Getting Your Child to Sleep Through the Night

Nobody understands lack of sleep better than parents of a newborn. In one swift move, you go from nights of sound slumber to insanity-inducing insomnia. Though it can and does get better, getting your child on the right track to healthy sleeping patterns early is crucial. Here are some tips and tricks for parents who want to avoid future sleeping problems in their children. There are also some tips and tricks for those who have gotten a late start, or whose kids just don't seem to cooperate.

Nocturnal Newborn?Generally, newborns will take some time to get used to their schedules. Until they're at least 6 weeks old, having patience with them is recommended - even if it means getting up 5 or more times to soothe a crying baby. Until they're ready to give up the middle-of -the-night feeding, you'll have to get up at least once.

There are many theories and philosophies regarding the right approach to teaching a newborn to sleep through the night. You can read about these at length in your spare time (ha!). Below are some real-life techniques that can be used from 6 weeks of age through 12 months:

•Daytime naps in natural light•Shorten daytime naps•Extend the time between penultimate and last feeding•Bathe child before last feeding•Soothing and consistent bedtime routine•Try to feed more during last feeding (6 wks - 3 mo's)•Last feeding in darkened room (6 wks - 3 mo's)•Soothing music•Your shirt in baby's crib

Shirt in Baby's Crib?Yes, that's right. Put a (worn) t-shirt of either parent (or alternate t-shirts so nobody gets jealous) right into the baby's crib. I have found this to be a tremendous help in helping small babies soothe themselves back to sleep if they wake up in the night.

Toddler Tossing and Turning?If your toddler wakes up every night, calling out to you or coming into your bed, it can be enough to drive you crazy! Try these techniques for helping your toddler sleep through the night: