Blissful Babies will be taking a restructuring break until Fall 2011. At that time I will be accepting sleep and coaching clients again but under the new name of The Joyful Parent and as a certified PCI Parent Coach. More information to come on a future website, email, blog, and paypal account. You can also look forward to more parenting workshops, group coaching opportunities, and video blogs when I return. Thank you all for your continued support and referrals! I appreciate your patience and look forward to working with you in the fall!
Andrea Shillito
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
NEW ARTICLE: Night Sleep in Babies Linked with Better Cognitive Skills
This is a great article from Mamapedia about the importance of night sleep for your children. Babies and children should be getting 11-12 hours of night sleep for healthy brain development.
"When is your baby sleeping? According to a recent study, babies who get most of their sleep at night--as opposed to during daytime naps--do better on tests of executive functioning, including impulse control, mental flexibility and working memory, compared with kids who sleep less at night. This research boosts what studies have been finding--that early childhood sleep plays a key role in the development of higher-order cognitive processes, which may later contribute to emotional and social adjustment and achievement in school. "These results raise the possibility that infant sleep affects developing brain structures [associated with higher-order cognitive processes] in the first two years of life," the authors of the study write, "thereby setting in motion a cascade of neural effects that may carry substantial implications for later executive functioning." The "restorative features of sleep may be especially prominent in the frontal cortex, which is one of the most active and most densely connected brain regions during wake time, and may thus require more recuperation during sleep," the researchers explained."
"When is your baby sleeping? According to a recent study, babies who get most of their sleep at night--as opposed to during daytime naps--do better on tests of executive functioning, including impulse control, mental flexibility and working memory, compared with kids who sleep less at night. This research boosts what studies have been finding--that early childhood sleep plays a key role in the development of higher-order cognitive processes, which may later contribute to emotional and social adjustment and achievement in school. "These results raise the possibility that infant sleep affects developing brain structures [associated with higher-order cognitive processes] in the first two years of life," the authors of the study write, "thereby setting in motion a cascade of neural effects that may carry substantial implications for later executive functioning." The "restorative features of sleep may be especially prominent in the frontal cortex, which is one of the most active and most densely connected brain regions during wake time, and may thus require more recuperation during sleep," the researchers explained."
Monday, November 15, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
NEW ARTICLE TO READ
This is a great article to read based on research by The American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Read on to learn how a consistent bedtime for preschoolers may give kids a developmental boost!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
SAN DIEGO INFANT SLEEP WORKSHOP!!
I will be holding another 3 Day Sleep Solution Infant Sleep Workshop in San Diego this June! This workshop is for babies 6 months - 2 years old. It will take place off in Carmel Valley in San Diego, Tuesday, July 13th 7-9pm. The workshop will be 2 hours and will include instructions on how to implement the 3 Day Sleep Solution and get your little one sleeping soundly through the night. If your baby seems fussy, relies on "sleep crutches" to fall asleep, is a "finicky" eater, isn't sleeping 12 hours through the night or taking two naps a day lasting approximately 2 hours each.....then this workshop is for you! Email me at adshillito@yahoo.com to register. $40 per person or $65 per couple.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Picky Eating & The Truth About Juice
Lately, I have had more than a few moms asking for help with their "Picky Eater".
Why are children picky eaters? Why do some children who were previously wonderful eaters now suddenly turn up their nose at everything and anything you put in front of them? These so called "Picky Eaters" are usually between the ages of 18 months and 5 years old. As we moms all know, these are the fun filled years in which our darling angels are continuously exploring their autonomy, testing boundaries, and trying to control their little worlds. In fact, the only things that a toddler can actually control (which they often figure out faster than we do) is what goes in and what comes out.
Here are few practical tips to help with the picky eating phase - but please find solace in the fact that no toddler has EVER starved themselves to death. This too shall pass!
* Remember that this is a power issue, not a food issue. The more you engage in the struggle the bigger the fight becomes.
* Make the decision to eat about them, NOT about you. Your child shouldn't eat because it will "Make mommy so happy!" or "Daddy will be so proud!" They should know that their decision to eat is necessary because it is good for their body and important for their health.
* Cook only 1 meal. You are not running a short order restaurant. Offer a variety of choices in that meal - a protein, a vegetable or fruit, a starch, etc. Serve a variety of meals throughout the week (not just butter noodles or chicken nuggets every night). Even if a certain food is passed over once or twice....keep offering it.
* Do not engage in bartering, bargaining, or bribing when it comes to food and eating.
* DO NOT OVER HYDRATE YOUR CHILD!!! This is a big one. Your toddler only needs half their weight in fluids per day. If you fill them up on milk and juice throughout the day, they won't be hungry for actual food. (See the information and links to facts about juice below)
* Your child should stay seated for their meals for a certain (reasonable) period of time - either until the family as a whole is done or a predetermined time. Even if they don't eat anything, they should stay at the table until they are properly excused. If they don't eat anything for their dinner, offer a glass of milk before bed to get them through the night.
* Find creative and fun ways to serve your little one. Make eating into a game or find funny ways to make their food look like animals, cars, or other entertaining objects.
* If you are worried about your toddler not receiving the nutrition they need during this period, be sure they take a multivitamin and possibly a supplement. I personally like the Animal Parade brand. They have a green veggie supplement that actually tastes good!
JUICE FACTS:
"The high sugar content of fruit juices is often not realized—many fruit juices have a higher sugar (fructose) content than sweetened soft drinks; e.g., typical grape juice has 50% more sugar than Coca Cola." Wikipedia
Check out these links for more interesting information on juice:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=24
http://www.hookedonjuice.com/
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
SAN DIEGO SLEEP WORKSHOP
Hi everyone! I'm holding an Infant Sleep Workshop Sunday, April 11th at the So Childish Boutique. Please pass this info along to anyone you know who may be having sleep issues with their baby (4 months - 1 year old).
The 3 Day Sleep Solution by Davis Ehrler Infant Sleep Workshop April 11th 11-1pm at the So Childish Boutique in San Diego, CA. At 4 months old and beyond your baby can - and should - be sleeping independently 11-12 hours a night and napping over an hour twice a day. If you are having sleep issues with your baby 4 months-1 year old, this workshop is for you! Given by Infant/Child Sleep Consultant Andrea Shillito of Blissful Babies. $40 per person/$65 per couple. RSVP to adshillito@yahoo.com by April 1st.
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