Extra tips from Elizabeth Pantley, continued:

"I've listed below an assortment of sleep ideas for you. Look through these
and see if any sound like good ones for you to try. Then add them to your
sleep plan:

(1) Make sure you are reading your baby's tired signs. As babies grow their
sleep needs change. What "used to work" may no longer. Try to figure out his
new rhythm. If you put him for sleep when he is truly tired he will fight
sleep less! (Keep in mind that some children do switch to one nap a day
around their first birthday, so that is an option to explore. One 2-hour nap
is often better than 2 short naps.)

(2) If you don't already use it I would use consistent white noise for
falling asleep. You can even leave it on for an entire nap and even all
night (think of how peaceful it is when a fan or air conditioner or heater
is running all night.) You can use a bubbling fish tank, a fan/heater
(taking care that it gets neither too hot or too cold) or a white noise
machine, like this one:
http://www.homedics.com/sensory/deta...17&product=104

This drowns out noise that may otherwise wake your baby and creates a very
strong "sleep cue" (Another advantage is that you can even use this one away
from home to create a familiar sleep environment) It can also help an early
riser to sleep longer, as it can mask outside noises that wake a baby (along
with this make certain the room is dark so early morning light doesn't wake
your baby.)

(3) Some tire-the-baby-out time - running, jumping, laughing - followed by
wind-down time (book reading, story telling, quiet cuddles) can help set the
scene for sleep.

(4) Here's an idea that has worked for many reluctant nappers. Bring your
stroller in the house. Walk your baby around for naps until he falls asleep.
(You can even do this in a small apartment, just roll back and forth, over a
"lump" like a doorway is often relaxing for a baby.) When your baby falls
asleep, park it near you. If he starts to move about or make noises walk and
bounce him. Once he gets used to taking a longer nap than you can make the
transition to bed. (Start by parking the stroller in a quiet place --
listening in with a baby monitor) then work towards letting him fall asleep
in the stroller then moving him to him bed when he's totally asleep. Step by
step -- it can work well. (An alternative is to use a baby swing or bouncy
chair if your baby likes one of those.)

(5) Check your baby's nap schedule and make sure he's not napping too much
or too late in the day. (page 110) Keeping in mind that as babies get older
(month-by-month) their sleep needs change. Use their sleepy signs and mood
to gauge their nap needs. Babies do change, and sometimes the schedule that
worked last month needs to be modified to suit your growing baby better.
Watch your baby's sleepy signals and mood to determine if a change is
necessary in your routine.

(6) An idea that may work for you is to take the crib apart and put the
mattress on the floor. That way you can settle your baby for sleep and "get
away" easily. Use a baby monitor and run to him whenever he wakes to
re-settle him. Make a big "to do" about him "big boy bed" and he may really
enjoy this. As he gets used to the arrangement he'll call for you much less.
(Make sure the room is perfectly child-safe, of course!) We always did this
with our babies and it worked beautifully. (Of course, in our house when I
left the baby he slept with his sibling. Coleton at 2 ½ still sleeps with
David (now 10.) That's an option for you if your baby is over a year old and
you have an older child and if you choose to go that route.

When you do this make sure you use the Gentle Removal (for breast or bottle)
and get out of bed when he falls asleep. If you fall asleep and stay there
for the entire nap then he will be used to having you sleep next to him.
(Not a bad thing of itself, except that you become him lovely and he'll want
you there always.) You have to stay awake and "escape" so that he learns to
sleep on him own. Just keep a monitor on, or doors open, so that when he
wakes you can run right to him and re-settle him. You don't want him to
start crying and wake himself up completely.

Remember the idea from page 112-113 too!

If your baby nurses or uses a bottle frequently the Gentle Removal may be an
important key for you. Just know that it's often hard to begin this process
as your baby will "hang on tight" as she learns what you're up to! Stay with
it - sometimes it takes 6-10 tries before your baby will fall asleep, but
after a few days of consistent GR it will take 5-7 times, then 4 then one
wonderful day, your baby will fall asleep after the first removal! Some
babies are more persistent than others - they don't want to give up such a
wonderful sleep-aid, so be patient. And at any time if you feel too
frustrated to continue just let your baby nurse (or use a bottle) to sleep
so that you can sleep too, and try again next time he wakes up. Unless you
have a "deadline" don't feel you must "succeed" quickly. This may take some
time. Be patient.

Also, as the GR begins to work it's a good idea to Pull Off sooner and
sooner in the process, and one day your baby will surprise you by pulling
off on her own. But to get there consistency on your part is important, so
re-read the instructions on page 126-129.

(7) Make sure the room is dark during sleep. Cover the windows any way you
can - even a piece of cardboard or aluminum foil. Some babies are very
sensitive to light and it wakes them up. If you use a night light, use a
very tiny one and make sure it isn't in direct sight of your baby. (Put it
behind a piece of furniture or where baby can't see the light itself, so
that it just gives the room a soft glow.)

(8) Try lying down with him in a quiet, dark room and pretending to be
asleep yourself. Once he's sleeping soundly, you can get up and leave. That
is if you're not sleeping too! If you do fall asleep it's because your body
needs that sleep. Try to enjoy the nap! Sure, some things won't get done,
but you can get back on track in a month or two when your baby - and you -
are sleeping better.

(9) Schedule your errands or car pools around naptime and let your baby
fall asleep in the car. (NEVER leave him alone in the car!)

(10) If you try to get your baby to nap and he is wide awake then get up
and play for a half hour to an hour - and "tire him out" then try again.

(11) If your older baby gets upset just with the mention of naptime you can
change your approach. Some older babies are so intent on learning about the
world they hate to stop for a minute! Instead of announcing "naptime" say
"it's quiet time" and lie down with your baby, read a book, listen to a
peaceful tape, or turn on your white noise, give a bottle or nurse. IF your
little one is tired he'll surely fall asleep. If not, the "quiet time" will
work wonders to take the edge off - for both of you.

(12) Please keep in mind that it's a RARE baby who can be put into a crib
wide awake and then fall asleep peacefully! The VAST majority of children
need some parenting before sleep until about age 3. Don't feel that there is
anything wrong with you or your baby if your little one needs some "help"
getting settled for sleep. It is natural for a baby to need some soothing
before sleep. And it is a very special, beautiful, bonding time. Babies are
little for such a short time.

(13) Always remember! Do what works for your family. There are no "rules"
about babies. No matter what any expert says -- even me! -- it's most
important that you follow your own heart and do what works best for you and
your baby.


I hope these ideas are helpful.

Remember - this too shall pass. And then before you know it you'll be moving
on to that next great step - potty training! Try these things - and
follow your total sleep plan! - for a few weeks and then let me know how
things are going. Hopefully you'll have good news to share!

Big Hugs,
Elizabeth"

============================
HTH, - Zennifer