Atlanta Daily World

Caring For Your Family
by Edith Clarke

Happy "Good Nights"

"I don't want to go to sleep!" A child's eyelids are half shut from fatigue, his head may droop with weariness, but he'll fight like a tiger to stay awake. Just about every parent alone has experienced this routine at bedtime.

Recognize any of these symptoms? One infant will howl unceasingly. Another will turn scarlet with rage. Some babies will go to sleep willingly, but wake up frequently during the night. Older children will argue, demand another story, a favorite toy, a drink of water. If you have any of these problems, here are some helpful suggestions.

Most important is your attitude. If you are cheerful, calm and pleasantly firm, even a small baby will sense that his nonsense won't change your mind. You'll find that if you establish a certain ritual every night and stick to it, a child will accept it willingly.

With babies, bedtime should be preceded by cuddling and diaper changing. After his feeding, baby will be sleepy. Some gentle talk will keep him drowsily content. When changing diapers, dry him carefully, then pat him gently with Vaseline Petroleum Jelly to protect against diaper rash—one source of fretting and crying. The petroleum jelly forms a healing, protective coating that prevents ammonia from irritating his skin. (Incidentally, dressing baby in two diapers before bedtime will keep him drier during the night.) Then, put baby to bed, say an affectionate good-night, and leave him alone.

Attention-getting cries, if you heed them, will set a pattern that will be very hard to break as the baby grows older.

With children under five, make a happy, relaxed ritual of putting them to bed, tucking them in, and chatting for a few minutes. Many parents read a story regularly. If you do, keep away from scary stories and stick to light, happy tales. If the child has a favorite toy he wants with him, let him have it. Most child specialists are agreed that a beloved possession even if it's tattered and torn—does a child no harm and provides companionship as he settles down to sleep. End the evening with a loving "good-night", and turn off the light. If you follow this routine for about the same length of time each night, the child will look forward to it as the happy end of a busy day.

Even with older children who can put themselves to bed, the parent should look in for a brief chat. Bedtime is the hour when a child should feel close to his parents. So if he has some worry or trouble to tell you, it's your job to listen reassuringly.

Remember, any child who feels loved and secure will be happy.