How can I help my toddler to sleep?

By now you've probably found the right combination - like a warm bath and a bedtime story - that helps relax your child. Stay with it now. Don't let it get overly long. That backrub that seems like a treat now may not be so appealing when it's demanded night after night for longer and longer periods. Decide how many drinks of water you'll allow and how many times you'll retrieve the toy that's thrown out of the crib in defiance of bedtime. Get used to setting the rules and sticking to them. This not only helps him get more sleep now, but also helps you later if other, more serious discipline problems arise.

If he wakes in the middle of the night, quietly and quickly provide reassurance that everything is OK and you are close by. Too much interaction can backfire, so keep your night time 'visits' brief and boring for him.

If you are faced with a child who rises early, make sure sunlight doesn't wake him by keeping curtains or blinds closed. Try putting a few safe toys in the crib - they may keep him busy in the morning. And always try to go into his bedroom to greet him with warm hugs and cuddles to start the day at  a regular time that  you set not your baby.

Good luck and enjoy your little one with a better and happier sleep routine.