Medical research is only now discovering the crucial importance of sleep on the human body's health and wellness. Regardless of age, regular sleep patterns and routines can help children focus better at school, avoid illness, and foster the self-esteem needed to last throughout their lifetimes.

Establishing solid, reliable bedtime habits is one of the most important parts of parenting, though sometimes the least appreciated. Unfortunately, there's no single right way to train your child towards the best sleep possible. It's a collaborative effort, one that's likely to include ups and downs. But experts say it's important to keep at it until your child has the routine that suits them as individuals.

Teamwork Counts

Because getting the right routine for your child relies on cooperation between all involved, it's important to set limits and guiding principles with your spouse or partner. The child will respond to having one set of rules that don't vary.

ABC: Always Be Consistent

As noted above, children thrive on structure. Don't let children stay up late some nights for no good reason, and don't put them to bed early to make more time for other activities (a more common parental temptation than you might think.) Instead, set the bedtime and stick to it every night. The right structure can lend itself to routine, which helps a child feel more relaxed and ready for sleep.

The Routine Routine

Your child responds to routine so well because as they come to expect something, even look forward to it, their sense of well-being increases and they're less afraid of new situations.

You don't have to plan a strict routine that resembles a bus schedule, but your child should know to expect the same sequence of events every night. This sequence might be: dinner, family time, bathtime, story time, and bedtime. They'll come to expect these events and even want to participate once they're adjusted.

Make Solid Transitions Into Bedtime

Easing your child into going to sleep will help the sleep come quicker and last throughout the night. The transition could be an object, such as a teddy bear, or a gesture, such as a hug. It may an activity such as reading a book together or listening to a story.

Discipline plays an important part in this stage, too. Children usually want something else: another hug, a glass of water, a different stuffed animal companion. But be firm and let them know that bedtime is bedtime.

Be Prepared for Interruptions

Sooner or later your child will wake in the night. Make yourself available to them, and restart the bed process, including all the bedtime rituals. This will help them regain sleep despite the unusual time.

Don't Be Afraid To Ask For Help

As in all issues concerning your children, ask your family doctor or pediatrician if sleep problems persist.