Moving a toddler out of the crib can be a challenging task for parents. Once your toddler realizes he can get out of bed, he is likely to do so many times each night. Parenting Magazine recommends making the switch when other parts of your toddler's life are relatively calm. This means if you are potty training or he has just started school or daycare, you may want to wait until that transition is in place before you begin sleep training. You may have to try many nights before you get your toddler to stay in bed at night, but being consistent is the key to success.
How to Keep Toddler in Bed at Night
Step 1
Outline your expectations. Tell your toddler that she needs to sleep in her bed at night and should not get up once she is there. Letting her know what you expect of her in a clear and age appropriate manner will help her understand what she is supposed to do. You also will want to tell her what the consequence of getting out of bed at night will be. For example, if she gets up she is not allowed to watch a cartoon the next morning.
Step 2
Have a bedtime routine. Toddlers thrive on routine so doing the same things in the same order each night at bedtime will help him feel better about getting into bed and staying there. Your bedtime routine can include a warm bath, reading stories, rocking him, singing to him, giving him a stuffed animal to sleep with and then turning out the lights. In the beginning you should restate the expectation that he is to stay in bed once the lights are out and what will happen if he chooses not to.
Step 3
Walk your toddler back to bed. In the beginning, your toddler is likely to get up despite your clear expectations. When this happens, don't negotiate and plead with her to go back to bed. Simply take her hand, walk her back to bed and leave the room. Do this as many times as it takes, but refrain from talking to her. She may decide it isn't worth getting up if she isn't getting any attention from you.
Step 4
Stay in the room. Some parents find that sitting on a chair in the room makes a toddler more likely to remain in his bed and fall asleep. You can also sit outside the bedroom door so he knows you are close by.
Step 5
Expect some sleepless nights. If your toddler wakes up during the night, you may have to get up and walk him back to bed several more times. Staying consistent will eventually pay off and your toddler will begin to sleep in his bed right away with minimal setbacks.
Step 6
Reward your toddler. In the morning, you can let her put a sticker on her reward chart or present her with a small toy to celebrate her success at staying in bed. If you get her excited about these incentives at the beginning of the process, it may provide some extra incentive for her to remain in bed at night.
Things You'll Need
- Reward chart
- Stickers
- Small toys
- Books
- Stuffed animals (if your toddler sleeps with one)
