Tips on Making a Toddler Sleep in His Own Bed
Many toddlers get up in the night and head straight for the parents' bed. Getting your child to sleep and stay in his own bed is an important part of helping him to grow up and achieve independence. Many factors can prompt a toddler to leave his own bed, including nightmares and other sleep disturbances. Training a toddler to stay in his own bed requires a caring and consistent approach from parents.
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Cause
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Establish the underlying cause of your toddler's behavior. Ask him why he wants to leave his own bed. Many toddlers articulate their feelings better when absorbed by a play activity such as painting or drawing. Give your child time to open up and fully discuss his feelings. The most common reason for a toddler to seek out the parental bed is fear of the dark or nightmares.
Empowerment
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Empower your child to overcome her nocturnal fears. Place a nightlight or flashlight in the room to help her deal with fear of the dark. Provide her with a stuffed toy animal as a comforter in bed. Ask her to suggest anything that might help her deal with fear of the dark. Make your child's room a fun and comfortable place to sleep. Let her choose how her room is decorated and select her own bedding.
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Talk
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Talk to your child and explain why it's important for him to sleep in his own bed. Reassure him that you are sleeping nearby but that it's important for a "big boy" to stay in his own room as he gets older. Speak to your child in an adult and reasonable way.
Routine
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Establish a routine with a set time for your child to go to bed. Sit with her as she falls asleep and read a story or nursery rhymes to help her get to sleep. Ensure your child visits the toilet before going to bed each night. A child may wake in the night because she needs the toilet and afterwards head for the parental bed instead of her own room. Also place a small glass of juice or water next to her bed in case she wakes up thirsty.
Consistency
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Put your child straight back to bed each time he gets out of bed. It's easy to relent if your child acts up in the middle of the night, particularly if you're tired, but inconsistency will teach your child that his persistence will be rewarded and gradually make the problem worse.
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- Photo Credit girl sleeping with teddys image by les sanders from Fotolia.com
