Leaving a tot to cry in their all in one baby suit may be tough for caring parents, but it is one of the only ways to establish a good sleep routine.

This is according to Dr David Rapoport, director of the NYU Sleep Disorders Centre, who told Market Watch's Diary of a Recession Baby column that getting into a regular pattern of shut-eye is important.

Although the natural urge is to soothe the wailing little one, mothers and fathers must be disciplined and set clear boundaries.

Dr Rapoport told the news provider: "Once you set limits, babies will generally adapt to them after an initial attempt to get as much comforting as they can out of you."

Working parents struggling to get into a routine should utilise the weekends to try out new patterns of sleep or tactics for getting baby to stay down, he added.

According to the NHS, consistency is also the key with helping babies to sleep through the night - reacting to their cries in the same way each night will let a little one know what to expect.ADNFCR-3005-ID-19577917-ADNFCR