If you’re a parent, you’ll know – or you’ll remember – how precious sleep is for both bub and parents. But, particularly in the early days, sleep can be so hard to come by. Enter The Sleep Dept.
From baby sleep regressions to nap times, The Sleep Dept helps you navigate the mysterious world of infant sleep. Using a combination of gentle self-soothing techniques and age-appropriate routines adapted to your family’s comfort level, The Sleep Dept helps guide bub to sleep and encourages positive bedtime habits.
We caught up with Infant Sleep Specialist, Erika Lamour, about the brand, the biggest misconceptions about babies and children who find it difficult to sleep, and why she’s such a big fan of Boody’s everyday baby essentials.
Tell us a bit about what The Sleep Dept is.
The Sleep Dept helps parents create age-appropriate routines for their little ones which, over time, helps in guiding them in sleeping through the night.
What initially inspired you to create The Sleep Dept?
A love of babies is what initially led me down this path. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with babies. My first memory is of holding a baby! Over the years, I started to learn about the science of infant sleep which saw me read every book and study as many courses as possible and that is how The Sleep Dept came to be!
What are the biggest misconceptions about babies and children who find it difficult to sleep?
That it’s just the way it should be! Sure, we all know that new babies will wake every few hours (or less!), but there are also gentle ways we can help our babies in getting the amount of sleep that they (and we) need. I believe that the amount of sleep a parent needs is undervalued. It is just as important that parents get the sleep they NEED, and not just our babies.
What are your top tips for settling/resettling your baby?
Consistency! Babies don’t know when and for how long they are meant to sleep for, they just begin to understand the predictable steps that get them there. When we respond to our babies consistently, their predictability follows.
Talk to us about the different packages you offer.
We offer a range of packages that include remote packages that you implement with your family (with our support), or in-home packages where we help guide and support you in helping your little one sleep.
What sort of support do you provide sleep-deprived parents?
Unlimited! For the first two weeks, we check in every morning and as we start to see the consistency in the nights and the confidence in the parents, we are able to take a step back and let mum and dad make the decisions. Parents who use our guides have access to The Sleep Dept for as long as they need.
The reality is that a baby and their sleep patterns will change… A LOT. Especially in the first two years. To be able to have someone send a quick email to help understand why sleep is changing and what to do about it can be a huge help in getting back on track.
We hear your fans of Boody. What are your favourite styles, both for mum and baby?
Oh yes! For my son, we can’t get enough of the long sleeve onesies that he wears to bed and now we have used the baby muslin washcloths, there is no going back to ever using anything else – hands down, the BEST! For me, I am loving the crops – I wear them everywhere!
What are your plans for The Sleep Dept in the future? Anything exciting on the horizon?
We’ve just held our first event at The Grounds of Alexandria for Red Nose Day, with 100% of proceeds going to Red Nose directly. We are very passionate about educating parents about safe sleep practices. We have also just launched our online store. Our aim with this is to take the confusion out of what to buy for first-time parents. We will stock only the safest product in a particular category. Eg. safest bassinet, safest comforter etc.
Follow The Sleep Dept on Instagram and like them on Facebook.
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How to swaddle a baby in a muslin wrap
Whether you’re asking yourself ‘what are muslin wraps used for?’, ‘how to swaddle a newborn’ or ‘when to stop swaddling baby’, we’re bringing you a step by step lowdown with pictures. What are muslin wraps used for? If you’re totally new to the muslin wraps game, don’t worry. Many of us have been there. And, while you might already know about swaddling a baby, what you might not realise is there are plenty of other ways to use muslin wraps in your little one’s early days. Feeding If you’re feeding while on the go, a muslin wrap is a great cover to stop bub getting distracted. Tuck the muslin into your bra strap and place the soft fabric across bub’s cheek to keep them safe and comfy. Note: Always ensure there’s an opening to allow fresh air to flow through. Burping Aside from swaddling, burping is one of the most popular uses for the muslin wrap. The soft, thick and absorbent fabric will make sure whatever you’re wearing stays clean when you pat your little bambino gently on the back. Teething Not everyone knows this, but a muslin wrap can even be used as a teether! How does that work, we hear you ask? Simple. Just freeze a small cube of breast milk, or boiled water if your bub is a bit older, wrap it in a muslin, twist the ends to hold in place and let your little teething tot chew away. Swaddling Last but not least, muslin wraps are used to swaddle baby to sleep. Muslin wraps tend to be light and flexible, so bub doesn’t overheat, and firm enough to allow your little one to feel comfy and safe. But how exactly do you swaddle with a muslin wrap? We take a look at how to swaddle with the best swaddling technique. How to swaddle a baby with a muslin wrap Ok, so it’s time to get down to some safe swaddling. First things first, you need to lay the muslin wrap out in a diamond shape. Once you’ve done this, fold the top corner down roughly a quarter. Then, place bub on the turned corner so that the corners of the muslin spread out from bub’s arms. Next, hold your little bambino's right arm down at their side. Pull the muslin over that arm, across the body. If bub is much smaller than the muslin, roll them to the side to smooth the rest of the muslin across the back. The muslin needs to be tight, but baby should still be able to bend their waist. Note: always make sure their hips are free to move. Hold down bub’s left arm before pulling the bottom corner up and tucking it under their left shoulder. Move the right corner over your little treasure's body before finally pulling it firm by placing them on their side and wrapping the excess around the back. The results? You’ll know when bub quickly falls asleep. So, what sort of swaddle products should you be looking for? Well, bamboo is the perfect fabric for swaddling as it’s ultra soft and