If you follow some simple rules, getting baby to sleep through the night can be achieved painlessly and quicker than if you just put her to bed and hope for the best. New born babies sleep a lot and feed a lot! Any mother can tell you that! If you have a new born baby he or she will sleep, eat, have a quiet period while awake, occasionally cry and frequently poop.

First of all, let's assume you have a daughter or a son. I getting fed up with writing 'he or she' and in any case, most babies are daughters or sons. There should be a word to apply to either sex - 'it' sounds too inhuman so sometimes I will refer to 'she' and at others to 'he'. OK?

During the first six weeks, getting baby to sleep is usually not the big problem it can become in later weeks. Babies and mothers both need to establish a firm bond and this often is best established through constant contact.

When my elder children were born, the babies were usually cared for in the hospital nursery, away from the mother and tucked firmly into cribs.

It was the task of the nursing staff to care for the babies who were brought to the mother's bedside only at feeding times. These separations were often painful experiences for new mothers and not good learning times for either mothers or babies.

The main baby sleep problems are:

* Baby sleeps all day and stays awake all night
* Baby goes to sleep but won't stay asleep
* Baby becomes very distraught when put to bed at night and screams loudly

And if you're one of these parents then this was written especially for you, so don't despair, because there is a way out of the sleeping pill trap and it probably isn't as traumatic as you think.

Swaddling is a great way to lengthen your baby's sleep. It simulates the womb by providing a warm, secure and snug environment. This age-old practice of wrapping your baby in cloth, is almost sure to help get your baby to sleep faster, and for a longer period of time. In addition to making your baby feel warm and secure, swaddling your baby is beneficial in keeping your baby from startling herself with flailing limbs and preventing scratches to your baby's face. Swaddling also helps to restrain the Moro Reflex, which is an involuntary spasm in response to a perceived loss of balance.

Walking with the baby, or gently swaying the baby while walking can often lull a baby to sleep. Rocking the baby in a rocking chair or a glider and softly patting the baby's back is another proven way to help the baby go to sleep. Talking, reading, or even singing to a baby is an excellent way to get them down, just remember to keep your voice low and in a monotone range so as not to stir the baby. As a last resort, a parent can offer the baby a pacifier.

Read about newborn baby care and also read about immunizations baby and share sleep