Three Tips for to get children with sleeping problems asleep

According to the American Sleep Association 70% of all babies
and infants at one time or another suffer from sleeping
difficulties. So if bed time is a difficult time for you and
your baby you are in good company. Rest assured that there is
probably nothing wrong but of course when you are in doubt seek
professional care. Jodi Mindell, a researcher and sleep expert
at the Institute, has 3 tips for worried parents.  Put
your baby to bed when he/she is sleepy but not yet asleep. That
way you teach your infant to fall a sleep by himself. When baby
is able to do that around bedtime chances are he or she will
wake up once or twice per night. But because the baby is trained
or used to falling asleep in his own bed you don’t have to “rock
or swing” him to sleep. Going back to sleep comes naturally. And
you will be much fitter the next day.

 Define a strict bedtime regimen. That way your child learns
to get “tired” every afternoon and evening at about the same
time. Also it’s a good idea to extend this predictability to
other areas of the baby’s life. Certainty and safety will make
the baby more relaxed and will help him to grow to be a healthy
adult. Make sure your baby does go to bed early enough.
Exhausted babies have trouble falling asleep.

 Make strict use sleep rituals Start at a young age with a
bed time routine. Use a specific system in which three or four
activities are always done in the same order. For example, wash
first, then put on pajamas, and last but not least a bedtime
story or song. That way you create a predictable order of
activities that make the change from daytime activity to the
slower pace of going to bed more gradual.

 If you want to know more about this interesting topic read Jodi
Mindell’s book “Sleeping through the Night”. In my opinion this
book is a must-read for parents who worry about the sleeping
habits of their little one. The book is very readable and is
packed with tips, tricks and explanations.

 One warning never give young children a sleeping pill unless
you really have discussed this deeply with your general
practioner.