18 month old escaping from crib?

Question

My 18 month old son has mastered the art of climbing out of his crib in the middle of the night and wandering in to our room and waking us up! He's in his own room next to ours, and he's been sleeping in there since he was 3 months. Now that he can get out, we cant keep him asleep in his room. We've cut down on naps during the day to make him sleep more at night but it doesn't seem to make a difference. We don't want to lock his doors in case of an emergency... but this is getting ridiculous

Answer 1

I would get a toddler bed for him since hes learnt to climb out, you definitly don't want him falling out one night and not hearing him. It may not stop him from waking up at night and coming to your room but it will be safer for him. He may be waking up from a bad dream, may be thirsty, when he comes into your room take him back to his room and tell him he has to stay there till its light out. If you let him climb in bed with you then your definitly giving him a reason to come into your room, if you keep taking him back to his room and placing him in his bed, your showing him he has to stay there. It may take a little while to get him to understand but once he does it will be worth the sleepless nights. But definitly get him a toddler bed, he could seriously get hurt while trying to climb out of his crib.

Answer 2

I'm sorry but I can't help but laugh! I have a 16 month old and was just wondering when she will be doing the same. She's close! I agree with another answerer about moving him to a Toddler bed. Also, I have been told that if you cut back on naps it actually makes them sleep deprived therefore more likely to not sleep as well and wake up more. Try a toddler bed and go back to the naps.

Answer 3

Make sure the mattress is down all the way and see if that helps, if not invest in the great invention of the crib tent. My sons all have used one so far. When they learn how to crawl out to ealry and don't understand they can't help themselves. They end up getting less sleep because they crawl out.
Get the crib tent it is on toys r us webstie for $75, the best money I ever spent. I moved my kids to a bed at about 3 1/2yrs for them that was when they understood not to crawl out and sleep when they were in their bed.

Answer 4

If he can climb out of his crib for safety reasons you must put him in a bed or a mattress on the floor. Falling out of a crib it too high.

You also need to bolt dressers and shelves to the wall as they can tip over if climbed.

The best solution may be to put a little mattress on the floor of your room and tell him that is his bed. Tell him he can come into your room but he can not wake you up or else you will be grumpy. This may take the fun out coming to your room. This combined with a new "big boy bed" with sheets or something that he really likes should make him want to stay in his room.

But if he is going through seperation anxiety he may need to come into your room.

Answer 5

Well, it's time to get him a toddler bed, as the other posters have mentioned. My suggestion would be to put one or even two baby gates at his doorway, if he climbs over one, that way if there an emergency, an adult can basically knock them out of the way and get to your son. That way he can stay in his room and play if he's not tired, and you get your sleep. Plus he wouldn't have access to the rest of the house to get into trouble and you'd know exactly where he's at, in case of aforementioned emergency. My ex and I did this with his toddler and it worked great! Good luck!

Answer 6

well start by getting him his own toddler bed that way he thinks he has a big bed like mommy and daddy next jus lightly shut his door and put a monitor in both so you can hear him when he wakes if this dont work and he gets out of his room gently lead him back to bed eventually he will get the hint of sleeping in his own bed

Answer 7

at 18 months, and with having mastered the art of escaping, it certainly sounds like he's ready for a bed.

This is all part of the toddler phase, you just have to get up each time and put him back in his bed. He only gets up and wanders into your room because he can. Eventually he will learn to not wake up completely and to put himself back to sleep. It just takes time.

When he gets up certainly dont let him into your bed, pick him up, no talking, take him back and put him to bed. Each time. No matter how many times you have to. Eventually it will end.

Answer 8

You have to watch Supernanny. She explains what she does. Let me send you the link, she explains better than me. "Bedtime was the most stressful part of the day for Ryland’s parents, as he screamed and cried for hours, refusing to sleep in his crib. Creating a relaxing bedtime routine, then having mom move gradually further from the crib meant he was able to sleep by himself for the first time… eventually!"

http://www.supernanny.co.uk/TV-Show/Clips/Clips/Sleep-Separation-Technique.aspx

Answer 9

Place a door knob lock on his door. That way he can't get out unless he's coordinated enough to master it. Usually they won't be. If having his door closed kinda bothers you, put baby gates in the doorway, one of top of the other, He won't be able to get thru that. Good luck!

Answer 10

I'm assuming that you have dropped the mattress down as far as it can go. Another option I have heard of people doig is leavign the bedroom door open but putting a baby gate in front of it.