| As with most aspects of parenting, you're sure to | | | | That way, she can sleep safely and you are available |
| come across a wide variety of opinions about baby's | | | | on hand to attend to her needs. |
| sleep! Friends, relatives and others have their views on | | | | One of the best actions you can take to help with |
| how much sleep babies need, the best sleep routines | | | | baby's sleep is to establish a sleeping routine. This adds |
| and more. | | | | to her comfort and eventually becomes a clear signal |
| Here are some practical guidelines you can follow. | | | | to her that it's time to sleep. |
| They've worked with many babies and so are worth | | | | Here are several things you can do to establish a |
| trying out. Of course, every baby is different, so | | | | bedtime routine. |
| nothing works all the time for all babies. | | | | * Bathe the baby during the early evening. This can |
| One of the first decisions you must make is about | | | | help the baby sleep longer at night. Which means you |
| where the baby should be sleeping. Should you let the | | | | can enjoy uninterrupted sleep as well. |
| baby share your bed? Should she use her own crib? If | | | | * Start bedtime with a story or a lullaby followed by |
| she's to use a crib, should it be located in your | | | | hugs and cuddles. You might want to feed the baby, |
| bedroom or in a separate room? | | | | give her more cuddles and then put her to bed. |
| For safety reasons, many experts advise against the | | | | * Lower the lights, but don't make it completely dark. In |
| baby sharing your bed. It's easy for the baby to get | | | | time, the baby will come to associate the lowered |
| trapped under you or your partner. | | | | lights with sleep-time. |
| If you're a heavy sleeper or are overly tired, you | | | | * Try not to vary the routine. Have the same people |
| should probably avoid sharing your bed with the baby. | | | | involved and do things in the same order every night. |
| The same goes if you're on medication that makes | | | | That way, the baby understands that it's time to sleep. |
| you drowsy, of if you've had alcohol. | | | | * Many babies will fuss and try to avoid going to sleep. |
| Place the baby on her back when putting her to sleep. | | | | Despite that, make sure there's a certain finality to your |
| This helps her breathing. Avoid anything that can | | | | routine. The baby will eventually understand that no |
| interfere with her breathing -- such as plush toys, | | | | matter how great the pre-sleep routine was, it always |
| heavy blankets, comforters, etc. Use a firm mattress. If | | | | ends with her going to sleep. |
| you use a soft mattress, the baby's head can get | | | | Follow these simple parenting guidelines and you will |
| stuck into it and she may not be able to breathe. | | | | very likely reduce a lot of the stress that goes with |
| Consider having the baby sleep in a crib in your room. | | | | getting baby to sleep. |