How to transfer 2yr old to her bed instead of mommy's bed?

Question

My other two kids never wanted to sleep in the same bed let alone the same room..I even went out and got her and her sister a bunk bed set and she would be on the bottom bunk. Got the sides so she can't fall out...I've tried putting her in it after she has fallen asleep, but by morning she's in bed with me...I have 3 kids total and I spend all my time with them xcept when they are sleepn - cause I need a break from time to time...Just wantting some idea's to try so if you all don't mind can you help me out? Thanks

Answer 1

It's going to be tough! The trick is to get her to fall asleep in her own bed. If you let her fall sleep with you, when she wakes up she expects to be next to you and she's not! So, of course she goes looking for you. You will just have to keep putting her back in her bed over and over. Maybe start a bedtime ritual that includes her sister since they're bunkmates. Get them flashlights or something silly they can share together for a few minutes before going to sleep.

Two year old's are incredibly stubborn, so don't give up!

Answer 2

This can be a tough one. If they love sleeping with mommy it can take long time. It might help to find out what the need is.
Is it to be close to mommy, doesn't like her bed, dislike of being alone, likes the sound of someone breathing near by.
You mentioned that you tried putting her in the room with her sister. So my guess is, she wants to be close to mommy. Try to find out if she is getting up to go to the bathroom and moving into your your room, waking from a dream, a noise or falling out of bed.
If she has a lovey or blanket, you could try getting you scent on it, a perfume, or hold it in your hands after you use your favorite lotion. Invest in a warm, snuggly blanket, or a night light if you haven't already.
I used let my now 3 year old fall asleep in my bed and I put her in her own bed before I climbed in. That was because she wouldn't let her sisters go to sleep. She got used to it.
I continued to move her for quite awhile, and she would find her way back sometimes. I found giving her special time during the day, doing something together but not her sisters helped some. Reading or singing, whatever you both like. This can be hard when you have others needing your attention too.
I understand about needing a break, too. Perhaps, if it is at all possible, you could enlist some help, and have a Calgon take me a way time for yourself. It is okay to give time to yourself.

Answer 3

Always put her to sleep in her own bed, waiting until she's asleep then moving her there will never work in the long run.

If she comes to your room in the night, explain that she can climb in for a quick cuddle, and then she goes back to her own bed. Often this satisfies their need for reassurance without her actually sleeping with you. At two, she will understand this if you are consistent with it. I found it really effective.

Another idea is you can make her a spare bed in your room for her to use if she wants to. Just a pallet and blankets on the floor - if it's carpeted - will be fine. It won't be as comfortable as her own bed, and she will work that out; again, she gets the comfort of being near you, and given time she will prefer her own bed. It's no trouble to have her 'in-case' bed in your room, just don't make it as comfortable as her real bed.

Good luck.

Answer 4

I read somewhere that it's normal and healthy for children to co-sleep with their parents until they are ready to go into their own bed (normally, willingly, on their own between the ages of 2-4). But, I can totally understand your wanting your own space and time to yourself.

Perhaps sitting next to her bed while she lays down and falls asleep (so that she's aware of the fact that she's going to be sleeping in her own bed and doesn't just wake up in the middle of the night frightened and wondering where Mommy is). Or you could lay down with her until she falls asleep.

Tough one! I know how persistent a little one can be when they want to be in your bed with you. But it should hopefully be of some comfort to you that it should be no time before she'll desire to sleep in her own bed all on her own... without you having to force the issue.

Best of luck!

Answer 5

As mean as it sounds, my son was put in his own crib in his own room at 5 weeks old. With one exception over the past almost 3 years, he's never slept in out bed (the exception being one day he was very sick). It's just the rules of the house.

Answer 6

She will eventually STOP climbing into bed with you...my son is almost 3 and he REFUSES to fall asleep in his big boy bed (twin size) so my husband and I let him fall asleep at the end of our bed while watching whatever he wants...THEN when he's asleep..I transfer him to his own bed...SOME nights he stays in his own bed and others he wants me to sleep with him...so we lay on the couch...BUT~ once they get used to sleeping in their bed ~ AND I do this daily... when he comes out of his room...I say to him...YOU ARE SUCH A BIG BOY...sleeping in your OWN bed...and he smiles and jumps back into bed and pretends to be sleeping....but just give her time...she's the baby?! And she just needs her mommy!! Be glad..cause that time flies by quickly!!!

Answer 7

this is what i did with my daughter.
i got a crib when she was 5 months.
then after her night feed she used to sleep. slowy i moved the crib away from my bed.
slowly to her room.
now too she loves to sleep with me.
but the rule is afternoon nap in mammas bed, night in the crib in her room.
i dont know if its too late to try this
but try the afternoon nap trick.
all the best