By Ann Douglas

The Top 12 Sleep Strategies for Parents of Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers

1. Make sure that your child is getting adequate sleep.
2. Begin your child’s bedtime routine when your child is sleepy but not overtired.
3. Use the power of daylight to reset your child’s sleep-wake clock.
4. Provide your child with a sleep environment that is sleep enhancing.
5. Make sure your child’s sleep environment is safe, too.
6. Teach your child how to soothe himself back to sleep, and be aware how sleep associations affect your child’s sleep habits.
7. Ease your child into a regular sleep and nap schedule.
8. Don’t be in any rush to eliminate naps.
9. Serve your child foods that are sleep enhancing, not sleep inhibiting.
10. Use physical activity to promote sleep.
11. Avoid highly stimulating forms of play right before bedtime.
12. Don’t forget to practice good sleep habits yourself.