Let Mommy Sleep Blog - Overnight Infant Care + Resources

Best Age for Newborn Photos

March 14, 2016

You may have heard that the best time to have photos taken of your baby is within the first two weeks after your baby is born. Getting baby pictures where I live in Northern VA can be quite an undertaking when it comes to traffic and schedules but when you consider that parents JUST had a baby, asking them to leave the house at that point is a really big deal…especially when you find out that a newborn session can take up to 3 hours! So what is the best age for newborn photos?

Best Age for Newborn Photos

So when should you have those baby photos taken? The short answer is that a good photographer should be able to get beautiful images of any baby, no matter how old they are. The ultimate decision of when those images should be taken should be up to the parents, not the photographer. We can capture your beautiful baby in gorgeous pictures no matter what the age. You didn’t miss your window!

I will never forget a new momma who called me on verge of tears because a photographer told her that she missed her window to get newborn pictures of her baby and that photographer refused to take the session. I was so mad for that mom. Her child was barely 20 days old! So don’t let anyone make you feel like you missed anything. You are doing a great job and we can get great images for you to treasure.

There are different thoughts among photographers about how long a baby is considered a newborn. Some say until 28 days and other say up to three months old. Your pediatrician will say that the newborn stage is 3 months. So why do most photographers say that newborn images should only be taken within the first two weeks of baby’s life?

Why do most newborn photographers say that images should be taken within the first two weeks of baby’s life?

There are a few reasons:

1. As soon as babies are born, they want to uncurl and spread out: The older they get the more “uncurled” they become, so the first 2 weeks of baby’s life is the easiest time to get these sweet curled up shots we imagine when we think of newborn photography.

2. Babies can wake easily: Because very young babies are able to get into a deep sleep a little easier than older babies, they are less apt to wake because of their startle reflex. The advantage of photographing babies when they are very young is that once they are in a deep sleep, they usually stay there.

3. Positioning. As I mentioned earlier, once babies enter the world they start uncurling and taking up more space. As they grow they don’t want to be squished up anymore! It can make getting the perfect shot a little harder but should not prevent your photographer from getting beautiful images of your sweet new baby. While there are some advantages to having photos taken early in the very early weeks of baby’s life, we can get lovely images no matter what baby’s age.

This post was contributed by Dorie Howell, Newborn & Family Photographer in Northern Virginia. You can see Dorie’s work here! If you’re an expert like Dorie with something to share please let us know!

Sleep Deprivation- How to Keep From Losing Your Mind

July 15, 2015

Guest post by Jeanne Faulkner, Registered Nurse and author of the book “Common Sense Pregnancy” In this blog, Sleep Deprivation- How to Keep From Losing Your Mind Jeanne shares wisdom for new parents.

I just launched my new book, Common Sense Pregnancy ((Random House/Ten Speed Press, June 2015)) and Let Mommy Sleep is helping spread the word that it’s time to start new conversations about pregnancy and parenthood. I wrote Common Sense Pregnancy because women are desperate for honest, straightforward, reassuring information that helps them navigate increasingly complicated prenatal care, labor and birth practices.

They’re looking for support as they learn to parent in challenging times. Much of what’s on book shelves now makes women feel like pregnancy is high risk and dangerous when in truth, for most women it’s a normal and healthy experience. The truth is most parents (even the quirkiest among us) do a darn, good job raising their children. That’s why we need new books, fresh conversations and most of all, reassurance that everything’s going to be OK.

Common Sense Pregnancy is part medical guide (I’m a registered nurse with decades of maternal health experience), part advice column (I write Fit Pregnancy’s Ask The Labor Nurse blog and I’m Senior Writer for EveryMotherCounts.org), and part memoir (I’m the mother of four and lived to write about it). Most of my book is about pregnancy, prenatal care, labor and birth, but I also discuss issues that are right up Let Mommy Sleep’s alley – breastfeeding, postpartum care, newborn issues and a topic that’s at the top of almost every expectant parent’s worry list – sleep deprivation. I write about it in Chapter 15 and I’ll share an excerpt here:

Sleep Deprivation- How to Keep From Losing Your Mind

You’re in for a bit of a shock. Babies rule the night. They’re totally clueless about circadian rhythms and not the least bit concerned about waking you up at all hours to make you do things for them. This goes on for months and months – sometimes even years. Everyone will tell you: Sleep when the baby sleeps. That’s excellent advice the first week or so but not so great after that, because few of us have the privilege of putting everything in life on hold while we take a nap.

