How do I convince my toddler to sleep in his bunk beds all night, he is scared.?

Question

My son is 3 1/2 and recently got new bunkbeds in his room. His toddler bed was small and cozy. Now he has 2 big beds in his room. He does not like sleeping alone in his room anymore. (he has been doing that since he was 6 months old) We started a sticker calendar to reward him when he slept all night in his bed, but he still begs us to sleep with him. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

YOU MUST NOT CONVINCE THEM YOU MUST LISTEN TO THEM AND DO. My childern were the same we purchased bunk beds, however i realised that these are actually over powering objects to toddlers thus they refused to sleep in them and begged us to sleep with them, so i seperated the bunk beds and used them as single beds, now remember bringing life to this world is an amazing thing and this must be DONE with pure love towards that life for at least 18yrs and if your toddler is beggging you to sleep with him/her then this must be done time must be given to childern FIRST, adults needs can wait, lie with them as if you are ready for bed them read a story watch a good movie ie Lion King Finding Nemo talk to them in a nice way with nice tones,( we must have watched these hundereds of times these movies show love belonging, FAMILY,or let them talk to you,while cuddling up to u. (the mind of a toddler is still growing its cells banking up to connect to each other therefore a whole host of things are ticking away they will see/hear things which they will not be able to explain to an adult). All along responding to them in a Loving reassurring way, the senses of touch,sight,smell,sound build a strong bond between parents and child, this is apparant in the wounderful world of mother nature, take for example the Manitis, Gorillas, Dolphins Whales, in a Pride of Lions and especailly the Elephants. The more time you can give to your toddler the better they will grow up to be nice caring loving people and extremly intelligent.
ONE thing you should know the child will fall sleep quickly if you are prepared to give them this part of your time,the do need it once the are a sleep u can gentle sneak out of the room while they sleep snuggly, it is also best to fit a tiny night light in the room this will radiate a gentle warm glow in the room, giving the child security and never shut the door of their room always leave slightly a jar. THIS WORKS but your childern and family must come first the rewards are amazing and the bond the is built is unbelieveable. try and enjoy. Good Luck

Answer 2

I think it depends on the children. I can't say I would put them in a toddler bed, the weight limit on most only goes up high enough for a 4 year old so that might be a waste of money. Is there room for 2 twin size beds? I can tell you this. At age 2 1/2 my oldest was sleeping in a loft type bed (like a bunk bed without the bottom bunk, it has a fort type area underneath). He's still in it at 4 1/2 and has never once fallen out or had any problems at all. It does have a tent over the top of it so that would help prevent him from falling. But, he does not move at all when he sleeps; he is a VERY deep sleeper. I have an 18 month old and there is no way he will be going in that bed until close to age 4 (at least), he moves around all night long. I think that is a big factor when considering a bunk bed for a young child.

Answer 3

One of my twin boys went through a stage where he wouldn't sleep in his room because he was afraid of it. I dicovered it was the large, dark stained furniture that scared him. I wound up buying him a new white bedroom set with smaller and fewer pieces. I know this is probably not an option if you just bought the bunk beds but maybe you can paint it a lighter color or drape a white sheet over darker furniture but make sure you secure it so it dosn't flap which could scare him. Also you don't want him to pull it down every time he sees it. Before you do anything though you may want to just ask him what in particular scares him about his room and look around yourself at night. Sometimes those cute animals look frightening at night especially if a night light casts a shadow on the wall. Good luck.

Answer 4

I wouldn't recommend staying with him til he falls asleep. That can become a problem if you and hubby need time together, and he's jumpin up everytime you try to get away. If he likes superman, or spiderman, or some other type hero, try getting him bedding and stuffed animals of the character. Sometimes ya just gotta think like a kid. He may feel less scared if Superman is around, ya dig? My son sleeps with Batman, Superman, or sometimes just settles for the teddy. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

I know it sounds rough, but I went through this with my son (4 rs old) We just toughed it out for about 3 nights. He would cry for about 30 mins when we put hime down, but after the three nights, he was fine again. We also tried reading with him for about 15 mins before bed in his new room too.
Also, try new sheets, like cool dinosaurs or something he really likes. That will make his bed seem cool to sleep in. Good Luck!

Answer 6

don't try the "sleep with him until he leaves" trick. When I was little, my mom did that, I would always wake in the middle of the night, be scared out of my mind cause my mind would think up scary halucinations, and I would end up running to my mom and dads bed and sleeping there. In my laterr years, until i was 5 or 6, i would sleep with my brother. I would suggest talking to him, seeing why is really scared, and try to make him happy.

Answer 7

I too have a 3 1/2 yr. and belive me I know what you're going through. So, I do this way I stay with him until he falls asleep and leave a night light on so, that way he doesn't get too scared in the dark.

Answer 8

night light, get him new and cool bed sheets. leave the bedroom door a crack open. leave a night light in the hallway, just in case...maybe make up a story for a teddy bear. tell him that the teddy bear that he has can help him sleep; that the same type of bear was given to you by your mother/ great-grandmother (whatever) and that she prayed for the teddy bear to protect you when you were in the room by yourself. SOMETHING. anything to help your baby sleep. good luck

Answer 9

tell him if dont sleep in his bed a night that the bad bad monster will get him and take him away like he did to me when i was little and i found out that my room < my bed > was the safe and fun place of my life

Answer 10

Play some of his favourite songs to drown out any creaks and groans thoughout the house...this may ease his mind for sleeping...explain to him that it's not different than before and try asking him why he's scared to see what he says...