Good ideas for getting a toddler to sleep in her own bed?

Question

My daughter has slept with me ever since she was born, now i've known all along that it would be difficult to get her into her own bed, but does anyone have some good ideas to get her in her own room? She is 23 months old

Answer 1

I went through the same thing! =) What worked for me- was a set routine at the same time everynight. At first I would go lay with her in her own bed until she fell asleep. (if she has a toddler bed you can always lay next to it on the floor and rub her back or hold her hand or something). Then I started staying in less and less time.. we'd read a story and tuck her in- and then I'd tell her I would sit/lay with her for a few minutes (usuaully about 5) and then I would be going. She would be awake when I would go but I would give her a hug and kiss goodnight and tell her I would come check on her in 15 minutes. And so in 15 mintues I WOULD CHECK ON HER- she'd be awake and i'd lay with her for another 5 minutes and repeat the process until finally i'd go in and she would be sound asleep. Kids need to knwo you aren't leaving them- so dont tell her you'll come back and then not go back! Eventually (after a few weeks) I would tuck her in and say I'll come check on you in 15 minutes" and when i'd go back in 15 minutes- she would be sound asleep. !!! It's hard at first and time consuming- but it's 324234 times easier now and better for me and her... =)

Answer 2

My Daughter was in a cradle and then a crib, but we just moved her to a toddler bed - she's 26 months old. She doesn't like to sleep in her bed, and she loves the "freedom" of not being stuck in a crib. The only thing that seems to work for her is sitting next to her bed and rubbing her back until she's asleep, or almost asleep. We also emphasize the "big girl bed" a LOT, and that seems to help, because she's proud to be a 'big girl'.

There are still some nights that she comes into our bed, but usually after an hour (or sometimes less) she decides that her bed is better.

I hope this helps....Good Luck!

Answer 3

You're in for a battle, but the key is security. Once she feels comfortable in her room, it'll be easy for her to go to sleep there. Initially you might lay down with her and sneak out when she falls asleep. Don't do this every night though, it's best to just pull up a chair and tell her a bedtime story, you can read one or make up your own. If she comes into your room at night, hopefully you're a light sleeper, you must carry her back to her bed, because she needs to wake up there and after awhile she'll get used to this routine. The most important thing is for you to hold your ground, not sleeping in your bed means not sleeping in your bed period, and toddlers are often confused by rules but especially by rules that aren't applied consistently. Be consistent, be loving and good luck.

Answer 4

Everytime she wakes up and comes to you explain that she is a big girl now and has to sleep in her own bed. Don't put on any lights or talk about anything else. My son didn't sleep in his own bed until he was about 3 1/2 and I found that he liked music played while he was laying in bed. He used to wake up at least 3 times during the night too, so Good Luck! Have patience, eventually she'll realize that she's not gonna get her way and she'll give up.

Answer 5

Buy her a little futon that would go next to your bed, put vibrant colorful bedsheets or one of her favorite cartoon and line up her dolls (if she has some that she holds on to or her 'blankie'). Make sure you do this when she is asleep or playing, being watched by her dad. And all of you could go into the room and say, "Oh look at that! Wow! A pretty bed, so colorful and nice", "Looks like it was made just for you" or whatever you can think of to say excitedly. Tell her you like it and ask her to try it out and see if she likes it too. This whole thing worked with my niece. When she was little older, they even managed to get her to her own room with a bunk bed and so on....

Having said all of the above, once she gets used to her bed, she will sleep in it almost always. On some nights or early mornings if she wants to come cuddle up, let her (they want it once in a while).

Good luck with your baby moving out of your bed! :-)

Answer 6

(In case you haven't tried these things already) I think all childrens' rooms should have a night light. Also, a doodle bear...or some glowing bednight friend should help. I think there are several different ones to choose from. Also, be sure to lay with her for about 5-10 minutes after you get you tucked in. Tell her that only big girls sleep in their own rooms, and you want to help her be a big girl. Be sure to tell her that she can always come to you should she need to (with night lights to guide the way if necessary). Praise her consistently for the time she does spend in her room by herself.

My daughter and I shared a room until about a year ago (she is 9). She still says she'd like us to be in the same room again. My daughter also has a portable CD player and she falls asleep to Enya every night.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Sleep in the bed with her at first for the whole night

then as she gets used to staying in there, its a good idea to leave the room once shes gone to sleep.. if she wakes up in the middle on the night, not to worry because you could then return to her room to rock her back to sleep... after a while she'll be used to sleeping in her own bed! =]

Answer 8

My daughter sleeped in my mattress until eventually she became 18 months yet, under no circumstances has an problem with transitioning. i'd placed him interior the crib regardless of if he cries. i'm particular you neighbor might want to face a pair days of crying. It basically takes them about 5 days to get into the elementary. also do not bypass in his room you want to expose him you're agency in this. it really is more desirable to do it now than later at the same time as the toddler comes and your attempting to attend to both crying youthful ones. I stay in an house progression and my daughter does cry in the time of naps each and every now and then human beings will bang I basically bang decrease back. Like Alyssa's mommy became declaring somewhat one mattress will be a superb theory. basically placed a gate on the door so he does not wander round out if his room.

Answer 9

I have twin girls and what I tried was. Having a bedtime schedule and I have them get p.j.s on and brush their teeth and then read a book. Then I treid to just leave them in their bed with a night light on and door shut that didn't work. So I started to lie on the floor until they were almost a sleep and sneak out. That went on for about a week and then each day got better. You need to know it will take time! Good luck!

Answer 10

I'm having the same problem with my son ... I am incorporating a bed-time routine, along with a prize incentive if he stays all night in his bed for a week (I went to family dollar to get some 'prizes'). The prize approach worked wonders while potty training. Maybe also try playing some music for her to go to sleep to (a lullaby tape or something). Good luck!