| You've just spent a good part of the evening | | | | for bed. Keep your movements slow. This will ensure |
| preparing your baby for bed. As she falls asleep in | | | | she stays calm. |
| your arms you tenderly place her in her cot; her eyes | | | | Some babies enjoy a feed before sleeping, so you |
| flash open and she screams the house down. So you | | | | may like to feed her after her bath. If she is breastfed |
| lift her and start all over again! | | | | she may fall asleep on the breast. It is best to waken |
| One of the most frustrating things about having a baby | | | | her before placing her in her cot as babies can get |
| who refuses to sleep in her cot is that you know she | | | | frightened if they awaken in different surroundings to |
| is exhausted - because you are also exhausted. | | | | those in which they fell asleep. |
| So is there a panacea for this timeless problem? | | | | New parents, and even experienced parents, can |
| Routine is a great teacher. But getting into one is not | | | | often be indecisive about what is required for the baby |
| so easy. It takes time and perseverance on your part. | | | | to settle in her cot. Should baby go to sleep in the |
| But at the end of the day it makes for a happy family. | | | | dark? Or should you leave a light on? Should you play |
| Try to have a set bedtime. As it approaches, watch | | | | music? Or is silence better? |
| for signs that your baby is getting tired. She may cry | | | | For many parents the solution is to leave a small, dim, |
| for a prolonged period and only settle when you lift her. | | | | night-light on so that baby will not be frightened if she |
| Or she may rub her eyes or pull at her ears. Try to | | | | awakens later on. It is also a good idea to play a |
| notice such signs, because if she gets over-tired it will | | | | soothing lullaby CD and leave it playing quietly on |
| become more difficult to settle her. | | | | repeat. Play the same CD every night and baby will |
| A warm bath can be a wonderful way to prepare | | | | begin to look forward to bedtime! Babies love |
| baby for sleep. You may like to try adding a few | | | | repetition. It makes them feel secure. |
| drops of essential lavender oil as it is renowned for its | | | | Babies are never too young for a bedtime story or a |
| relaxing properties. Or add some specially formulated | | | | lullaby. And many babies have a favourite bedtime |
| sleepy baby bubble bath. | | | | story that they like to hear every night before sleeping. |
| Avoid playing with the baby during her bedtime bath. | | | | If your baby gets upset when you place her in the cot, |
| You do not want to get her excited as this will have | | | | stay with her for a few moments. Tell her firmly that it |
| the opposite effect to that intended! Simply trickle | | | | is bedtime and say goodnight. Leave the room, but |
| some warm bath water over her as she lies in the | | | | stay nearby. Allow her to cry for around thirty |
| bath. | | | | seconds. Return to the room and again say goodnight. |
| After bathing, many babies are very receptive to a | | | | Do not chat! If she is standing up, lie her down. She will |
| baby massage. Play some soft music as you | | | | probably scramble straight back onto her feet! Leave |
| massage her. | | | | the room again. |
| You can give a dry massage, without oil, or an oily | | | | Each time wait slightly longer before returning. It can be |
| massage using extra virgin olive oil. If you do intend | | | | a good idea to move around nearby, but not in the |
| using any oil place a small amount of it on her inside | | | | same room, and allow baby to hear that you are |
| arm and leave for about ten minutes. Check to ensure | | | | nearby. You may like to hum a tune or chat to your |
| there has been no reaction before massaging her. | | | | partner. Avoid keeping the whole house silent. Babies |
| If she is fine, rub a small amount of oil, about the size | | | | need to learn to sleep through some noise. |
| of a ten pence coin, into your hands. This will warm the | | | | If baby gets very distressed, simply return to her and |
| oil and not shock the baby! Do not rush the massage. | | | | comfort her with a little hug. And then lie her down. It |
| Keep it slow. She will let you know if she is not happy. | | | | can be incredibly difficult to refrain from lifting her. But |
| If this is the case, end the session. Try again the | | | | be assured that eventually she will fall asleep. |
| following night. | | | | Within two or three nights most babies stop protesting |
| There are lots of good baby massage books available | | | | and have learnt what bedtime means. Many happily lie |
| which show you a variety of massage techniques. | | | | down and fall straight to sleep once the routine is |
| And many organisations run free courses. Ask your | | | | established. As a result your baby will be happier and |
| health visitor to keep you informed. | | | | so too will your family! |
| After her massage, give baby a cuddle and dress her | | | | Goodnight! |