November 05, 2009

Health Tip: Create Baby's Bedtime Routine

(HealthDay News) -- Babies are never too young to benefit from a bedtime routine, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says.

The agency offers these suggestions for developing bedtime habits from the start:

• Don't give your baby a bottle in bed. Make sure the last bottle of the day is given a sufficient amount of time before bed.
• Enjoy quiet relaxation time with your baby.
• Put baby to bed when sleepy, but not when he or she is actually asleep. This way, baby gets used to falling asleep alone.
• When baby cries, speak in a soothing tone. Or rub baby's back until calm. But don't pick baby up.
• Avoid turning lights on when you feed baby in the middle of the night.
• Whatever your routine, make sure you're consistent, and try to ensure that both of you enjoy it.
• Don't sleep in the same bed with a baby that's 12 months or younger. This may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

-- Diana Kohnle

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