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Although it seems counter-intuitive, it is true: sleep begets sleep. A well rested child is a happier child, less prone to toddler tantrums and meltdowns.

Proper night time sleep does begin with proper daytime sleep. By 1 or 1.5 years, your child will probably transition to just 1 nap per day. This is an important part of his daytime, should be nurtured as long as possible. My 2 year old sleeps for 2 hours daily, after lunch, from 1-3 in the afternoon. It is important not to let them sleep too late, as this will adversely affect their nighttime sleep.

A good rest starts with a simple and predictable nighttime routine. You must choose one that works for you. A sample routine includes a bath, a song and/or story, milk, brushing teeth and to bed. This can take as long as 40 minutes with a long bath, or as little as 10 minutes if the bath is skipped. A night time routine sets the stage for bed. The lights should be lower, activity should be quieter. This will help your child wind down before he goes to sleep.

The ideal bedtime for any one toddler does not exist. You must figure out what works for your family. Ideally, though, your toddler should get 10.5 - 12 hours of sleep at night, if he is still napping during the day. So count backwards from when you want him to get up in the morning.

Most toddlers I know go to bed somewhere between 7 and 8 pm. My son goes to bed at 7:30. It's important not to veer too much from your set bedtime - toddlers generally don't adhere to the "sleep in on Saturday" rule if they stay up late. (Wait until they are teenagers for that!)

Overall, a well rested toddler makes for a happy toddler.

Learn more about this author, Naomi E.
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