Getting your baby to crib and sleep peacefully is often a challenge. To ensure he gets the sleep he needs to be healthy and happy, stick to a bedtime routine that soothes them to sleep while strengthening the bond between you.

When your child starts to become more independent and does a lot of things on his own, it's easy to think he's "beyond infancy." But remember, he still has many of the same needs as a baby. He still needs a lot of attention, a lot of hugs and a lot of sleep. In fact, toddlers need 12 to 14 hours of sleep in total, typically 11 to 12 hours at night and another 1 to 3 hours during the day.

sleep time and your toddler

While most young children have learned to sleep well through the night, changes and stressful events, such as changing from a crib to a regular bed at a too early age, travel or illness can cause temporary setbacks.

To make sure your toddler is getting the rest and sleep he needs, follow these sleep timing tips:

Set a regular sleep schedule for naps and bedtime (avoid naps in the late afternoon)

Establish a 20- to 45-minute nighttime routine to help him relax

Provides a soothing environment that is dim, cool and quiet

When going to bed, your child should be sleepy but awake.

Keep his favorite nighttime activities until the end

Create a nightly routine

A bedtime routine will help your toddler become sleepy and signal it's time to relax and get ready for bed. Make sure you're consistent and follow the same pattern every night. If your child knows what's going to happen next, he will feel more at ease. Also, make sure his bedtime routine is always oriented in the same direction - the bed.