Why isn't baby sleeping? AAAhhhhhrrrggg!! If you are going round the twist with tiredness and frustration from a baby who does not want to nod off, you are doing yourself a disservice, as well as your new child and all the rest of the family as well. It is essential that sensible sleep patterns are established with your new baby, and it will probably take some work - but it is worth it in the long run.

Here are some tips that have been tried and found to work by other mums. There are "textbook" ideas here, as well as some neat little tricks that others have found to work. Like much of parenting, you need to try and find what works for you and your baby and family. It is hardly ever black and white.

1. Take baby for a ride in the stroller.
2. Take baby for a drive in the car.
   
3. If you have a moving mobile in the cot - maybe it is distracting - take the moving bit off and just have the music,
4. Don't have a quiet house. Too much quiet and baby will be easily woken. Have baby learn that normal noise goes on in the household - so have the radio on or just make sure the rest of the family is not walking on eggshells.
   
5. Put some relaxing music on quietly - some recommend classical music, some recommend jazz or blues, and of course there is the regular baby-targeted sleep music.
6. If you are breastfeeding, cut out the caffeine in your diet.
7. Try a white noise machine, that sounds like the ocean, or even an old fashioned ticking clock - it can be mesmirising!
8. Once sleeping through the night, if baby wakes, give her water only, no cuddles or eye contact or warm milk - she will soon learn it isn't worth waking up for.
9. Play a single piece of music at wind down time, to gove the signal that it is sleep time. Or sing a favorite lullaby or song, only as baby goes to sleep.
   
10. Give baby lot of attention during the day, and wear them out with stimulation.
11. Make sure the room is very dark and had the sun completely blocked out.
12. A quick spray of lavender scent in the room before bed gives the cues and creates a really calming atmosphere.
13. Stuff a soft toy down you bra during the day, so at night time baby will cuddle and have familiar smells.
14. Don't rock baby. Once that starts you will be locked in. Settle without rocking.
15. Have a busy busy day - go for walks, go to the shops, go to playgroup, do swimming lessons, go to friends house, go to the park or playground: any fresh air is good - don't stay cooped up inside. Exhaustion helps baby sleep.
16. Don't let baby fall asleep in your arms, or whilst you are feeding her. She will get very accustomed to that and not be able to go to sleep without you. Teach baby to go to sleep in her cot.
    

Getting baby to sleep will always be a challenge, but it takes patience, routine, and an extra dose of love and nurture to get you all through it.