durable. Our feather-light muslin wraps are crafted in 100% bamboo viscose, a fabric that features an open weave for ultimate breathability. Although delicate, these bamboo swaddles can stand up to all the required laundering, while their superior absorbency makes them an essential for all new parents. Or, as pictured above, you could use our Stretch Jersey Wrap as an alternative to the muslin wrap. Double it over, wrap, pull firm, and tuck the ends in well to trap even the squirmiest of kids. It works a charm for little Houdinis! But when is it time to stop swaddling? When to stop swaddling baby It’s important to note that you can stop swaddling your baby whenever you feel it’s best. While most people use swaddling during the newborn stage, before phasing it out around three or four months, it’s also common for babies to be swaddled when they’re six to nine months old. Most babies will begin to reject swaddling at a certain age, although not all. That said, the average age to stop swaddling bub is roughly three or four months. Newborns are born with the Moro reflex — a startle reflex — and most babies don’t outgrow it until they’re four or five months old. For this reason, be careful when stopping the swaddle too early. If your baby’s Moro reflex is still strong, they may startle themselves awake at night and during nap time. If your baby is able to break free of their swaddle, this doesn’t always mean that it’s time to stop swaddling. But if bub is persistently breaking free of their swaddle each night, it’s either time to stop swaddling or switch to a safer muslin wrap. Warning: Never allow babies to sleep face down. If your baby is rolling over onto their tummy while they sleep, it’s time to stop swaddling. Safety must always be top of mind when it comes to swaddling your baby! Although swaddling for sleep is generally all good, it’s important you don’t swaddle your little one all day long. Babies also need to move freely so they can develop their gross motor skills and become stronger. 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How to cope with a new baby during COVID-19
Bringing your baby home from the hospital can be a surreal experience. There is a great deal of tears (from baby and parents), laughter, cooing, and chaos. But you don’t have to do it all by yourself – there are often family members and friends lining up to help you. At least, this was the case until 2020. With Victoria currently locked down and the threat of the second wave of the pandemic looming over the rest of Australia, isolation has become more important than ever. Of course, if you have a new baby at home, this can be easier said than done. In addition to handling your responsibilities as a new parent, you are also having to cope with the realities of parenting during COVID-19. This can leave new parents feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Even if you have older children (which brings with it different challenges such as what’s being posted across social media), the idea of bringing up younger children during a pandemic is enough to put pressure on any parent. If parenting during COVID-19 is something that you’re struggling to do, here are some top tips to help you out during this difficult time. Make sure you’re splitting duties Before the outbreak, it was easy to get help from willing family members and friends. At the very least, you had a grandparent or two willing to hold the baby while you took a shower or ran some errands. Unfortunately, this isn’t possible anymore – new parents are on their own. Needless to say, this can lead to you feeling overwhelmed, since you have to juggle quite a bit more. So, how can you cope in this instance? Here, it is all about the division of labour. You and your partner should be equally sharing responsibilities. This way, the work gets cut in half. Not to mention, you will have a lot more time to spend together as well. Take care of yourself Whether it is the demands of being a new parent or the worries regarding COVID-19, it can be easy to stop taking care of yourself. You may not eat proper meals or fail to exercise on a regular basis. Not only can these bad habits compromise your health, but it can also have a negative impact on your mental health. So, start by planning out your meals a little better. Not in the mood to cook? Look for healthy foods that you can whip up quickly, maybe even without turning your stove on. Keep the processed foods to a minimum and load up on fruits and vegetables instead. If you can get some fresh air and exercise, do try to manage this. Take the proper precautions to wear a mask and ensure that your baby is well-protected to. Carry hand sanitiser and check that no one comes to close to you and your little one. You should also exercise indoors as well. Take a portable bed or cot and keep your little one beside you. Then, workout as needed. It will make you feel a whole lot better. Look for online healthcare support It is natural to freak out about how your baby is doing as a new parent. Every sneeze or too-long cry can seem suspicious. To ensure that your baby is in peak health, accumulate a number of online healthcare contacts. This could be a paediatrician, pediatric nurse, or even a doula. Just have someone that you can call or message if you have any questions. This way, you will be able to put your mind at ease and take some of the stress out of being a new baby. Remember that if you have serious concerns, though, it is best to take your baby to a hospital. Social distancing doesn’t mean an end to socialising The main problem with isolating during the pandemic is the feelings of isolation that come along with it! This can increase when you have a new baby. After all, this was supposed to be a time for you to show off your little one to family members and friends. Thus, you may feel especially removed from those closest to you, particularly your parents. Well, just because you need to partake in social distancing doesn’t mean that the socialising has to come to a total stop. Use technology to keep you with the people in your life. This is particularly important for new grandparents. They can often feel like they are missing out and may feel rather down about it. Video calls on a regular basis, however, can make them feel more involved. These calls can be detrimental for your sanity as well. Talking to people – especially ones that haven’t thrown up on you that day – can act as a stress reliever. You can voice concerns, talk about any issues you may be facing, or simply gossip! These are all the ways that you can cope as a new parent during the pandemic. It will be tough, but this is definitely something that you will be able to manage and get through. Written by Chathurika Kahavita
