16.5M OLD WAKING AND WALKING AROUND THE FLAT IN MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT! HELP

[MrsBigD]

DS (16.5m) seems to be developing a rather annyoing habit, and I want to nip it in the bud before it's a proper routine...

He's been in his 'big bed' for a couple of months now. No issue. However 2 nights ago he started waking up and toddle into our room... I just pick him up and put him back in his bed with 'it's time to sleep' or some phrase to that effect. Only for him to generally come out again 10 mins later.

Seems to start around 0200 and go on till 0430! Well at least he's not crying I guess, but any suggestions what I can do? I tried keeping the door to the kids room closed but he just hammers against it then trying to get out, which in turn wakes up dd (4).

He seems quite happy when he wakes up, i.e. not hungry or the like. Should I just try ignoring him and see whether he toddles back into his bed or falls asleep somewhere on the floor?

Any suggestions welcome!

[MrsBigD]

oh maybe should mention that ds so far has been a notoriosly bad sleeper, got better though last once once I started giving him Vitamine C gummi bears ... coincidence?

Also the first night he started wandering about I had expected a bad night crying wise as he'd had his mumps injection. Instead he's happy as ... coincidence again?

I'm sure it is but it's strange isn't it

[MrsBigD]

ANYBODY PLEASE? I NEEEEEEEEEEEED SLEEEEEEEEEEEP!

[NotQuiteCockney]

I would put a stairgate on his door, or put him back in a cot. (Was he climbing out of his cot?)

But then, I'd never have a 16.5 month old in a bed, if I could help it.

[bossykate]

sorry, mrsbigd, but i think 16.5m is way too young to be sleeping in a bed. sorry to be blunt. would you consider moving him back to his cot? i think if he woke up then, he would have so few entertainment options (!) he would simply have to settle down again if he woke up.

good luck.

[starlover]

i don't think it's necessarily the bed that's a problem, if he has been fine for the last few months,.
i know lockets' dd1 was in a bed at around the same age with no probs.

i would put a stairgate on his door so that he is at least sht in his room, he'll either go back to bed or sleep on the floor but eventually he'll stop doing it!

[hotmama]

My dd is nearly 16 months and is in a cotbed - I am not going to be taking the sides off for a good few years!

How about putting him in a sleeping bag? I swear this has contributed towards dd being a good sleeper - and even if he does wake up it's a bit difficult for him to waddle about.

However, I think it is good advice about a stairgate at the door and making sure the room is safe if he does wake up.

[MrsBigD]

Thanks for the input. I'll try the stairgate and 'ignoring'

The problem with the cot was he's quite big and strong and moves around a lot. So he kept banging himself on the sides of the cot/cotbed and slept even worse...

[MrsBigD]

oh and with his strenght and weight he nearly toppled the cotbed 6 months ago!

[bossykate]

oh i see! then it looks like the stairgate is your best option then.