For those of you who want somewhat of a nights sleep it is important to provide the environment to enable a sleeping newborn. I have a friend, Judy, whose baby's temperament is very similar to mine. That is her baby requires a great deal of mothering. Both our babies have pain and discomfort in their bodies and need hours of support, comfort and love.

Judy has tried several sleep techniques too. It was evident that after a few weeks of co-sleeping, that this sleeping arrangement simply was not working. Her baby was too restless in his sleep and kept her husband awake. She then used a bedside bassinet for a few months and then moved the bassinet into the nursery.

Both Judy and I have babies that cry more than average and it worsens when they are tired. Keeping a scheduled routine for sleeping really helps their mood. More often than not both our babies are a challenge to put to sleep. I use a front pack and walk my baby to sleep or I lay and rock him in our bed. Judy has found a successful sleep technique in having her baby drift off to sleep in a swing. A sleep technique only works as good as your baby tells you.

Judy nor I have attempted the Ferber Method for sleep. Our babies do not calm down by themselves. If their initial cry is not responded to, our babys protests result in an unhappy baby. Well-meaning people have all suggested the ferber method, let the baby cry-it-out. He should only fuss a short time and then he will be sleeping on his own. There are some babies who are better off without the Ferber Method. Our babies definitely fall into this group.

They need special attention which requires more of mother's time and energy, but keeps baby content. Once again we have been told that we are creating bad habits and that our children will manipulate us. This is a risk I am willing to take. My baby will sleep beside me, rouse a few times in the night without a fuss and wake up happy. When I have tried alternate baby sleep techniques that do not offer 'attachment' to mother they have not worked. They have only resulted in a distrusting, angry, screaming baby.

At times when my baby arouses in discomfort, I need only to gently place my hand on him and he relaxes. When he has awoken in intense pain I have been able to immediately comfort him. Just being there for him, gives me comfort. I may not be able to make the pain go away, but I can shower him with love and reassure him that the pain will pass. It certainly helps me and baby to sleep better knowing I am right there to respond in his times of need. Having a loving and secure environment enables me to have a sleeping newborn that is content..