SUPERSLEEPERSESSION

WORKBOOK

The

Newborn Coaching

2

CONTENTS

Copyright © MightyMoms.club,® All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in

any form or by any means, mechanical or electronic, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher, Heather Taylor Media, LLC.

Welcome!

Your Starting Place

Average Sleep Needs

Handling Overstimulation

Watching for Acid Reflux

Soothing Strategies

Weaning Off Sleep Crutches

A Proper Sleep Environment

Your Goals Moving Forward

Other Helpful Resources

Daily & Nightly Sleep Log

Your Sleep Log Worksheet

The Safe Sleeping Guidelines

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4

5

6

7

9

10

12

13

14

17

18

19

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WELCOME!Thank you so much for letting us help you with your sleeping struggles! Amy and I are really looking forward to working with you.

It is our hope that you can use this Workbook to take notes during our session together so you can refer back to these notes in the weeks to come.

Just as a reminder, you’ve purchased a Newborn Session. This means…

• We will be looking over the assessment form you filled out to prepare a custom plan for you.

• You will meet with Certified Gentle Sleep Coach Amy Estell in her virtual room (www.gotomeet.me/SuperSleepers) for an hour to go through that plan, make tweaks, and develop a firm path forward.

This Newborn Session is designed to provide you with Sleep Shaping techniques. Since your newborn hasn’t yet mastered the skill of self-regulation, trying to sleep coach at this stage is going to involve a LOT of crying (from both of you).

It is better to start with these Sleep Shaping techniques, building a strong foundation for good sleep habits, and then approach sleep coaching (if it’s still necessary) after your baby has passed his 4-month regression period, at around 20 to 22 weeks. (It is when you realize the “newborn” is gone and a much-more alert “baby” has appeared!)

If you find that your child still needs Sleep Coaching and you are past that period, we would love to help you! As a previous client, we’d love to offer you a 10% off coupon for full coaching, which comes with our 110% Money Back Sleeping Guarantee. Just use the code NEWBORNS during check out. Get more details about our Full Coaching package at bit.ly/SuperSleeper .

We are looking forward to helping you finally see some sleeping success! Warmly,

Heather & Amy

Heather & Amy

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YOUR STARTING PLACE

Session Date: Time:

My Child’s Age:

Proper Feeding Expectations for My Child:

Breastfeeding: every hours

Formula: oz. every hours

Proper Sleeping Expectations for My Child:

Total amount of nighttime sleep:

Total amount of daytime sleep:

Number of naps:

Waketime Window:

Remember, these are averages for your baby’s age. You should consider them as goals to shoot for, so don’t feel discouraged if your child isn’t there yet. You’re just getting started!

HE

LP

ING

YO

U L

OC

AT

E Y

OU

R C

HIL

D’S

SL

EE

P W

IND

OW

AVER

AGE

SLEE

P N

EED

S

0–

5 M

on

th

s6

–8

Mo

nth

s9

–1

1 M

on

th

s1

2–

28

Mo

nth

s2

–4

Ye

ar

s

Av

g. N

igh

ttim

e

Sle

ep

:

8.5

hrs

Av

g. D

ay

tim

e

Sle

ep

:

Va

rie

s

Wa

ke

fuln

ess

Win

do

w:

1–

2 h

rs

Nu

mb

er

of

Da

ily

Na

ps:

4–

5

Av

g. N

igh

ttim

e

Sle

ep

:

11

hrs

Av

g. D

ay

tim

e

Sle

ep

:

3.5

hrs 

Wa

ke

fuln

ess

Win

do

w:

1.5

–3 h

rs

Nu

mb

er

of

Da

ily

Na

ps:

3

Av

g. N

igh

ttim

e

Sle

ep

:

11

hrs

Av

g. D

ay

tim

e

Sle

ep

:

3 h

rs 

Wa

ke

fuln

ess

Win

do

w:

2–

4 h

rs

Nu

mb

er

of

Da

ily

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ps:

2–

3

Av

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ttim

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Sle

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:

11

hrs

Av

g. D

ay

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Sle

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:

2–

2.5 h

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Wa

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Win

do

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4–

6 h

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Nu

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Da

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1–

2

Av

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igh

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Sle

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:

10

–1

1 h

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Av

g. D

ay

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Sle

ep

:

0–

2.5 h

rs 

Wa

ke

fuln

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Win

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5–

12 h

rs

Nu

mb

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of

Da

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Na

ps:

1 o

r Q

uie

t T

ime

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HANDLING OVERSTIMULATION

Babies under 8 weeks have a special skill called habituation to help them when they feel overstimulated. It allows him (or her) to fall into a “fake sleep” when he’s feeling overstimulated (like at a busy restaurant). When that ability fades away (at around 6-8 weeks), some babies can really struggle with how to calm down without it, leading to a lot more tears and fussy periods. What three things can you start doing this week to help minimize the effects of overstimulation on your newborn?

