Join Meg Faure and regular guest Julia this week as they catch up on life with 10-month-old Aurelia and nearly four-year-old Santi. Julia shares the exhaustion of navigating Aurelia’s current sleep disruptions, likely caused by a combination of illness, teething, and developmental leaps towards walking. Meg offers practical tips and reassurance for getting through these common 10-month hurdles.

Decoding 10-Month Sleep Challenges

Aurelia, usually an easy baby, has been struggling with night wakings and sometimes fighting bedtime. Meg breaks down the potential causes:

Basic Needs: Persistent colds might lead to glue ear (congestion causing pressure). She recommends a quick pharmacy check and discusses saline solutions or decongestants if needed. Coxsackie virus (hand, foot & mouth) is also currently rife and could cause irritability. Iron levels are crucial post-6 months; Meg suggests dietary sources (spinach, red meat) or supplements like Floradix, and shares a recipe from the Weaning Sense book.

Sleep Schedules: At 10 months, babies consolidate to two naps. Meg advises capping total day sleep (around 2-2.5 hours) and potentially shortening the afternoon nap if the morning one is long, to prevent night waking from undertiredness. Dropping the third nap is essential if that hasn't happened yet.

Sensory & Development: Babies working on new motor skills (like pulling up/walking) often have disrupted sleep. Providing ample movement (vestibular) and deep pressure (proprioceptive) input during the day, like swinging, can help.

Milestones & Sibling Comparisons

Julia notes how differently Aurelia and Santi approach milestones. Santi was a speedy crawler, while Aurelia is more focused on pulling up to stand. Meg shares fascinating insights on milestone consolidation: sometimes, babies who achieve gross motor milestones like walking earlier (even 9 months!) might be less coordinated later than those who take longer, as slower consolidation builds a stronger foundation. It’s a reminder not to rush development.

The Primary School Pressure Cooker

The conversation takes a significant turn as Julia discusses Santi turning four and the looming decisions about schooling. Both Meg and Julia express concerns about the pressure to enter expensive private school systems early, driven by commercial interests and parental fears. They discuss the option of public schools for primary years, allowing for diverse experiences and less academic pressure.

Slowing Down & Work-Life Balance

Julia shares her recent positive experience of pulling back slightly on work commitments. By getting extra help, she’s found more capacity as a parent and reduced stress.Why Listen?

Packed with practical sleep tips for the common 10-month regression, insights into developmental milestones, a thought-provoking discussion on early education choices, and relatable honesty about work-life balance, this episode offers valuable sense and support for parents navigating these stages.

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