Toddler bed troubles

Cleva - posted on 07/14/2010

Hi Melissa, yes, she will climb out of the cot,fall and get hurt so the cot is not an option. Bed is a different matter, some children have no problem, others do. Simply put, she misses the security she felt in her cot so you need to make her feel that her bed is a safe place to be. Think about the cot for a moment - it was an enclosed space - her own little world. You need to recreate that special little world on a slightly bigger scale. Put one side of the bed against the wall and place a spare pillow on the bed beside the wall. You have now recreated one side of her cot. Along the remainder of the wall sit all the fluffy stuffed toys to take uo the space. If there is no bedhead attached to the bed you need to place a pillow firmly between the mattress and the wall - thats side 2 recreated.
Now when you put her into bed it would help to sit with her quietly, speak softly, stroke her forehead, read a bedtime story. It will also help if you could leave a dim nursery light on all night if necessary for as long as it takes for her to feel safe and secure. A silent distraction can also help - a little light that changes pretty colours,makes shadows on the wall and maybe a couple of mobiles hanging from the ceiling will take her mind off being in bed long enough for her to relax and sleep.
When she's asleep quietly leave the room and only half close the door so that she can see she can get out if she wakes up.
This will take a while but it will work - I know you're tired but try to stay calm, the little one will pick up on your nervouseness and will become aggitated. The calmer and quieter you are, the sooner she will adapt to the change and everybody will get some rest. Meanwhile, there's nothing to say you can't have a little nap in the afternoon to recharge your batteries. Young mums need to look after themselves so they can look after their babies.

Amy - posted on 07/14/2010

hi
i have twin girls and they did the same thing. its just new to her i would sleep in there floor till they went to sleep i done that for a week then when they started again after that i would just put then back in there beds but they got to the point where they just wanted me to sleep in there with them. so the more u give in to her the more she will keep doing that. so i just let them cry it out then they started to sleep in there beds its just going to take her time...

Tracy - posted on 07/14/2010

I had the same problem with my first son. I found that is was the mattress that he didn't like, I got fed up and got him a regular bed and mattress and out like a light he went. He loved his big boy bed and was 15 months old at the time. I just put the mattress on the floor first just in case he fell out he didn't have far to fall, he learned quickly where the edges of the bed were (also had side rails on) and haven't had a problem since. He is now 4, I did the same thing for his brother (21 months) and sister (3) and skipped the toddler bed and went straight to big beds once they could walk. they all sleep real well. Hope that helps.