It took the husband and me 3 1/2 years to get our toddler to sleep in her own bed at night. Since we were finally successful and it’s been long enough that I won’t jinx anything (knock on wood) I though that it’s time I shared what we did to get our toddler to sleep through the night.
Step 1: Believing the Doctor’s advice on sleep training
After interviewing the Pediatrician on children and sleep issues, I knew it was time to tackle the toddler sleep issues in our house. The husband and I busted out our big guns and made a plan to get our toddler to sleep in her own bed all night.
Step 2: Establishing a bedtime routine
The first thing we did was establish a bedtime routine for our toddler. No, we had never done this before and her previous routine before falling asleep sucked. So, now around 8:00 it’s time for her to pick out a few stories to read and get in bed. The husband or I (usually him) would read the books, sing a few songs and indulge in some cuddles before sleepy time kicked in.
Step 3: No more late night sneak-ins
After getting our toddler to fall asleep in her own bed, we worked to keep her there (which was no easy task). She would wake up almost every. single. night around midnight and make her way into our room. Instead of letting her climb in bed next to me, I would pick her up and put her back in bed. A little hug, a kiss on the cheek and I would tell her that I would come back and check on her in a little bit hoping that would provide some security so she would fall back asleep.
Most of the time this worked.
Step 4: Staying strong on the really bad nights
Now, this hasn’t all been easy. Some nights our toddler would refuse to stay in her bed. She would scream, cry and wake up everyone within a 245 mile radius. Instead of bringing her in bed with us like we used to do, one of us will go into her bed to sleep.
Definitely not the most comfortable night of sleep in a twin bed with a toddler and a 100 pound dog but it kept consistency in her room.
Step 5: Admiring the results
We are happy to report success on getting the toddler to sleep in her own bed at night! On rare occasions she wakes up in the middle of the night and comes in our room. If she does, it’s usually because she needs to go potty, wants juice or thinks we forgot story time. There are some nights where she wakes up in her bed and cries until one of comes to check on her. Again, she usually wants juice, a story, a hug or a song. No, we don’t read stories to her in the middle of the night but we will give her something small to drink or sing a very quiet song.
This was a much harder battle than we endured with getting our oldest daughter to sleep in her own bed but after 3 1/2 years of getting kicked in various parts of the body it was time. And it was worth it.
I think that if you have issues with your toddler not sleeping through the night these tips will help you. Just remember to stick with your plan and don’t give in. Not even for one night. That’s when the trouble starts.
Now if you will excuse me I’m going to go stretch out on my bed.
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Great tips, Jess. The key is consistency, and yes, staying strong. If you cave after a few nights, it will take a few more nights on top of that to get back to where you want to be.
We just sleep trained the baby. Yes, starting early this time. This Mama needs her sleep.
Alison recently posted..Catching The Sunlight
When L was an infant we had her sleeping in her crib at night but then one night I caved and put her in bed with us and that was the end of her crib.
Good job on sleep training early.
This is exactly what we did!! And we did it just recently with our 2 1/2 year old. Your story is ours exactly.
It works!!
Leighann recently posted..I Saw Your Bum
I’m so glad to hear that it worked for you! Yeah for toddlers sleeping in their own bed at night!
Twitter: bocafrau
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Sounds like some great tips. I have to say my kids had a bedtime routine from very early on and it really seemed to make a big difference. I can always tell when the routine is shaken up, that usually means a visit or two over night (from the youngest!).
Susi recently posted..Picture Perfect Weekly #3 {The South Florida Fair Edition}
I should have enforced a bedtime sooner but honestly, I was a bit lazy about it. I’m glad to finally have one in place though. It makes night time so much better.
Thank you Thank you Thank you for sharing this. I need to keep notes on things like this for the near future reference!
Aleta recently posted..NST Pass
You’re welcome!
Twitter: Lilahbility
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Nice work! I am really big on the bedtime routine (although I try to think of them as rituals, actually, to make it feel less burdensome on those nights when I’m just really tired and want her asleep, like five minutes ago). It sounds like you have found a way to keep her in her own bed while still making her feel safe (the checking back in five minutes thing works well for us, too), which I think is a great happy medium. Kids need to know that bedtime isn’t the enemy, and I personally think that learning to fall asleep and stay asleep on their own encourages healthier sleep habits all around.
Amanda recently posted..Languishing In My Closet
Once I figured out to tell her that I would be back to check on her in a few minutes it seemed to really take the fear away about sleeping in her own bed. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner but it made a huge difference.
Twitter: gfunkified
says:
That last picture is pure sweet. Our 3.5yo is the worst sleeper, by far. She loves to get out of bed a dozen times, but the big three share a room so that doesn’t work for me. She can get noisy. I finally started leaving the bathroom light on next to her room so she wouldn’t stand in front of it and cry until I got up and helped her go potty. Definitely worth the extra on the electric bill. I’m glad to hear she’s staying in her bed! Nighttime battles are the worst.
Greta @gfunkified recently posted..Great Expectations: Robin of Farewell, Stranger
I’m glad you figured out something to help your daughter and I agree it’s worth the extra money if it helps you get more sleep at night.
Twitter: KimberlyAMuro
says:
We’re still battling bedtime over here. I can get the kids to fall asleep in their own beds, but they always end up in ours in the middle of the night.
You’re so right though, consistency is key. I just need to pull out the big guns and actually follow through.
Kimberly recently posted..Tricky Toddlers
It was tough to not let Layla stay in bed with us when she came in at night but we were both so tired of getting kicked. all. night. long.
These are great tips! JDaniel tried sneaking out of bed too. He got tired of a grump mom and ended up staying in his bed.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Taking Time to Play- Triple "T" Mum
No one likes a grumpy mom.
Twitter: Spitupchronicle
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Oh my gosh, this came at the PERFECT time. We have been battling with our 2 1/2 year old about sleeping in his own bed. He is always getting up in the middle of the night and coming into our bed. But with baby 3 on the way, we have got to put an end to it. I cant wait to try some of your tips, especially the one about sleeping with him in his bed instead of ours. I never even thought about that before. Thanks!
Jessica recently posted..21 Weeks and A Gender
I hope they help!
Twitter: elenawollborg
says:
So happy you reclaimed your bed! The last pic, with the toddlers fingers crossed while sleeping, so precious. Love the tips. I’m so hoping the youngest remains a good sleeper when we transfer him to a big boy bed. If not, I’ll have to refer to all of this!
Elena recently posted..Icing on the Cake – Beauty Product Edition
You could also try bribery if the big boy bed transfer doesn’t go well. I always recommend that as a solution.
Great tips!! Establishing a bedtime routine I think is the best advice. It works for us. Best of luck and enjoy having your bed back to yourselves.
Tonya recently posted..Unwavering
Plus the bedtime routine allows for a little bit of quiet time at night which is really awesome.