Getting that baby to bed

How can one spot the parents of small babies? By the circles around their eyes from sleepless nights and fussy infants.

Every parent knows the feeling of desperation when their baby just won't get to sleep or stay asleep. And sleepless babies make for sleepy, cranky and worried parents.

"Babies need help from their parents in getting to sleep and developing healthy sleep patterns," said sleep researcher Dr. Polly Mooream, author of the new book "The 90-Minute Baby Sleep Program."

"But what most people don't realize is that a baby's natural pattern follows a 90minute cycle of alertness and sleepiness. Parents should take advantage of this to initiate sleep when their baby is naturally sleepy, even if they don't see obvious signs of tiredness in the infant," she said.

Young babies need to nap after every 90 minutes of wakefulness. Moreover, such frequent napping actually helps baby sleep through the night, which plays an integral role in early development.

Moore, who is director of sleep research at California Clinical Trials, developed a way for parents to remember to make it easier to initiate sleep in their babies. The plan is helpfully called NAPS:

N: Note time when baby wakes up.

A: Add 90 minutes.

P: Play, feed or pursue other activities and at the end of the 90minute period,

S: Soothe baby back to sleep.

When the baby wakes again, whether after a short or long nap, repeat the cycle.

Of course, spotting the signs of sleepiness can be tricky, since a baby isn't going to say, "I'm tired, mom. Toss me a blankie and get me to my crib!"

And babies don't necessarily show the same signs of fatigue as do adults, such as yawning or looking droopy-lidded. Some babies do yawn or rub their eyes, while others may pull on their ears. Some may cry or get frustrated, while others simply may appear unresponsive or withdrawn.

Recognizing when to put a baby down for a nap is only half the battle. The key is being able to soothe even the fussiest babies to sleep.

Here are some basic soothing techniques from Moore's.

•Rock or swing the baby back and forth.

•Walk with the baby in arms or in a sling.

•Sway gently back and forth while holding the baby.

•Swaddle the baby in a light receiving blanket.

•Sing or make a hushing sound. Hearing the same sound repeatedly gives the baby something on which to focus.

Some more soothing techniques to save for special circumstances include:

•Driving the baby around in a car.

•Walking the baby in a stroller.

•Placing the baby in a swing.

•Feeding. This is only during the newborn period. If the baby is 3 months or older, try other methods first.

"Poor sleep in babies can lead to lifelong sleep problems, learning difficulties, depression, anxiety and substance abuse. So it's important to help children develop good sleep habits early in life," said Moore. "Plus, a well-rested infant is more alert and ready to learn, play and interact, and Mom and Dad will be too."

This story is provided by State Point Media.