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If your toddler is hungry, thirsty, or teething, they’ll be much harder to put to bed due to their discomfort. Check that your toddler has eaten a good meal before bedtime and give them something to ease their mouth pain if they’re teething.  For example, you can let the toddler suck on a cold teething ring to help relieve pain in their gums. Many parents give their toddler a small snack before bedtime that’s sugar-free to help them wind down for bed. Another physical factor to consider is whether your toddler is overtired or not tired enough. If this is the case, consider adjusting their bedtime so that they’re getting the appropriate amount of sleep. If your toddler keeps crying or calling you, remind him or her calmly that it’s time for bed. While it can be tempting, avoid giving in to their cries or requests for things like another story or more cuddle time. By continuously reminding your toddler that it’s time for them to go to sleep, they’ll eventually understand and you'll both be sleeping peacefully.  You can be firm yet caring with your toddler by saying, “We already had your bath, put on your pajamas, and read a story. Now it’s time to sleep.” Avoid saying, “Okay, one more book” or “Okay, 10 more minutes of cuddling.” If you do, then your child has essentially won the battle and gotten what they wanted. Instead of rushing right back into the room once you hear your toddler begin to cry, try to wait it out a bit. If you’re listening to their cry and think something might be wrong, you can go back in, but it’s best to let them cry for a little while so they don’t associate crying with you returning to the room.  Waiting 10 minutes helps your toddler learn to comfort themselves instead of relying on you to comfort them. Use your baby monitor to make sure they're safe in their crib. Wait several minutes even if your toddler wakes up crying in the middle of the night. Picking up or cuddling your toddler when they’re crying reinforces their behavior by showing that if they cry, they’ll get your attention. Instead of picking them up out of their bed, help them lay back down and say goodnight. When your toddler wakes up in the middle of the night, it can be tempting to pick them up and comfort them so that you can both go back to sleep faster, but avoid doing this as it ultimately won't help your toddler. Instead, help them lay down and give them their soothing item, such as a pacifier or favorite teddy bear. Say, "It's time to sleep." If you want to, pat your toddler on the back and making calming sounds, like "shhh" or "it's okay." Tell your toddler that it’s time for bed and they need to go to sleep now. Do this in a calm, soothing voice, make sure they have everything they need, and then leave the room. Try to do this quickly so as not to spend too much time with your toddler.  If your toddler seems anxious that you’re leaving, tell them you’ll check on them every 10 or 15 minutes until they fall asleep. Check to see that they have any blankets, stuffed animals, or other items that they may need or have lost before leaving the room. If your toddler starts crying again once you leave the room after tucking them back in or in the middle of the night, wait another 10 minutes before going back into the bedroom. If they haven't stopped crying and you go back in, calmly reassure them again and tuck them back into bed without picking them up.  Do this as many times as necessary until your toddler successfully goes to bed—it may take some time, but don't give up as each time will help your toddler understand what they should be doing. You may get very tired of the process, but stick with it. Over time, it will help your child go to bed more easily. Even if you follow all the steps to prepare for a peaceful bedtime routine, your toddler may sometimes cry and refuse to go to sleep. If you get upset or angry, your child will pick up on those emotions, and the battle will escalate. However, if you maintain a low voice and a calm, matter-of-fact attitude, your child will be more likely to stay calm. Take a few deep, calming breaths if you feel yourself getting overwhelmed or frustrated as you’re trying to get your toddler to sleep.
Make sure the toddler isn’t crying due to a physical factor. Be consistent and firm when putting your toddler to sleep. Wait 10 minutes before returning to the room if they’re crying. Avoid picking the toddler up from their bed to comfort them. Reassure the toddler calmly and then leave the room. Repeat the process until the child falls asleep. Stay calm if you get frustrated.