How can i get my 15month old son to sleep in his own bed? see details?

Question

My son slept in his own bed in his own room until about 2 months ago when his bedroom had a leak and he had to come in with us. Now i cannot get him to stay in his own bed, when he falls asleep i put in there and as soon as he wakes up he wont stay in there. Help! Many Thanks

Answer 1

Our daughter is 2 years and 5 mths and we had exactly the same problem with her, right from day 1 when she was put into her own bed she would not stay in it. We made the mistake of taking her out after she had been crying for 5-10 minutes because we thought she just wasnt going to settle, but it only made matters worse because she knew eventually she would get her way! In the end we got a tv for her room, I know its not ideal, but just having some background noise seemed to make a difference and she now seems quite happy to go to bed and stay there. Occasionally she would cry to come out but we just tell her it is sleepy time and we will see her in the morning.She may cry for sometime, but we just let her now because she eventually goes back to bed. I know it is hard to let them cry for any length of time, but you REALLY have to, We only wish we had done it at the start as we had 2 years and 2 mths of bedtime being a nightmare. Try just letting him cry, it may take a week or so of very little sleep for you, but it beats months of no sleep and the end result is GREAT. Good luck

Answer 2

Is he still in a crib and climbs out? Or is he in a toddler bed and just gets up and walks out? If he's not in a crib I would suggest putting him back in one...as long as he can't climb, rappel or bungee out of it. If he can, then you'll need to commit to putting him back in his bed over and over until he gets the idea. It sounds like he's found out he as a better deal in mommy and daddy's bed (someone to snuggle with) rather than his own. Try giving him a new cuddly toy to encourage him to stay...and maybe a nightlight and some glow-in-the-dark objects. Be sure to keep an ear out for him so that he doesn't go wandering out into other parts of the hose, which could be dangerous. Good luck, and hey, at least you can say your son's persistent.

Answer 3

does he sleep in a cot or a bed. my 15mnth old is still in a cot about to make the transision to bed. but if he is still in a cot the just put him in his cot and walk out check on him after 5 mins without touchin him and then go back out then ten mins and so until ur satisfied that hes asleep. if hes in a bed then if you have a safety gate put that up so he cant go toddlin of out of his bedroom if he wakes up, make sure theres nothing in harms way and do the same as the cot way. he'll eventually go to sleep as he probably really tired. the more you pay him attension at bed time the more he will use it to his advantage and the more frustrated you will get. be tough

Answer 4

It is really hard but you got to get him to go to sleep in his bed and when he wakes in the night take him back to his own bed. Stay with him and settle him down but do not let him get in your bed. It will be hard but you got to do it and stick to it. I know at the time that this is really miserable, my eldest son used to get in with us and sleep lengthways across the pillows I remember the night when we decided no more it was horrid. Kids do eventually sleep all night in their own beds and the time goes too fast if I had my time again I would make the most of having him in there as its not long before you are in bed waiting for them to come home from a night out.

Answer 5

Start by putting him into his bed awake and sitting on a chair next to his bed for a few nights until he falls asleep... dont talk to him. Then move your chair away from his bed for a few nights until eventually you are sat in the doorway. Then move onto the landing ensuring he knows that you are there. Eventually you will be able to put him into bed and walk away.
Worked for my son... He is still a rubbishy sleeper and generally up at the crack of dawn but at least he sleeps!

Answer 6

i know it may break your heart to do this and i know it did mine but you have to let him on his own bed wether he wants to or not! anyways sooner or later he is going to have to do it i had the same trouble with my boy. and his dad would be at fault because he would go to sleep in his own bed then in the middle of the night he would come back to our bed and my husband would give in and get him! but i talked to my hubby and told him that whenever he comes to bed he needs to send him back tuck him in and give him a kiss goodnight! since your toddler got used to slleping with mommy and daddy it's going to be hard for like the first three nights the most. Even though there are going to be some tears and possibly screaming just let him be and don't give in pretty soon he will start feeling more comfortable in his bed and he will start sleeping there again!
Good Luck!

Answer 7

Wow,
A lot of good answers. We just got over this with our son.

The trick is to establish a night time routine (this does not happen over night) no pun intended but we begin with a soothing bath in Johnson and Johnson Bath time wash it has lavender in it so around 7 or 730 I sing out Bath time and he looks at me then I continue to repeat it leading him to the bathroom and give him a nice warm bath, then towel him off and prepare him for bed then around 8 I sing out bed time but not as loudly and guide him to bed and then we kneel at his bed and say his prayers and tuck him in and turn on his night light. (here comes the catch) he may or may not stay in his bed if he gets up and come to bed with you, you get right up and start with the bed time song and lead him back to bed tuck him back in and say nite nite and go back to bed. You may have to do this SEVERAL times the first week or two maybe three, and it will always be when you are in a deep sleep but you have to get up and put him back in his bed with the same song so that he understands. Patience and Resistance is the key here.

Good Luck.

Answer 8

It's so much cozier in mommy's bed. Well, the one thing that works is probably going to cause you to lose some sleep. First, is he afraid of staying in his room because there was a leak and he thinks something will happen? Find out and show him that things were fixed. Tell him also, that mommy and daddy need to sleep by themselves rather than telling him he needs to be in his own bed. Tell him that you don't feel good without your sleep. Kids usually want to please their parents but are defiant when we tell them what to do. When he comes to your room, without much ado, walk him back to his room and put him to bed. Do this every time he comes to you. It should work, if not after the first night, after another night. Don't say anything but:" Honey, I will walk back to your room with you and tuck you in." Don't get angry or loud with him either. He wants to be where he is comfy. Gently guide him back to where he needs to be.

Answer 9

This happened with me and my lil girl. The trick is to make sure that he falls asleep in his own bed( easier said than done I know) It takes a bout a week of crying and alot of patience but its all worth it in the end when you get to have a full nights sleep on your own.

Answer 10

Take him shopping and get him to pick out a special bear/soft toy that is specially for bedtime only, and only in his bed. Make sure it's extra soft and cuddly!
Every child is different and this may or may not work for your little boy, but the bear works for mine pretty much all the time now.