Morning Mercies Sleep Consulting

Some great suggestions that I’m sure we all would have appreciated in the early days (or even still!) Love that Penny provides such great resources for parents. Check out Sick Happens if you haven’t yet 💙

☀️💙😳 W A K E W I N D O W S 💙😳☀️

Babies have so much to take in, learn and develop, and have simple brains compared to adults. This is why they need to sleep so much during the day. “Stimulation” is the name we give to the brain activity that keeps them awake. It might seem like they aren’t “doing much” during their wake time, but feeding, sucking, seeing light (!), and concentrating on faces takes a lot of energy for them, let alone when they are old enough to meet or work on rolling, crawling and walking milestones.

As discussed on a previous post, keeping age appropriate “wake windows” will make settling easier, as regular naps (and removing stimulation such as light and social interaction) helps develop a healthy and regulated circadian rhythm. Also, calculate wake times using the neurological age (usually in line with due date, not birth dates). The below are some averages to use as a guide, and I recommend beginning settling to sleep about 10 mins before the time you’re working for. Working with me as a client can also help you find more specific routines that are personalised to you.

I love that we have such an amazing local community that cares and supports the mothers in our city. To be gifted support (as I know how great it is to have a voucher for a massage/sleep support when you need it!) or the ability to reach out when you feel ready and know there is help available locally is not a given in all parts of our country. 💔 Take advantage of the blessing, Mums!

Take a look at what Leah has curated as a package at Bellies & Bubs Yoga Massage Beauty . What an opportunity !

Thanks for the mention, Leah 💙

The space between birthing your babe and the next big phase of your life’s journey... the learnings of being a Mumma for the first, 2nd, 3rd, 4th time or so on... can feel like the longest pause, the tidal low, til the next big king tide hits... hormonal cascades, elation and tears, the haze of sleep fatigue, leaky, swollen b***s, a body recovering from birth...

Mumma, you are not alone... our 4th Trimester Care package is created to support and nourish your body/mind/soul... includes audio guided relaxation, 60min New Mumma massage, 60min Consultation & Pelvic Health assessment with Kelly at Flourish Physiotherapy and a voucher for some beautiful home cooked meals, delivered straight to your door (local Toowoomba and surrounds).

Bookings via this link https://belliesnbubs.com.au/new-mum-massage/ or on the Gift Voucher page https://belliesnbubs.com.au/product/gift-voucher/

Although not part of this Package, if you are looking for in-house post birth support, have you considered engaging the services of a Lactation Consultant for breastfeeding issues or tongue/lip tie assessment? Jen James Lactogenesis is amazing! Or perhaps a Post-Partum Doula - Jess https://www.facebook.com/jesszoeandrews/ is also so passionate about supporting Mummas, both in and out of the birthing space.

Sandy at Elevate Chiropractic, also provides a holistic approach.

Carleigh at Morning Mercies Sleep Consulting is also available to assist with newborns and toddlers.

Claire at After the Bump Child Health and Thriving Families offers groups for Mums/bubs

Finally, If you just need a friendly ear, or a shoulder; I’d love to have a chat and a cuppa.

💙

💙👶🏼 W A K E W I N D O W S 💙👶🏼

I asked a mum recently about her most valued advice after working with a sleep consultant. This was her response.

Respect. Wake. Windows.

Before working with clients I often hear:

“Every day is different”
“He never seems tired”
“I don’t see tired signs until it’s too late”

Clients find it difficult to form a rhythm that works for them and their family.

Did you know that after 4(ish) months, many babies either don’t show obvious signs as they did in the newborn stage, or tired signs can be masked by other needs or overstimulation? Newborns have very short wake periods and usually disorganised day sleep but once sleep cycles are established it is more appropriate to follow a routine and establish a “normal” day. One way of doing so is following what sleep consultants call “wake windows”, that is an age appropriate time period that will allow for easier settling due to level of stimulus. These can vary but by finding your baby’s wake window (and sticking to it!) you can prevent overtiredness, cut down settling time and usually extend chronic cat naps because they are no longer over or under tired.

Do know your baby’s magic number Wake Window? Does it change through the course of the day? I will share some age appropriate wake windows on my next post!

💙 Newborn : Feeding and Sleep 💙

The newborn phase is beautiful but also confusing and exhausting for first time Mums that are navigating caring for their little one’s feed and sleep needs, round the clock, with unique challenges for each baby. Usually when newborn clients seek help from me, it is common practice for me to ensure the infant is thriving with an established feeding relationship. My training is in sleep, but sleep is 100% influenced by nutrition and effective feeding, so I wish to introduce to you the benefit of seeing a Lactation Consultant if feeding has been a challenge in the newborn phase.👶🏼

Recently, I was privileged enough to be invited along to a consult with Lactation Consultant Jen James from Lactogenesis. The extent of her professional training means she has specific knowledge surrounding this age group, many years of experience with babies and Mums, and can provide so much information and solutions for breastfeeding Mums in particular. 🤱

The care and support she provided, the thorough process she underwent to know my client and her baby, as well as written personal plan and follow up was just incredible to witness. This baby was struggling to feed well, thus having problems sleeping (obviously with newborn sleep expectations!) but with the recommendations made, as well as working with me as a Sleep Consultant, is now thriving and consolidating night sleep. 🙌🏻 Equally as important, Mum feels confident feeding her baby and has maintained supply to continue breastfeeding, which was her heart-felt desire 🥰🙏🏻

I am so grateful that we have such a knowledgeable and experienced lactation consultant locally in Toowoomba. Check out Jen James or recommend her to friends if you know of anyone in need. Have you seen Jen? Show your support for her below 💙