Many children find it comforting to sleep in their parents' bedrooms, either falling asleep there at bedtime or leaving their own beds in the middle of the night. However, this habit can put strain on the parents, disrupting their sleep and cutting into precious alone time. If your son is having trouble sleeping through the night in his own bed, there are techniques that can help him sleep through the night and motivate him to stay in his own room.
Step 1
Make his bedroom feel safe and comfortable. If your child is old enough, he can help choose bedding and pillows that make him feel connected to his bed. If he is afraid of the dark, a night-light and soft music can help soothe him while he sleeps. He can also choose a stuffed animal to sleep with. This can help him transition to sleep in his own bed.
Step 2
Develop bedtime routines that encourage him to sleep through the night. According to the British Medical Journal, it can be helpful to move the child's bath time from morning to evening or to give small children an extra bottle at night. They also suggest shortening daytime naps to reduce restless sleep at night. If your son commonly comes to your bed in the middle of the night, then helping him stay asleep can eliminate the problem.
Step 3
Take him back to his own bed when he comes to your bedroom after bedtime, and help him to fall back asleep. You can even lie down with him in his bed while he drifts off, which gives him the comfort of having you near while still reinforcing sleep in his own space.
Step 4
Create a rewards system. Put a piece of paper on the refrigerator or cabinet, and for every night your son sleeps in his own bed, put a star or a sticker on the paper. Reward him with a small toy or a trip to the ice cream store for every ten or twenty stars he accumulates. Add the stars or stickers in the morning, so he feels proud and accomplished for staying in his bed.
Step 5
Be patient. If your child has been sleeping with you for a long time, it can be a difficult habit to break. Try to stay calm and avoid becoming angry with him, but be firm when you tell him that he needs to learn to sleep on his own, like a big boy.
Tips and Warnings
- If your child comes into your room because of nightmares, try to eliminate the causes of his bad dreams. Scary television shows or movies can cause nightmares, or nightmares can be the result of stress or trauma. If the nightmare is recurring, talk through it with your child so he can understand that it is not real, and he can confront the scary dreams with you.
Things You'll Need
- Stuffed animal (optional)
- Paper
- Stickers (optional)
