Babies with Sleep Issues... HELP!!

[LeslieG]

Hi fellow child care providers! I need some advice...

I recently took on two babies (one is 7 months and the other is 9 months) who have the hardest time sleeping. They are both very light sleepers and are hard to get to sleep, even if they are really tired. I provide care in a two bedroom apartment, so I am able to separate them during nap time to "try" to eliminate them from waking each other up... doesn't work!!

I really am at a loss for what to do. Every day has been extremely tiring and stressful for me.. and well, probably everybody. They end up being so sleep deprived all day long because they don't sleep for me. And to make matters worse, I also care for a 3 year old who I would love to spend more time with (and feel terrible that I don't), but I'm always so busy with the babies.

I would great appreciate any advice!!... I'm somewhat new to running my own daycare business.

[blandino]

This sounds counterintuitive for light sleepers, but we play lullabies reasonably loud in the sleep room, they adjust quickly to the music - and it drowns out all the other noises that go on in the room. It really worked wonders for us.

[cheerfuldom]

white noise played loud. fans, white noise machines or cds of white noise

[bunnyslippers]

try white noise - a fan, a dehumidifier...

There is actually research that a fan in the room with sleeping babies decreases the risk of SIDS, so it is a win-win!

[Scout]

I too use white noise sound machine in DS room and lullaby music and a turbo fan in mine to drown out when he wakes up!:: Of course I only do this when he is not sick! And he is 19 mos old! He is a very good sleeper!

[BumbleBee]

I also have 2 infants who are very light sleepers. Doesn't help that 1 of them has an awesome set of lungs and can SCREAM over anything.

I play music (currently Pachebel's Canon on repeat) in one room and run a humidifier in the other. The babies sleep in seperate rooms just like yours.