Getting a 3 year old to sleep in her own bed! any suggestions??

Question

Okay, I just started recently putting my 3 year old in her own bed. she sleeps in there, but she crys and screams for about an hour before she actually goes to sleep. I give her her stuffed animals and a little milk, and read her a story every night, but she still screams for me or her daddy to come lay down with her. We just let her lay in there and cry herself to sleep, although i really hate to do that. any suggestions to get her to quit screaming and throwing a fit.

Answer 1

Congratulations on moving your 3 year old to her own bed! It sounds like you had a family bed for a long time and you're probably looking for a positive and comforting way to deal with this situation. There are several views on how to put your daughter to bed, and it sounds like you've got a consistent bed time routine down, which is essential.

Here's a link to the site that lists all of the methods:

http://www.babycenter.com/general/toddler/toddlersleep/7700.html

I think that if you read all of the methods, you can combine some aspects of one or more of them and find out a trick that works for you.

My daughter is generally good about going to bed. She's three and has been in her own bed for a couple of years. It wasn't always so easy though, and we had to establish a consistent routine.

I think it's great that you don't want to just leave her to cry every night. I didn't want that for my daughter either. Good Luck!

Answer 2

If she still is in a toddler bed , get her a "big girl bed"
take her shopping for it, take her to help pick out new bedding and a special pillow.Make sure she is there while the switch is made, so it is not a shock. Have her help you make the new bed. The whole time you are doing this (shopping and changing the room) also be talking to her and preparing her for this milestone. If she thinks it is her idea to sleep in her new bed it may be easier. Read her a story and remind her that you will be sleeping in your bed and she can come wake you up in the morning when the sun is shining. A flashlight is a fun comfort for this age too! Maybe have her pick out some new pj's too! Keep it positive and give her a lot of praise for every bit of improvement. Good luck, you can do this just keep it consistent and remain calm, do not let your frustrations get the better of you. You can do this!

Answer 3

Here is the method that I had to use.

First step is warn them that bedtime is coming, set a schedule for example: My kids have to be in bed at 8pm, so at 7:30 I say ok guys lets get our jammies on have a snack and then we are going to bed, It is a lot easier to get them to bed if they have already been wound down.

Next put her in bed read her the story, get her all tucked in, turn off the lights and sit beside her bed. Don't engage her just look at the floor. Stay there until she is either calm enough to leave or until she falls asleep, Every night move a little closer away from her. It took me about a week and half before my daughter finally just fell asleep on her own.

I didn't want to take all that time in the beginning but I am glad that I did .

Answer 4

We actually just started getting out 3 year old to sleep in his bed It was frustrating about a week or so. Don't give in, let her fall asleep on her own, since this will help her in the middle of the night if she wakes up. We bought our son a light up moon book and a light up moon wall plaque, which he can look at to fall asleep. It seem to work wonders since it only comes out at night-we explained that its a special night time treat. He would then come to our bed and I would then give him five minutes and take him back....I'd let him know first. He know sleeps almost every night in his own bed no problem. Just remember don't give in, it will make it harder if you do.

Answer 5

Unfortunately the crying and screaming will happen. However, my son used to come into my room every night. I laid out a sleeping his sleeping bag, an extra pillow, I told him he can come in if he wants but he has to use the sleeping bag, after a couple of days he realized his bed was a much better option.

Answer 6

You could try turning on some music to sooth her, but you are doin what every mother has to do at one point and time to get their kids to sleep on their own. Put a night lite in her room to make sure she isn't in the dark and she will eventually get the hang of it and understand that she needs to start sleeping on her own. You can also try exsplain it to her. Good luck!!

Answer 7

You should start out by trying the "Ferber" method. If you don't know what that is you can either email me or "google" it.