Thank goodness my youngest is old in enough to be able to fall asleep without problem. This means the hubby and I have officially moved out of the “parents who never sleep” category and into the “parents who only sleep on weekends” category. Phew. Over raising three children, lots of parenting books and articles, and plenty of trial and error, I’ve listed some things that have proven effective to get your kids to sleep.

1. Let them sleep when sleepy. Babies and small children don’t have the same circadian rhythm that adults do. Us grown ups tend to get sleepy at night, need the sleep for eight or so hours, then wake. This is so we can be productive during the day. Babies don’t need to be productive so they get sleepy on their own rhythm. You baby will give you “beddy cues” like yawning, eye-rubbing, and a blank expression. This means the body is pumping out melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep and relaxation. If the child doesn’t get to sleep during this relaxed window, his or her body will switch the hormone produced to adrenaline and cortisol (stress hormones) for a “second wind.”
2. Don’t let them sleep in. It’s a relief anytime they snooze. It’s tempting to stay asleep in the morning  so you can do your morning chores without interruption. There are two things wrong with this, 1) they will be wired at some inopportune moment like when you’re trying to go to bed, and 2) consistency is key. Even though babies follow their own rhythm, it’s important for them to have a consistent rhythm. It allows they bodies to be ready for sleep to promote rejuvenation, and also makes it easy for you to plan around their nap times.
3. Avoid sleep crutches. Babies are smart animals. If they find that you jump out of bed to cradle them every time they cry, they will cry every time. If they get used to being rocked to sleep for an hour, they will never learn to sleep without rocking and cradling. One of the hardest things for a parent is to not come running when the child is crying. Just remember that holding out is both good for your peace of mind, and your child’s independence.