Ask the Expert Dr. Roni Leiderman, Associate Dean at The Family and School Center of Nova Southeastern University, is not only an expert on parenting issues but the working mother of two children. Sleeping through the night Question: Our 12-month old still does not sleep through the night. He wakes up around 1 a.m. or 3 a.m. and is starving. We tried changing and giving him water in the middle of the night, but he screams for 30-45 minutes. We finally have given in and starting giving him a bottle. He will drink the entire 8 oz. in about 5 minutes. How can we feed him enough and get him to sleep through the night? - Heather Answer: Heather, Sleep patterns need to be established for children so that both they, and their exhausted parents, can function optimally during the day. There are a wide range of sleep patterns and all children do not fall into the "7 PM goodnight and 7 am goodmorning" routine. Before making a decision as to how to handle your son's wakefulness, research the various approaches and philosophies to discover what feels right for your baby and your family. Check first with your pediatrician to be sure that your son does not need his midnight snacks. Assuming your doctor feels that your son is capable of missing this bottle, decide on an approach that you feel you can remain committed to. The choices include everything from letting your son "cry it out" to the family bed to the "Ferber Method" of taking gradual steps to simply living with the situation as it exists. The important thing to remember is that having a routine is necessary to help your son learn new expectations and a new schedule, and will help him develop new healthy sleep habits. Bedtime comes around too often to make it a difficult and trying experience for you and your baby. So, start reading about the various approaches and begin the process when you feel prepared and informed and emotionally ready. Very soon you will have a child who actually looks forward to a bedtime routine and parents who will finally have a decent night's sleep. Other recently asked questions • My husband seems to think threatening our three year old daughter is the best way to get her to obey. Problem is that he normally caves and doesn’t follow through. How can I stop this? • My two-year old is beginning to turn everything into a negotiation, especially bedtime. What can I do? • Submit your questions