How do I get my 2-1/2 yr old into his own bed & room?

Question

Since he is our only son (also our miracle baby), we had gotten used to him sleeping with us. Now that he's almost 3, it's uncomfortable for me & my husband to get a good night's sleep (he sleeps just fine). When we put him in his own bed he cries until I go get him (after 2 to 3 hours). Help!

Answer 1

Develop a bedtime ritual with him so he gets used to bedtime...try moving him at night while he's alseep into his own bed so he wakes up there....and if u feel comfortable...ignore his crying...as long as you know he's okay and just upset about the bed....let him cry it out for a bit...

Answer 2

You just have to be really consistent. With my 2 year old, she wanted to sleep with us and I put her in her own bed (after buying her a new bed set and everything!), and she hated it. So I sat in the doorway and let her cry it out. I read a book and never looked at her, but she knew I was there and not abandoning her. The first day it was like hours, or felt like it. The next day she started again and once I sat down in the doorway she got a lot quieter although still fussing. It didn't take long and she was asleep. After that, every time I sat in the doorway she quit fussing and went to sleep.

She is our only girl so it was really hard, so I kind of know where you're coming from. She's not spoiled, but very precious and sometimes hard to discipline. I would rather have held her, but even mommies and daddies need sleep!

Answer 3

I am going through the same thing with my 2 1/2 year old right now. I started letting her sleep in bed with me because my husband works night and I liked the company. What I am doing with her is I started a bed time routine. I give her a bath every night. After bathtime I lay down with her ,in her bed, and read her a story. Then I kiss her good night and tell her it's night night time. She doesn't like sleeping in her bed. She usually cries and gets up, but I am consistent with her. I don't give in. When she gets up I pick her up and put her right back in bed. She eventually gives up and goes to sleep. The key is to be consistent! Even if it takes half of the night. Keeping doing it and after about a week he'll start to adjust and realize that this is his new bed time routine.

Answer 4

Start a bedtime ritual, maybe bath, then read a book and then bed. When you put him to bed, firmly but lovingly tell him that it is his bedtime. Be strong in this, you may have to let him cry himself out for a few nights. I know it's hard but as a parent, you need a good night's sleep. If he gets up, take him back to his bed and again tell him goodnight and you love him. I'd start something like this on the weekend if you don't have to work. That way you don't have to worry about getting up for work the next day and you can devote more time to helping him adjust.

Answer 5

You definitely need to get him sleeping in his own bed. I would create a fun, but calming bedtime ritual, such as a story or something. Then you need to tell him that he is going to sleep in his own bed from now on. Chances are, he will get up and come to your bed numerous times and will cry and throw fits about this, but the most important thing you need to do is calmly get up, take him back to his bed and walk away. Do not talk to him or reason with him or comfort him, just put him back to bed and leave the room. If you are consistant, he will learn that getting out of bed and going into yours will only end up with you putting him back in his own bed and then he will eventually stop. Be prepared for him to make it hard for you. You have to be tough and firm. You can do it!

Answer 6

You have given him a bad habit there so it really about changing habit now. You are going to be firm here. Crying is nothing but don't give in to him. He know that when he cries he get his own way. Make a ruke you read a story and after that it light out and sleep now. If you don't he never get into the habit at all. Best of luck

Answer 7

Oh, I'm so unfit to answer this question! I did the same thing. I had to create a whole bedtime ritual for my son. Lullaby tapes help, and a bedtime story, then sometimes I would have to lie there in his bed till he fell asleep, rubbing his back. Make a big deal out of his room- make it a place he likes to be. Gradually, it worked out for us. Start early enough each night so it won't make your spouse feel neglected. If I started too late, I would fall asleep in my son's bed- I was always exhausted anyway. Good luck.

Answer 8

I am not encouraging any one to do this but, there is an old Indian (Native American) technique for dealing with a crying baby. I think the Sioux use to do this. Place baby in papoose and hang papoose from tree branch. Wait not far from baby but out of sight. After sometime baby will quit crying, then whole tribe will be happy.

Answer 9

Unfortunately, he will need to cry himself to sleep for now and he will eventually learn to accept his own bed and own room. This will tear your heart up but it will work. If you have to, put him to bed in his room and sleep on the floor with him until he goes to sleep (my cousin did this and it worked after a few weeks).

Answer 10

I had that problem. I am not sure how I did it, I talked to my son alot about sleeping in his own big boy bed. Before going to bed.