For the past few weeks mornings and bedtime have become more and more difficult in my house. In previous years I don’t remember Sophia really being affected by daylight savings, but for some reason this year it’s painful! Each morning around 6:30am I hear a faint voice coming from down the hall, “Mom, is it wake-up time yet?” Suddenly the days of getting ready without the three year old are over. Then comes bedtime and the battle begins, “Mom, it’s not dark out yet and I’m not sleepy.”
I emailed my friends over at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital who connected me with Dr. John Schuen, who board certified doctor who specializes in sleep medicine. Here are some words of advice he gave me and any parent who is dreading springing forward this year.
• It’s natural for kids to impacted by the light outside. We are impacted by light. Light enters the brain and effect hormones that influence wakefulness or tiredness.
• Children can typically adjust to one hour difference fairly easy. It does take preparation.
• Parents should try to get their little one to bed a little earlier on Saturday night. Start by backing up. Could start a day or two before. Depends on how well your child deals with change, do it earlier and smaller increments of ½ hour at a time.
• The time change backs up everything you ordinarily do to get ready for bed, including bathtime, reading books, etc. So, playing the Wii isn’t a good idea.
A lot of new parents don’t always think about things around the house that might be dangerous for a newborn. Here are some things you need to remember when bringing home your baby.
Experts at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital encourage protection and preparation when enjoying the outdoors this winter season. Here’s Dr. Matthew Denenberg with some safety tips to remember next time you send the kids outside.
Our friends at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital want to keep your children safe this holiday season. Here are some things you should keep in mind as your family celebrates.
Choking and Swallowing Hazards
-Tree ornaments, light bulbs, icicles, tinsel and small toys are potential choking hazards for small children because they may block the airway. The general rule of thumb is that if it’s small enough to fit in the mouths of babies and toddlers, they shouldn’t play with it.
-Common holiday foods such as peanuts or popcorn are potential choking hazards and should not be given to children under four years of age.
Fire and Burn Safety
-Keep your tree secured in a sturdy stand so that it doesn’t tip over or isn’t knocked over by kids or pets.
-Place it away from all heat sources such as electrical outlets, radiators and portable space heaters. If you buy an artificial tree, be sure that it is labeled “fire-retardant.”
Ever wonder what the tricks are to getting your kids to like veggies or what about math class? This weekend’s show is all about getting your kids to try new things…..and like them!
When it comes to Halloween safety, a little advanced planning can go a long way.
Costume Safety
-Avoid masks that limit or block eyesight. Instead consider facepaint or make-up.
-Avoid black costumes and choose bright or reflective colors if possible. If your child’s costume is black think about using reflective tape on the costume for greater visability.
-Purchase costumes, wigs and accessories that are flame resistant.
-Make sure the costume isn’t too long, so your child doesn’t trip.
Pumpkin Carving Safety
-Small children should never carve pumpkins. Let little kids draw a face on the pumpkin with a marker and parents can do the cutting.
-Young children can also paint pumpkins instead of carving them.
-Votive candles are the safest for inside a pumpkin. There are also candle alternatives offered at many stores.
-Make sure pumpkins are placed on a sturdy surface where kids can’t knock them over.
Good sleep habits often take a summer vacation when school is out. Now is the time to resume a normal routine according to pediatric sleep medicine experts at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.
“It’s natural to be flexible with bedtimes in the summer,” said John Schuen, MD, division chief, pulmonary and sleep medicine, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. “While appropriate for summer months, children should transition to a more normal sleep pattern as the first day of school approaches. Going to bed early the day before school starts is not the time to start a new routine.”
· Steadily adjust to earlier sleep and wake schedules 10 days to two weeks before school starts. This will adjust biological clocks to the new schedule.
· Establish a relaxing bedtime routine. Reading before bed is a good choice for kids of all ages.
· Keep a regular sleep schedule and avoid extremes on weekends. Having a regular bedtime increases the likelihood that kids, including teens, will get optimal sleep.
For the past few weeks mornings and bedtime have become more and more difficult in my house. In previous years I don’t remember Sophia really being affected by daylight savings, but for some reason this year it’s painful! Each morning around 6:30am I hear a faint voice coming from down the hall, “Mom, is it wake-up time yet?” Suddenly the days of getting ready without the three year old are over. Then comes bedtime and the battle begins, “Mom, it’s not dark out yet and I’m not sleepy.”
