Getting a Toddler to Stay in Bed

Updated on February 16, 2009
J.B. asks from Pueblo, CO
7 answers

Ok ladies my sanity needs some help. We put my 23 month old son in his toddler bed about 3 weeks ago. His toddler bed has side rails on it, so he at least can't roll out of bed. He didn't realize that he could crawl out of it until last Saturday, that's when the sleeplessness started. Now that he's realized that he can get out, when he wakes up in the middle of the night, he crawls out of bed and comes into our room. No real big deal since we got the baby gate installed in the hall to keep him from going down stairs like he was at 5:30 am.

So here's the problem or part of it. Even after switching him to his big boy bed, he would sleep until like 8 in the morning after going down at 9 the previous night. Since he's learned that he can crawl out of his bed, he's up at the latest 6:30 and that's not counting how many times he gets up through out the night. So help! Will he ever go back to the way that it was? Any insight on how to get him to roll over and just go back to sleep rather than crawling out of bed and being up for an hour doing this up and down thing?

TIA!!!

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C.T.

answers from Dallas on

Just keep returning him to his bed during the night and get up early for a while. When the newness wears off, he'll roll back over and go to sleep. Good luck!

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J.H.

answers from Amarillo on

I don't think this will be forever, but right now, when he gets up, get a stuffed toy and tell him that the (teddy bear or whatever) needs him back in bed to snuggle, and that he should stay there, and then pat him and the bear together and say night night, and see if that helps.

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P.B.

answers from Dallas on

Its hard work. I have at times a 2 yr old, 4 yr old, and 6 yr old ALL in the bed with us!!

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K.M.

answers from Dallas on

Yes, your son will eventually learn to sleep better in his bed. It took my son about 2 months of continuously putting him back in bed several times per night before he'd stay in his bed. We eventually conceded and put his bed in our room so that he still felt close to us. Now we're working on him in his own room and it's going well. I think we cushioned that transition just right for him. Try different things. Maybe a baby monitor that goes the other way? You know, instead of you hearing him, he can hear you? I hate to say it, but just keep going. If you give up because you can't stand it, he'll never understand. But, listen to your heart. Mother's instincts are usually right so if you feel something else needs to be done, try that. Good luck!

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B.D.

answers from Dallas on

I have my 2 1/2 in a regular bed and it took a while to get her to stay there. I still walk in and find her either on the top bunk with my 5 yr old or UNDER the bed. But most nights she stays in her own bed. It just takes some time. after 6 weeks or so he'll probably stay in his bed. I still have one daughter to get into a regular bed, but that won't be for awhile since she is only 1.

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A.

answers from Dallas on

For fear of stating what seems obvious to me..he does not seem ready for his bed. Can he be put back in the crib?? So many times parents rush the big bed thing, only to totally regret the freedom it has created. My son will be 3 in May, and while he can climb out of his bed, and will at times, he still sleeps in a crib! It is safe and comfortable for him, so again, I say just put him back in until he matures a little. Just my opinion though, I am a big believer in keeping them in cribs for as long as you can! ~A.~

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A.C.

answers from Dallas on

Put a baby gate at his door if you don't like his door closed (we keep our daughter's door closed so our evening TV watching won't bother her and she has no problems with it and we have no night wandering as a result). As soon as you know he is up you'll have to get to him and place him in bed (the faster the better because the longer he is up the more awake he'll become. I put our 21 month old back in bed and told her it was still night night time, and she got the idea after 2 times and hasn't bothered us about since. I keep 2 sippy cups by her bed so drinks aren't an issue.

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