We each react differently to interrupted and reduced sleep. Some can suck it up and function fairly well: others fall apart completely. They can’t think, can’t deal and can’t function at all. These parents have to create coping strategies to keep from losing their minds.

First, consider this: while it may seem like you’re never getting to sleep, the reality is you’re almost certainly getting some. Even if your baby is an every-two-hour feeder, that gorgeous hour and a half between feedings might drop you into the deepest sleep of your life. The body is amazing in its ability to grab what it needs, and once you get into a nighttime groove, you’ll find the experience of having bizarre wake-sleep cycles less jolting.

This isn’t working…

If the fatigue is too extreme, then you and your partner need to make some changes – like alternating nights where one of you gets to sleep all night in a room away from the baby while the other handles night duties. If you’re breastfeeding, this could involve your partner giving the baby a bottle of pumped milk or having dad bring baby in for a quick nighttime feeding, then scooping her back up and away while you go back to sleep.

Even when I’d been a nightshift nurse for quite some time, I found newborn sleep deprivation to be a special kind of awful. I didn’t really mind nursing the baby in the middle of the night. In fact, I found it mighty cozy. It was the getting out of bed to get the crying baby that I just plain hated. So my husband and I would share the load. He’d get up and get the baby, do a diaper change, and tuck the baby in bed next to me. After she nursed, my husband would take the baby back to her bassinet. Neither one of us was gaining any extra sleep that way, but this system worked for us.

What about Mental Health?

For some women, sleep deprivation leads to serious changes in mental health – aka postpartum depression and even psychosis. This is serious business and must be addressed by professionals – your doctor or midwife plus a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional with experience dealing with postpartum mothers.

I had a touch of this with baby number one. I couldn’t fall sleep for days after having my daughter and was on high alert and pulsing with hormones, and my mind just would not let up. I’d doze a bit here and there but never really dropped off. One day, I was sitting in the rocker with my baby in my arms. She was asleep and I was exhausted. Suddenly, white horses were flying in her window. Whatever was left of my logical mind knew for certain this wasn’t real, but all my other senses said, “My oh my, that sure is a lot of flying horses. I wonder what happens when they land.” That was my only real break from reality, and shortly after the horses arrived, I was finally able to fall asleep.

This chapter offers lots of advice about sleep and the rest of the book covers all the information you need as you launch your life into parenthood. Bottom line? It’s going to be OK.

Emergency Preparedness with Infants

January 25, 2015

updated October 24, 2023 – When an emergency strikes, the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA suggest having food, water and other supplies to last your family for at least 72 hours (3 days). Our night nurses and postpartum doulas describe the essentials of newborn, infant and baby care items in Emergency Preparedness with Infants.

Emergency Preparedness with Infants – What are the top 3 baby care items to have?

Newborns and infants need to have emergency items on hand in case unexpected situations arise. The top 3 items are:

diapers – A general guideline is one diaper for every two hours
feeding items – bottles, formula, purified water if not exclusively breastfeeding
baby wipes – Wipes clean you baby and can also be used to clean surfaces if there are no other options.

Our team of night nurses and doulas recommend a good old fashioned hiking backpack so your arms are free to carry or wear your infant. Diaper bags might not work as you’ll need room to carry water and enough clothing and diapers for 3 days.

Emergency Preparedness with Infants — infant emergency prep

A 72 Hour Emergency Kit for Babies should contain the following:

2 gallons of nursery or purified water
At least 1 gallon of water per day for nursing moms.
1 large, sealed can of powdered formula (more than enough for 3 days) or consider powdered formula packets to save space
Formula scoop if not included with the can
3-5 bottles with nipples
Baby food pouches (for babies that eat solids)
Finger food such as Cheerios or “puffs” (for babies that eat solids)
Camping stove (may be necessary to sterilize and clean bottles.)
30-35 diapers – here is how to know if your newborn or infant is eating enough
2 large containers of disposable baby wipes (for diapering needs and also for cleaning spills, hands, and bodies.)
Diaper rash cream
Diaper changing pad
2 boxes of sealable plastic bags (like Ziploc) for storing dirty diapers and laundry
Pacifiers (if your baby uses them)
Clothing:
- 5 seasonal changes of clothes (combination of onesies, pants, footed one-piece outfits)
- 3 footed pajamas
- Sleep sack or swaddle
- Seasonal items such as hats, socks and mittens.
Swaddle blanket
5-6 burp clothes or washcloths
Travel baby kit with baby soap, lotion, shampoo
Hand sanitizer
Baby Tylenol or Motrin
Warm emergency blanket
Hand warmers
2-3 small toys

If you need to leave your home your go-bag should have:

Baby carrier (wearing a baby can be invaluable)
Additional toys
Stroller
Jacket, coat or bunting depending on the weather

Emergency Preparedness with Infants – Don’t Forget Yourself!

