Those smiles your baby gives during their sleep may indeed be adorable, but they are often a result of an involuntary reflex. Pediatrician Amaka Priest explains that babies can make various expressive faces during different sleep stages, including smiles, frowns, twitches, and lip smacks. These sleep reflexes serve as practice for your baby, helping them develop the facial muscles they’ll use for intentional smiles and other expressions as they grow older.

Newborns spend a significant amount of time in REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, unlike adults, who spend only 20% of their night in REM sleep. This sleep slumber is marked by frequent eye movements and arm and leg twitches providing parents with glimpses of those dreamy smiles. As babies age, their sleep patterns evolve, and by the age of one, they no longer go directly into REM sleep. By age five, most children will have only 20% REM sleep.

Dr. Priest also shares that, “Most newborns can sleep in one to three-hour sleep cycles throughout the day and night. As their bodies grow and feeding needs change, those cycles can lengthen, and more sleep will occur at night.”

During their early weeks, newborns typically sleep for 14 to 17 hours, with sleep cycles scattered throughout the day and night. As babies grow, their sleep schedules will gradually become more and more consistent in terms of nighttime sleep and nap schedules.

To foster intentional smiles, engage in interactions with your baby by talking, singing, laughing, and mirroring expressions. Your little one will begin to realize that facial expressions are a form of conversation with you and others. These joyful interactions lead to parental attachment and self-confidence as they grow.

Seeing your babies smiling during sleep is usually not a cause for concern, as it’s a natural part of their growth and development. However, certain twitches or jerks that happen after waking up or that occur with other symptoms should be discussed with a pediatrician.

Whether reflexive or intentional, a baby’s smile is a testament to the joy and happiness they bring to your life. Cherish these sweet moments, and remember that as your baby grows, their smiles will only become more frequent and expressive.

Do you have a leaky faucet, low water pressure, or a clogged pipe? You’re probably tempted to contact a licensed plumber and with reason. Typically, homeowners lack the necessary skills for a do-it-yourself plumbing job. They may even exacerbate the situation, in the long run, resulting in thousands of dollars worth of property and personal damage. However, refrain from dialing your plumber immediately! The following are ten fundamental plumbing secrets that every homeowner should be aware of. Perhaps one of them will help prevent a costly visit from your neighborhood expert.

#5. Plumbing Pipe Puncturing Is a No-No

Are you planning to drill holes in your walls, floors, or ceiling or to pound nails into them? Determine whether there are any supply or drainage pipes behind your work area, as you do not want to puncture them accidentally. With an inexpensive stud finder, you may be able to locate pipes behind walls. Alternatively, you could invest in an endoscopic camera that is capable of being snared into the walls.

#4. Garbage Down the Drain

Never pour coffee grounds, food debris, bacon grease, vegetable peelings, or starchy foods such as rice or potatoes down the kitchen drain; they will almost always clog your plumbing pipes. Additionally, it is prudent to read the manufacturer’s manual for your garbage disposal to determine the unit’s capacity.

#3. Plunging

Invest in a good plunger to help you unclog toilets, sinks, and drains. If you’re cleaning sink traps, begin by pushing the majority of the water out with a plunger before removing the trap. The task will be significantly less wet and messy as a result.

#2. More Plumber’s Tape!

Plumber’s tape (also known as Teflon tape) is used to seal pipe threads and joints and fittings to prevent leaks. The plumber’s tape should typically be wrapped three times around the pipe threads before sealing. Additionally, the white tape is intended for use with common household plumbing projects, whereas yellow tape is intended for use with gas line connections.

#1. Leaks

The constant drip, drip, drip of a fixture represents money being flushed down the drain. Indeed, a dripping faucet can waste up to eight gallons of water per day, whereas a running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons. Repair minor leaks promptly to prevent larger — and costlier — problems.

This is some of the best plumbing advice you can take so you can save yourself a lot of money and stress in the long run.