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  • 10-24 Feb: Reconnect in the roommate phase (#7)

10-24 Feb: Reconnect in the roommate phase (#7)

In the months following my daughter’s birth, my husband and I spent nights in separate rooms: one with the baby, one trying to get a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. It was a privilege to have the space (literally and figuratively) to optimize our nights, but one thing we didn’t account for was the disconnect it’d create between us parents. A turning point: deciding to move the baby into her own room so both of us parents could be together in the same room again.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, you may be reflecting on your relationship with your partner postpartum. In the layers and layers of emotions surrounding that topic — I’m with you 🫂 — we wanted to highlight something concrete that fostered reconnection in the infamous postpartum “roommate phase” for us personally. We asked sleep consultant Joanne Lozman for signs and an action plan around moving your baby into their own room so you can decide whether and how to try it!

Photo by kevin liang on Unsplash

👩‍⚕️ Dear Dr. Mom: We’re considering moving our baby into her own room. How should we approach it?

Everyone has their own take on baby sleep. Some co-sleep, some use a co-sleeper; some sleep train, others contact nap. For couples who choose to sleep beside their babies, sometimes your baby gets between you and your partner — literally 😆 So if you’re ready to reclaim some space by moving them into their own room, you may be wondering: Is my baby ready? How can I make the transition as smooth as possible for all involved?

There is no “one-size-fits-all” answer, but understanding the factors involved can help you make the best choice for both you and your baby.

Joanne Lozman, Sleep Consultant

If this resonates with you, read this week’s Dear Dr. Mom for perspective on this one possible sleep journey towards wellness for both parents and baby 😴

Have a question you want to ask us? Submit it here. All questions will be anonymized and edited for clarity.

Family Sundays at Jansz.

🗓️ What’s happening around town

Looking for something fun to do with your little one? Here's a selection of upcoming activities and events for babies and toddlers.

West

  • APP Community €2 Sale

    Sun 16 Feb @ 14:00-17:00 — Oud West

    Baby & toddler clothes, toys, and books for €2 or less — now just the afternoon! Come for the stuff, stay for the tacos 🌮😋 

  • Spring Break at de Natuurkamer

    18-20 Feb @ 12:00-16:00 — Noorderhof/Nieuw-West

    Boat rides on the lake, pony rides, workshops, crafts, and more to celebrate Voorjaarsvakantie. Pre-register for the boat ride, otherwise drop in!

Opportunity: Community member Grazyna is organizing parents interested in a free baby massage workshop for babies under 7 months old. The morning session would be hosted by Dynamo before their Wachterlied spelinloop on Tuesday/Thursday. If you’re interested, reach out to her at [email protected]!

Center

  • Jansz. Family Sundays

    Sun 16 Feb @ 12:00-16:00 (Every Sun) — Jordaan

    Brunch with nannies (and cocktails!) in a fancy restaurant… Need I say more?

South

  • Hummeltjes at the Little Gym

    Fri 14 Feb @ 11:45 - 12:30 (Every Fri) — Buitenveldert

    Parent & child gymnastics for babies 4-10 months old. Got a bigger kid? Click through to see the rest of Little Gym's offerings. 🤸🏽‍♀️

Online

  • Aware Parenting & Attachment Play

    Thu 13 Feb @ 19:00-21:00

    Learn how to deal with your child’s emotional outbursts and power struggles from coach Maria Bordallo. 50% off with code MAMAMARIA!

Want to share an event with our community? Email [email protected] to get in touch.

Until next time,

Alex from the Amsterdam Parent Project (APP)