My almost 4 year old daughter refuses to sleep in her own bed. She has been like this since she was 18 months old. Her little sister who is almost 21 months, has always slept in her crib without giving me any problems. My husband and I would like our bed back. Please help with any tips you may have :)
I saw or read somewhere that to help her transition you could put a sleeping bag next to your bed and have her sleep there for awhile or sleep in her room with her until she falls asleep. Just some ideas.
R.
My daughter is 4 years old and have not slept in her bed since she was 8 months old. Now she tells me that she hates her bed and doesn't want to sleep there. I don't know if this is bad or good but i figure she will grow out of this. I just read on Baby Center.com that the reason why a child wants to sleep with their parents is because of separation anxiety. I feel that when she matures, she will realize that she wants her own space. I also think that they are only young once and she won't be 15 years old sleeping in your bed and i'll be wishing for the time when she wants to cuddle with me still. This is just my opinion and i know a lot of people do not agree with this but you have to do what is right in your family.
Hi M.
The best advice that I can give is set up a night light in your daughter's bedroom in case she is afraid of the dark and then the second strategy is a rewards chart.
Every day she sleeps in her bed, she gets a sticker on her chart.
At the end of the week to start with, get her one of the things she really loves to have.
The light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer!
PS She might also be starting to night toilet train.
I've recommended this book dozens of times and I'll recommend it once more..."Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems" by Dr. Richard Ferber. You will learn so much about sleep that you will be blown away. This book saved my life with my two oldest boys (I now have four boys!) Get to a library and check it out. It's really easy to read and has sound, practical advice. You'll be so glad you did. Good luck.
My daughter is almost 5 and she still goes through phases where she wants to sleep with us...I don't let her in our bed anymore...I make a bed with blankets and pillows next to our bed on the floor and she can sleep there...after a few days of doing that she is usually back in her bed!!
Hi M., I think you just need to be consistant with her and put her back in her own bed. She's sleeping in yours because you have allowed her to. See if rewards will work, like after 4 or 5 nights of staying in her own bed, she gets something she wants. My son did this for awhile and I just kept telling him he was a big boy, had his own nice room, and needed to sleep in it! Also watch Super Nanny or Nanny 911, they seem to have helpful ideas on there but whatever you do, I think you need to show/tell her that your room is your private space and she has hers and be consistant with her. Good luck!
