As soon as possible, start putting your baby to bed on his back, drowsy but awake.  The baby can then self-soothe and begin to associate the crib with falling asleep.

The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends that a baby sleep in a crib, in the parent’s room for the first 6 months of life. 

Parents have a responsibility to help their baby develop good sleep habits.

Birth to 3 Months

Newborns do not have ability to sleep through the night. Your baby will eat, sleep and wake around the clock for the first 6 weeks.  After 6 weeks, your baby will start to sleep more at night.  Keep the room dark and quiet during night feedings so baby does not get over-stimulated.

3 to 6 Months

Put your baby down to sleep drowsy but awake.  If baby cries, pick him up. When he is quiet, lay him down.  Repeat this as often as necessary.  Baby will gradually learn to self-soothe.

6 to 12 Months

Continue to teach your baby to fall asleep without rocking, walking, and feeding. Put your baby in the crib when he is drowsy but awake.

If baby has difficulty falling to sleep by himself, try one of the following methods:

1. Put baby to bed awake. If baby cries, pick him up. When calm but still awake, lay him down.  Repeat this as often as necessary until baby learns to fall asleep on his own.
2. Sit beside the crib until baby falls asleep. Each night move the chair a little further from the crib until you are in the doorway and then out of sight.
3. Put baby to bed awake. If he cries, come back to calm baby every few minutes, gradually increasing the amount of time you are away from your baby. 

Remember, babies that sleep well are in a better mood, get sick less often, and learn better. 

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit offers an information session entitled Helping Infants and Children Sleep Information Session.  The workshop is for parents and caregivers of children birth to 5 years.   

 References:

• Canadian Paediatric Society/Caring for Kids(5/10/2006).  Safe sleep for babies. Retrieved, 2006 from http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/babies/SafeSleepForBaby.htm
• Hogg, T. (2002). Secrets of the baby whisperer. New York: Ballantine Books
• Mindell, J. (1997). Sleeping through the night. New York: Harper Perennial
• West. K., Kenen K. (2004). Good night, sleep tight. New York: CDS Books