As night falls, the trouble begins. Your toddler doesn’t want to sleep in his own bed. Not only does this hinder your private time with your spouse, it could also hinder your child’s health. According to the National Sleep Foundation, toddlers age 1 to 3 require 12 to 14 hours of sleep each night–significantly more than most adults get. If your child sleeps in your room, your evening and morning routines could wake him and rob him of the sleep he needs to stay healthy. If simply putting him to bed and leaving him on his own each night isn’t an acceptable solution, you can use another method to help your child learn to sleep comfortably in his own room.
Step 1
Dim the lights in your home as evening approaches. The University of Michigan Health System claims that doing so signals the brain that the appropriate time to sleep is approaching. Your toddler’s brain will begin to prepare her for sleep.
Step 2
Use the same routine each night with your child before bed. Routine lets your child know what to expect. You can increase his comfort in his own room by making snuggling or a bedtime story part of the evening routine.
Step 3
Place a chair in your child’s room close to her bed. Tuck your child in bed and sit in the chair. After you are seated, do not interact with your child in any way.
Step 4
Move the chair several feet away from your child’s bed after 10 minutes. Continue moving the chair away from your child at 10 minute intervals until the chair is no longer in your child’s bedroom.
Step 5
Repeat this process each night and every time your toddler wakes up in the middle of the night until he can comfortably sleep in his own bed.
Tips and Warnings
- A stuffed animal or a tape of your child’s favorite nursery rhymes may help her feel more secure if her desire to sleep in your bed is a result of nighttime fears. You can vary the amount of time you spend in each spot before moving the chair, depending on your toddler’s age.
- Avoid giving your child caffeine. Even caffeine-laden drinks your child consumes early in the day can prevent him from resting comfortably at night. Do not allow your child’s protests to change your routine and cause you to allow her to return to sleeping in your bed. Doing so will only teach him that if he cries and screams enough, you will eventually relent and give him what he wants. Don’t allow your child to take juice, milk or formula to bed with her as doing so can result in tooth decay. If having a drink handy helps your child rest, insist on giving her water.
