro reflex. So if your baby is startled by the sound of a pot clanking or a siren, for instance, he’ll fling his arms wide, spread his fingers, then grab instinctively — for Mom, of course. Then he’ll bring his arms back to his body and relax. “Newborns haven’t learned to differentiate between common and uncommon noises,” says Richard Polin, MD, director of the division of neonatology at Columbia University Medical Center, in New York City. As your little one matures, his brain learns to distinguish sounds and movements and suppresses this primitive reflex.

CuriosityWhy does my baby hit or scratch at a picture in a book?
She’s used to seeing things in 3-D, says Sue Hespos, PhD, director of the Infant Cognition Lab at Northwestern University, in Evanston, Illinois, so she doesn’t know what to do with a 2-D picture. Keep reading to her and marvel as her cognitive skills develop.

Case of the HiccupsWhat’s up with all the hiccups?
Experts don’t understand why hiccups occur and what to do about them. What you need to know: They aren’t harmful or uncomfortable for your baby (though they may freak you out), and they go away on their own.

Bedtime RoutineWhy does my baby thump his head on the bed when he’s trying to go to sleep?
It’s simply his way of lulling himself to sleep, says Tanya Remer Altmann, MD, a pediatrician in Westlake Village, California. The thumping may be scary to you, but it’s usually nothing to worry about. Studies show that up to 15 percent of healthy children do it, and it’s three times more common in boys. It typically starts when babies are around 8 months old; only 5 percent of children continue to do it for more than a few months. If a child head-bangs after his first birthday, experiences a language delay, and avoids eye contact, talk to your pediatrician.

Finger WrapsEvery time I give my baby her bottle, she wraps her little fingers around mine. What’s going on?
It’s her way of showing you the love. Starting at 3 or 4 months, your baby is able to hold onto your fingers, and she may do it every chance she gets. She also gets a kick out of hearing your voice, so another great way to bond is to talk or sing to her.

DroolingWhat’s the reason for all the drooling?
Infants have an immature nervous system, and they don’t have as much motor control of their mouth as older kids and adults, says Eve Colson, MD, associate professor of pediatrics at Yale University School of Medicine, in New Haven. The dribbling typically lessens by the end of their first year.

Sleeping FrogMy newborn looks like a frog when she sleeps. What’s going on?
During the first month or two of life, your baby’s arms, legs, elbows, and knees are bent when she snoozes, much as they were in the womb. As her nervous system matures, her legs will straighten and she’ll sleep in a looser position, says Dr. Polin.

Peekaboo FunWhy does my baby love peekaboo?
For the giggles! But don’t bother playing before she’s 6 months old because she won’t be able to pay attention long enough to enjoy the fun, says Dr. Thompson

So Many SneezesWhy does my baby sneeze all the time?
Since he’s too young to blow his nose, the only way he can get rid of mucus, dust, and other irritants stuck in his schnoz is to sneeze, says Dr. Polin. Worried all those achoos might signal an illness? Don’t fret unless your baby has a fever or trouble eating.

All content on this Web site, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.

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Cute Baby Quotes

Child rearing myth #1: Labor ends when the baby is born.
– Anonymous

Essential Gear for Baby’s First Six Weeks

It’s tempting to buy all the sweet gear for your new addition. But really, newborns don’t need much. Start with at least six pairs of socks and six onesies (Baby’s basic daily outfit). Add six sleepers, two packages of diapers (or enough cloth for two days), plus our brief list of grooming gear — and you’re all set for receiving your bundle of joy!

Newborn Necessities 

Newborns don’t require an extensive wardrobe. But there are some basics that you will want to have on hand when your baby comes home. Buy a couple of side-tie or side-snap T-shirts to put on the baby until the umbilical cord separates. After that, dress your little one in his “working” outfit, the onesie. These little pull-over-and-snap T-shirts are the equivalent of a farmer’s overalls for your baby. Buy at least six — more if you don’t want to launder as often — because your baby will likely wear two or more every day. Have a half-dozen pairs of socks on hand, too, to keep his little feet warm.

Nightie NightPurchase a half-dozen stretchy sleepers that will cover your baby from neck to feet, with snaps in the leg area for changing diapers. Sleepers, as you might guess, are perfect for nighttime but are also good all-around traveling clothes. Babies grow out of these quickly so don’t give into the temptation to buy all the cute ones you see.