1.

2.

3.

This is also a good time to help your baby understand the difference between day (playtime) and night (sleeptime). What are you going to do this week to help her brain understand this transition?

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WATCHING FOR ACID REFLUX

All babies spit up to some extent. Sometimes, though, babies will spit up so frequently and the bile will be so acidic that it burns their throat, causing increased fussiness and pain. Premature babies have a higher chance of struggling with acid reflux, and it peaks most commonly between 4 and 5 months.

• Baby hates being flat on her back.

• Spits up 20-30 minutes after eating.

• Coughs frequently, can sound like she’s wheezing.

• Struggles to eat.

• Sudden bouts of intense crying.

• Arches back frequently.

• Noising breathing.

• Bad breath.

Write down what you remember about the common treatments doctor’s use to help babies with GERD or Silent Reflux:

1. Medications: Pevacid vs. Zantac

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2. Probiotics

3. Changing Your Breastfeeding Diet

4. Thickened Formulas and Hypoallergenic Formulas

5. Sleeping in a swing, baby carrier, or slanted crib

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SOOTHINGSTRATEGIES

There are several techniques you can use to help your baby soothe. Eventually, he will learn to completely self-soothe on his own, but for now he’s going to need a little help! Discuss each of these options with your GSC and then mark the ones you want to try to use this week.

� Swaddling � Shushing (louder than him)

� Patting � Back-and-Forth Rocking

� Side-to-Side Rocking � Cheek-to-Cheek Shushing

� Bouncing � Tummy-to-Collarbone Pat

� Using a Pacifier �

Learn more unique and effective soothing techniques by attending The Secret Art of Baby Soothing Webinar at bit.ly/SoothingWeb.

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WEANING OFF SLEEP CRUTCHES

Some of those soothing techniques we’ve mentioned above can become sleep crutches later on. This means that they stop being effective, or you have to do them for longer and longer periods in order to get the same sleeping results.

For NOW, don’t worry about these sleep crutches. Just do whatever works. You can’t screw anything up at this age. Everything is fixable later on!

That said, here are some techniques you can use to wean off these soothers when you get closer to 22 weeks old and your baby is ready to start coaching.

Weaning Off the SwaddleThe swaddle is great for newborns, but once your baby starts rolling over, it can become a safety hazard and should be removed. Here are two methods to make weaning your baby off the swaddle as easy and painless as possible.

� Turtle Method � Sloth Method

Which method are you going to use (mark the circle)? What are the steps you’re going to follow for that method?

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Weaning off the SwingThere is nothing wrong with using a swing to help your newborn to fall asleep at night and for naps. Eventually, though, around 20-22 weeks, your baby is going to need the deep reset that motion-sleep can’t give her. What are the steps to help your baby wean off the swing and start sleeping in the crib?

Moving to the CribMany parents cosleep in the early months as a way to squeeze in a few extra snoozes. (If this is you, be sure to see the Safe Sleeping Guidelines at the end of this workbook to keep the SIDS Monster at bay!) Moving to the crib, either in your room or in a separate nursery, can be stressful for everyone. What steps should you take to make that as easy as possible when the time comes?

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A PROPERSLEEP ENVIRONMENT

There are several things you should do to help your non-habituating baby get better rest. Write down below what your GSC would like you to do improve the quality of your baby’s sleeping environment.

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What are the three or four goals you and your GSC decided on during your Newborn Session, and how will you be reaching those goals?

Goal #1:

How are you going to meet that goal?

Goal #2:

How are you going to meet that goal?

Goal #3:

How are you going to meet that goal?

Goal #4:

How are you going to meet that goal?

YOUR GOALSMOVING FORWARD

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OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES

24 Magical Baby Games to Play with Your Baby

Tired of staring contests? Bored with Peek-a-Boo? This ebook is your answer! Twenty-four developmentally appropriate (and actually fun) games for you to play with your baby from birth to past his first birthday. It’s the perfect way to bond with your child at an early age!

Learn more at www.mightymoms.club/magical-baby-games

What to Feed Your Baby; When to Introduce Healthy Food

Did you know there are certain healthy foods you shouldn’t give your baby before a certain age? In this inexpensive (but beautiful!) booklet, I will walk you through, alphabetically, all the healthy fruits and veggies you want your child to love. I’ll offer tips on when to introduce them safely, how to prepare them, when to purchase organic (and when that’s a waste), and other helpful tips!

