For many parents the thought of a quick fix for a crying baby is a welcome thought, which is why the use of a pacifier can be so appealing! A pacifier can be a soothing addition to your baby’s routine; however, it is not necessarily the best choice for every child.   In this article we will discuss the benefits of a pacifier as well as some of the potential drawbacks and how you can introduce it into your baby’s [...]

Sleep is one of the most important parts of your newborn baby’s wellbeing and development. From the day you bring your baby home you can start practicing healthy sleep habits that establish a foundation of consistency for the rest of your baby’s life.   Nap time is an important part of your new baby’s rest, as newborns sleep for the majority of the day—including several naps. Making sure you are consistent with your baby’s nap schedule can help prevent your [...]

When you bring your new baby home it is both exciting and tiring. But when the latter starts to take over and feelings of exhaustion and frustration with your child become overwhelming, it is easy to feel both guilty and alone. These emotions are all normal, but being exhausted affects more than just your feelings, it makes it difficult to function in every way!   There are more consequences to lack of sleep than you may think. Not getting enough [...]

Whether your baby is a sleeping angel or a night-time party animal, there is no question that sleep is a non-linear journey for most parents. Your child will go through many stages and, at some points, struggles as they adjust to sleeping schedules and routines. However, there are certain things you can do to make your child’s sleep easier—one of the most important being creating a peaceful and safe environment for them to rest in.   Start with a crib [...]

Has your sweet toddler who normally is a star sleeper suddenly become defiant at bedtime? If your once restful baby is suddenly having trouble staying asleep through the night, it is easy to worry that something is wrong, but there is a common reason for what you may be experiencing.   Toddler sleep regression is a phenomena that typically occurs around 18 months, 2 years old, and 3 years old (but it can happen at any time). Your little one [...]

Do you know how important sleep is to your overall physical and mental health? When we sleep several important functions happen in the brain and body, making the hours you get your Zzzs a big priority.   While the restorative functions during sleep are important at any age, they are especially important for young children such as babies and toddlers. Sleep is when much of your baby’s most crucial growth and development occurs. Not to mention, good sleep helps improve [...]

While an exhausted baby may seem like a recipe for a little one who will sleep through the night, this couldn't be further from the truth. Over-tiredness has many consequences for people at any age, but for infants who are learning to regulate their sleep patterns, being overtired can cause difficulty falling and staying asleep. Whether you are on the go and are finding it hard to fit in naps or your baby is simply overstimulated in times when rest [...]

When deciding to have a baby, many city-dwelling parents question if they should make the move to the country or suburbs to raise a family. However, the reality is that many parents successfully raise their children in some of the busiest cities of America! In fact, raising your child in a busy city has some unique benefits that you won’t find anywhere else.   At Sleep Shop we work with moms in busy urban areas including New York City. We [...]

Swaddling young babies is one of the oldest practices when it comes to infant care. It’s commonly thought that swaddling can soothe your baby and in some cases this is true. Swaddling is thought to replicate the feeling of warmth and comfort the baby experiences in the womb or being held and the wrapping technique can be comforting for some children.   In this article we will discuss the benefits of swaddling and the situations when swaddling should be avoided. [...]

Is your baby waking up wide awake in the middle of the night? Waking to feed or need a diaper change is one thing, but when your baby is waking only to be up for an hour or longer ready to play, what do you do? Believe it or not, it is actually extremely common for both babies and toddlers to wake during the night for prolonged periods of time and want to interact with their surroundings and other people. [...]