Try to remember that sleep routines, like all daily routines, are a matter of habit, and that older babies are especially physically active because they are becoming more interested in mobility and movement and less on just using their eyes and hands to learn about their environment, their home.

All babies and toddlers need 12 hours of rest and sleep daily, and, as they start walking, they will do other things less often and spend more of their energy on using their legs and arms to propel themselves to interesting places. They are in a state of discovery and curiosity. They also don't like long separations from the people and the caregivers who whom they are attached, so remember that they will venture out from you and then retreat into your space constantly, in order to get reassurance that you are right there and are taking care of them.

Some babies don't sleep much; she may have elements of your temperament and disposition, but that doesn't mean she doesn't need rest, to let go of other activities, to do quiet activities, or time to just babble and talk to herself. Your little girl needs to know how to regulate herself, to learn to be alone and entertain herself, and to have fun on her own every day in a consistent way. This is a habit she needs to acquire.

Many parents don't realize this need that older babies have, so they move to quickly to do things for the child and basically overprotect her to the point that they never play alone, eat by taking food literally in their own hands, or other activities that teach them they can manage to do things without too much interference.

Try setting a schedule for your little girl that allows her time to play quietly alone or rest or sleep three times a day. Babies need to be put to bed for their long night's sleep by seven or eight PM, and should only eat three times a day plus perhaps a bottle later in the evening, if your pediatrician thinks she needs the comfort or nutrition of additional milk. Never leave food or a bottle in bed with an older baby for safety reasons and because babies can become over-milked, and the stomach can become habitually distended.

Try a morning nap or rest period late in the morning, if she plays happily and she is not crying over little things or acting "crabby." It would be better to have her morning nap earlier in the morning, if she were at all irritable. Breakfast food (she can have her own finger table food, along with food you feed her from jars) should be provided soon after she gets up, before she starts to play. Her second nap, or rest time usually is most beneficial right after lunch, lunchtime is a signal or reminder that it's time to take a break from playing.

Remember, get her in bed for the night at a reasonable hour, and stick to it, even if she cries and complains for a few weeks. Gradually ease her into the change, if she now stays up later that 8 PM, by having a 45 minute, fun pre-bed routine, which includes a bath, a few stories, a song, cuddling and turning the light out herself, or other little things that please her, but avoid rough or noisy play. She can take stuffed animals, books and other favorite items to bed in her crib with her, then you can retrieve them later when she is asleep or you get her up to give her a bottle.

Make the late evening bottle a time to take comfort and nourishment, but avoid talking much or playing- just feed her, and put her straight back down to sleep. Make your voice sound definite, and be firm about the routine. Researchers like myself are also aware that too much light in her room prevents babies from drifting into deep sleep, and this may be one reason why active babies wake up during the night. Limit any night light to a small one behind or to the near side of her crib, so that light softens, but does not brighten the room.

Always read to her before you put her down for any rest, sleep or nap times. Very active children become used to listening and relaxing as they hear a story, or just listen to a story or song that your make up. If she doesn't enjoy this activity, do it anyway and get her in the habit-just make it short!

Your child should be weaned to a cup and enjoying some simple table foods by 9 or 10 months, because she will enjoy the active role of eating some things on her own. She sounds to me like she does not need baby food much longer, since she is a very busy, curious person, who probably like to imitate adults already.

Your child should eat with the family, so she can learn how to enjoy the sociability of eating, as part of a group, and to enjoy food as a social experience. Give her variety of foods and just a few bites or each food - if she doesn't like a certain food, don't give up, just say ' "we'll try that again next week, and maybe you'll like it better." The reason I talk about food, and sleep in the same breath is that they are both routines and habits that can either be good behaviors, which make family life pleasurable, or they become very destructive problems. You want to start good habits early - very early.

Research shows that sleep deprivation is becoming a major problem associated with stress in young children's lives around the world, and parents have a responsibility to reduce the areas of stress in their children's lives so that there is less yelling, hitting and maltreatment of children in every country.

I work with families around the globe, doing workshops, conducting parent education sessions and writing curricula for child care, preschools and early intervention and schools. I have the background to understand cultural preferences in other countries, and I am most concerned about parents and family members who have difficult and long daily schedules and may not be taking the time to establish good habits early enough. The result is that many parents end up yelling, and hitting because their children do not cooperate, yet they haven't taken the time to teach them good cooperative eating and sleeping behaviors.