She won't go to sleep in her bed!

First, Meghan and Nolan share a room. We moved them to Toddler beds about a month ago. Things were going pretty good, but sometimes we get "I don't like my bed, I want my crib" from both of them. The last four or five nights, Meghan is refusing to fall asleep in her bed. She gets up and follows me around the house and when I go to bed, she lays down next to me and falls asleep, too. I am absolutely out of my mind with this. Last night we tried shutting their bedroom door so that she would have to stay in her room. She started screaming and crying, keeping Nolan up and waking Liam (his bedroom is across the hall). I just don't know what to do with her!! Any advice?

 

This is probably not something you want to do long-term, but could you lay down with her (or on the floor) till she falls asleep, just for a little while until she gets used to it?

I haven't been there myself (yet), but a woman in another of my online groups is going through the same thing with her 2.5-year-old, and that's what she's finally decided to try. (She tried shutting her DD in the room and just letting her figure it out, but the child was practically tearing the house down, banging on the door with her feet, etc.)

I did do this once with Sarah, when we spent the night at my parents' house and the crib was not suitable. I lay there with her until she fell asleep the first night, just to make sure she didn't wander. The second night, she laid right down and went to sleep on her own. Sarah is an unusually mellow child, but it might be worth a try with your DD, even if it took longer.

 

Maureen, I would probably sit in there and read with a dim light or lay on the floor near the bed for a while and help her get comfy and quiet. It's a pain, but might just work.

I also got those Tykelights, but they only get them at night in bed. So that might be something to consider. She'd have her own light. You have to make it not an option to stay up with you and follow you around the house. She just wants to put off bed, but if you hang out in there (don't talk to her) and she knows you are there, she might fall asleep sooner.

 

You have written my exact night for the past 3 weeks! Blake will not stay in his bed and it is driving me nuts. Unfortunately I have resorted to laying down on the floor next to him or sitting by the door with the hall light on reading a magazine as Alden and Diane mentioned. If I don't stay in his room then he comes out and plays with his toys or follows me around. I really hope this is a phase but we are on week 3 (or possible 4??) I am about to lose it. I don't think he has gone to be before 9:00 p.m. in weeks. I am sorry you are having to deal with this! :hug99:

 

Do you ever watch Supernanny? When Ben started pulling this, I used the technique she does on her show occasionally. Hugs, kisses, lights out. Then sit on the floor, close to her bed, with your back turned to her. Do not talk to her or engage her. After a couple minutes, move about a foot or two towards the door. After a couple minutes, move again. Keep moving every few minutes until you are outside their door.

It worked the few times that we had to try it. I think we did it maybe three nights in a row, and that was all it took.

 

QUOTE(~* dfaut *~ @ Nov 26 2007, 02:59 PM) [snapback]509345[/snapback]
Maureen, I would probably sit in there and read with a dim light or lay on the floor near the bed for a while and help her get comfy and quiet. It's a pain, but might just work.

I also got those Tykelights, but they only get them at night in bed. So that might be something to consider. She'd have her own light. You have to make it not an option to stay up with you and follow you around the house. She just wants to put off bed, but if you hang out in there (don't talk to her) and she knows you are there, she might fall asleep sooner.


What are the Tykelights? THat is part of the issue, she keeps saying it's dark in there (and they each have a nightlight). Doug has gone in and laid down with them, but he falls asleep and then they get up.....big help! I will have to try some of these techniques. I'll let you know if any of it works.

 

I would do the regulary bedtime routine and then put her in her bed, and the 1st time she gets up put her back into her bed and tell her she needs to sleep in her bed like a big girl, each time she gets up after that take her by the hand and walk her back to her bed and put her down without saying anything to her.

Hope this works for you.