A good bedtime routine should follow a good routine during the day and in the run-up to bedtime. Babies feel reassured by consistency, so if your baby has a nap, plays and has a bath at the same time every day she'll be more likely to settle without fuss when it's time to sleep.

If your baby is still having two daytime naps, try to merge them into one. Don't attempt to eliminate them altogether though. Daytime napping is still important as if your baby is too tired it may make them emotional and prevent them from getting to sleep at night.

It's important to get her in the habit of falling asleep on her own. If you rocked or breastfed your baby to sleep, this may take time, but try this when she is still a baby, ideally before or at around 9 months old.

The following tips will help her recognise it's time to sleep:

Establish a pre-bedtime routine such as dinner, bath and milk then storytime.

Set a time when your baby goes to bed.

Don't spend too long putting your child to bed – set a time limit if necessary.

Sing a lullaby.

Tuck her in, kiss her goodnight and leave quietly.

Leave a light on if your baby is frightened of the dark.

Settle your little one back with the minimum of fuss: keep the lights low, talk quietly and try not to stimulate her.

Repeat this routine several times for about a week if she is waking in the night.

If you are breastfeeding, ask your partner to settle her if she wakes up in the night so she cannot smell your milk and demand a feed.

Keep her room cool in hot weather.

If the light keeps her awake, try blackout linings for your curtains and blinds.

If she starts crying once you've left the room resist the urge to go back immediately. She may stop crying on her own. If the crying gets worse after a few minutes, go in with as little fuss as possible, comfort her and leave again.