In an emergency it’s natural for parents to put all their efforts toward their newborns and infants but we want to be sure that you have the nutrition and preps you need to stay strong and focused too.

Water – All major resources recommend storing 1 gallon of water per day, per adult. So at least 3 gallons of water for 72 hours for drinking and daily tasks like brushing our teeth.

Phone Charger – Your phone is a crucial means of communication. It can keep also keep toddlers and older kids calm and occupied during an emergency. A solar powered phone charger can give you peace of mind if electricity goes out or is unavailable.

Disinfecting Wipes – Emergency situations might mean being in close quarters with others. Sanitizing surfaces can help keep everyone healthy and clean.

Non- Perishable Food – Parents and adults need foods that won’t spoil to keep their energy up and stay strong. Power Bars, granola bars, canned fruits, canned meats and powdered milk are great examples.

As your family grows and changes, emergency preparedness kits will need to be updated. For example, a newborn would require a different diaper size, nipple, and clothing than a 10-month old. Check in on your 72-hour kit every 4-6 weeks to update, test or change out the items. And of course if you have twins or more than one child, your kit will be double in size.

smiling dad with newborn and infant — thank you Nathan Dumlao on unsplash for this image

Preventing Falls to Keep Baby Safe

December 30, 2014

updated June 6, 2022 – According to the CDC, unintentional falls are the number one cause of injury in children under three, and almost every parent can recall a time when baby unexpectedly pulled up, fell down or slipped. In Preventing Falls to Keep Baby Safe there are tips for new parents and anyone looking after newborns, infants, toddlers and kids.

Mom of 3 Micaela Williamson remembers this: “When my son was 7 months old, we took him to the zoo. With all the excitement of getting him in and out to see the animals, we forgot to buckle him back into his stroller. As I pushed the stroller down a hill, he slipped right out and landed on the asphalt.”

“Luckily baby was okay,” she adds, “but I became vigilant about double checking the stroller strap and always speak up when I see babies unstrapped in public.”

Tips for Preventing Falls to Keep Baby Safe

When using baby gear; strollers, swings, and high chairs, always strap baby in correctly.
Never put infant swings, bouncy chairs, or seats such as the Bumbo chair on a high surface. Always put them on the floor.
Always keep one hand on baby and be attentive when baby is on a higher surface such as a bed or changing table. Even babies that cannot fully roll over can roll and fall off beds.
Secure and lock all windows, and since mobile young children love to climb, be sure to move chairs and furniture away from windows.
Install safety guards on any high stair railings or balconies that baby could fall through.
Babies and toddlers love stairs! Teach your child to go down the stairs backwards, and keep staircases free of clutter. Also, always use safety gates around stairs. When installing a safety gate at the top of the stairs, it is recommended to always attach the gate to the wall.
Pass on baby walkers and use stable activity centers instead. In fact, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that walkers not be sold in the United States. This is because they put children at risk for injury. There are also no clear benefits.
When using a stroller, avoid stairs or escalators. If stairs cannot be avoided, be sure to remove baby from the stroller. Then, have another individual carry the stroller or baby on the stairs.
Babywearing is convenient and soothing for babies. Be certain to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using a carrier or wrap.

The world is a new and exciting place for babies to explore, but by taking these precautions, you can make it a whole lot safer. For more info on preventing falls, visit Creating a Safe Nursery

What is a Dreamfeed?

November 12, 2014

updated September 29, 2023 – When seeking ways to help baby sleep longer stretches at night, parents commonly hear advice that they must offer baby a “dreamfeed.” But what is a Dreamfeed? And how does it work? Here’s how this scheduled feeding technique works:

What is a Dreamfeed? A feed between 10pm-11pm

Popularized by the widely respected Baby Whisperer newborn care books, to dreamfeed means to simply bring breast or bottle to baby’s lips in the later evening hour. This is usually around 10pm-11pm when baby is still asleep. Why 10-11?

This timing allows the baby to receive nourishment that sustains them for a few hours and potentially reduce the frequency of nighttime awakenings.
If your typical time going to bed is 10pm, you have some assurance that you’ll get a decent block of sleep before the next wake up.
If your baby last ate at 7pm, 10-11 would be the next timeframe in which they are typically hungry so you are getting to them before they fully wake up, making getting them “back down” easier.

