Should we move to a big girl bed?

Question

We have an 18 month old daughter who's started having horrible problems sleeping through the night. She's still in her crib because she hasn't shown any need to be out of it. But now she is having the hardest time sleeping through the night and we do usually try to let her be for a bit before getting her up but lately she's been inconsolable. She calms down when I take her into our bed but when I try to move her back (it's not baby proof and I still have chores) she wakes and starts the fit all over again. Is she happier in our bed because it's our bed or because she has more room to sprawl? She's a tall girl. I'm really at my wits end here because no one in our house is sleeping well anymore and I just don't know what to do. She can't just stay in our room but she screams like she's dying when she's put back into the crib. She doesn't initially scream at bedtime though. Advice please?

Answer 1

Alot of kids at that age throw tantrums and want to sleep with you in your bed which can be fun but can also become hard between you and hubby. If you have a single bed... and has the side guard on why not try and put her in the bed during naps and then ease her into being in it at night. Has she got a night light? Also try praising her saying she is a big girl for sleeping in the big bed. If she does have the need to be near you both then move the cot matress in your room but away from your bed. Alot of my family and friends have used this method as they are with you but not in your bed. Good luck

Answer 2

I don't think it's the bed, it's being with you. She doesn't want to be alone. Try a night light in her room. If you do choose a bed, get a youth bed...it has rails half way down the side so she won't fall out. They usually can use the crib mattress you already have. There may be another reason and I don't know your feelings on this but I've seen it work. Have the room blessed by a clergyman or a shaman, what ever your beliefs are. My husband's neice went through the same thing. She would scream and not want to sleep in the room. He blessed the room and house and there was never a problem again.

Answer 3

we have had the same problems and with perseverance my daughter is sleeping in her own bed in her own room now. we attached a guard rail and this is used for one of the bribes/rewards. If she is a big girl and sleeps in her own bed or initially stays in her own bed for a while (whilst reading stories etc) she gets a star sticker on the barrier. the other thing was talking about what you will do as a reward when they have slept, when they wake in the morning or after a nap, like going to a park etc. good luck. it's not easy. sleep deprivation is one of the hardest things to battle and why we all give in in the end. now if we could only get her 9 month old sister to sleep through the night!

Answer 4

Oh this is definately about sleeping with mommy...not an issue with her crib itself. Hey, you can move her to a big girl bed if you want, but I myself would keep her in the crib as long as possible. Moving baby to a bed is usually a cause of some sleep problems, so you will most likely have issues stemming from that. Not to mention the middle of the night exploring she most likely will do.

Answer 5

A big girl bed might help for awhile, but you are opening up a whole new issue. New sleep environment, freedom to get up, and manipulation.

I think everyone one of my kdis went through this at about this age. We comforted them, layed them back down, and went back to our bed. We made the mistake with the first one of bringing her to our bed (which can be 'cute' for a night, but after that it's a pain!)

Personally, I would hold on to that crib until she was older and work on helping her with her sleep training more than anything. Analyze her nap and bedtime, and see if perhaps she is sleeping too much in the day time. Also, kids at this age tend to be in a growth spurt - maybe she needs an evening snack to help her get through the night.

Just be happy in the thought that very few college students sleep with their parents lol . This like all the struggles of raising children is a phase. Just don't set her up in bad habits out of convienence. Once they are established they are very hard to break.

Answer 6

my daughter is 3 1/2 and still sneaks in our bed.. it is never ending.. i got her the toddler bed and she loved it for a while.. but it also gave her freedom to be up at night and play and we would catch her all the time.. so now she still sneaks in our bed around 3 am every night.. and we marched her back for a long time.. she is having seperation anxiety now.. so i am going thru the same thing.. now i am worried to move her to a twin bed.. to help her get a good n ites sleep cuz the doctor said the crib mattress is crappy.. and crinkles when she moves around where ours is cloth and is more comfortable.. i dont know girl.. think on that one.. and good luck

Answer 7

many ideas!! try having soothing music playing during all sleep periods, let her have a security blanket that is a piece of you. Sleep with it in your bed first. Also try a big girl bed let her be part of the decsions process of sheets and the bedding. Don;t waste your money of a toddler bed. Use bed rails. Saftey first makes a great bed rail.

try placng stars on her ceiling, and make the bedroom area her;s with her input as to what makes her feel special. If she likes pink or a favourite book. Lay with her in her bed as opposed to her coming to you in your bed.

Answer 8

I would put her in a big bed and the problem is not you! she may not be comfortable anymore. My son was like your daughter and as soon as i put him in a bed(he was 14 months) he slept through the night and has done so ever since.(now 2 1/2) give it a go. Its worth a shot. Just get a bed rail.