Having Sleeping Issues with 2 Year Old

Updated on December 28, 2008
K.A. asks from Pittsburgh, PA
9 answers

We just moved into a new house in mid November and I moved my son up to a toddler bed. Lately he has been waking up in the middle of the night every night and was wondering if I should think about putting him back in the crib for a few more months. Maybe I moved him up to the toddler bed too soon. Thank you in advance for you input and Happy Holidays no matter what you celebrate.

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H.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

I wouldn't go back to the crib. I think that's going in the wrong direction. It's probably just adjusting to a new environment. Is his room hotter or colder than in the old house? Is he closer to a window (getting a draft?) closer to a vent?

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D.V.

answers from Pittsburgh on

K.,

I Moved Gianna when she was 2 yrs 2 months. She slept horribly in the crib because she moved and flopped around all night. You could just hear her banging into the sides. I bought a full sized canopy bed for her with rails on both sides. SHE LOVED IT! Not one problem ever. Mia had no problem in her crib, I tried a toddler bed with her only because of financial reasons. She hated it and woke up all night and came into my room. I put her back in the crib and she was fine. A couple months later I bought her a full sized bed and she was just fine. They both wake in the night and come into my room at times but they love their big girl beds.

My advice is put him back in if hes not trying to get out. Its one of those things that will happen eventually. Good luck and happy holidays!

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M.S.

answers from Harrisburg on

It reminds me of potty training. NEVER go back. The mixed message, to gain sleep NOW, will lose you sleep later when he doesn't get why he has to stay in his bed. I went to all four of my children's rooms and firmly told them good night. I think it is important for them to stay in their own beds AND feel secure there!!! You all will be happier for it. Consistency has worked for me through the years... Mine are far from babies now, my youngest is 10, but I remember those days very clearly:) Good Luck!!!
M.

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Hi K.,
If you still have it and he was not climbing out--personally I would put him back in. I read good advice (about 2 days too late for me!) that said if they're not climbing out--to let them stay in the crib til 3. I had just returned my SIL's crib and it was too late for me....but the toddler bed era was the WORST! My son ended up sleeping on his floor. He hated the toddler bed. If you can't do the crib, at least just get him a twin and use side rails, he may feel more secure. Good luck to you and your little O.!
Happy Holidays to you!

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J.A.

answers from Philadelphia on

It sounds like one too many changes at once for your son. It is okay though. Toddlers are very resilient and he will adjust.
But, I would NOT go back to his crib. The crib is now gone and bringing it back would be a confusing message for him.
He will eventually stop waking at night. It will just take time.

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L.T.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I kept mine in their cribs until they turned 3 at which point I moved them to toddler beds. We haven't had any problems. I think because they were better able to understand our rules and consequences for not complying with staying in bed. With my son I did have a safety rail on one side of his toddler bed and the other side was against the wall. I wanted to prevent him from rolling out and also to give him a similar feeling to being in his crib. Maybe that would do the trick. Keep in mind that it might not only be the switch in beds, but the switch in homes that is affecting him. Are there things in his room that are familiar to him and came from his old room? If you can make it seem more like his old room maybe that would help - set up, furniture, toys, decor, etc. Good luck.

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D.G.

answers from Philadelphia on

I personally wouldn't suggest going back. I think this is something almost everyone deal with when moving their child to a bed. I had excellent sleepers, but when we made the move they started getting up through the night and coming in our room. I don't think its a readiness issue, but more of an exploring their new freedom. We still have someone wonder in almost every night. Stick with consistancy and you should be okay....something that we just can't seem to do!

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M.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

You could always put him back in his crib and see what happens. If he's happy, leave him there until you have to move him to the bed. If he keeps waking up anyway, you might as well just switch to the bed.

My daughter also did this when we switched her to a toddler bed at age 2. (She was beginning to climb out of her crib so it was time for us.) Eventually, she learned to stay in her bed, but it took a lot of consistent hard work on our part, night after night. Everytime she got up, we would just walk her back to her room and put her back to bed without much fanfare. Good luck!

T.S.

answers from Pittsburgh on

3.

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