Learn more at www.mightymoms.club/feed-your-baby-booklet

The Milestone Marker Tired of feeling guilty about the unfinished baby book on your desk? The Milestone Marker is your answer. It provides you with the basic growth milestones your doctor is looking for, as well as the subtle developmental milestones that are so exciting to catch (spit bubbles! giggles! walking!). Each age is divided into the appropriate milestones to watch for, along with plenty of space to write the memories that go with each one!

Learn more at www.mightymoms.club/milestone-marker

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What If Things Fall Apart?What if you do ALL of these things and your baby is still not sleeping any better?

Firstly, double check your expectations. Are they realistic? Truth is, your newborn is going to need a lot of feedings throughout the day. His little tummy just isn’t big enough to last a long time without needing refill a few times. And when it comes to naps...those are ALWAYS crazy in the first few months of life, because he’s still adjusting to life on this side of the womb.

Keep working through what we talked through, and be patient! This isn’t going to be this way even three months from now. It will get better! Every day is progress!

Secondly, check for growth spurts. It’s normal for there to be regressions during periods of time when his brain is surging forward and conquering new milestones. Expect them at around...

• 7-10 days

• 2-3 weeks

• 4-6 weeks

• 3 months

• 4 months (this one is huge, and marks the shift to a more engaged and alert baby)

Thirdly, check your daily rhythm. Use a copy of the Sleep Log in this book (or an app, if that’s easier) to make sure you aren’t missing his sleep window and he’s staying awake too long. Remember, if he is awake longer than an hour during the day, he’s more likely to be SUPER fussy in the evening (Witching Hour) and wake more frequently at night!

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Need Another Pair of Eyes?If you’ve done these things and you’re baby is STILL struggling, we would be happy to act as an extra pair of eyes with your troubleshooting!

• If you are within two weeks of your Newborn Session, you can purchase an email package. We will analyze your Sleep Log and email back and forth with you to spot what’s happening and help you get back on track. Learn more about those at bit.ly/Email-Help.

• If your baby is at his 4-month regression, or is just passed it, sign up for a Full Coaching Package and let’s start gently teaching him some better sleep skills! Use coupon code NEWBORNS (only for Sleep Shaping Graduates like yourself) to save 10%. Learn about Full Coaching (and our exclusive 110% Money Back Sleeping Guarantee) at bit.ly/SuperSleeper.

Be consistent, but know there is always something else to try!

To everyone’s sweet snoozes,

Heather & Amy

Heather & Amy

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Keeping a sleep log helps you make sure your child is getting the sleep he needs, and that you are catching his Waketime Window before he gets overtired. (Just compare the times to your Average Sleep Needs Worksheet.)

This Sleep Log will also help you spot daily patterns and rhythms to aid you in planning ahead. You can also use the Sleep Log to work backwards and see how past decisions may have affected your child’s current sleep struggles. For example, you may notice that your child is WAY past his Waketime Window when he goes down at night, and has been waking before 6am the next morning. Analyzing the Sleep Log helps you see that you should probably try to slip another nap in the late afternoon so he isn’t overtired at bedtime.

What to Write Down at Night: 1. What time did you start the bedtime routine?2. What time was lights out? 3. How sleepy was your baby when you put her down?

(0 - wide awake, 10 - fast asleep)4. Was there any crying? If so, how long was it and how did you respond?5. How long did it take for him to fall asleep?6. When were there wakeups, and how long did they last?7. What did you do to get him back to sleep?

What to Write Down During the Day:1. What time did you start the nap routine? 2. How sleepy was your baby when you put her down?

(0 - wide awake, 10 - fast asleep) 3. Was there any crying? How long? How did you respond? 4. How long was the nap? 5. When and how much did you feed him?

A Few Things to Remember:• Don’t agonize over the details (11:01, etc.). You want to provide yourself

with enough information to look back and use later, but not so much that you’re doing nothing but filling out the sleep log all day.

• Don’t trust you’ll remember the details hours later. Try to fill your log in as soon as things happen.

DAILY & NIGHTLY SLEEP LOG

SLEEP LOGTime: Activity:

Date:

Day of the Week:

SAFESLEEPING

GUIDELINES

The

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SIDS IS LINKED TOUNSAFE SLEEPING PRACTICES

More and more experts are seeing a direct link between SIDS and unsafe sleeping practices. In fact, there’s even a movement to rename Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, since much of the mystery of why these babies are dying has been removed.1 As a way of helping our clients prevent the tragedy of SIDS, we want to share these Safe Sleeping Guidelines created by Dr. James McKenna, Ph.D.2

What Constitutes a “Safe Sleeping Environment”?

