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Sleep Tips: The importance of early bedtimes

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Published: 2012-09-18 20:50:00
Updated: 2012-09-18 20:50:00

Posted: September 18, 2012

Tags: Mom's Life, Parenting

I introduced Irene Gouge, owner of Loving Lessons Pediatric Sleep Consulting, earlier this week.

The mom of two in Holly Springs helps other families across the Triangle get their kids to sleep. She works with kids ages six months to six years. Read my earlier post for much more information about Gouge.

Gouge will be offering some sleep tips here each Wednesday over the next few weeks. Today, she talks about a big mistake many parents make: Keeping kids up too late or letting them skip naps with the hopes that it will mean they'll go right to sleep at night.

"That will actually backfire on you," Gouge tells me. "You want to look for that just right bedtime."

Gouge offers more tips and suggestions my video interview with her, including when that "just right bedtime" and nap time is for most kids. For more information, watch the video.

Go to Gouge's website for more about Loving Lessons, including a Webinar that she is offering. And check back next Wednesday for another tip.

Copyright 2012 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Keep in mind what you have your kids sleep on. Most mattresses today are full of toxic chemicals..... and that will effect the quality of the sleep your kids have as their body will be spending energy as opposed to sleeping naturally.

ww.theorganicbedroom.com
Click to view my profile ummyeah
September 19, 2012 4:51 p.m.
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Great to hear that someone is back to "old school" thinking!! My kids have always had an early bedtime and we never tolerated sleep time tantrums. They learned quickly that bed time is exactly that bedtime!
Click to view my profile BaseBallMommy
September 19, 2012 10:59 a.m.
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My children have always been good sleepers and slept in their bed (crib/bedroom since they came home from the hospital. Sure, babies and toddlers wake during the night, make noises, but soothe themselves back to sleep. If they wake up at 4:00am, its not time for cheerios, etc (like I've heard some parents do). Don't add drama...its bedtime!
missparrothead
September 19, 2012 10:16 a.m.
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I agree. Great topic! Getting my 23 month old to go to sleep at night has become a quite a task.
Click to view my profile carelesswhisper
September 19, 2012 8:13 a.m.
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What a great topic. My kids are older now, but this has been part of my parenting philosophy forever. Well rested kids are better behaved and more fun for mama ;) Mine now 14,9 and 6 still sleep great and enjoy bedtime!Good luck to all those lovely mamas ( and dads) slogging thru the no sleep stages. It gets easier! Personally I think do what works for your kid and try not to pay attention to who agrees or not to your *sleep strategy*, but that's just my 2 cents. There are dozens of methods, books etc...something will help!
Click to view my profile mountainmama
September 19, 2012 8:09 a.m.
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