Many parents struggle every night as they try to get their children to bed. When a baby is first born, she will wake up every 2 to 4 hours for feeding. By three months, babies are typically sleeping for longer stretches through the night. Sometime between six months and a year old, most babies will begin to sleep all night. Once a child enters the toddler years, bedtime often becomes a stressful part of the day for both children and parents.

Many little ones become afraid of the dark or have fears of monsters during early childhood. Children are often afraid they will miss an exciting event if they go to bed. Whatever the reason, a number of parents have trouble putting their little ones to bed on time. Developing a nightly bedtime routine will make things easier, but parents must be consistent and must firmly enforce any new rules.

A number of parents share a room or a bed with their infant and will sometimes continue to allow their young children to sleep with them for a few years. Eventually, all children have to sleep in their own room and parents hope their child will stay in their own bed until morning. Creating a room that your child loves is the first step.

Allow your child to help in decorating his room. Choose a bed that he will feel comfortable in. Full size beds may be intimidating to a child who has just left a crib, so a toddler bed may be more appropriate. Let your child help choose the bedding, the colors, and maybe even the placement of the furniture. If your child likes his room and feels comfortable in his bed, he is more likely to sleep there through the night.

At least 30 minutes before bedtime, begin your child’s nightly bedtime routine. A bedtime routine will work best if it is kept simple, but something your child enjoys and looks forward to each day. A warm bath usually helps a child wind down to prepare for sleep. A bedtime story or lullaby can help your child relax as well. Allow your child to choose the toy she will take to bed and tuck her in. If you lie down with her, be sure to get up and leave the room before she falls asleep.

Frequent interruptions and changes in your child’s bedtime routine may make it more difficult to keep her in bed each night. It is important to continue the routine on a nightly basis once you have established it. Once bedtime is easier, it is time to get your child to stay in her bed at night. Many children continue to wake up and cry or come to their parents’ room during the night.

If your child doesn’t want to stay in his room, stay firm and enforce the new rule that he sleeps in his bed all night. Gently walk him back to bed and leave the room. Bending the rules because your child whines or cries will only make the problem worse. If your child is afraid of the dark, a nightlight or soft lamp may be a welcome addition to their room. If monsters are waking her up at night, you may try adding a monster check to your bedtime routine to get rid of anything that may be hiding under the bed.

If bedtime problems persist, a bedside bottle of monster repellent (a spray bottle filled with water) may calm your child. Soft music like Baby Einsteins’ Lullaby Classics CD may help your little one drift off to sleep. Special rewards or stickers may help your child develop a habit of sleeping in his own room as well. Be consistent with your reactions and remain firm with your expectations. It may take time, but your child will soon learn to get himself to sleep.