• Safe infant sleep begins with a healthy gestation, specifically without the fetus being exposed to maternal smoking.

• Breastfeeding significantly helps to protect infants from death including death from SIDS/SUDI and from secondary disease and/or congenital conditions.

• Post-natally safe infant sleep begins especially with the presence of an informed and committed mother, or an informed and committed father.

• Infants should sleep on their backs, on firm surfaces, on clean surfaces, in the absence of smoke, under light (comfortable) blanketing, and their heads should never be covered.

• The baby should never be placed to sleep on top of a pillow.

• Sheepskins or other fluffy material and especially bean bag mattresses should never be used. Water beds can be dangerous too, and the mattresses should always tightly intersect the bed-frame.

• Infants should never sleep on couches or sofas, with or without adults where they can slip down (face first) into the crevice or get wedged against the back of a couch and suffocate.

1 www.npr.org/2011/07/15/137859024/rethinking-sids-many-deaths-no-longer-a-mystery 2 Professor of Biological Anthropology and Director of the Mother-Baby Sleep Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame. This report was taken from Dr. McKenna’s book Maximizing the Chances of Safe Infant Sleep in the Solitary and Cosleeping

(Specifically, Bed-Sharing) Contexts—and can be seen in its original format at www.cosleeping.nd.edu/safe-co-sleeping-guidelines.

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What Safe Sleeping Tips Do You Have For Bed-Sharing?

• Always be aware that adult beds are not designed to assure infant safety!

• When at all possible, babies should always sleep alongside the mother on a separate surface (like an attached co-sleeper) rather than in the bed.

• If bed-sharing, ideally, both parents should agree and feel comfortable with the decision. Each bed-sharer should agree that he or she is equally responsible for the infant and acknowledge that the infant is present. Both parents should think of themselves as the primary caregiver.

• Infants a year or less should not sleep with other siblings—but always with an adult who can take responsibility for the infant being there.

• Persons on sedatives, medications, drugs, intoxicated, or is an extremely heavy sleeper and is difficult to wake should NOT co-sleep on the same surface with an infant.

• Excessively long hair on the mother should be tied up to prevent infant entanglement around the infant’s neck—(Yes, it has really happened!)

Putting babies to sleep on their backs is best!

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Did You Know?About one in five Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) deaths occur while an infant is in the care of someone other than a parent. Many of these deaths occur when babies who are used to sleeping on their backs at home are then placed to sleep on their tummies by another caregiver. We call this “unaccustomed tummy sleeping.”

Unaccustomed tummy sleeping increases the risk of SIDS. Babies who are used to sleeping on their backs and are placed to sleep on their tummies are 18 times more likely to die from SIDS.

You can reduce your baby’s risk of dying from SIDS by talking to those who care for your baby, including child care providers, babysitters, family, and friends, about placing your baby to sleep on his back during naps and at night.

Who Is at Risk for SIDS?SIDS is the leading cause of death for infants between 1 month and 12 months of age.

SIDS is most common among infants that are 1-4 months old. However, babies can die from SIDS until they are 1 year old.

Know the Truth... SIDS Is NOT Caused By:• Immunizations

• Vomiting or choking

What Can I Do Before My Baby Is Born to Reduce the Risk of SIDS?Take care of yourself during pregnancy and after the birth of your baby. During pregnancy, before you even give birth, you can reduce the risk of your baby dying from SIDS! Don’t smoke or expose yourself to others’ smoke while you are pregnant and after the baby is born. Alcohol and drug use can also increase your baby’s risk for SIDS. Be sure to visit a physician for regular prenatal checkups to reduce your risk of having a low birth weight or premature baby.

Do your best to follow the guidelines on these pages. This way, you will know that you are doing all that you can to keep your baby healthy and safe.

Breastfeed your baby. Experts recommend that mothers feed their children human

Supported in part by Grant No. U46MC04436-06-00, a cooperative agreement of the Office of Child Care and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau.

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Face up to wake up.Healthy babies sleep safest

on their backs.

Do not place anything in the crib.

No pillows, quilts, or toys.

Practice daily tummy time. Supervised, daily tummy time during play is important to baby’s healthy development.

milk for as long and as much as possible, and for at least the first 6 months of life, if possible.

It is important for your baby to be up to date on her immunizations and well-baby check-ups.

