This is where you sleep

I read a book on "respecting kids"(can't remember the exact name of the book) when I was pregnant. I remembered well a story the author told in the book - The author went to visit a friend who just had a baby. The friend, a new Mum, fed her baby first; she then took the baby to author room for a nappy change. Not a single word was spoken to the baby during this time. Towards the end of the nappy change, the family dog who followed them around made a sound. The friend turned to the dog and said "Just wait a second, I'll feed you next". The author pointed out the common mistakes we all make - talk to the dog but neglect the baby because we think they don't understand. Telling babies what is going on and what will happen next from the start, before you think they understand is how we respect babies, the author concluded.

Remembering this story might have helped in solving a problem Lara had at day care....


(Lara slept here at Hunter Valley)

For the first 3 weeks, Lara refused to sleep in a cot at day care. The only way to get her to have a short rest was in the pram. By the fourth week, I was quite worried. I decided to try something.

At day care next morning, I took Lara to the room where babies sleep - I never set foot in this room with Lara before that day. Holding Lara, I walked around the room, telling her she would sleep here during the day and she would be very safe here. I also told her the teachers would come and get her when she wakes up and that she would have lots of energy to play after a good sleep, etc. I would never know if this did anything, but Lara slept for the first time in a cot at day care that day.

I tried the same thing while we were away in Lake Macquarie and Hunter Valley. Both times, I showed Lara her new room and told her this is where she sleeps and she would have a good sleep etc (I also let her have a little play in the room sometimes). She slept very well in the new cot/room both times. Lara is older now so she might have gotten better at sleeping in different places anyway. However, this is something I'll keep doing if it means we get a better night of sleep because Lara sleeps better!