When you’re a parent, one of the issues that you may face (as well as many, many other parents face as well) is getting your child to fall asleep, sleep soundly, and follow a sleep regimen for some consistency. Now, sleep-deprived parents, we have some answers for you: we asked certified sleep consultant Emily Robinson from Sound-A-Sleep Consulting to share some of her wisdom to help your little one fall asleep and stay asleep through the night! Here’s what Emily had to say about some popular sleep issues:

1) When and how should parents start setting up a sleep foundation for their child?

• Put them in their crib awake.
• Avoid relying on sleep “props” such as rocking (including swings), using a pacifier in the crib, or nursing to sleep. Otherwise, your baby will need these props (and your help) every time they come to the surface, even right into toddlerhood and beyond!
• Since newborns sleep about 20 hours per day, it can be difficult to keep them awake during feedings. I recommend a WAKE-EAT-PLAY-SLEEP schedule. If your baby eats as soon as they wake, they are less likely to fall asleep while feeding; one of the most common sleep props.

2) What if my baby has colic?

The good news about colic is that it is relatively short lived, even thought it may feel like an eternity for parents of colicky babies. The best way to soothe a colicky baby is with the “5 Ss”, developed by Dr. Harvey Karp, author of “The Happiest Baby on The Block”. To calm a baby with colic, Karp recommends:

• Swaddling
• Holding your baby close to you on his/her Side or Stomach
• Making Shushing noises in baby’s ear
• Swinging from side to side
• Sucking – and then, when your baby is calm, gently put them in their crib (on their back), and allow them to fall asleep on their own.

3) My toddler is bouncing off the walls at 9 PM. He just doesn’t seem to be tired!

The biggest mistake parents of toddlers make is underestimating the amount of sleep their child needs. An early bedtime is an essential element in ensuring that your child gets enough hours of sleep and is happy and well rested in the morning. For example, an 18 month old needs approximately 14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. So an ideal schedule would include:

• 11 to 12 hours of solid sleep each night, beginning around 7 PM and a 2 to 3 hour nap after lunch.
• Look for your child’s “window”; that first yawn or eye rub, and get him off to bed before he becomes overtired. Overtiredness almost always manifests itself in the form of hyperactive behavior, leading to difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.
• Be sure to include a short, relaxing, and predictable bedtime routine to help your child cue up for sleep.
• And remember, toddlers are infamous for pushing the boundaries around bedtime. Make the decision that bedtime is not negotiable, and don’t waver!

4) How can I tell when to eliminate nap time?

Children need a lot of sleep, but as your baby gets older they will be able to stay awake for longer periods. Three naps will drop to two, then one, and finally the days of naptime will end. So how do you know when your baby is ready to transition? A good guide is age.

• Age 0 – 3 months: 4 to 5 naps per day
• Age 3 – 6 months: 3 naps per day
• Age 6 – 14 months: 2 naps per day
• Age 15 months – 3 ½ years: 1 nap

As you eliminate one nap, you may need to adjust the timing of the other nap(s), to ensure that your child does not become overtired. And don’t be afraid to move bedtime even earlier during the transition.

Finally, I always recommend that my clients remove all mobiles and toys from their baby’s crib. It is important that the crib be associated with sleep, not play. Instead, encourage your child to adopt a favorite blanket (use a washcloth for a newborn), or stuffed animal. This can become a great comfort object that helps to form a positive sleep association.

Lots of thanks to Emily for sharing her wisdom with us and our customers! Many babies (and happy parents) will sleep soundly tonight