Toddler Suddenly Not Sleeping in Toddler Bed

Updated on March 27, 2007
S.S. asks from Lincoln, NE
8 answers

I have a 22-month old son and about 2 months ago we switched him from a crib to a toddler bed (since he was climbing out of the crib!) He adapted to it very well at first. But now the last couple of nights as soon as we leave his room he gets out of bed and come running to the door crying - pretty normal, except that he doesn't stop. We try to put him down around 8pm, and he usually doesn't get quiet until aroun 9:30/10pm. He doesn't cry constantly, a lot of time he'll be talking to himself and what not, but he's right at the door, adn for the past 2 weeks he has been falling asleep right at the door. We normally try to check in on him after he falls asleep to move him if necessary. But last night when he did this I went in to move him and about 5 min after I left he woke up crying and went to the door, and then just laid down right there again and fell asleep. And that's where i found him this morning. Any one have this problem and have any suggestions on anythign I can try to get him to stay in his bed? Please help!

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T.S.

answers from Cedar Rapids on

As a mom of a three year old that has 'space issues' I have dealt with this issue. For months I beat my head against the wall. On day while online talking to other mom's I learned that I was not the only one. I got some really great ideas most kids refusing to sleep in a bed need or want the restriction of a crib. If you are dead set against setting the crib back up try a bedrail (if know someone handy make one that) or get your son a body pillow that you put next to him. Even though he could still roll off the bed the pillow creates a soft yet safe boundry for the child. The rail worked for us we made one that contained him in was only like 8 inches high and left an opening at the foot of his bed for easy and safe exiting from bed.

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T.P.

answers from Omaha on

my son went thru the same phase. for a few months last summer he would get out of bed in the middle of the night and come to our room and climb in bed with us. it passed.
during the time he was doing this we could let him lay down with us for a few minutes then take him back to his bed. he usually stayed there. even if he was initially scared of something when he came down to our room.

what we have done to let my son 'think' he's in some way in control. is let him decide on what story to read for bed time. or sometimes would give in to one more story with the stipulation of last story. and stick to it. i too agree ,,pick your battles.
he's still pretty young to understand some concepts. even though his age is approaching that stage of understanding.
so my opinion would be to console him, reasure him, to get him to be comfortable in his bed.
i believe the phase will pass.
from reading your post,, i get the impression that you close the door on his room.(?) that could very well be it. leave the door open. we started leaving the door open and the hall light on for my son. even after when he started in his bed he was fine with us closing the door most the way(at his request) now he was wanting it left open.
i don't think i would be comfortable with shutting the door on a 22mo old. as much as we try to child proof a room there is always things they manage to find to get into..climb onto..etc..lol lol
good luck
T.

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C.D.

answers from Omaha on

I would definitley say continue to be consistent with putting him to bed/etc. But I would also say pick your battles. If he wants to sleep on the floor, as long as its in his room, I would say it doesn't matter.He's probably just trying to gain a little control...just don't let it be an issue. Hope this helps

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J.M.

answers from Des Moines on

You could try putting a gate across the door so that the door doesn't need to be shut all the way. At about 2 is when they start discovering fears, so maybe a night light or some soft music. Both my kids went through a period of getting up and going to sleep on the floor. But we found that if you put them back so that they wake up in their bed then the getting onto the floor won't last as long.

I don't know when he's taking his naps in the afternoon, buy you might try to make sure he's awake longer before going to bed. Maybe he's sleeping to close to bedtime and not getting enough time to run down, so when you put him down at 8 he's more mad because he's not ready to sleep yet.

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S.P.

answers from Great Falls on

Sounds like both of my boys. You can put them in bed but making them stay is another story. I have pictures of my kids sleeping while standing against the bed.
I think the only thing you can do, is explain that he needs to stay in bed. Keep putting he back into it. Give him a soft toy to play with and make sure you mean buisness and just repeat putting him in bed.
One more thing? Does it hurt him to be out of bed to sleep? I know to us, it would be very uncomfortable but kids can handle it.

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L.W.

answers from Pocatello on

My daughter is doing the same thing. She turned two in October and we switched her to a toddler bed then as she was climbing out of the crib. She would never sleep in the toddler bed though. Instead she sleeps on the floor in front of the door. When we tried to fight her to sleep in bed it just led to long night battles and lots of tears. When we accepted that she was going to sleep on the floor things went well. She has been sleeping there for six months now. All I can say is to let him sleep where he wants to as long as he is safe.

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A.B.

answers from Lincoln on

Do you have a night light in his room? Would it help him if you left the door and put a gate in the door? I think that he just doesn't want to miss what you are doing!! The other girls are right pick your battles, but whatever you do be consistant and stick with it!!

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C.M.

answers from Sioux City on

When i went through this with my oldest, i had to put him in his bed and wait outside his room with the door open, cause other wise i'd turn around and he's be down the steps and it would be fourty trips upstairs in one night. I always stood in a place where he couldn't see me. It worked, cause after a while i never had to stand there cause he figured i was there and he'd just go to sleep.
I don't know if this helps but good luck.

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