Q&A
ROSIE POPE’S MOST
COMMONLY ASKED
PARENTING QUESTIONS
— ANSWERED!
WHEN SHOULD I POTTY
TRAIN?
ROSIE POPE
IS THERE A PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D LIKE TO OFFER NEW
PARENTS? Yes. No one decision that you make is going to
define you as a parent. We obsess and worry about so much
so early on, and we hear so may opinions and judgmental
thoughts about whether you should breastfeed or sleep train
or a million other things. Parents should know that while
these choices are important, they will fade away as new ones
come each day your child grows. You should do what is right
for your situation, not for other people. Be confident in the
fact that your love and your instincts will guide you through
each stage. Be the parent you want your children to have,
not the parent other people want you to be.
YOU LIVE IN RIDGEWOOD. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT
OF LIVING IN BERGEN COUNTY? What it affords the kids.
It’s an amazing place to be for them…so close to the culture
of the city and yet still rural enough for horseback riding and
hiking outdoors. It is a wonderful balance in that way.
IS THERE ANY SECRET (OR NOT-SO SECRET) SPOTS THAT
LOCAL PARENTS SHOULD BE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF?
There are so many lovely outdoor spots in Bergen County
that take you out into nature for some clean, fresh fun.
I love the arboretum in Glen Rock. ●
28
SPRING 2018 | (201) FAMILY
IS SLEEP TRAINING BAD?
You can’t sleep train your baby
until they are old enough to be
able to go through the night
without feeding. Four months or 14
pounds is the marker many use. But
to know whether sleep training is
right for you and your baby, look
at what is going on in your life. If
you are waking up many times each night and are so tired
you cannot be the best parent you can be in the day time,
I would say it is probably a good idea. If you don’t mind
waking up all the time and it doesn’t affect you in the day,
then keep doing what works for you. I will say, there is
no evidence I have ever read that proves it is damaging in
any way, but there is a lot of evidence to show that sleep
deprivation is indeed very damaging for a parent. If you
decide to do it, look at the different methods available,
chose the one you prefer and stick with it.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY
BABY IS GETTING ENOUGH
MILK IF I’M BREASTFEEDING?
There are several ways: Weigh
your baby before and after
feeding to see how many ounces
they are getting; make sure your
baby is putting on weight at your
pediatrician checkups; and ask yourself if they are calm and
content between feedings and peeing and pooing regularly.
The actual quantity consumed is supposed to be between
24-32 ounces a day. Newborns start on the lower end of
the range and increase over time.
“Be the parent you want
your children to have, not
the parent other people
want you to be.”
When your child is ready, between
the ages of 2 and 4. Don’t do it
when there are other major events
going on, e.g. a new sibling, new
school, house move etc. And
know that there is no rush. The
longer you wait, the easier it will
be to talk to your child about what to do and for them
to understand you. Always make sure they are having dry
diapers for a few hours at a time, that way you know their
bladder is able to hold between bathroom visits. Tackle
day first, night later. Don’t worry, it will happen.