Talking and Feeling• Showyourchildhowtousewords.

• Usewordstodescribeyourchild’sfeelings.

• Describeyourchild’sgestureswithwords.• Usesimple,clearphrasestotalktoyour

child.• Whenreading,usesimplewordstotalk

aboutthepictures.• Trytogivechoices.Allowyourchildto

choosebetween2goodoptions,suchasabananaoranapple,or2favoritebooks.

• Yourchildmaybeanxiousaroundnewpeople;thisisnormal.Besuretocomfortyourchild.

A Good Night’s Sleep• Makethehourbeforebedtimelovingand

calm.• Haveasimplebedtimeroutinethatincludes

abook.• Putyourchildtobedatthesametimeevery

night.Earlyisbetter.• Trytotuckinyourchildwhensheisdrowsy

butstillawake.• Avoidgivingenjoyableattentionifyour

childwakesduringthenight.Usewordstoreassureandgiveablanketortoytoholdforcomfort.

Safety• Haveyourchild’scarsafetyseatrear-facing

untilyourchildis2yearsofageoruntilshereachesthehighestweightorheightallowedbythecarsafetyseat’smanufacturer.

• Followtheowner’smanualtomaketheneededchangeswhenswitchingthecarsafetyseattotheforward-facingposition.

• Neverputyourchild’srear-facingseatinthefrontseatofavehiclewithapassengerairbag.Thebackseatisthesafestplaceforchildrentoride

• Everyoneshouldwearaseatbeltinthecar.• Lockawaypoisons,medications,andlawn

andcleaningsupplies.• CallPoisonHelp(1-800-222-1222)ifyou

areworriedyourchildhaseatensomethingharmful.

• Placegatesatthetopandbottomofstairsandguardsonwindowsonthesecondfloorandhigher.Keepfurnitureawayfromwindows.

• Keepyourchildawayfrompothandles,smallappliances,fireplaces,andspaceheaters.

• Lockawaycigarettes,matches,lighters,andalcohol.

• Haveworkingsmokeandcarbonmonoxidealarmsandanescapeplan.

• Setyourhotwaterheatertemperaturetolowerthan120°F.

Temper Tantrums and Discipline• Usedistractiontostoptantrumswhenyou

can.• Limittheneedtosay“No!”bymakingyour

homeandyardsafeforplay.• Praiseyourchildforbehavingwell.• Setlimitsandusedisciplinetoteachand

protectyourchild,notpunish.• Bepatientwithmessyeatingandplay.Your

childislearning.• Letyourchildchoosebetween2goodthings

forfood,toys,drinks,orbooks.

Healthy Teeth• Takeyourchildforafirstdentalvisitifyou

havenotdoneso.• Brushyourchild’steethtwiceeachday

afterbreakfastandbeforebedwithasofttoothbrushandplainwater.

• Weanfromthebottle;giveonlywaterinthebottle.

• Brushyourownteethandavoidsharingcupsandspoonswithyourchildorcleaningapacifierinyourmouth.

What to Expect at Your Child’s 18 Month Visit We will talk about• Talkingandreadingwithyourchild• Playgroups• Preparingyourotherchildrenforanewbaby• Spendingtimewithyourfamilyandpartner• Carandhomesafety• Toilettraining• Settinglimitsandusingtime-outs

PoisonHelp:1-800-222-1222

Childsafetyseatinspection:1-866-SEATCHECK;seatcheck.org

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The recommendations in this publication do not indicate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as a standard of medical care. Variations, taking into account individual circumstances, may be appropriate. Original document included as part ofBright Futures Tool and Resource Kit. Copyright © 2010 American Academy of Pediatrics, Updated 8/11. All Rights Reserved. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not review or endorse any modifications made to this document and in no event shall the AAP be liable for any such changes.

Bright Futures Parent Handout15 Month Visit

Here are some suggestions from Bright Futures experts that may be of value to your family.

