Teething was a hot topic of conversation in our Village class this morning...it seems that most of the babies are experiencing some degree of trouble with those pesky teeth, and as a result, no one is getting much sleep!
The more tools you can give your baby to relax, the more comfortable they will be at bedtime - especially during those difficult times when they are colicky, teething, or sick.
Infant massage is a great way to help baby relax. Try giving baby a warm bath and then use a bit of baby lotion or oil (I used grape seed oil with my kids) to give them a massage. Your baby may seem fussy or over-stimulated at first, but once they are used to this routine, it will help them to relax and ease into sleep!
Another great way to signal bedtime for baby is to get ready for bed (don't forget the comfy PJs!), snuggle together, and enjoy a good book. You don't have to read it cover to cover...let baby look at pictures, flip the pages, explore the book (yes, even chew on it...as long as it's a safe, sturdy board book!), and before you know it, you'll have a relaxed, sleepy baby who's ready for bedtime! As a bonus, you'll have inspired a lifelong love of reading in your little one, and set the stage for future literacy and success at school!
Minds on Music, Kindermusik International's blog, has a great article this week on some of the other tools you can use to help your child relax and ease into bedtime. You can check it out here!
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