Comments on: Getting a child to sleep in her own bed

By: Sue

Sue — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:43:56 +0000

When my daughter was 3 she would get up every night and come to our bed. I finally set up a chart of 21 days. The goal was for her to stay in her bed for 21 days in a row and then she would earn a reward. If she messed up we started over at day 1. I don’t remember the exact reward, but it was something that she really wanted (nothing very expensive). She finally made it the 21 days, because the reward motivated her. After the 21 days, it was ‘normal’ for her to stay in her bed so we broke the habit of getting up every night.

By: Rita

Rita — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:02:38 +0000

Marsha- that’s a great idea! I’ll have to tell my sister about that strategy.

By: Lily

Lily — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:09:34 +0000

This is something that was never a problem for my oldest daughter. Now we have a two year old who gets out of bed and comes on mommy’s side of the bed to sleep. She know my husband won’t realize she is there and by the time that he does it is almost time to get up.

It has been a little struggle for us but we are looking forward to changing this very soon before it gets too late.

By: Marsha

Marsha — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:55:03 +0000

When my daughters would climb in bed with me in the middle of the night I would simply pick them up, take them back to their room and let them know that that is where they needed to sleep. I even turned on a night light and gave them a HUGE stuffed animal to sleep with.

I know it sounds weird but one other suggestion I can make is to get a Huge teddy bear, wear one of your shirts for a little while, then put it on the bear.

Its funny but kids (like animals) sometimes are comforted by the “smell” of their parent. If the thought of that creeps you out, put some of your perfume on the shirt instead.

You can also get a bear that has a “heart” inside it. Sometimes that’s all a child really needs is to hear a heartbeat. Makes them think they are not alone in the room.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:37:05 +0000

I am going through hell with my son at the moment, every night he climbs into bed with us. we’ve tried everything to get him to stay in his own bed. Some times we have to return him 5 or 6 times before he settles down. This is certainly the biggest challenge we’ve faced. Thanks for the advice

By: Kathy Forcey

Kathy Forcey — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:04:51 +0000

I found it is vital for you and your husband or partner to be on the same page. I ended up having to practically sit on my husband sometimes to stop him going into our daughters room at the slightest peep.

It was a very stressful time , but we are so pleased we went through it, now she tells us when it is bed time and goes to bed quite happily.

By: md mom

md mom — Mon, 11 May 2009 19:30:52 +0000

Annie- How do I know when my daughter (2 1/2) is ready to go into a bed. I hear that it’s best to keep them in their crib as long as possible? Thanks.