Updated: 8/3/2015

Johns Creek Pediatrics Pediatric Dentist Referrals

Alpharetta Children’s Dentistry George MacMaster, DMD, Thomas Akins, DMD, Judy Christianson, DDS Theresa Caruso, DDS, Daniel Kratzer, DMD, MS, Med, Meaghan Kindregan, DMD Monica Sharma, DMD, J.C. Shirley, DMD, MS Johns Creek: 3915 Johns Creek Court Suwanee, GA 30024 (P) 678-740-0122 Alpharetta: 4205 North Point Parkway Building C Alpharetta, GA 30022 (P) 770-664-4936 Cumming: 110 North Corners Parkway Cumming, GA 30040 (P) 770-664-4936 www.alpharettachildrensdentistry.com Classic Children’s Dentistry T.J. Eberhardt, DMD 1200 Bald Ridge Marina Road Suite 100 Cumming, GA 30041 (P) 770-888-1490 Rhonda Hogan, D.M.D, P.C. – Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry 1380 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Suite 150 Suwanee, GA 30024 (P) 770.614.8914 (F) 770.619.8917 http://www.drrhondahogan.com/ Smile Magic Sharon DeSouza, DMD, Pushpa Sundareswaran, DMD 2880 Old Alabama Rd. Suite 400 Alpharetta, GA 30022 (P) 678.240.2777 (F) 678.240.2782 www.smilemagicga.com

Updated: 8/3/2015

My Johns Creek Dentist Family & Cosmetic Dental Care Mitul Patel, DDS 2627 Peachtree Pkwy., Ste 440 Suwanee, GA 30024 (P) 770.888.3384 www.myjohnscreekdentist.com

VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT

MMR VaccineWhat You Need to Know

(Measles, Mumps and Rubella)

Many Vaccine Information Statements are available in Spanish and other languages. See www.immunize.org/vis

Hojas de información Sobre Vacunas están disponibles en español y en muchos otros idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis

1 Why get vaccinated?Measles, mumps, and rubella are serious diseases. Before vaccines they were very common, especially among children. Measles• Measles virus causes rash, cough, runny nose, eye

irritation, and fever.• It can lead to ear infection, pneumonia, seizures

(jerking and staring), brain damage, and death.Mumps• Mumps virus causes fever, headache, muscle pain, loss

of appetite, and swollen glands.• It can lead to deafness, meningitis (infection of the

brain and spinal cord covering), painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries, and rarely sterility.

Rubella (German Measles)• Rubella virus causes rash, arthritis (mostly in women),

and mild fever.• If a woman gets rubella while she is pregnant, she

could have a miscarriage or her baby could be born with serious birth defects.

These diseases spread from person to person through the air. You can easily catch them by being around someone who is already infected.Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine can protect children (and adults) from all three of these diseases. Thanks to successful vaccination programs these diseases are much less common in the U.S. than they used to be. But if we stopped vaccinating they would return.

2 Who should get MMR vaccine and when?

Children should get 2 doses of MMR vaccine:• First Dose: 12–15 months of age• Second Dose: 4–6 years of age (may be given earlier, if

at least 28 days after the 1st dose)Some infants younger than 12 months should get a dose of MMR if they are traveling out of the country. (This dose will not count toward their routine series.) Some adults should also get MMR vaccine: Generally, anyone 18 years of age or older who was born after 1956 should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine, unless they can show that they have either been vaccinated or had all three diseases. MMR vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.Children between 1 and 12 years of age can get a “combination” vaccine called MMRV, which contains both MMR and varicella (chickenpox) vaccines. There is a separate Vaccine Information Statement for MMRV.

3 Some people should not get MMR vaccine or should wait.

• Anyone who has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to the antibiotic neomycin, or any other component of MMR vaccine, should not get the vaccine. Tell your doctor if you have any severe allergies.

• Anyone who had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a previous dose of MMR or MMRV vaccine should not get another dose.

• Some people who are sick at the time the shot is scheduled may be advised to wait until they recover before getting MMR vaccine.

