Getting baby to sleep independently

Bedtime can be a difficult time for parent and child. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers the following tips for handling the times when your child cries at bedtime:

• Wait a few minutes before responding; if the crying continues, wait longer each time before you respond to the cries.
• Offer reassurance that you’re there, but don’t play, linger or turn on a light if you do enter the room.
• Each time you enter the room, stay a little farther from the bed; eventually, reassure your child without entering the room.
• When your child calls for you, offer a gentle reminder that it’s time to go to sleep.