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