Nightgowns with cotton mittens are also good jammies. The little mittens will help prevent Baby from scratching herself. Sleep sacks are good for cold nights — one will see you through the first few weeks.

Snow BabyIf you have a winter baby or live in a cold climate, you will want to have a knit sweater and a cap or two for your baby to keep her warm. Since heat is lost out of the top of her head, these little caps are essential to maintaining Baby’s body temperature. Buy a baby snowsuit, too, if your winters are very cold; otherwise, wrapping a well-clothed baby in a heavier blanket will suffice.

Changing TimesYou should have two packages of disposable diapers or enough cloth diapers for two days on hand at all times. But since babies do tend to go through several every day, look for sales and coupons and stock up whenever possible if you’re using disposables. Make sure to purchase the right size, too, to avoid leakage. Use a natural diaper cream when necessary, avoiding those made from petroleum products. A good diaper pail is also helpful, but remember to empty it frequently.

Bath TimeYou will be bathing your infant daily, so a small plastic baby bath to place in the tub or in a large sink will help make the task easier — even fun! Be sure to hold onto Baby while in the tub. Use specially formulated baby wash and baby shampoo to clean your baby — they are gentler on new skin than regular soaps.

Rub-a-DubDisposable wipes are handy for diaper changes and for messes away from home. Keep a good-size pack near your changing area and a travel pack in the diaper bag. Avoid fragrance and use only after the first few days (use alcohol wipes on the cord area before it falls off). You’ll want to have three hooded towel and washcloth sets to keep up with the frequency of bath time.

Grooming GearKeeping baby’s nails short will prevent him from scratching himself and you. Use blunt nail clippers made especially for baby’s soft little nails. Buy a bottle of baby lotion to rub on his skin after a bath to keep it moist. Be sure to purchase lotions formulated for babies, and if your little one is prone to rashes or eczema, try oil made with calendula. If your newborn has hair, purchase a fine-toothed baby comb to gently style his hair after bathing.

Doctor TimeNewborns are uncooperative little patients at doctor visits when they’re sick or they’ve just had immunizations, but a few tools will help calm your fussy baby. Keep a bottle of infant acetaminophen drops for treating fevers with a doctor’s recommendation. Make sure you have a nasal aspirator for stuffy noses since newborns can’t breathe easily through their mouths. And don’t worry about that startled look on your baby’s face when you use it — it doesn’t hurt. To help track temperatures for the doctor, have a digital baby thermometer on hand.

Beddy-ByePurchase a new crib and mattress for your first baby to be sure that it meets all consumer safety requirements. There are so many styles available that it can be overwhelming, but even the simplest crib can be dressed up with adorable linens. Buy a couple of quilted mattress pads to prolong the life of your mattress and two waterproof liners if the pads are not already lined

Crib NotesBuy fitted crib sheets to suit your nursery decor. You will want to wash them frequently, so have three or four on hand. There is no need for a top sheet or blanket in the crib. Purchase a matching crib bumper to line the inside of the crib and protect the baby from the wooden slats of the crib sides. Your newborn won’t be moving around in the crib for a while, but the bumper will also protect her from drafts.

Snuggle InBaby blankets make wonderful gifts so you might never have to buy one for your own baby. You should have four receiving blankets to lay the baby on wherever you put him down (except the crib — never put blankets in the crib). Receiving blankets are usually a thin, soft flannel or knit. Have a couple of heavier blankets on hand to wrap your baby in colder weather or for outdoor walks.

Fill ‘er UpFor the first few weeks, your baby will seem like a sleeping and eating machine. Fortunately for you, the menu’s pretty limited. You will need to have four to six 4-ounce and 8-ounce bottles, a bottle brush for cleaning, and four to six bibs. It’s also a good idea to have about a dozen burp cloths on hand to protect your clothing. Cloth diapers make ideal burp cloths.

If you are nursing, you will also want to have two nursing bras, several nursing pads, and a breast pump so that you can keep some milk in bottles in the fridge. A nursing shawl is also nice to have if you need to feed the baby in public.

