The nurse is educating the caregivers of an 8-month-old infant who has frequent nighttime awakenings and difficulty falling asleep. Which recommendation should the nurse prioritize to improve the infant's sleep patterns?

A. "Establish a consistent bedtime routine and ensure the infant sleeps on their back in a safe sleep environment.": Consistency in bedtime routines helps infants anticipate sleep, promoting longer and more restorative sleep. Placing the infant on their back in a safe sleep environment reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) while supporting healthy sleep patterns. B. "Encourage the infant to sleep in the caregivers' bed to reduce anxiety and improve sleep duration.": Bedsharing increases the risk of SIDS and is not recommended for infants under 1 year old. Independent sleep in a safe sleep environment is preferred to promote safety and self-soothing skills. C. "Avoid daytime naps to increase sleep pressure and ensure the infant sleeps longer at night.": Restricting naps can lead to overtiredness, making it harder for the infant to fall asleep and stay asleep. Age-appropriate naps support healthy development and nighttime sleep regulation. D. "When the baby is crying, you should rush in to help comfort them and then put them back to bed.": While responding to distress is important, immediately rushing in every time may prevent the infant from developing self-soothing abilities. Gradual, consistent approaches are recommended to improve independent sleep.