what's the best, non-cry-it-out way to get a toddler to sleep through the night?

Answers:
Make sure the little one is not hungry or thirsty. Create a routine that you will follow every night. It doesn't even have to be elaborate. I tell my daughter, ok in 5 minutes we're going to get ready for bed. Then remind her every minute we're going to be getting ready for bed. Then we take our last drink, brush her teeth, put on P.J's and I give her a big hug, lay her in bed, whisper about what a good day I had with her, how I love her, how tomorrow we're going to have even more fun and I leave.

So in the beginning she cries and I go back and say, "Ok, I'm going to sit with you until you fall asleep." I hold her hand and do not talk or make eye contact, or be interesting in any way. After a minute or two I say something like, "I'll be right back, baby, I have to go check on the laundry" or whatever silly excuse and leave the room but I really do go back within a minute. And I sit there again for a few and come up with another "I'll be right back" excuse; each time stretching the time I'm gone a little longer. Over about a week her willingness to wait for me to come back without crying grew longer and longer. Now I don't have to go back in except on a rare occassion (comapny is over, big day, sick, etc.), but when I do she really falls asleep within a few minutes because she has learned to trust that I WILL come back. Even rarer I sit with her but it never takes her longer than 5 ot 10 minutes to drift off

Not every kid adapts so well. However,this IS the same baby who literally would cry from 9pm to 6:30am without stopping until someone got her. Now at 16months sleeps alone. I did my penance in her infancy, but now am pleasantly SUPRISED that she sleeps alone so easily!

Also if it is fear of the dark you could try the light-up bear I found at wal-mart and bought for my daughter. Press the hand and it lights up and changes color for 30 min! It does not make any noise so it is perfect for a bedtime companion. (if interested I suggest stocking up because they are going to be making more but the new models will make sounds which I think will ruin it as a bed time thing, but I digress) They were $17.95 at x-mas time.

One last thing is to make sure that you set aside time each evening to do nothing but pay attention to your toddler. It's really easy to overlook how often we get interuppted by the tv, other kids, phone, etc. and don't really provide our kids with as much undivided attention as we think we do. I notice that my daughter wakes repeatedly on nights where I haven't been able to be as available to her as I should. Even negative attention is attention to a toddler so try to set aside special time with him/her and really refrain from letting your little one know how frustrated or angry it makes you when you're getting out of bed for the 5th time tonight. LOL I know what those sleepless nights can do to you, so keep your head up and be strong. Even if I don't have the miracle answer that you're looking for I'm sure you will find one, good luck!

Other Answers:
try giving them a good warm bath beforebedtime

it also helps if you feed them a full meal right before bedtime. this is what i try to do for my 1&1/2 yr old every night. works really well if he's truly full. kinda like how you feel after thanksgiving.
Source(s):
experience

You MUST have a boring-to-you, comforting-to-her ROUTINE! It should consist of 3 to 5 distinct steps. For instance, start at 7:20 on the DOT and SHOW her the clock. TELL her it is half an hour until bedtime and remind her of the next three steps. "We are going to get your pajamas. Then we will have some milk-and-cookies. Then I will read to you for ten minutes." Then DO it. This is the only way to get it done... It will take less than ten days to 'imprint' and you will never have another problem!~
Source(s):
My source is my life: three grown boys!

a schedule is a great way my daughter knows the lights in the house are off at 9 the news is on and as soon as the weather man is done talking its time for bed

With my kids I would give them a warm bubble bath and then dress them in their pajamas. Then I would sit them on my lap in a chair in their room and comb their hair and read to them. After a while they start to doze off a little and then I would tuck them into bed and sing them a lullaby.

If that doesn't work, you can always try giving your child some chocolate and have him/her run around until it wears off and they get so tired that they can barely stand :P (Of course, take that lightly. lol.)

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what's the best, non-cry-it-out way to get a toddler to sleep through the night?

Pregnancy & Parenting