Bachelor in Education
Emily Lau is a certified infant and pediatric sleep consultant with seven years of experience and helps little ones and their families get the sleep they need. She holds her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and is a certified teacher in general education and special education. After many years of working with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers as a professional nanny, Emily chose to combine her interest in childhood sleep with her passion for helping families. She pursued certification as an infant and pediatric sleep consultant and started her own business working one-on-one with families.
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Good and adequate sleep is an important aspect of a child’s healthy growth. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children aged 6-12 years need at least 9-12 hours of sleep while teens require 8-10 hours of sleep (1). However, it is not uncommon to find childhood sleep disorders, which often interfere with sound sleep (2). Sleep disorders are conditions that make it difficult for children to get enough rest or that cause excessive sleepiness (3). This post discusses various types of pediatric sleep disorders, what causes them, and how to deal with them. [mj-toc] Different Types Of Sleep Disorders In Children While certain sleep problems are caused by specific behaviors, sleep disorders can also be caused by various neurological and other medical conditions. Following are some of the common sleep disorders in children (3) (4) (5) (6). 1. Childhood insomnia Childhood insomnia (behavioral insomnia of childhood) might affect your child if he or she has trouble...
A baby sleeping a lot may have ongoing growth spurts or developmental leaps. Also, a newborn might sleep more because they get accustomed to life outside the womb. Although managing a newborn’s sleep cycle is challenging in the initial days of life, it becomes easier as they recognize the difference between night and day (1). Sometimes, excessive sleeping and inappropriate feeding can be due to underlying conditions. Read on to know the amount of sleep needed for babies, how to develop a sleep schedule, and when to seek medical care for a baby sleeping a lot. [mj-toc] How Much Should Babies Sleep? Typically, a baby should get 14 to 17 hours of sleep a day until four months and 12 to 15 hours until one year of age. However, a baby younger than seven months may sleep for up to 19 hours, depending on their need for rest. Nevertheless, since they have small stomachs, they usually wake up every two...
How long can a baby sleep in a pack ‘n play while meeting all the suggested safety precautions? This question is sure to emerge in the minds of many parents. A pack ‘n play is a play yard with bumper pads that can be conveniently folded and packed. Its compact size makes it easy to carry it while moving or traveling. Furthermore, it is a multipurpose piece of furniture that can be used for solitary play, as a bassinet, or as a diaper changing station. Read this post to learn about the safety tips to follow while your baby sleeps or plays in a pack ‘n play. [mj-toc]Is It Safe For A Newborn To Sleep In A Pack And Play? [caption id="attachment_891719" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] Yes, it is safe for your newborn to sleep in a pack and play since they are made with adherence to safety guidelines set by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA)...
There are times when a mother may notice that her newborn won\'t sleep unless held. While some babies like being held to sleep sometimes, some do not sleep at all without being held. Being held by the mother provides a feeling similar to that in the womb; the baby can feel your heartbeat and the familiar scent. However, holding the baby to sleep may not always be possible and may even be unsafe. Read this post to learn the reasons why the newborn won’t sleep unless held and the ways to encourage them to sleep in a crib or bassinet without you holding them. [mj-toc]Reason Why Babies Only Sleep When Held There may be several reasons your baby resists sleeping on their own, including Moro reflex (startle reflex): It happens when the baby is startled by a loud sound or movement during deep sleep. It causes them to extend their hands or legs and throw their head backward while crying...