In other words, because your baby is full and comfortable in the 10pm hour, they’ll sleep longer while you’re sleeping.

Your infant will instinctually take in what their little body needs at that time, usually just a few ounces. Postpartum doula’s know this technique works because there is also no reason to burp or wake since they will be relaxed enough to go back to sleep after the feed.

In other words, feeding baby before you go to sleep means that you might eliminate one of the middle-of-the-night feeds. You know you’re going to get up anyway to feed your newborn so why not take the guesswork out of it and help both of you sleep for a long stretch.

You can do quick diaper change after the feed too just to be sure your infant is comfortable and clean!

Tip from the Night Nurses: Folks like to say that wipe warmers are a waste of money but we disagree!

That cold wipe during a dreamfeed diaper change can startle your newborn or infant! Invest the 15 bucks to make sure those wipes are warm and soothing…keeping your baby in a sleepy state of mind overnight!

Why Does A Dreamfeed Work?

Without a dreamfeed, a baby who typically feeds in the 7 PM hour may awakens naturally from hunger at midnight, 1 AM or 2 AM. Giving a feed in the 10:00 hour allows parents to head off this hunger and may allow baby to sleep longer, usually until 4 AM. By giving a feed at 10 PM, instead of waiting to see when baby naturally wakes to feed, we are shifting baby’s asleep hours to match parents, so parents get a long stretch of sleep themselves.

The addition of these few extra ounces will eliminate the physical need for baby to awaken for the first overnight feed. This is because we’re taking waking from true hunger out of the equation. As your infant gets older and able to physically sleep 10-12 hours without needing to eat (which is only decided on by families and their pediatrician) the dreamfeed provides that final feed of the night to take babies through to their natural wake up time in the morning.

How a typical dreamfeed schedule works:

6:30 or 7:00 PM: Baby’s last feed before baby’s bedtime
10:00 PM: bring bottle/breast to baby while baby is still asleep (dreamfeed)…this is before your bedtime
10:20 PM: quick diaper change and back to sleep

While certainly not a necessity, the dreamfeed is a simple extension of baby’s natural 3 hour feeding cycle. It works whether parents are breastfeeding or formula feeding.

What is a Dreamfeed? – Sleeping through the Night

If you want to pave the way for long, independent stretches of sleep overnight, Let Mommy Sleep night nannnies and doulas recommend a dreamfeed. In addition to helping parents sleep well, another benefit of dreamfeeding is gently weaning the amount of milk or formula that is taken in during the overnight hours. Because your infant is consuming exactly the amount their body wants in such a relaxed state, you’ll see that they naturally take in less and less.

If you would like more information on sleeping through the night, these step-by-step instructions may help.

What is a Dreamfeed? – Are there any Downsides?

A dreamfeed is a safe and useful tool to keep in your baby sleep toolbelt but be aware that there are few potential downsides.

Dreamfeeding could potentially be challenging if you’re breastfeeding because your nursing relationship is built on supply and demand. Skipping or adjusting nighttime feedings might mean that your supply needs a few days to catch up to the new dreamfeed time of 10pm, if you’ve never done feeds at that time before.
We Woke a Sleeping Baby!: If your baby was in a spot where they are waking up anyway at 10pm, they might actually fully wake up during the feeding. So while you might have been prepared for a 10-15 minute dreamfeed session, you’re baby might now be wide awake. You would have been doing this 45 minutes of feeding anyway but it’s good to know that the dreamfeed might not be perfect every time. 🙂

Blog

Best Age for Newborn Photos

Best Age for Newborn Photos

Why do most newborn photographers say that images should be taken within the first two weeks of baby’s life?

Sleep Deprivation- How to Keep From Losing Your Mind

Sleep Deprivation- How to Keep From Losing Your Mind

This isn’t working…

What about Mental Health?

Emergency Preparedness with Infants

Emergency Preparedness with Infants – What are the top 3 baby care items to have?

A 72 Hour Emergency Kit for Babies should contain the following:

If you need to leave your home your go-bag should have:

Preventing Falls to Keep Baby Safe

Tips for Preventing Falls to Keep Baby Safe

What is a Dreamfeed?

What is a Dreamfeed? A feed between 10pm-11pm

Why Does A Dreamfeed Work?

How a typical dreamfeed schedule works:

What is a Dreamfeed? – Sleeping through the Night

What is a Dreamfeed? – Are there any Downsides?

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