An October, 2006 Sleep article explains that behavioral therapies, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), can be an effective means of dealing with children’s bedtime problems and nighttime awakenings. 

"The results indicate that behavioral therapies produce reliable and durable changes in bedtime problems and night wakings in infants and children," study author Jodi A. Mindell, of St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, said in a prepared statement. "Across all studies, 94% report that behavioral interventions produced clinically significant improvements in bedtime problems and/or night wakings," Mindell said. "Approximately 82 percent of children benefit from treatment, and the majority maintain these results for three to six months." Mindell also noted that previous research has shown that 20-30% of young children have significant bedtime problems and/or night awakenings.

For parents of children with bedtime problems, the AASM suggests the following:

- Maintain a consistent bedtime routine. Set aside 10 to 30 minutes each night to help your child get ready to go to sleep.

- Establish a relaxing setting at bedtime.

- Interact with your child at bedtime -- no TV, computer, or video games.

- Don't let infants fall asleep while they're being held, rocked, fed a bottle, or nursed.

- No foods or drinks that contain caffeine or (if possible) medicines that contain stimulants (decongestants, cough medicines) at bedtime.

Experts advise that children get the following amount of sleep:

Infants (3 to 11 months): 14 to 15 hours per night

Toddlers: 12 to 14 hours

Preschoolers: 11 to 13 hours

School: age children: 10 to 11 hours