You DO learn something from Oprah

Rules for Bedtime
"Sleeping with your children or sitting with them 'til they fall asleep is a big no-no," says Jo Frost, ABC's Supernanny and author of Supernanny: How to Get the Best from Your Children.

"Children need to learn to fall asleep by themselves," she continues. "What starts out as a little bit of extra comfort soon turns into a big issue about control. And trust me, your children will put off going to bed just to have you by their side." Try her sleep separation technique so everyone can get a good night's sleep.

Step One: Time for BedTake your child to their bedroom. Read a bedtime story, give them "kisses and cuddles" and tuck them in.

Step Two: Tough LoveSit down on the floor or in a chair parallel to your child's bed so he or she can see the side of your face. As hard as it may be, bow your head and ignore their efforts to talk to you. It is important not to engage your child with eye contact.

Step Three: Stay In BedIf your child climbs out of bed, return them to bed with no eye contact.

Step Four: Distance YourselfEach night, move further and further away from the crib or bed. This pattern gives your child a sense of security in their bedroom.

Supernanny Jo Frost says children stay up at night to get the attention from their parents that they missed out on during the day. "The key message here is," says Jo, "if you spend time with your child during the day you're not neglecting him by putting this routine in place during the night." From the show Supernanny Shapes Up Bratty Kids

More Supernanny Techniques
Enforce discipline with the "naughty stool."

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Azrai and I was watching one of Oprah Show reruns about disciplining kids recently and we've decided that it's a good idea to apply it to Danial. Although I've known about good sleeping habits after reading up about it in BabyCenter.com, watching the show somehow or rather knocked some sense in Danial's Babah.

It wasn't difficult to test the method by Jo Frost. Danial has always has a routine of somesort. So, when it comes to bedtime, instead of Bibik dodoikan Danial to sleep. I took him with me into our room, read him his bedtime story where most of the time Danial would try to eat the book than listen to the story anyway; give him his kisses and cuddles and told him that it's time for bed; put him in his cot with Ty-ty (his stuffed toy) and switch off the lights (The streetlights outside provides good night light). Of course he fusses a little bit. I've already warned both Babah and Bibik not to interfere if Danial starts crying. I stayed in the dark out of his sight. It took him less than 5 minutes to stop fussing, suck his thumb and goes off to dreamland. That's my baby.

Another milestone, he's sleeping through the night now. Instead of having two feedings, one in the middle of the night and the other early morning, he sleeps through and would wake up for his 4am feeding. Having unbroken sleep for 3 quarter of the night, I'm won't complaint about having to wake up at 4am to give Danial his bottle. And the best part is, when he's done, I'd put him back in his cot and he'd immediately go back to sleep. Isn't that wonderful?

True, babies don't come with a manual. You'll never know what's coming next but I think modern parents now have excellent tools to learn about how to raise a child. We have books, the internet. As parents, we have to see what works for the child and stick with it. Having the tools, taking care of Danial is not so much like exploring an uncharted territory. It's more like going for a little treasure hunt.