Before your toddler gets his own bed, he may have slept in a crib or co-slept with you. Transitioning from these sleeping arrangements can be tricky due to fear of separation, anxiety or distractions. With patience and persistence you can usually teach your toddler to sleep in a bed within a few days or weeks.
Step 1
Remove all distracting items from your toddler's room or she may try to stay awake or have difficulty falling asleep. This can lead to her becoming overtired and anxious, so she will want to crawl in bed with you. Take out televisions and computers or anything with bright or blinking lights. If your child will feel more secure with a nightlight, choose a soft light or place one in the hall and leave the door open to let some light shine in. If you live in an area that is bright or noisy outside, consider purchasing curtains that help keep out noise and light.
Step 2
Prepare your child for bed with a consistent routine. This will help the child feel more centered and stable, reducing anxiety. A routine should be kept brief and include soothing relaxing activities that help you and your child bond. A common routine includes taking a bath, getting on pajamas and brushing teeth, reading a book together and snuggling for a couple of minutes.
Step 3
Leave the room immediately after you end the routine and kiss your child goodnight or tuck her in. Your child will quickly learn how to manipulate you into staying in the room longer if you give her a chance.
Step 4
Wait for about 15 to 25 minutes to re-enter the room if your child is fussing for attention. Pediatrician Dr. Robert Needlman suggests to let your child "cry-it-out" if you are comfortable with it. This will teach him that this is bedtime and he cannot get his way by throwing a tantrum. Most children learn that crying won't work at bedtime after a few nights and give up, falling asleep much quicker. If you put your child to sleep at the same time every night, his internal clock will naturally make him sleepy and he will fall asleep at this point. If you allow him to stay up, he may get a second wind and eventually get extra cranky. This will make it harder for him to fall asleep even if he is more tired.
