A 32-year-old member asked:
most effective approachess to get a good night sleep?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. Heidi Fowleranswered
Psychiatry 25 years experience
Here are a bunch.: 1. Keep a regular bedtime & wakening time (to include weekends). Get up the same time each day, regardless of what time you fell asleep.
2. Make a regular, relaxing bedtime routine. Relaxing rituals prior to bedtime may include a warm bath or shower, aroma therapy, reading, or listening to gentle music.
3. Sleep in a dark, quiet, cool room on comfortable mattress & pillows.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
1 comment

Dr. Heidi Fowler commented
Psychiatry 25 years experience
Provided original answer
4. Use the bedroom only for sleep & sex. Have work materials, computers, & TVs in another room.
5. Finish eating at least 2-3 hs prior to your regular bedtime.
6. No caffeine within 6 hours; alcohol & smoking within 2 hrs of bedtime. Alcoholism is a major cause for insomnia.
7. Exercise regularly; finish a few hours before bedtime.
8. No naps.
9. Go to bed only when sleepy. Lay in bed only for sleeping, not for work or watching TV.
10. Designate another time to write down problems & possible solutions in the late afternoon or early evening, not close to bedtime.
11. After 10-15 minutes of not being able to get to sleep, go to another room to read or watch TV until sleepy. Consider chamomile tea before bed. Warm milk. Lavender oil in bath or lavender scent on pillow. Melatonin is very helpful. Acupuncture often works well for insomnia.
Jul 29, 2013
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Is co-sleeping a good idea?
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Dr. Marcus Degrawanswered
Pediatrics 22 years experience
No: The medical community is pretty united that, under the age of 1 year, this is dangerous and should be avoided. The data is pretty clear that this creates sleep conditions that often turn deadly for children. I personally sit on a pediatric death review board we have 5-10 deaths each month from co-bedding incidents.
Some groups strongly advocate it however and claim it should be a choice.
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No: It is actually a major risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome, not to mention rollover suffocation.
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Is it important to stick to a sleep schedule?
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Dr. Michael Pappasanswered
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Yes: Absolutely. We all know the answer to that one anyway. We need a rhythm in our life. We need a schedule to tell our bodies when to wake, eat, poop and sleep.
When we have schedule, we always know what's coming and what to get ready for. Start your babies early with their sleep routines, and they will make a lot easier for you to put them to bed at night.
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A member asked:
When is a good time to start doing sleep training?
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Dr. Patricia Vuguinanswered
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Sleep: It is important to start a routine as as early as possible, by six to eight weeks of age. Your baby can see color and detail, also hold his/her head up, and will recognize your voice and be sooth by it. Once you notice these changes, it’s time to introduce healthy sleep routine.
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A 21-year-old member asked:
How can I get a more comfortable nights sleep?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Sherin Ibrahim Howettanswered
Sleep Medicine 18 years experience
Control surroundings: Make sure your environment is comfortable. You want to start with a comfortable mattress and pillow. The temperature set in the room also needs to be comfortable. Keeping extra light out is also helpful. Drowning out other environmental noises with a fan or a white noise machine can also be beneficial.
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90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Jul 29, 2013
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