• Pregnant women should not get MMR vaccine. Pregnant women who need the vaccine should wait until after giving birth. Women should avoid getting pregnant for 4 weeks after vaccination with MMR vaccine.

• Tell your doctor if the person getting the vaccine:- Has HIV/AIDS, or another disease that affects the

immune system- Is being treated with drugs that affect the immune

system, such as steroids - Has any kind of cancer- Is being treated for cancer with radiation or drugs- Has ever had a low platelet count (a blood disorder)- Has gotten another vaccine within the past 4 weeks- Has recently had a transfusion or received other

blood productsAny of these might be a reason to not get the vaccine, or delay vaccination until later.

4 What are the risks from MMR vaccine?

A vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions.The risk of MMR vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.Getting MMR vaccine is much safer than getting measles, mumps or rubella.Most people who get MMR vaccine do not have any serious problems with it.Mild problems• Fever (up to 1 person out of 6)• Mild rash (about 1 person out of 20)• Swelling of glands in the cheeks or neck (about 1

person out of 75)If these problems occur, it is usually within 6-14 days after the shot. They occur less often after the second dose.Moderate problems• Seizure (jerking or staring) caused by fever (about 1

out of 3,000 doses)• Temporary pain and stiffness in the joints, mostly in

teenage or adult women (up to 1 out of 4)• Temporary low platelet count, which can cause a

bleeding disorder (about 1 out of 30,000 doses)Severe problems (very rare) • Serious allergic reaction (less than 1 out of a million

doses)• Several other severe problems have been reported after

a child gets MMR vaccine, including:- Deafness - Long-term seizures, coma, or lowered consciousness- Permanent brain damage

These are so rare that it is hard to tell whether they are caused by the vaccine.

5 What if there is a serious reaction?

What should I look for?• Look for anything that concerns you, such as signs of

a severe allergic reaction, very high fever, or behavior changes.

Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include hives, swellingofthefaceandthroat,difficultybreathing,a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness. These would start a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.

What should I do?• If you think it is a severe allergic reaction or other

emergency that can’t wait, call 9-1-1 or get the person to the nearest hospital. Otherwise, call your doctor.

• Afterward, the reaction should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Yourdoctormightfilethisreport,oryoucandoityourself through the VAERS web site at www.vaers.hhs.gov, or by calling 1-800-822-7967.

VAERS is only for reporting reactions. They do not give medical advice.

6 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a federal program that was created to compensate people who may have been injured by certain vaccines.Persons who believe they may have been injured by a vaccinecanlearnabouttheprogramandaboutfilingaclaim by calling 1-800-338-2382 or visiting the VICP website at www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation.

7 How can I learn more?• Ask your doctor.• Call your local or state health department.• Contact the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC): - Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or - Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines

Vaccine Information Statement (Interim) MMR Vaccine

42 U.S.C. § 300aa-26

4/20/2012Office Use Only

VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT

Chickenpox VaccineWhat You Need to Know

Many Vaccine Information Statements are available in Spanish and other languages. See www.immunize.org/vis

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están disponibles en español y en muchos otros idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis

1 Why get vaccinated?Chickenpox (also called varicella) is a common childhood disease. It is usually mild, but it can be serious, especially in young infants and adults.• It causes a rash, itching, fever, and tiredness.• It can lead to severe skin infection, scars, pneumonia,

brain damage, or death.• The chickenpox virus can be spread from person to personthroughtheair,orbycontactwithfluidfromchickenpox blisters.

• A person who has had chickenpox can get a painful rash called shingles years later.

• Before the vaccine, about 11,000 people were hospitalized for chickenpox each year in the United States.

• Before the vaccine, about 100 people died each year as a result of chickenpox in the United States.

Chickenpox vaccine can prevent chickenpox.Most people who get chickenpox vaccine will not get chickenpox. But if someone who has been vaccinated does get chickenpox, it is usually very mild. They will have fewer blisters, are less likely to have a fever, and will recover faster.