Where Is the Safest Place for My Baby to Sleep?The safest place for your baby to sleep is in the room where you sleep, but not in your bed. Place the baby’s crib or bassinet near your bed (within arm’s reach). This makes it easier to breastfeed and to bond with your baby.

The crib or bassinet should be free from toys, soft bedding, blankets, and pillows. (See picture on the top of the page.)

Talk About Safe Sleep Practices With Everyone Who Cares for Your BabyWhen looking for someone to take care of your baby, including a child care provider, a family member, or a friend, make sure

that you talk with this person about safe sleep practices. Bring this fact sheet along to help, if needed. If a caregiver does not know the best safe sleep practices, respectfully try to teach the caregiver what you have learned about safe sleep practices and the importance of following these rules when caring for infants. Before leaving your baby with anyone, be sure that person agrees that the safe sleep practices explained in this brochure will be followed all of the time.

What Else Can I Do to Reduce My Baby’s Risk?Follow these easy steps to help you reduce your baby’s risk of dying from SIDS.

SAFE SLEEP PRACTICESAlways place babies to sleep on their backs during naps and at nighttime. Because babies sleeping on their sides are more likely to accidentally roll onto their stomach, the side position is just as dangerous as the stomach position.

Avoid letting the baby get too hot. The baby could be too hot if you notice sweating, damp hair, flushed cheeks, heat

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SAFE SLEEP PRACTICES continued

rash, and rapid breathing. Dress the baby lightly for sleep. Set the room temperature in a range that is comfortable for a lightly clothed adult.

Consider using a pacifier at nap time and bed time. The pacifier should not have cords or clips that might be a strangulation risk.

SAFE SLEEP ENVIRONMENT

Place your baby on a firm mattress, covered by a fitted sheet that meets current safety standards. For more about crib safety standards, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website at www.cpsc.gov.

Place the crib in an area that is always smoke free.

Don’t place babies to sleep on adult beds, chairs, sofas, waterbeds, pillows, or cushions.

Toys and other soft bedding, including fluffy blankets, comforters, pillows, stuffed animals, bumper pads, and wedges should not be placed in the crib with the baby. Loose bedding, such as sheets and blankets, should not be used as these items can impair the infant’s ability to breathe if they are close to his face. Sleep clothing, such as sleepers, sleep sacks, and wearable blankets are better alternatives to blankets.

Is It Ever Safe to Have Babies on Their Tummies?Yes! You should talk to your child care provider about making tummy time a

part of your baby’s daily activities. Your baby needs plenty of tummy time while supervised and awake to help build strong neck and shoulder muscles. Remember to make sure that your baby is having tummy time at home with you.

Tummy to Play and Back to SleepPlace babies to sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS. Side sleeping is not as safe as back sleeping and is not advised. Babies sleep comfortably on their backs, and no special equipment or extra money is needed.

“Tummy time” is playtime when infants are awake and placed on their tummies while someone is watching them. Have tummy time to allow babies to develop normally.

What Can I Do to Help Spread the Word About Back to Sleep?Be aware of safe sleep practices and how they can be made a part of our everyday lives.

When shopping in stores with crib displays that show heavy quilts, pillows, and stuffed animals, talk to the manager about safe sleep, and ask them not to display cribs in this way.

Monitor the media. When you see an ad or a picture in the paper that shows a baby sleeping on her tummy, write a letter to the editor.

If you know teenagers who take care of babies, talk with them. They may need

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help with following the proper safe sleep practices.

Set a good example—realize that you may not have slept on your back as a baby, but we now know that this is the safest way for babies to sleep. When placing babies to sleep, be sure to always place them on their backs.

If you have questions about safe sleep practices please contact Healthy Child Care America at the American Academy of Pediatrics at childcare@aap.org or

888.227.5409. Remember, if you have a question about the health and safety of your child, talk to your baby’s doctor.

Resources:American Academy of Pediatrics

www.aap.org

SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths:

Expansion of Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/early/2016/10/25/peds.2016-2940.full.pdf

Healthy Child Care America

www.healthychildcare.org

National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education www.nrckids.org

Healthy Kids, Healthy Care: A Parent Friendly Tool on Health and Safety Issues in Child Care www.healthykids.us

National Institute for Child and Human Development Back to Sleep Campaign (Order free educational materials) www.nichd.nih.gov/sids/sids.cfm

First Candle/SIDS Alliance

www.firstcandle.org

Association of SIDS and Infant Mortality Programs www.asip1.org

CJ Foundation for SIDS

www.cjsids.com

National SIDS and Infant Death Resource Center www.sidscenter.org

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association www.jpma.org

Information in this document was provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Revised 2012.