Encourage activity during the day

Surrounding your baby with light and normal household noises during daytime can help promote better sleep at night. The reason? Morning light suppresses melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle, so it encourages sleep at the right time.

Daytime is also the period to engage her by talking, singing and playing, so she'll associate light and activity with the day, and darkness and inactivity with nighttime.

Keep evening activities low-key

Energizing activities in the evening – whether it's watching a video or playing peek-a-boo with Dad – can make your baby too excited to sleep. He will think that going to bed equals missing out on fun. Plus, stimulating activities can overtire your child and actually make it harder for him to fall asleep.

Instead, make your baby's evenings a time for him to wind down. Dim the lights and try relaxing favorites such as a soothing massage, cuddling, lullaby or storytime; this will tell your baby that it's time to sleep – not play.