tips for bed time

[CillaGuereca]

i cant get my son to go to bed... i have tried letting him cry and be puttng him to bed then laying him in his bed... he is crying as i type this....lol

[MommaC]

How old is he? I found a sleep routine (books, diaper change, pacifier, humidifier, lullaby music) to be very helpful in getting my daughter to go to sleep on her own. And I LOVE "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child", by Dr. Marc Weissbluth.

[craftyashley]

Here are a few things I experimented with:

Diffusing Lavender oil in the room- it's supposed to have a calming effect, and can link the smell to bedtime.

Black out shades- Seriously invest in some quality drapes- the heavier, the better. Oftentimes, the amount of light at night- especially in the summer or at naptime can make it hard for kids to really relax and let go.

White Noise- they have sleep machines that play rain, waterfall, etc. Get one that has a specific white noise setting. This will dramatically impair the outside noises from keeping kids aware that there is activity going on in other parts of the house.

Keep the Bedroom for sleep only- we don't let our kids have toys, or play in their room or crib. They know bedroom as the sleep room, it's kind of a subtle cue.

Try bumping the nap up a half hour or so- Sometimes they are just so overtired, they can't sleep! It makes no sense, but might help.

Good Luck!