2 Who should get chickenpox vaccine and when?

RoutineChildren who have never had chickenpox should get 2 doses of chickenpox vaccine at these ages: 1st Dose: 12–15 months of age 2nd Dose: 4–6 years of age (may be given

earlier, if at least 3 months after the 1st dose)

People 13 years of age and older (who have never had chickenpox or received chickenpox vaccine) should get two doses at least 28 days apart.

Catch-upAnyone who is not fully vaccinated, and never had chickenpox, should receive one or two doses of chickenpox vaccine. The timing of these doses depends on the person’s age. Ask your doctor.Chickenpox vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.

Note: A “combination” vaccine called MMRV, which contains both chickenpox and MMR vac cines, may be given instead of the two individual vaccines to people 12 years of age and younger.

3 Some people should not get

chickenpox vaccine or should wait.

• People should not get chickenpox vaccine if they have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a previous dose of chickenpox vaccine or to gelatin or the antibiotic neomycin.

• People who are moderately or severely ill at the time the shot is scheduled should usually wait until they recover before getting chickenpox vaccine.

• Pregnant women should wait to get chickenpox vaccine until after they have given birth. Women should not get pregnant for 1 month after getting chickenpox vaccine.

• Some people should check with their doctor about whether they should get chickenpox vaccine, including anyone who:- Has HIV/AIDS or another disease that affects the

immune system- Is being treated with drugs that affect the immune

system, such as steroids, for 2 weeks or longer- Has any kind of cancer- Is getting cancer treatment with radiation or drugs

• People who recently had a transfusion or were given other blood products should ask their doctor when they may get chickenpox vaccine.

Ask your doctor for more information.

4 What are the risks from chickenpox vaccine?

A vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of chickenpox vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.Getting chickenpox vaccine is much safer than getting chickenpox disease. Most people who get chickenpox vaccine do not have any problems with it. Reactions areusuallymorelikelyafterthefirstdosethanafterthesecond.Mild problems• Soreness or swelling where the shot was given (about

1 out of 5 children and up to 1 out of 3 adolescents and adults)

• Fever (1 person out of 10, or less)• Mild rash, up to a month after vaccination (1 person

out of 25). It is possible for these people to infect other members of their household, but this is extremely rare.

Moderate problems• Seizure (jerking or staring) caused by fever (very rare).Severe problems• Pneumonia (very rare)Other serious problems, including severe brain reactions and low blood count, have been reported after chickenpox vaccination. These happen so rarely experts cannot tell whether they are caused by the vaccine or not. If they are, it is extremely rare.

Note:ThefirstdoseofMMRV vaccine has been associated with rash and higher rates of fever than MMR and varicella vaccines given separately. Rash has been reported in about 1 person in 20 and fever in about 1 person in 5.

Seizures caused by a fever are also reported more often after MMRV. These usually occur 5–12 days afterthefirstdose.

5 What if there is a serious reaction?

What should I look for?• Look for anything that concerns you, such as signs of

a severe allergic reaction, very high fever, or behavior changes.

Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include hives, swellingofthefaceandthroat,difficultybreathing,a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness. These would start a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.

What should I do?• If you think it is a severe allergic reaction or other

emergency that can’t wait, call 9-1-1 or get the person to the nearest hospital. Otherwise, call your doctor.

• Afterward, the reaction should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Yourdoctormightfilethisreport,oryoucandoityourself through the VAERS web site at www.vaers.hhs.gov, or by calling 1-800-822-7967.

VAERS is only for reporting reactions. They do not give medical advice.

6 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a federal program that was created to compensate people who may have been injured by certain vaccines.Persons who believe they may have been injured by a vaccinecanlearnabouttheprogramandaboutfilingaclaim by calling 1-800-338-2382 or visiting the VICP website at www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation.

