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What is White Noise? White Noise refers to a sound which is a combination of different frequencies played together at the same time. It is similar to that of static sound that you hear between radio stations or a television set with no signal. Yes, that’s correct it sounds like a broken T.V. It is not a high pitched harsh sound, great for getting one’s attention but not calming or soothing to your baby. It is a low-pitched sound almost hypnotic, a gentle rumble, heavy rain on a roof, a fan rotating, or a continued whooshing sound. Can White Noise help my baby to sleep for longer? When your baby was growing, they were in a dark, warm, secure, and very noisy environment. (90 dB Very loud, like that of a vacuum cleaner). Baby could hear the sound of their mother’s blood whooshing around them constantly. White noise can help recreate that sound, helping the baby to feel safe and secure, this then activates their calming reflexes. It helps to block out external noise and stimuli. It is also helpful when baby rouses from their sleep cycle. If they have started to rouse and gently stir, white noise can be useful, as the continued sound of whooshing will comfort the baby and help them to feel calm and soothed helping them to resettle, ensuring they sleep for longer periods and get more consolidated restorative sleep. A hoover rumbles at around 90 dB, and a hairdryer roars at 90 dB, but a baby can scream louder than 110 dB. Yes, they can!! Which White Noise Machine should I get? There are many types of white noise machines on the market today, from the Shusher, Pink and White Noise Machine, Lula Dolls, potable machines Zazu collection which can clip on to the buggy and pram and Yoga sleep white noise machines. This is a very personal decision, and I would advise having a look at them all and decide what you think would be the best to suit your baby or young child. You can always contact me at sleepingbaby.co.nz and together we can discuss which you feel is the best option for your baby or young infant and how you want to use white noise. Every baby is unique! And your situation and how you are wanting to use white noise can be different from your friend or neighbour. Your baby might respond better to bird song and lullabies and your friend’s baby might prefer the whooshing sound. It depends on what you feel would be the best support for your baby. For many of them, you can alter their tone and frequency and varying length of time. The placement of the white noise machine is also very important. Some you can pop near the cot and others should be a meter or 2 away. They all come with specific instructions, follow accordingly. You might want to purchase a plugin, perhaps a portable or just battery use. The machines can vary in the way you use them and how you want to use them. At sleepingbaby.co.nz I recommend White Noise machines, they nurture and help babies and young children with their sleep. It gives baby the continued reassuring sound they have grown with. It helps develop the baby’s sleep cycle as they rouse less frequently and White Noise provides reassurance and helps the baby to resettle and feel calm. If you would like some extra helpful hints and advice then contact me today. [email protected]
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What is Separation Anxiety?
Separation anxiety is a normal part of a child's development. It generally begins around 6-9 months of age. This is the time that you might see your child becoming more receptive to their surroundings and new and different faces. They are now, developmentally aware that if you leave the room and cry as a “response” this will cause a “reaction”. They have learnt and mastered the behaviour of “cause and effect”. This can become a challenging time especially in new environments, such as daycare, kindergarten, music groups, swimming, the birth of a new baby. Once they sat adoringly gazing at grandma, now once placed on their knee they scream and cry as if they are a complete stranger (all perfectly normal). When does this happen? This generally occurs when your child reaches 6-9 months of age, but sometimes you can see this with older toddlers too. Their anxiety and behaviour is heightened in certain situations and they respond in ways that are often out of character. Your child is unique! How your child behaviours and reacts can be very different from your niece, nephew or close friends. (That's ok!) It can seem challenging and sometimes your idyllic, contented child has gone from smiling and happy, to crying when you are not in sight and often distressed. Every child is born with their own temperament. Really understanding your child and how they can react and behave within certain situations, will all help alleviate their fear and anxiety. At 6-9 months your child will be developing and growing rapidly. They are aware that if a parent or caregiver leaves the room, or if they are left with a babysitter their environment has changed. They don't understand “why”, but have the maturity to understand it is different and this can then make them anxious. How can I help my child? What shall I do if this happens? I have seen many clients and also with my own children, how different each child reacts to certain situations. They often surprise you, and for parents or caregivers, it can seem overwhelming and sometimes understanding what to do next will help in managing the situation. Sleepingbaby tips for managing separation anxiety..
It can be challenging dropping them off at daycare, kindergarten or a babysitter and you leave them crying and upset. My eldest child used to writhe around on the floor screaming and kicking his legs around every time he went to kindy, but this was temporary and within a couple of weeks he had stopped. Remember this is only temporary!! Some children don't get anxious, but many do. It is a passing phase and when you are in the middle of it, it can seem difficult to manage, but with any approach consistency is the key and understanding your child’s cues and temperament will assist you and your child to new and different situations. If you would like help, support and guidance then contact me today and together we can make achievable goals for you and your child. Contact [email protected]. 6-Months is the time to start introducing solid food. A whole new discovery of fun, mess, and enjoyment.
When starting solids, I advise that you should ALWAYS start at lunchtime (in the middle of the day). If the baby were to have wind, an upset stomach, a reaction, or intolerance, it is much easier to monitor in the day rather than at night time. Some foods will be easier to digest than others, and some fruits cause wind pain. You begin by placing the baby in a high chair so they are safe. (Safety first!) If you place them on your knee, they have the potential to write around and/or refuse it. They could also become upset (as this does represent a change in their routine). By placing then in the chair, you know that their body, head, and neck are correctly positioned, supported, and that they are safe! You start with 1 teaspoon of baby rice cereal mixed with formula or breast milk. Place it on the spoon and very gently let the baby touch the spoon with their mouth. I always think is quite fun to have 2 spoons, one they can hold and play with, and one you can feed the baby with. If the baby tolerates the food, then over the next couple of days you increase to 2 teaspoons at lunchtime. Over the course of a couple of weeks, you can change their diet with various fruits and vegetables and the introductions of meat and various grains, and increase the portion size too. By the end of 6-Months baby would have eaten a wide variety of food types and they will be having more substantial portion sizes. Having a healthy balanced diet will also maintain a baby’s nutritional intake, growth, and development. This all helps with baby’s sleep too. If you would like some help on your baby’s, sleep journey then please contact me. |
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