If your baby isn’t sleeping well, you’re probably not getting much shut-eye either. Luckily, at 7 to 9 months, many babies tend to sleep in longer stretches than they did as newborns. But if getting your little one to fall asleep seems to be a regular battle (or if middle-of-the-night cries have you frequently bolting out of bed), it may be time to reevaluate your child’s bedtime patterns. Here, some baby sleep solutions that will help everyone sleep soundly.

Keep bedtime routines consistent
Babies with a nightly bedtime routine sleep better, so consider establishing a relaxing ritual and sticking to it. Keep your evening games quiet and calm, and then dive into your bedtime activities. You could give your baby a bath, read a book, sing lullabies, or flip through a family photo album.

Whatever you choose, do the same things in the same order every night. Always save his favorite activity till the end. (Hint: This bedtime routine is a great way for busy moms to wind down, too!)

It’s difficult -- but wait it out
Your baby is starting to realize that bedtime equals being left alone, and he isn’t happy about it. The result? Sobs and screams that seriously tug at your heartstrings. Your instinct may be to rush in and cradle him, but it’s best to wait a few minutes before reentering the bedroom, to give him a chance to fall back to sleep on his own.

If you do go in to check on your child, soothe him but don’t pick him up, since that can send your bedtime routine back to square one. To prevent your baby from becoming dependent on you being in the room in order to fall asleep, only stay for two to three minutes and then duck out quietly.

Perfect your timing
Schedule the bedtime routine so you put your baby to bed when he is sleepy but still awake. This will help him become accustomed to falling asleep in his crib instead of in your arms. Plus, if he wakes up in the middle of the night (something that’s completely normal at this age), he won’t be dependent on your cradling or rocking to fall back asleep.

Know that these little bumps in your sleep journey will eventually pass. Until then, stay consistent and keep the big picture in mind.

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Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is scary to think about! It may even cause you to spend a lot of time hovering around your baby’s sleep environment during her first few weeks at home. While experts don’t know all the causes of SIDS, they do know that it’s rare -- and that there are plenty of things parents can do to reduce the risk of SIDS.

Here’s what you need to know.

1. Precaution starts during pregnancy. Give your baby a head start by getting proper prenatal care. It’s also essential to refrain from drinking alcohol, smoking or spending time in smoky environments.

2. Place your baby to sleep on her back. Whether it’s naptime or nighttime, babies under 1 year should always sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS. The exception: If she rolls onto her side or stomach, it’s OK to leave her like that. She probably has the ability to roll herself back.

3. Place your baby on a firm sleep surface. Your baby’s crib should meet current sleep safety standards (find out more at cpsc.gov) and her mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet.

4.  No extras in the crib. That means no stuffed animals, loose bedding, pillows, crib bumpers, quilts, comforters or any other objects that could potentially suffocate your baby while she sleeps.

5. Sleep near your baby. Keep her crib or bassinet within arm’s reach. But don’t let her sleep in your bed, which can actually increase the risk of SIDS.

6. Breastfeed and immunize. Doing both can reduce the risk of SIDS, according to research.

7. Keep your baby cool. Signs your baby might be too hot include sweating or a hot chest or forehead. As a rule of thumb, you only need to dress her in one more layer than you would wear to keep warm.

8. Offer a pacifier. Pacifiers given during sleep or naptime may reduce the risk of SIDS. But if your baby isn’t interested, that’s okay -- you don’t have to force it.

9. Avoid SIDS-reducing products. Despite what the package’s label might say, wedges, special mattresses and sleep positioners have not been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. In fact, they could cause suffocation.

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By the time your child is around 24 months, he will probably be ready to graduate to a toddler bed. It will most likely be one of his first big-kid moves to independence -- good for him! At this point, your child may be tall enough to lift his legs up and over the sides of a crib, so making the switch is a good idea for his development and best for his safety.

Making the move to a toddler bed is a big one, and there are definitely some factors to keep in mind before doing so. Remember, being in a bed that’s closer to the ground means that your child now has easy access to his room and the house in a way he never had before. That would make any child a little curious.

Before making the big move to a toddler bed, keep the following safety concerns in mind:

Avoid sleepy-time hazards
Sleepy (or mischievous) children can get into trouble if they try to wander around the house unsupervised at night. In order to sidestep this potential issue, try putting a bell on your child’s door so you’ll hear him when he tries to wander.

Put all toys away
Your child doesn’t have to leave his room to get into trouble -- he’s probably tempted enough as it is right in his very own space. Make sure you safely remove any toys or objects that could break or are a potential choking hazard before you put your child to sleep. Also do a quick sweep of the floor to remove anything that could trip up your child if he does get out of bed in the dark.