In the BagA diaper bag is a must-have for outings with your newborn. Choose a roomy style with compartments that will help you find necessities quickly. Also look for one that includes a foldout changing pad since you can’t control your surroundings when Baby needs a diaper change. Select a style that suits you — not your nursery décor–and if you ever want Daddy to carry it for you, you might want to consider his style, too.

Sitting PrettyAn infant car seat is the only baby gear that you are absolutely required to have, as the hospital will not allow you to take your baby home without it. Buy it a few weeks before your due date and practice securing it properly in all your vehicles to get familiar with it before the baby comes. Find a seat that doubles as an infant carrier so you have an easy resting spot for the baby in a grocery store or restaurant, for example.

Baby’s First WheelsTaking walks with your new baby is one of the simple joys of motherhood. A stroller is a necessity for these ramblings around the neighborhood or, especially in cold weather, the mall. There are so many different styles available that it’s worth shopping ahead of time and “test-driving” as many types as you can to see what fits your needs best. For example, if you live in a city apartment, an easy-to-fold style might be best for you to store or get on the bus. On the other hand, if long, suburban rambles are on your to-do list, a stroller with a sturdier frame and plenty of storage pockets might be just right.

Lights and SoundsAlthough most new moms are inclined to hover over their babies every moment, it’s not always possible. A baby monitor offers some peace of mind in those moments when you have to be out of earshot of your baby’s cries or coos. The best monitors offer a handset that you can take with you around the house or out into the yard.

Keeping a nightlight in the baby’s room is also a good idea. There will be many nighttime visits, and stumbling around the room when you’re half-awake isn’t safe for you or the baby. A low-level light won’t startle either of you and is perfect for feeding or changing.

Words to Love ByMany studies have shown the benefits of reading to your baby from a very early age for her intellectual development. But it’s also a wonderful time to cuddle with your baby and reacquaint yourself with some of your favorite stories from childhood — and discover some new ones. Keep a small library of picture books within reach of your favorite rocking chair.

Photo FinishFinally, you simply will not be able to get by without a camera. In fact, this little device will never be far from your hand and after a few weeks it might start to feel like a part of it. You will find yourself snapping photos of your baby in every change of clothing or environment. Minute changes of your baby’s expressions will also come under the camera’s scrutiny until you finally capture the one when the eyes light up and the lips curl because he saw your face. And despite everyone’s assurances that newborns can’t smile, you know, in your heart, that he’s happy to see you.

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Cute Baby Quotes

A perfect example of minority rule is a baby in the house.
– Milwaukee Journal

Understanding Newborn Sleep

Essentials tidbits for getting your newborn baby to sleep

Though Baby has no discernible sleep pattern until 6-10 weeks, you can start shaping her bedtime ritual anytime (such as bath, books, backrub, bedtime). Experts suggest putting Baby down sleepy, but awake and alone, so she can learn to snooze independently. Teaching Baby to sleep well is a great gift to her — and to your family

Your newborn may snooze a lot — but not for long stretches.

That’s because her internal clock isn’t up and running yet. “There is no rhyme or reason to sleep until about 6 to 10 weeks,” says sleep expert Jodi Mindell, PhD, author of Sleep Deprived No More. But even newborns can benefit from a bedtime ritual: “Parents don’t realize how aware babies are, but when you nurse her, zip up her pjs, and put on music, it sends a signal,” says Mindell.

Put him down sleepy but awake.

That way, if he rouses in the night, he can put himself back to sleep. Erika Riley, of Minneapolis, learned this the hard way with her second son, Max, who is now 2. She would lie with him in her bed until he fell asleep. But 30 minutes later, he’d wake and need her next to him to drift off. Another common blunder: giving baby the breast or bottle right before he goes down. “Make this the first part of the bedtime routine,” Mindell says. “If baby falls asleep sucking on a bottle, he’ll need that to fall asleep again if he wakes in the night.” Just ask Kristen Fox, of Florham Park, New Jersey. Her oldest, Keira, now 3, nodded off with her bottle. When she no longer needed it at 9 months, Fox said, “Now what do I do?”

Exposing baby to bright light in the morning helps set her internal clock. Pull up the shades in the nursery or take her for an a.m. walk.

Good sleep habits are all about routine.

