how do i get my toddler to fall asleep in his bed on his own?

Question

i tried the technique where i put him in the bed and every time he comes out of his room, i carry him back to his bed without saying anything to him. This soon became a game for him and he actually enjoyed it. Then i started getting firm with him and commanding him to stay in his bed. Now he cries nonstop for hours until he falls asleep AND wakes up in the middle of the night crying and wont go back to sleep for 3 or 4 hours. So Im so sleep deprived and im desperate to get him to sleep.

Answer 1

My son did this for SOOO long. What we had to start to do was lay down with him in his own bed and when he fell asleep, then we would come back to our own bed. It still took awile before he didn't wake up in the middle of the night and come back to our bed...but it was the only way he would stay in his bed. Even now and he is 4, he still comes to our bed every once and a while. If just takes time. Good Luck and just give him/her alot of reinforcement when he/she stays in the bed.

Answer 2

My first response is to ask why he needs to be in his own bed, all alone, at such a young age... He is still a BABY!! My kids slept with me for as long as they needed, and amazingly, all on their own, they ended up right in their beds where they belonged when they were ready. And the transition was not a nightmare, because they felt safe and confident. And no, they were not 4-5 years old - it was much ,much sooner! If you don't want them in your bed, you could get a sleeping bag or little cot to put near your bed. That way you will ease him into sleeping alone, and still bes closeby. His crying - at 18 months, is not manipulative!! He doesn't know how to be manipulative yet, his thinking is not that advanced. His cries are real, so acknowlege and respect his feelings. If he is doing this at, say age 3, then yes, you may be the "victim of manipulation". At that point it is a whole new ballgame. For now, explore your reasons for needing him in his own room and bed - becasue your friends do it that way? Your parents did it that way? Finally, what feels like the right thing to you? Only you know your child and can answer that one. I'll tell you that with my 3rd child I never missed a minute of sleep becasue she was right there, snoozing away- all night long...

Answer 3

My son also acted like this. What worked for me was to put him in his bed and sit right beside him with my back or side to him not looking at him.(with my hand on him if it was bad) Then if he got out of bed I would say nothing and put him back in. Then not let him sit up he had to lay down. When he stopped throwing fits with me beside him I started to sit a tiny bit farther away each night. Until I was out the door! It was really boring sometimes taking a half an hour but it worked after a few weeks. I also put music on he went to sleep faster with music playing. Good luck!

Answer 4

Start out by staying the room with him, read him a book and just sit in the room for a few times, let him know your not just leaving him alone. Then slowly move closer to the door each night, once your out the door, keep the door open but stand near the door and slowly move farther away till you can just put him in there and walk away. It takes a while but it works. Patience is key and remember hes gotta be reassured that your not far away. Good luck.

Answer 5

Don't allow him to have any naps in the daytime. When it's bedtime - sit next to his bed and read to him. This will quiet him down and he's more apt to fall asleep and stay asleep. Also make sure he has a night light and some quiet soft music playing. He may be waking up because it's too quiet.

Answer 6

First, get him a complete physical by a pediatrician. If nothing shows - be sure he is tired out before he lays down, if he naps in the afternoon maybe he no longer needs the nap. I have three kids and never had a problem, even with the hyper one. I used to read to them until they fell asleep. When they were old enough they would read to me until they started to get sleepy. Good luck - I can hear your anxiety.

Answer 7

try laying or sitting in his bed with him. make it an enjoyable experience for him. read a book, look and talk about the pictures. let him know that everything is ok. try a really cool night light for him. have him pick out new sheets and a blanket perhaps. last but not least create a routine you stick by. i know it can be difficult but try it. good luck! hope i was helpful!

Answer 8

purely journey it out. that's purely been some days. He desires to get used to the recent habitual and study a clean approach of self soothing. 10 minutes relatively isn't that undesirable for crying/fussing whilst being positioned down. whilst he wakes up interior the morning purely congratulate him on being one among these massive boy and drowsing relatively good (whether he did no longer). he will study to make the relationship quickly between drowsing and being a huge boy. additionally at mattress time he can p.c.. a million or 2 thoughts and that's it...stand your floor and he will understand what he can and might't escape with.

Answer 9

I really wish I could help, but the truth is, of my 5 children My third never slept a full night in his own bed, or anywhere until he was around 6 years old.

Answer 10

how old is he?

with me, my daughter wont sleep unless im laying next to her. just until she falls asleep, but a few months ago she would sleep no problem! it has alot to do with his bedroom! i made my daughters bedroom fun for her, had pictures up with her fav cartoon characters, her fav colro curtains, bed sheets, etc.

then we moved in with my mom and only have 1 room for the time being and she wont go to sleep on her own1 i have to lay with her until she falls asleep! we didnt put the decor up cuz there are things she can climb on to reach the stuff and tear it down!

try decorating his room with things he likes, and see how that works....