The most important thing to remember for getting your toddler to sleep is to establish a routine and stick to it. During the day, when your toddler is not napping, he or she will have lots of energy. You want to keep your toddler busy and active, maybe at the playground, to burn off some of that energy. That will help your toddler sleep soundly at night.

It is best to establish an early bedtime. Any time between 6:30 and 7:30 is ideal. You may find your toddler gets fussy around this time of the day, and this may be because he or she is tired and ready for bed. By putting your toddler to bed at this seemingly early hour, he or she will actually sleep for longer periods, so you won't have to worry about being woken up early in the morning.

To help your toddler get to sleep, it helps to have a relaxing routine before bed. Warm baths are an excellent way to relax, and reading a bedtime story is also a good idea. Try to do things in the same order, as toddlers like predictability because it makes them feel secure. You also want to make sure your toddler's room and the surrounding area are quiet, comfortable and relaxing. Make sure the mattress is comfortable, whether your toddler is still in a crib or has graduated to a bed, and also make sure the pillow and blankets are comfortable, and appropriate for the time of year. Try to avoid really bright colors in the room which make it difficult to relax. Keep the room dark when your toddler is sleeping, except for a night light if your toddler prefers a small amount of light in the room.

If your toddler is having trouble getting to sleep in the evening, it could be because his or her last nap is too close to bedtime, or the naps are too long. As your toddler ages, the need to sleep during the day declines, so keep that in mind and try to avoid excess nap time. Although it is rare, some toddlers may not even need a nap during the day, each child is different. If your toddler wakes up in the night and wants to sleep with you in your bed, you need to break this habit, unless you want to be cosleeping for years. Maybe what your child needs is a few good friends in the form of stuffed animals. This will help your toddler feel that he or she is not alone when drifting off to sleep, which is comforting to many toddlers.

Some parents prefer cosleeping (sharing a bed) with their toddlers. While this can be a good thing, keep in mind that it can also interfere with having a good sex life, having "me" time and this arrangement can be difficult to put an end to. You may find yourself with a 5 year old still wanting to sleep in your bed! If you know about the pitfalls, and still want to cosleep, that's fine, and there are several doctors who actually recommend it, claiming it helps parents establish a closer bond with their children.