any tips on getting my 2 1/2 year old daughter to stay in her new bed and go to sleep!?

Question

we just bought her a big girl bed and now she won't sleep in it if i do not stay in her room and sleep in it with her . we have tried laying in bed with her till she falls asleep but soon as we leave the room she wakes up and freaks right out. she is screaming and crying so hard till we go back to bed with her please give me any suggestions

Answer 1

Talk to her and tell her the rule that she needs to sleep in her bed by herself that she is a big girl. IF she is scared of the dark or anything like that you can use a night light or have her get a special stuffed animal to protect her or something to address her fears. Develop a consistent bedtime routine that is the same every night as consistency often builds confidence this may involve you reading a story or singing a song or something fun before putting her to bed. Tuck her in tight give her a kiss. If she stays in bed and cries use a similar method as you probably did when she was an infant in her bed. Basically let her cry and figure out to sooth herself. If you must check on her simply look in, maybe give her a quick pat the first time tell her it is going to be o.k. and leave the room again. Do not make a big production about comforting her or cuddling her or laying down with her as this is what she wants and will learn that screaming is the best way to do it. IF she gets out of bed the first time simply tell her the rule that she needs to sleep in her bed tuck her in (quickly) and leave the room. If she gets out of bed again you simply put her back in her bed with no words or interaction. The first times you do this you might have to do it 12 times the first night but each night will decrease and likely after a week or less she will be sleeping in her own bed again. Be strong and don't give in, remember you are teaching and training her not the other way around :)

Answer 2

Keep her stimulated and engaged with activity to wear her out during the day. Nap before 1p.m or not at all. Bedtime routines need to be consistent and more than a television and sippy cup. Keep the tv out of the bedroom. It is a place for sleeping at night, not entertainment. Try reading to the child after a warm bath in calming scented water. Johnson's makes both chamomile and lavender scented bath washes for babies. Many believe these scents are calming and induce sleepiness. You can also try a cup of warm milk. Milk contains a natural sleep inducer as does turkey, so if she needs a snack before bed try half a turkey sandwich. Make sure she is well fed and dry before taking her to her room to read a picture book. Use soft lighting during reading and make sure she is in bed. When the story is done recite prayers or a poem specifically relevant to bedtime. This signals lights out and time for sleep. Tuck her in with a kiss. Close the door. Walk away and do not return unless you believe she may be sick. End of story. If she gets out of bed take her back, tuck her in and walk away without a word.

Answer 3

You have to be firm or you will have a kid sleeping with you or you with her for a long time. I have a friend, she gave in and her little girl is almost four and is still in her parents bed. I would make sure that my son had enough activity throughout the day that when it was time to go to bed he was tired. He got a warm bath, brushed teeth, and I would read him a story. I then told him that he had to stay in his bed or he would get into trouble. He had a nightlight, music playing, favorite blanket, and a stuffed animal(curious george) in bed with him. It took a while, but we were firm and he goes to bed now. I just needed my sleep to much to deal with a child not sleeping in his bed at night.

Answer 4

I'm in the same boat...
I wish I had an answer, but our youngest (2) is as stubborn as they come and he WILL NOT go to sleep by himself. He will stay in there most of the night after I leave his room (after he is asleep), but he does usually come in our room at least once a night. (and then he just climbs in bed w/us)
Our older kids were not as stubborn and things such as leaving extra lights on, sitting on a chair near the bed or rewards such as a star chart would work.
Not my stubborn little towhead, though. I'll give your question a star and check back to see if there are some creative answers!
Best wishes!

Answer 5

Sit in a chair beside the bed until she is asleep. Make sure you have her lay down in the bed. She's going to want to get out, but be firm! Read her a story or play a soothing song until she is asleep.

Answer 6

This might sound harsh, but I am sure that you have explained that "you are a big girl" and this is a really cool bed etc. Now it is time to just say, "Mommy and Daddy love you, we are down the hall, but you have to stay in your bed. Do not get up." and then enforce it. If she gets up, walk her back and put her back in. Don't talk to her. She is 2 and a half and I am sure that she understands rules. You can do it.

Answer 7

make it fun for her

Let her organise her room let her tell you where to put stuff let her help you put the sheets and blankets on the bed.

Make bed time fun read her a story put a night lite in there and just reasure her that you are there maybe even put a photo of you on the wall. I also found that a radio works good too.

I did this with my son he was so excited to sleep in his room in his bed cause it was his and his work that he had done.

Answer 8

well stop giving in to her.these things will help--each night before bedtime give her a nice warm bath and put her in comfortable PJ's.make sure there is a nightlight in her room and read her a bedtime story every night in her room while she is in her bed and you sit beside the bed in a chair.not a scary,spooky story either.you can also say prayers with her at night and ask Jesus to protect and watch over her and the whole family each night.keep a nightlight on and a favorite doll or stuffed bunny to sleep with.good luck.

Answer 9

Nothing a little duct tape won't help. Just kidding...try telling her that if she doesn't sleep like she did in her baby bed that you'll have to take the big girl bed back and put her in her baby bed again.

Answer 10

My daughter surprisingly had no trouble switching to a bed, we switched her when she was a little over a year and were so surprised that we didn't have any resistance from her. Sometimes she doesn't want to go to bed and we just have to lay down the law and put her in bed and shut her door and let her cry, if she has to she cries herself to sleep but she usually calms down and plays with her toys or watched her bedtime movie and falls asleep.

I know it is hard to listen to them cry but if you are having a hard time with it and it is like they are making you their slave, you shouldn't have to sleep in with her if you don't want to. You have to send the clear message that you love her but she is going to follow your rules.