Dr Rundle's checklist for a parent wanting an unbroken night for both child and parents.

• Check the baby is thriving with your health visitor or GP.
• Start by establishing a daytime pattern. Decide on a timetable for the baby feeding, waking and sleeping. Expect babies to have one or preferably two sleeps each day. Gradually extend the sleep and relaxation time - if the baby screams constantly, you may do it for 30 minutes, then longer next time.
• Keep yourself busy when the baby cries rather than watch and worry.
• Progress to establishing a night-time pattern after a week of reorganising the child's daytime sleep routine. Again, decide on a pattern - where the baby sleeps, how long, whether you include night-time feeding, and how often you are going to check the baby.
• Do not reward the baby for waking up - no cuddles, food, smiles or visits to the parents' bed. Be consistent - either leave the baby to cry or reassure every few minutes. However if you are feeling vulnerable, it is probably better to reward your baby immediately than reward the baby for three hours of screaming, thereby making the problem worse.