| Francis Bettenay
Co-ordinator Maternal & Child Health Whittlesea City
Council
Sleep deprivation is a common problem. Many parents present
to the maternal and child health nurse with their new born
baby and hope that the nurse will be able to give them strategies
on how to get "a good night's sleep". Some parents
have tried suggestions from family and friends but somehow
they still find their baby bright eyed and bushy tailed at
2 o'clock in the morning.
"It's time to sleep" offer parents a methodical
approach, understanding both the parent's needs and baby's
needs.
Evening sessions have been offered locally to families,
the video shown and discussion between parents and Rhonda
the key person in the video giving constructive and encouraging
advice. Maree adding her experiences which including the motivation
for making the video, the success in teaching her baby to
sleep and her regaining a family that was able to function
normally. Positives for herself, her husband and baby. Parents
who had the benefit of these sessions now understand that
they were not alone in their search for the answers in sleeping
through the night.
Sleep is an important factor in the job of parenting. If
you have enough sleep you can love your baby more and enjoy
being a parent, but those parents who are sleep starved find
dealing with the day to day responsibility of being a good
parent really tough, juggling an unsettled child, other young
children and the busy lifestyle that most families embrace.
"It's time to sleep" is easy to understand
and the strategies demonstrated assist parents be more confident
and successful in settling their babies.
This video is used a resource for the families in our municipality
by all nurses. as Tiredness is very common in families who
have a young baby. A book which describes the techniques demonstrated
in the video can be another tool for parents to reach for
in the dark of night. All workers who support families will
find this of benefit.
Pam Hillis
Childbirth Educator at Freemasons Maternity Hospital
"Sleep deprivation can have disastrous effects on the
new family. I welcome this concise and practical video on
understanding sleep cycles, recognising the cues of tiredness
and most importantly teaching your child healthy sleeping
habits."
Karen Macdonald
Childbirth Education Co-ordinator, The Northern Hospital
"As the Childbirth Education Co-ordinator at The Northern
Hospital I need a video that covers settling techniques in
a very practical way. I have been showing its time to sleep
with wonderful results."
I have many first time parents very enthusiastic to learn
how to settle their new born baby correctly from birth so
not to end up with a problem sleeper later on. I believe that
visual education allows parents to see how to put the techniques
into practice and be confident that they too will get results
as seen on the video.
Many parents want to purchase the video to help remind them
what to do after the birth of their baby and to help other
caregivers as well."
After showing the video in one of my antenatal classes a
young 15 year old mum to be said “So if I do this, this
and this, I won’t end up like the woman on the video
with the 12 month old that won’t sleep, is that right?
‘Yes that’s right’ I replied ‘Oh I
get it!’ she said
The Maternal and child Health Nurses
Alice Springs Community Health Centre
In March 2000 the nurses of the Alice Springs Community Health
Centre identified a need for supporting parents in Sleep and
Settling techniques. Sleep Clinics were established and continue
to operate once a month for 0-6 months and 6mths – 3
years.
Due to the isolation of Alice Springs and the lack of extended
families this service has been particularly helpful and greatly
appreciated by the participants. Excellent feedback has been
received.
The video ‘ITS TIME TO SLEEP’ is shown at each
session and has been found to be a very supportive resource.
We encourage the parents to purchase the video for their personal
use.
We are sure that the book will add extra support to the video.
Good Luck
Lyn Welsh
M&CH Team Leader – Mildura Rural City
Thanks for giving us the opportunity to endorse your excellent
video. We ordered our first copy in Feb 01 and since then
have ordered many more.
The It’s Time To Sleep video is watched regularly
by parents with babies and children from birth to 3 years
of age. One Mother expressed that" Every household with
a baby should have a copy of this video." We are very
happy to encourage parents to watch this video as it gives
up to date, caring and helpful advice. The release of the
accompanying booklet will be an added bonus for parents. We
find in our Maternal and Child Health Centres that we don't
need to spend nearly as much time talking about sleep disturbances
once parents have watched the It’s Time To Sleep video.
With Regards Lyn
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