7 How can I learn more?• Ask your doctor.• Call your local or state health department.• Contact the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC): - Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or - Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines

Vaccine Information Statement (Interim) Varicella Vaccine

42 U.S.C. § 300aa-26

3/13/2008Office Use Only

VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT

Hib VaccineWhat You Need to Know

( Haemophilus Influenzae Type b)

Many Vaccine Information Statements are available in Spanish and other languages. See www.immunize.org/vis

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están disponibles en español y en muchos otros idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis

1 Why get vaccinated?Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease is a serious disease caused by bacteria. It usually affects children under 5 years old. It can also affect adults with certain medical conditions.Your child can get Hib disease by being around other children or adults who may have the bacteria and not know it. The germs spread from person to person. If the germs stay in the child’s nose and throat, the child probably will not get sick. But sometimes the germs spread into the lungs or the bloodstream, and then Hib can cause serious problems. This is called invasive Hib disease.Before Hib vaccine, Hib disease was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis among children under 5 years old in the United States. Meningitis is an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. It can lead to brain damage and deafness. Hib disease can also cause:• pneumonia• severe swelling in the throat, making it hard to breathe• infections of the blood, joints, bones, and covering of

the heart• deathBefore Hib vaccine, about 20,000 children in the United States under 5 years old got Hib disease each year, and about 3% - 6% of them died.Hib vaccine can prevent Hib disease. Since use of Hib vaccine began, the number of cases of invasive Hib disease has decreased by more than 99%. Many more children would get Hib disease if we stopped vaccinating.

2 Hib vaccineSeveral different brands of Hib vaccine are available. Your child will receive either 3 or 4 doses, depending on which vaccine is used.Doses of Hib vaccine are usually recommended at these ages:• First Dose: 2 months of age• Second Dose: 4 months of age• Third Dose: 6 months of age (if needed,

depending on brand of vaccine)• Final/Booster Dose: 12–15 months of ageHib vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.Hib vaccine may be given as part of a combination vaccine. Combination vaccines are made when two or more types of vaccine are combined together into a single shot, so that one vaccination can protect against more than one disease.Children over 5 years old and adults usually do not need Hib vaccine. But it may be recommended for older children or adults with asplenia or sickle cell disease, before surgery to remove the spleen, or following a bone marrow transplant. It may also be recommended for people 5 to 18 years old with HIV. Ask your doctor for details.Your doctor or the person giving you the vaccine can give you more information.

3 Some people should not get this vaccine

Hib vaccine should not be given to infants younger than 6 weeks of age.A person who has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a previous dose of Hib vaccine, OR has a severe allergy to any part of this vaccine, should not get Hib vaccine. Tell the person giving the vaccine about any severe allergies.People who are mildly ill can get Hib vaccine. People who are moderately or severely ill should probably wait until they recover. Talk to your healthcare provider if the person getting the vaccine isn’t feeling well on the day the shot is scheduled.

4 Risks of a vaccine reactionWith any medicine, including vaccines, there is a chance of side effects. These are usually mild and go away on their own. Serious reactions are also possible but are rare.Most people who get Hib vaccine do not have any problems with it.Mild Problems following Hib vaccine:• redness, warmth, or swelling where the shot was given• feverThese problems are uncommon. If they occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and last 2 or 3 days.Problems that could happen after any vaccine:Any medication can cause a severe allergic reaction. Such reactions from a vaccine are very rare, estimated at fewer than 1 in a million doses, and would happen within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a serious injury or death.Older children, adolescents, and adults might also experience these problems after any vaccine:• People sometimes faint after a medical procedure,

including vaccination. Sitting or lying down for about 15 minutes can help prevent fainting, and injuries caused by a fall. Tell your doctor if you feel dizzy, or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.

• Some people get severe pain in the shoulder and have difficultymovingthearmwhereashotwasgiven.Thishappens very rarely.

The safety of vaccines is always being monitored. For more information, visit: www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/

5 What if there is a serious reaction?

What should I look for?• Look for anything that concerns you, such as signs

of a severe allergic reaction, very high fever, or unusual behavior.

Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include hives, swellingofthefaceandthroat,difficultybreathing,a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness. These would usually start a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.

