Q&A:
How do I teach my 6-month-old to sleep in places other than her crib?

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Answered by Stephen Muething M.D.

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"I love being a pediatrician," says Stephen Muething, medical director of the Pampers Parenting Network. "Through my special role, I get to partner with families in the very important job of helping children develop and grow. My task is to help parents raise their children to be as healthy, happy, and successful as they can be."

Dr. Muething received his B.S. degree from the University of Notre Dame and his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. After completing his pediatric residency and chief residency at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, he served as the lead physician of a five-pediatrician practice in Southeast Indiana for 13 years.

Dr. Muething is currently the associate director in the Division of General Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, leading a team that performs more than 60,000 primary care visits and cares for more than 3,500 inpatients annually. He is also the director of the Diagnostic Clinic for Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Since 2001, Dr. Muething has served as one of the key physicians in the Pursuing Perfection initiative at Cincinnati Children's, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in conjunction with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Dr. Muething is now a graduate of the Advanced Training Program in Healthcare Delivery Improvement at Intermountain Health Care in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Dr. Muething has been a co-leader for the Acute Care Team at Cincinnati Children's, which has focused on designing an evidence-based, family-centered care system for children in the Cincinnati area. Results of the work have been presented at the annual meetings of the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI), the National Initiative for Children's Healthcare Quality (NICHQ), the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), and the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS).

As "Dr. Steve," Dr. Muething hosts two radio programs for families in the Cincinnati area and is the pediatric consultant for The Health Show, a nationally syndicated radio show. Other community activities include serving as moderator for the "Centering on Families: Tools for Practical Parenting" series at the Cincinnati Museum Center.

Family life is central for Dr. Muething and his wife, Meg, both of whom were raised in large families. They have four children—ranging from elementary school age to college graduate—and more than 40 nieces and nephews.

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Question

You have a great question about naps, but first let me conYou have a great question about naps, but first let me congratulate you. You are obviously doing many things right when I hear how well your daughter is doing with her naps at home.

Answer

You have a great question about naps, but first let me congratulate you. You are obviously doing many things right when I hear how well your daughter is doing with her naps at home. Babies do best with routines and your daughter is a great example of this. Infants and toddlers with regular play and mealtimes tend to do better with naps and bedtimes.

Babies respond in various ways when their routine changes. Some have "laid-back" personalities and really don't mind. Other babies are much more sensitive. It's just who they are. Your daughter is likely a little more sensitive.

There are a few things you can do to help your daughter cope with change. When you're away from home, try to keep on the same schedule, including mealtimes. At naptime, try to find a place that will be quiet, with reduced lighting. Many infants do better when they have their favorite thin blanket or other small soft item. If she doesn't have one yet, I would suggest starting to lay her to sleep every time with the exact same item. To avoid increasing the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), keep all quilts, fluffy blankets, pillows, and large toys, including stuffed animals, out of the crib.

The toughest part is staying calm when your daughter is crying. It's hard, but she will do best if you can soothe her with a gentle voice and rocking. When we as parents get excited, it tends to make things worse.

So, try to keep the routine but don't worry too much and don't overdo your efforts. Change is part of life, and these trips out are all part of the fun as your daughter grows. Make sure you add some nap stories to her baby book, as your daughter will love to hear about them in the years to come.