How to Get Toddler to Stay in Her "Big Girl" Bed

We moved to a big boy bed at 15 months. My son did great for the first month. We never had a problem with him getting out of bed at night or for naps. But one day he realized it was light enough in his room to play and mom would never know as I was out of sight. I just moved him to a pack n play, for naps. That worked for a week until he learned to crawl out of that. What I finally had to do was put him down for his naps and sit by his bedroom door with it cracked. The second his foot hit the floor I walked into his room said, "No Nap time. If you get out of bed again you will get a spanking." This was by far the hardest thing I have ever had to do as a new mom. It took 2 hours of me sitting by the door and going into his room, however he gave in and finally took a nap. Everything was great for a few days, and then he tried it again. This time it took 10 minutes and he gave up. He would test me a few times and sit at the end of the bed and get his foot almost to the floor and then pull it up again. I thought that was pretty funny, cute and smart. Now at 18 months I have absolutely no problems at all with him getting out of bed. Whatever method works best for you stick to it and don't give up.

My daughter is 3 and hates taking naps in her own bed. We have no problem at night with her, but in the daytime, we just leave her bed alone. I let her lay in my bed for naps if she even goes to sleep--however she is old enough to understand that she can nap in my bed, but not sleep there at night. This might confuse a little one as young as yours. I wouldn't push naps in her bed if she is resisting, but this is a hard one bc you don't want to mess up her good nights. Sorry--I am not much help!! :)

I am a stay at home mom of 3 children, and I know it can be difficult, but all I can say is consistancy. Everytime she gets out of bed, pick her up and place her back. The only thing you should tell her is no, it is bedtime. Anything more and she feels she has accomplished her goal of getting your attention. She is just getting used to the freedom Idea, being able to get out of bed when ever she wants, but if you are not firm, she will climb out all the time. Stay on top of it, so she knows that, yes, it is nap time, and yes, it is night night time. Yes, she will proberly cry for a few days to maybe depending on firmness, two weeks, but after that it should be routine. I am currently working with my 12 month old on that same thing, and it is working out great.

Good luck,
T.

I just went through this with my son (who is 18 months). What I did was everytime he got out of bed I just picked him up without a word put him in bed and closed the door. No words, no disipline. It took awhile for him to get the hang of it, but about a week it was so very easy to get him to stay in bed. Good luck to you.

T.

Hi T.,

This is so funny, my daughter does the same thing! We moved her when she was about 22 months old and she's 30 months old now. She STILL gets out of her bed at nap time. She takes naps perfectly well on her cots at school, I figure I just need to get 20 kids and bring them into her bedroom for her to be able to nap - lol! :-) There have been several occassions when I've gone up to her room after it's gotten quiet and she has just fallen asleep on her floor. For whatever reason, she just likes to protest I suppose. She has gotten better though, so just give your daughter some time. You'll eventually want to start ignoring her though and just let her figure things out on her own. Either she'll climb back into bed on her own or just fall asleep on the floor. But I think the more often you go into her room, the longer it will take her to go to sleep.

Good luck!

-Char

I totally agree with Char. We have had a very similar experience. My little one is 28 months, and we moved her to a big girl bed last month. Naps are hit or miss though prior to pacifier removal and big bed- they were great. And for the first couple of weeks, she would stay in bed at night through the night..no problem. Then, naps got back on track, and at bedtime she wasn't as tired when we put her down, and she would roam in the room in the dark and fall asleep at the door. We go back and forth on sleep -- in bed...on the floor- -naps -- no naps...straight to bed and stay in bed at night...or roaming. Nevertheless, I am always consistent on putting her down for a nap at the same time, and bed within and hour of the usual time...depending upon whether we have a nap or not.

I figure she is 2, she is aware of the bed...I provide her with the opportunity to nap and sleep in it, and if she chooses to sleep on the floor, or in her recliner...then so be it. I imagine I won't have a 13 y.o still sleeping on the floor -- at least I hope not (-:

I have heard moms with older children tell me that they go into their kiddos' room and will see that they have pulled out the sleeping bag, and slept in it for a night. Kids are kids...who knows.

Also, I read a book that said once the kiddo has moved to a big girl bed...expect to treat the entire room as a crib. Just make sure it is safe, and maintain whatever healthy sleeping habits/routine you had enstilled before, and ultimately the kiddo will get in bed and stay there.