Most parents are overjoyed at the birth of a new baby, but a couple of weeks in and the same couple are often staring at their much loved child wishing there was some way to guarantee a good night’s sleep. Sleep for mothers, sleep for babies, sleep for fathers, all tend to be in short supply in those first months.

Babies need to be kept warm, but not too warm, and protected, but not restrained. Many small babies prefer to be swaddled. Most babies seem to enjoy the warmth and comfort they experience while being fed, but without staying awake to perform that service, how can you get your baby to sleep?

A warm bath before bed, a cuddle and feed in a room with a low light level. When babies bath, it tends to be a fun affair with bright light and toys. When that's done, try reducing the noise and the light level gradually so you baby has a very gentle warm introduction to sleep.

Some babies really enjoy a massage after their bath and react well to massage with a carrier oil, such as sweet almond, mixed with a tiny quantity of lavender and/or chamomile essential oils. Before you use these check for allergic reaction by rubbing on your own chest and holding your baby. If there is no reaction after an hour or so, you can try a drop of the scented carrier oil and then wait 24 hours. If no reaction then, it is probably safe to proceed. The great thing about massage, is that the parent seems to enjoy it just as much as the baby.

Think about falling sleep yourself. It's easy to do when you've eaten too much and the room is warm, so why not set up your baby's bedtime to be the same? Feeding your baby just before bedtime, in a low light level, can be very soothing and enjoyable for both of you. Some people believe it's wrong to cuddle your baby to sleep because the baby doesn't learn to go to sleep alone, but babies aren't cuddling size for long. If you both enjoy the cuddle it could well be the right thing for you.

Use blackout blinds. Most babies won't go to sleep easily if they think there is something more interesting to do, so be sure to add blinds to their windows so the outside light can be blocked out. Most stores will offer some sort of blackout lining. It's useful at night on long summer evenings, and even more useful in the morning, you don't want to be woken every day at the first light of dawn.

Be realistic. Some babies are just more wakeful than others. You may find that playing with them and putting them to bed later helps them sleep through the night. Most parents find it better to get an uninterrupted sleep, even if does mean bedtime is later than they'd like.

Good quality bedding is essential and the right baby quilt can make a big difference to your baby's comfort. It's also a safety issue. Be sure there are no frayed edges or hems where thread can catch around tiny fingers and toes, and no buttons or beads which can come off and block noses or be accidentally swallowed. In the early months you may find it useful to add a cotton blanket and wrap your baby in it tightly, many babies enjoy the extra feeling of security.

Children are a gift, an expression of the love two people have for each other. They come with a whole set of challenges and a huge set of rewards. Getting them to sleep, is just one of the easy ones.