What should I do?• If you think it is a severe allergic reaction or other

emergency that can’t wait, call 9-1-1 or get the person to the nearest hospital. Otherwise, call your doctor.

• Afterward, the reaction should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Yourdoctormightfilethisreport,oryoucandoityourself through the VAERS web site at www.vaers.hhs.gov, or by calling 1-800-822-7967.

VAERS does not give medical advice.

6 The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a federal program that was created to compensate people who may have been injured by certain vaccines.Persons who believe they may have been injured by a vaccinecanlearnabouttheprogramandaboutfilingaclaim by calling 1-800-338-2382 or visiting the VICP website at www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation. There isatimelimittofileaclaimforcompensation.

7 How can I learn more?• Ask your doctor. He or she can give you the vaccine

package insert or suggest other sources of information.• Call your local or state health department.• Contact the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC):- Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or- Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines

Vaccine Information Statement Hib Vaccine

42 U.S.C. § 300aa-26

Office Use Only

4/02/2015

Eight Sleep Tips for Every Child

# 1 Maintain a consistent bedtime and awaking time.

Your child’s biological clock has a strong influence on her wakefulness and sleepiness. When you establish a set time for bedtime and wake up time you “set” your child’s clock so that it functions smoothly. Aim for an early bedtime. Young children respond best with a bedtime between 6:30 and 7:30 P.M. Most children will sleep better and longer when they go to bed early.

# 2 Encourage regular daily naps.

Daily naps are important. An energetic child can find it difficult to go through the day without a rest break. A nap-less child will often wake up cheerful and become progressively fussier or hyper-alert as the day goes on. Also, the length and quality of naps affects night sleep – good naps equal better night sleep.

# 3 Set your child’s biological clock.

Take advantage of your child’s biology so that he’s actually tired when bedtime arrives. Darkness causes an increase in the release of the body’s sleep hormone -- the biological “stop” button. You can align your child’s sleepiness with bedtime by dimming the lights during the hour before bedtime. Exposing your child to morning light is pushing the “go” button in her brain — one that says, “Time to wake up and be active.” So keep your mornings bright!

# 4 Develop a consistent bedtime routine.

Routines create security. A consistent, peaceful bedtime routine allows your child to transition from the motion of the day to the tranquil state of sleep. An organized routine helps you coordinate the specifics: bath, pajamas, tooth-brushing. It helps you to function on auto-pilot at the time when you are most tired and least creative.

# 5 Create a cozy sleep environment.

Where your child sleeps can be a key to quality sleep. Make certain the mattress is comfortable, the blankets are warm, the room temperature is right, pajamas are comfy, and the bedroom is welcoming.

# 6 Provide the right nutrition.

Foods can affect energy level and sleepiness. Carbohydrates can have a calming effect on the body, while foods high in protein or sugar generate alertness, particularly when eaten alone. A few ideas for pre-bed snacks are: whole wheat toast and cheese, bagel and peanut butter, oatmeal with bananas, or yogurt and low-sugar granola. Vitamin deficiencies due to unhealthy food choices can affect a child’s sleep. Provide your child with a daily assortment of healthy foods.

# 7 Help your child to be healthy and fit.

Many children don’t get enough daily physical activity. Too much TV watching and a lack of activity prevents good sleep. Children who get ample daily exercise fall asleep more quickly, sleep better, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling refreshed. Avoid activity in the hour before bedtime though, since exercise is stimulating – they’ll be jumping on the bed instead of sleeping in it!

# 8 Teach your child how to relax.

Many children get in bed but aren’t sure what to do when they get there! It can help to follow a soothing pre-bed routine that creates sleepiness. A good pre-bed ritual is story time. A child who is listening to a parent read a book or tell a tale will tend to lie still and listen. This quiet stillness allows him to become sleepy.

Work with these eight ideas and you’ll see improvements in your child’s sleep, and yours too.

Elizabeth Pantley , author of The No-Cry Sleep solution for Toddlers & Preschoolers-