For children who are afraid of dark rooms and monsters in the closet, bedtime can be frightening. Sleeping with parents or siblings offers immediate comfort, but will not help the child overcome her fears. Keep the hall light on, provide a night light, a small flashlight, a stuffed animal, or a tape of your voice to comfort him. Remember that commands and bribes will be less effective than understanding and solving the problem. Listening to your infant cry when you put her in her crib can be frustrating and exhausting.
Experts say it is important to establish a bedtime routine, even with the youngest of children.
Infants have a better chance of developing good sleep habits if you put them to bed they are drowsy but awake. Still, parents can reduce the risk for SIDS death by putting their baby to sleep on its back and avoiding smoking both during pregnancy and around the newborn. Published in the Spring 2000 issue of WellBeing, a magazine for Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa members.