How do you keep a toddler in his toddler bed?

Theresa - posted on 12/07/2009

it is a task but you have to be persistant, my children love their beds now, but at first they wanted nothing to do with them because it was something different. he will get used to it. try to put something he likes in the bed or get special bed stuff. make his bed fun. if possible. that helps

Zoe - posted on 12/07/2009

We had this problem recently with our little girl. she would go to bed and then be asking for milk, and getting clothes out, and getting changed, pulling the trundle from under her bed and putting her dolls in it! It will be funny in hind sight i'm sure :)
Anyway, a couple of weeks ago her Dad told her that se had to stay in bed at night because if she got out she might squash and hurt the baby geckos (little lizards) and baby tree frogs that come out at night. I thought she would freak out at the thought but she loves it! She jumps into bed squealing "don't squash the deckos""I stay in bed and don't squash them Mummy". It hasn't stopped her chatting to herself for a little while but there is no more in and out of bed :)
Good Luck

Helen - posted on 12/06/2009

Hi Christina, as I am reading your post, I feel like I am hearing myself saying the same thing. I had my daughter sleeping in my bed until she was 4!!! At the end I couldn't take it anymore...
I just launched a website and it includes this topic in which I describe my experience and my technique for it. I would retype the steps here but it is too long, therefore I am attaching the link instead.
I hope it helps you the same way it helped me. Long story short, he will put up a fight and will not give up!! He will try everything that he knows will make you give in. Follow the steps that I recommend in the link I attached and stay very assertive throughout the entire processes. Never show him that you feel bad or are heartbroken (otherwise he will know that you might give in and will keep trying).
Lot of luck!! Would love to hear if it worked for you...:)
The link is: http://www.mommy2mommyonline.com/index.p...

Jessica - posted on 12/06/2009

I just told my girls that we have our own beds, their grandparents have their own beds, and their aunties and uncles have their own beds too.. and so on....

Kayliecia - posted on 12/06/2009

I agree with Mary, we did the same thing with my son, put a baby safe gate up and he could still talk to us and stuff, he just goes right to bed now...we also make it intresting and put a "tent" with his blankets and a night light in his room and hes fine. also we put a monitor in his room and he loves "talking to us in it" People may think its mean to put a gate up, but he is fine and wakes up and tells us when he needs to go potty and stuff. Hope this helps!!

Michelle - posted on 12/06/2009

My twins have recently moved over from their cots to big beds. We actually bought them themed beds - Dora and the Princesses. They couldn't wait to get on them. We also bought matching linen. It doesn't work all of the time to keep them on their beds. But it certainly has helped. I know it is frustrating, but I find that persistence is the key. Keep encouraging him back onto his bed. And your little boy will eventually get the hint that sleeping in his bed is much more comfortable than the floor.

Mary - posted on 12/06/2009

oh, I had exactly the same problem too. We moved our son to his toddler bed when he was two, and it took about two weeks of constant battles, chasing him back to his room and him falling asleep on the floor. Finally, we put up a baby gate so at least he couldn't leave his room. I would give him his kisses and cuddles, tuck him in then leave. He would yell for me at the door for a while but when he finally realized that I wasn't giving in, he would give up and finally go to bed. At first he would fall asleep on the floor but now he falls asleep in his bed when he gets tired. usually around 8:00. (bed time at our house is 7:30). So I would just keep doing what you are doing. Be consistent and patient and if he falls asleep on the floor, pick him up and put him in his bed. Good luck!