Turn off the TV.
Watching television together doesn't often work well as a bedtime routine. The goal of the bedtime routine is to help children relax and get ready for bed. Television shows are often noisy and stimulating, and sometimes even scary and violent. That isn't relaxing for a child, and may even make them feel more awake or reluctant to let you leave the room!
Also, even though children are sitting near their parents while they watch television, it's not the same as having their one-on-one attention during a bedtime story or a bath.
As parents get to know their babies and their babies grow a little older, parents will begin to recognize the signs of when their baby is hungry or sleepy. Yawning is the most obvious hint that baby is ready to take a rest, but there are others, too—such as a certain sleepy cry, pulling on her ear, or rubbing her eyes when she is sleepy. What is your baby's own unique way of telling you "I'm tired!"?
During this time, the use of a helpful CD like Hush Little Baby®, which has a variety of calming household sounds will be a big help, and remember to stay with it... it will work out!
Tom - Founder, HushLittleBaby.com
Email us your helpful hints, and we'll post them for everyone to use at:sleep@HushLittleBaby.com