By 6 to 8 weeks, baby can benefit from a sleep schedule linked to feedings, with an “official” bedtime, even though he isn’t sleeping through the night. By 3 to 4 months, baby should snooze about six hours (yay!), so you can drop a middle-of-the-night bottle, says pediatrician Jennifer Trachtenberg, MD, of New York City. As baby sleeps longer, bedtime shifts earlier, to between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.

Baby’s cries hurt you more.

The experts agree: for the first three months, feed baby on demand and cater to her every need. But eventually, you need to take a new tack. Kate Clow, of Chatham, New Jersey, let all three of her kids cry it out: “It was horrible, but it lasted only a few days,” she says. Consistency is key. “If you decide to let them cry it out for two nights and then go in on the third, you’re back at square one.” Erika Riley let Max cry it out at 10 months. “He was eating table food, so I knew he wasn’t hungry. I have a video monitor, so I knew he was okay. He wanted my attention, and he soon enough learned he wasn’t going to get it in the middle of the night,” she says. “I knew I had to let him cry so he could learn to sleep on his own.”

Baby has her own nap style.

She might take two naps by 3 to 4 months, or she could sneak three to four 45-minute naps till she’s 9 or 10 months. Follow your child’s lead or “you’ll pay the price,” says Marc Weissbluth, MD, a pediatrician in Chicago and author of the forthcoming Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Twins. Don’t expect your younger child to follow a big sib’s patterns.

Flexibility is key.

“When you have more than one child, there will be compromises,” Dr. Weissbluth says. Jamie Gallovich, of Keller, Texas, says her oldest, Andrew, now 6, “got the best of it.” She’d often have to wake her younger son, Chase, so she could take Andrew to activities. Cut yourself some slack, says Mindell: “With baby number one, it’s possible to keep to a consistent schedule five or more days a week. But when you get to your second or third child, if you can hit 50 percent consistency, that’s good.”

“By about 12 weeks, you’ll see a schedule developing,” says sleep expert Jodi Mindell, PhD. You and baby benefit from keeping to one.

Learn the signals.

Once baby is rubbing his eyes or yawning, he’s overtired, says Elizabeth Pantley, author of The No-Cry Nap Solution. This goes for nighttime and naptime. “I call it the volcano effect: if he doesn’t get the nap, he erupts.” Watch out, too, for what Pantley calls a micro-nap: that five-minute snooze baby takes in your arms or while in the swing or car seat. “The first five minutes of a nap reduce feelings of sleepiness, but they don’t rejuvenate baby,” she says. After this brief snooze, “baby is tired, but he can’t fall asleep, and he hasn’t had the benefits of a good nap.” And if he doesn’t get those naps during the day, he won’t sleep well at night.

It’s hard for colicky babies to wind down for sleep.

Those first three months are grueling: there’s no real bedtime, and you’re up around the clock. Plus, many babies have colic, those inconsolable cries that seem to go on forever. How do you know if your baby has it? Listen for crying that is louder and higher-pitched than normal, and accompanied by signs of physical pain. The crying may follow the Rule of Three: it goes on for three hours a day, three days a week, for three consecutive weeks. Some good news: colic usually ends at 3 months. In the meantime, stay sane by keeping lots of soothing tricks up your sleeve. Swaddling, singing, and shushing are popular methods, while white noise from the bathroom fan works wonders for some babies. Bridget Pelosi’s husband put their older son, Gavin, on his lap and bounced on a yoga ball. The Berkeley, Heights, New Jersey, mom said it worked instantly.

Since 1992, when the American Academy of Pediatrics first recommended that infants be placed on their back to sleep, the number of cases of SIDS has dropped by more than 50 percent.

Good sleepers run into snags.

“Even at 9 or 10 months, the best sleepers can have issues,” says Mindell, due to separation anxiety or developmental milestones. Whatever you do, don’t change the bedtime rules! Practice milestones like pulling up to standing during the day so he’s less apt to try this in his crib.

Surrender to baby’s schedule…really.

Kate Clow’s second daughter Nora was a good sleeper, but she woke each day at 5 a.m. Clow tried putting her to bed later and changing her nap times, but Nora was just an early bird. “I kept fighting it, but what finally made it work was adjusting my sleep schedule,” she says. That meant no more staying up late doing laundry, checking e-mail, or chatting with friends on the phone.

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Cute Baby Quotes

A conscience is like a baby. It has to go to sleep before you can.
– Author Unknown