First Sentence & Other Accomplishments

"Momma errand run."-Chloe (20 months)

Slept 7:45pm-5am with a dream feed at 11pm & a dummy re-plug at 4am: Claire (4 months)

Notable tactics:

Toddler

*Converse with toddler at mealtimes, asking questions, recounting her day, leaving space for her to talk.

*Use puppets who only know how to say "yes." They are her instant, at-home friends and she wants to do what they want to do.

*Initiate a snack or activity with toddler such as play dough or coloring in the highchair before settling newborn for sleep. Keeps the newborn's sleep area quiet and decreases toddler's irritability surrounding all the attention baby requires at that time.

*I use a hand stamp as a reward for cooperative tooth brushing as it was an area of struggle for us for her to let me brush her teeth. It can be useful for other struggles, too.


New Born

*It is true that you can lay baby down sleepy but not asleep. I wait for that first slow blink when she's pretty settled. I did not learn that with my firstborn and am glad to know it with my 4 month old. She may grizzle for up to 15 minutes off and on, but eventually gets to sleep without all the rocking/bouncing/etc.

*I find that at 4 months she goes to sleep easier at night if she's gone to sleep in her bed each time all day. If she's been out in the car seat then transitioning to the bassinet isn't as easy.