Fix a baby gym, with different noises and textures, across her crib or attach it to the bars so she can reach for it when she's bored.

Blankets And Bedding

Use enough bedding to keep her comfortably warm. When your baby is under 12 months, don't give her a pillow, and don't use quilts, comforters, or baby nests because they also prevent loss of heat. Sleep And Your Older Baby

As your baby grows, her sleep pattern will gradually change, she'll begin to stay awake and alert for longer periods during the day, even after feedings. When she's being stimulated with play and talk from you, she'll start needing longer periods of sleep to recharge her energy levels. The trick is to persuade her that these longer sleep periods should be at night, to align with your own. Establishing A Bed Time Routine

Your baby may well get upset at bed time she could be anxious about being separated from you or she may simply want to continue playing, so establishing a bed time routine is essential to build her confidence and to help her learn that there is a time when play time has to stop. Set up your own routine at a time to suit all of you for example, if you're working, you may want it to be a little later-but try not to vary the routine, whatever time you do it. A suggested routine might be as follows:

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Give her the final meal of the day preferably not her main meal. *

Give her a bath with out too much romping, and change her in to her night clothes. *

Spend quiet time in your baby's room, sing gentle songs, or read a story (depending on her age and stage of development). *

Give her the last breast feeding (unless your baby still wakes at night). *

Lay her in her crib, with any security object she has become attached to, turn the dimmer switch down low, then sit quietly with her for a minute or two. * Go out of the room quietly, saying good night and leave the door open.

Day Time Naps For Your Older Baby

As babies grow older, they sleep less and less, but up to 12 months your baby may still nap in the day time. Up to the age of three, many toddlers still rest during the day:

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To help your baby relax and doze off, put her in her favorite place, which may not be her room. Make sure she has any special comforter or security object with her. Play calming music, let her have toys and books, and keep her with in earshot so she can hear you moving around. If she calls out to you, it's probably only for reassurance, so calmly call back. *

If she doesn't want to sleep, that's okay; just make it a quiet time when she can sit in her crib and play. But never let her cry for longer than a few minutes with out going to her. If she's unhappy, that defeats the purpose of the nap. *

If your baby falls asleep in the car, or her carriage, never wake her suddenly. Like you, she'll need time to adjust. Never leave her asleep alone in the car or in her carriage outside a store.

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