My DD has been incredibly active and is a terrible sleeper - we have worked on this lots by having a bedtime routine that helps her to wind down. She is so active, I think she finds it hard to switch off. She is learning and it is easier now that she is older but as a small baby, it was torture!

DS is a little more placid, but I still wouldn't say entirely placid and he is an excellent sleeper and has been since the day he was born. We haven't had to teach him to settle and go to sleep, he naturally just settles himself and goes to sleep when he is ready.

We have always had to have DS in bed by 6.30 -7.00 every night or the tantrums begin. DD would party on till after midnight if we let her. Her stamina is amazing.

I think it is partly genetic and partly environmental. I think you can teach an unsettled sleeper good routines to get their brain ready for sleep and I think if you provide too much of an unsettled environment, a baby that is born knowing how to sleep could probably be unsettled quite quickly. I think the key is to have good routines established and meet your child where they are at.