As your toddler starts becoming more and more independent and doing so many things for himself, it's tempting to think of him as "beyond babyhood." But keep in mind that he still has many of the same needs he had as a baby. He still needs a lot of attention, a lot of cuddling, and a lot of sleep. Toddlers need between 12 and 14 hours of sleep in total, usually 11 to 12 hours at night and another one to three hours during the day. If you regularly have to wake your toddler in the morning, it could be a sign that he or she isn't getting enough sleep.
Most toddlers will have learned to sleep through the night, although change and stressful events (a trip or illness, for example) can cause temporary setbacks. Switching your toddler from the crib to a bed at too early an age may also be disruptive and cause a setback. You may want to wait until your toddler is almost three years old before switching to a "big kid" bed.