Place the bed properly

A toddler bed is much closer to the ground than a crib, but even so, it’s not a bad idea to keep the area around your child’s new bed cushioned, at least with a rug. Also, position it away from the window to avoid drafts or any dangling cords or curtains.

Once you have these safety precautions in place, it’s time to celebrate! Moving to a toddler bed is a big step, and it’s important you show your child how proud of him you are.

When you hear your baby cough, your first thought might be, “Call the pediatrician, now.” (Yes, even if it’s 3 a.m.) But with a little know-how, you just might be able to soothe your sick baby right at home. 

What causes a cough?
Usually, your baby’s cough coincides with a respiratory problem like a cold, a viral infection, bronchiolitis, whooping cough, or croup (the barking cough). All those illnesses tend to create extra mucus, which is a normal part of the healing process but is also what makes your baby cough. Other things, like allergies or asthma, can trigger coughing, too. 

How to treat your baby’s cough
Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines aren’t safe for children under 4 years old. And since most coughs are caused by viral infections, antibiotics are usually out, too. So while your baby’s cough might just need to run its course, that doesn’t mean you can’t help him feel more comfortable in the meantime. Here’s how: 

• Give homemade cough suppressants. For babies over 6 months, warm, clear fluids (e.g., warm water) can help soothe a sore throat and ease your baby’s coughing. For children over 1 year, you can also give 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of honey as needed. (Never give honey to babies under 1 year because it can cause infant botulism.) For babies under 3 months, call your pediatrician.
   
• Raise his head. For babies over 12 months, elevating his head can reduce stuffiness and help him breathe easier. No need to overdo it, though -- just a little elevation using towels or pillowcases under his mattress or pillow can help.
   
• Add humidity. Dry air only makes a cough worse. Run a hot shower with the door closed or use a humidifier in your baby’s room to add moisture, which will lubricate his airway.
• Encourage plenty of rest and relaxation. As your baby is resting, he’s also healing. If he gets bored in his crib or bed, you can also set up a comfy place for him in the living room -- or even outside, if it’s a nice day.  

When to call the baby doc 
Your baby coughing alone might not be enough to warrant a call to the pediatrician. But you should get the doc involved if your baby...

• Is under 3 months old, has any fever, or has been coughing for more than a few hours
• Is over 3 months old and has a fever higher than 101°F
   
• Is having trouble breathing, appears to be working hard to breathe, or is breathing faster than normal
• Has a blue tint to his face, tongue, or lips
• Makes a whistling sound when he breathes in, makes a “whooping” sound when breathing in after a cough, or wheezes when he breathes out
• Is coughing up blood
• Seems weak, cranky, irritable, or not like himself
• Is dehydrated

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Potty training is a big move for children and parents alike. The secrets to success? A little Zen-like patience and a lot of creativity. If your child is ready for toilet time, try these parent-tested techniques.

Create a throne

It’s no ordinary toilet seat when it’s emblazoned with sparkly fairies or bold race cars. Let your child pick out a potty chair design that inspires him, or let him embellish the potty seat you already own with bright stickers so he looks forward to using it.

Make potty time fun time

You’ve heard of a man cave -- so how about a potty cave? You can make the bathroom a potty haven by stocking it with potty-themed books and toys that will help your child sit longer. Add some stuffed animals of your child’s choosing for company. Encourage him to show his potty pals the right way to use the toilet.

Gear up with gadgets

Children need to be reminded to take potty breaks regularly -- they’re so busy playing, they often don’t notice they have to go until it’s too late. But nagging isn’t fun for anyone. Instead, try setting a timer -- on the microwave, on your phone, or, better still, on an inexpensive wristwatch your child can wear. Also establish a routine with your child and prompt him to go after, say, every mealtime and before bed. When that time comes or that beeper goes off, he will be psyched to announce: It’s potty time! 

Make it a game

Put a few pieces of O-shaped cereal in the toilet and challenge your son to do some target practice. You can also experiment with color: Drop blue food coloring in the toilet bowl and watch how your child’s pee can turn it green. It’s practically magic!

Offer fun undies

If your child loves firefighters, the promise of underwear featuring a bright red fire engine might just be all the motivation he needs to graduate from diapers. Let him know that big boys who use the toilet get to wear cool underwear.

Wait it out

Forget the suggested timetables and let your child decide when it’s time to ditch the diapers. Look for signs of readiness: showing an interest in the bathroom, telling you when he has to go, or wanting a diaper change right after pooping. And that may be it -- no bribes, no tears, no accidents.

Regardless of which strategies best fit your parenting style and your child, it always helps to stay positive. Spend quality time with your child while he’s trying to use the potty, and beam with pride after each successful attempt. Help turn “I think I can” into “I know I can!” 

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