Much of this angst can be eliminated by helping your baby learn to sleep independently. A baby who sleeps who sleeps independently is usually a baby who sleeps through the night and takes nice, long naps on a consistent basis. Enabling your baby to learn how to sleep better should be a simple and gentle process, and most often your baby even have to shed a tear. This article will provide you with some important tips from the baby sleep book, Sleep Baby Sleep, and will help get you started on your way to having a better sleeping baby and a well-rested house.

#1 Establish a Consistent Nighttime Routine

One important aspect to getting your baby to sleep through the night is to have a consistent bedtime ritual. A solid evening routine will help your child understand that it is time for sleep when the routine is complete. A typical schedule might include a bath, some quiet time, a final feeding, and then a good-night kiss. Though your particular routine may vary, it is important make sure you have some kind of consistency at bedtime.

#2 Help your Baby Learn how to Fall Asleep Independently

Each time your baby is ready to sleep, no matter what time of day or night it is, you have a brand new opportunity to help your baby learn how to fall asleep without your help. If you try your hardest to seize each of these opportunities, your baby will be sleeping through the night sooner than you can believe. Keep in mind though that this is a process, and not an overnight miracle. Be consistent in your efforts and you will quickly teach your baby how to fall asleep without your help.

#3 Put your Baby to Sleep Awake

If you get only one idea from this article, it’s that you need to try to put your baby to sleep while he is still awake. In other words, try to avoid having your baby fall asleep before you put him down. Be sure that your routine includes putting your baby in the crib or bassinet before she is asleep. If you put your baby to bed awake, she will more readily learn how to fall asleep without your help and your baby will sleep much better.

#4 Establish a Daytime Nap Routine

Sometimes figuring out a good daytime routine can be even more challenging than the one at bedtime. Out of sheer exhaustion and the desire to get a few minutes to yourself, you might be inclined to do absolutely anything to get your baby down for a nap. The problem with this is that your baby will begin to need that particular method in order to nap (for example, driving around, rocking, nursing, etc). You won’t be happy if your baby can only take a nap in the car, or nap only if you lie down beside her, or only if you rock her to sleep. Instead, try to get your baby napping by falling asleep alone, and you’re likely to wind up with a great little sleeper on your hands.

#5 The Family Bed – should you or shouldn’t you?

A family bed is not a bad thing, and many families the world over would have it no other way. If it’s something you want and have planned for, then by all means do it! On the other hand, if you have wound up with a family bed only because your baby cannot fall asleep any other way, then it might time to rethink your situation. A family bed could last for years, and if unwanted, often results in frustration and resentment and chronic sleep deprivation.

#6 Waking up Throughout the Night

Most, if not all, babies wake up several times throughout the night. Even a baby who is already sleeping through the night wakes up numerous times during the night. The key is that if your baby knows know how to fall back to sleep on his own, he won’t need you to put him back to sleep. So, don’t rush in as soon as your baby wakes up in the middle of the night. Instead, give it some time and you might be pleasantly surprised to find that your baby falls back to sleep on his own.

#7 Getting Baby on a Schedule

Most people thrive on some sort of a schedule, and babies are no different. Your child is likely to function much better if he becomes familiar with the same events that happen throughout the day. If you get your baby on a schedule with a regular agenda, she will quickly figure out when it is time for sleep and will fall asleep much easier. Keep in mind though that everyone needs a little flexibility built into their life, so make sure that you are not too inflexible with your baby’s daily routine.

#8 Avoid using Aids to Help your Baby Sleep

Many exhausted parents resort to external aids to get their babies sleeping (for example, constantly using a pacifier, driving your baby around, and rocking or nursing your baby to sleep). Though your baby might initially fall asleep sleep quicker with these external aids, you are ultimately making your job much more difficult. The problem is that it helps you avoid teaching your baby how to fall asleep alone. Instead, take the time to get your baby falling asleep without any help, and he will fall asleep faster and sleep better.

#9 Be Consistent

The more regular you are in how you put your baby to sleep, the quicker and easier it will be for your child to learn how to sleep independently. No matter how tired you are, or how much you might be dreading the night ahead, a consistent effort will pay off quickly. Be patient with yourself, as it is not always easy to keep with your plan when you are intensely sleep deprived. Just be as consistent as possible, and you will see results.

#10 Take Time for Yourself

It’s so easy to forget about yourself when you have a new baby. But playing the parent role 24/7, and having no time of your own could cause you to grow resentful and feel deprived. Instead, make a conscious effort to ensure that you get some time for yourself. You’ll feel rejuvenated, happier, and you’ll have more energy to devote to your family. You can and will be an amazing parent even though you get a little bit of downtime, and there’s no better time to do it than when your baby is sleeping soundly. Enabling your baby to sleep independently is truly a priceless gift that you’ll give to everyone under your roof.

There’s just something so indescribable about the look on a new baby’s face, the touch of their tiny hands and the warm, cuddling embrace. Before we even have a chance to take a deep breath, they own us entirely, forever and always.

Then, of course, panic sets in!

We moms worry about everything! From selecting correct toys to trying to decide if their rooms are decorated just right. If it has to do with our new bundles of joy, it’s an issue that’s worth fretting over.

There are just too many things to think of.

When it comes to baby sleep wear, there are some excellent suggestions to help make sure you get it right.

Selecting the best sleep wear is not rocket science. But it is serious business which can cost you a lot of money and valuable sleep if you get it wrong.

Great big blankets, hot, fuzzy sleepers and other overpowering sleep wear generally is not the way to go.

In fact, the American SIDs Institute offers some very simple advice. That organization says basic, comfortable baby sleep wear that doesn’t overheat is generally the best route to take.

When coupled with a room that is kept at a comfortable temperature your little bundle of joy should sleep like a lamb.

So, what exactly does this mean?

It means applying a little old fashion commonsense to the selection of sleep wear. Some basic ideas to consider include:

* Swaddle blankets. There are some fantastic wearable sleep blankets that are ideal for newborns that like a snug feel. They are especially great in cooler climates or when indoor temperatures are kept a little low for adults’ comfort.

The Halo Sleep Sack is an example of these. The beauty of this particular option is that it replaces the need for often dangerous loose-fitting blankets. When coupled with a one-piece sleeper, these safer blankets are often ideal.

* Basic sleepers. Footed sleepers and even Onsie-type body suits are quite often ideal for cooler and warmer temperatures, respectively. Just make sure the materials selected breathe and are not too snug or too loose fitting.

* Nightgowns. While these are always popular, nightgowns can be a pain in the neck for wiggly newborns and older infants. If she likes to scoot around, they can bunch up and cause some problems. Use your best judgment here.

* Thickness, buttons and other concerns. Make sure baby sleep wear is not too thick and hot. Also check for any pieces that might come off an cause choking hazards. Buttons are cute, but unless they are very, very big, they probably do not belong on your sleep wear.

* Materials. The fabrics involved in creating baby sleep wear are worth worrying about. Make sure they are non-flammable or at least flame retardant. Even the best-selected wardrobe of baby clothes can turn out a mistake if the wrong materials go into their creation.

We moms are worriers and rightfully so. When it comes to selecting the right clothes, fortunately there are ways to put some of the concerns to rest.

Apply a little common sense, read the labels and try to relax. This is one area where getting it right isn’t that difficult.