by Alaina M. Coyle

Created on: October 11, 2010

Parenting brings a joy unlike anything else.  From the fierce protectiveness you feel towards your new baby to the overwhelming love that all but consumes you, being a parent is a wonderful and beautiful thing.  Being an exhausted parent, however, is not so wonderful. 

Sleep issues are one of the main complaints of new parents.  We gladly put up with dirty diapers, projectile vomiting, and sore nipples, but when it comes to a baby that just won’t sleep – we draw the line.  There are hundreds of books written on the subject, but which method is best?  Your parents and friends keep telling you what to do, but whose advice should you take?  Let’s address simple key areas that will help you get your baby to sleep better (and give you a much-needed break).

The Mother

Believe it or not, you may be contributing to your baby’s poor sleep habits. If you are a new mother, it can be extremely difficult to let go of the precious nighttime moments with your baby.  During those peaceful midnight hours when no one else is around, you develop a close bond with your baby.  No one is going to dispute that these moments are important, but take note of how long you spend rocking or feeding your baby each night.  Has she reached an age where she should be nursing less at night?  Do you still rock her well after she’s fallen asleep before you put her in the crib? 

Taking a good look at your nighttime routine may surprise you.  You have to be ready to make a change before these peaceful moments become frustrating, hard-to-break habits.  Only you will know when you’re ready to start making adjustments.  If you’re walking around like a zombie during the day because your 10-month old baby still isn’t sleeping more than three hours at a time, it may be necessary to make a change.  You may have been reluctant up until this point, but if you want your baby to develop healthy sleeping habits, it’s important that you teach him at a young age how to fall asleep on his own.

The Nursery

If your baby is having trouble staying asleep, make sure that her room is conducive to sleeping.  Is there a ticking clock that could be disrupting her sleep?  Most babies can block out noises around them, but some may be a bit more sound sensitive. It may also be true that a room which is too quiet can be disturbing.  Remember, your baby listened to constant noise

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