A Healthy Little Note: Issue #1

Welcome to my first Healthy Little Note!

I'm super excited to share this stuff with you and thank you for your interest.

In each Note I'll share with you five things to help you and your little one including answers to questions readers send me, links to smart (and fun) stuff I come across in my Internet travels, and recommendations of products that are actually worth your hard-earned money!

Ready to get this party started? Here we go...

1. What To Do About Early Morning Wake-Ups

Did you know a baby or toddler's natural biological wake time is between 6 and 7 am?

If your child is waking up before that, it may be a sign of sleep deprivation - but don't worry,  it's easy to fix.

Here's how:

* Get to bed earlier: Sounds counterintuitive, but it's the single most important thing you can do. Even 15 minutes makes a huge difference.

* Make sure the room is dark: Any light that creeps into the room encourages an early wake-up. Even the smallest crack of light from a window/door or the monitor or a surge protector light can awaken your little one during a sleep cycle transition where they briefly open their eyes.

* Keep the room cool: Aim for between 68-70 degrees for optimal sleeping conditions. Our body temp naturally rises in the morning which also signals our body to wake up. So, keeping the room on the cooler side will help keep your little one in conditions that are most optimal for continued sleep.

* Delay wake time: The last sleep cycle is one of the lightest - try not to interrupt it by waking up your child too early. Stand your ground and don't go in to get your little one before their "ok to wake" time. This is one of the hardest for parents to be consistent with, but it works!

* Establish a wake time routine: Start your little one's day the same way every morning and establish a routine that differs from their night-time routine. A great big cheery good morning, opening the curtains and turning on the lights helps them understand it's morning and time to start the day.

Want advice about your child's specific situation?

Go here to schedule a FREE 15-minute call with me and we can chat about it!

Or, just reply to this email with any questions you have and I'll be happy to answer.

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2. How To Help Kids Grow Up In The Digital Age

Ever since I became a parent, I worry - especially about the choices I make for my children.

This Google Talks video from Dr. Delaney Ruston, producer of the documentary Screenagers, explains how to make healthy choices when it comes to managing the digital age and our kids' screen time.

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3. Why We Should Let Our Kids Argue

How great would it be if we taught our little ones the value of thoughtful disagreement?

This New York Times column from Adam Grant explains why it's important for us to do just that.

For more on the subject, check out my take on why it's important to let our little ones have a disagreement - and how they learn a lot from our own reaction to their expression of feelings.

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4. What It Looks Like When Kids First Try New Foods

This video's guaranteed to give you a giggle - check out kids trying new foods for the first time.

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5. A Healthy Little Recommendation: 4 Perfect Bedtime Books

Looking for the perfect bedtime book? Try these...

Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site

With irresistible artwork by best-selling illustrator Tom Lichtenheld and sweet, rhyming text, this book will have truck lovers of all ages begging for more.

Goodnight Moon

In this classic of children's literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day.

I Love You, Good Night

As a child gets ready for bed, this sweet book evokes all the ways parents can say, "I love you."

Llama Llama Red Pajama

In this infectious rhyming read-aloud, Baby Llama turns bedtime into an all-out llama drama!

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That wraps up my debut issue!

Hope you enjoyed it and if you did I'd LOVE if you'd take a minute to share it with your friends on social media or spread the word on the local Mommy gossip circuit - thanks!

Susie

PS - You can send people here to subscribe to get future issues!