Toddlers will be needing less and less sleep throughout the day.  Say goodbye to short naps for you as well.  However, they’re likely to require up to 11 hours of respite at night - a normal sleep schedule at last.

If your child refuses to go to bed unless you’re in the room with him, work on changing it now rather than later.  It can become a habit that will prove difficult to discard at a later age.

One of the best lessons you can teach your 1 to 2 year old will be the skill of soothing themselves to sleep. Use a nightly bedtime ritual to get them used to a regular routine that leads to peaceful slumber.  Giving them a warm bath, reading a few pages of a story, a glass of milk and tucking them in is a good 30 minute routine your child can both get used to and enjoy.

Always tell your toddler that if they stay in bed, you’ll return five minutes later to check. Assure their safety and let them know you’re nearby.

Toddlers are great negotiators, and they’re no different when it comes to bedtime. Because they so enjoy the time they spend with you, they’ll do what they can to prolong your time together. If you suspect he’s stalling, don’t let him. Tell him it’s time for bed and that you can both finish building the model boat or find the stuffed microbe the following morning.  Make the nighttime routine more “business like” when you kiss your baby and tuck them in.  Get up and close the door behind you but do wait a few minutes before retiring yourself.

Enjoy some of the best days of you and your baby’s life.