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Join our Sleep forum for tips on creating a sleep routine for your baby or toddler.

Sleep

2 yr old will not stay in bed

15 replies

singsong · 16/07/2006 12:54

2 yr old ds had been so good about going to bed for ages but recently he has started to create a big fuss at bed time. He keeps getting out of bed, demands someone stays in the bedroom with him and throws big tantrums at bed time. Yesterday it took over three hours of repeatedly putting him back to bed and was near midnight before he finally gave in.
Any ideas would we very welcome!

OP posts:

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Yummymum1 · 17/07/2006 11:34

We had exactly the same problem when ds1 was 21/2.We tried everything,cuddles, sitting on floor in bedroom,shouting,singing etc!!We never let him come out of his room although sometimes it was very tempting to let him come downstairs for half hour but we never did.We even tried roping the door so it was just ajar but he couldnt get out (as in Toddler Taming)All in all it was an absolutely exhusting few months for all of us esp as we had a new baby as well(who was of course asleep while we were up half the night with ds1!!!)I dont think there is any quick fix but as long as you keep the routine the same and are very firm about it he must surely give up at some point.You are not alone,just have a big glass of winr ready for when he eventually gives in!

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KTeePee · 17/07/2006 11:36

This is why I left all mine in the cot till they were closer to 3....

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Yummymum1 · 17/07/2006 20:25

Good idea unless they are trying to climb out and endangering themselves....!!

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mustrunmore · 17/07/2006 20:28

hmmm. I'm going through this at this very minute, because he fell asleep in the buggy this afternoon He goes down ok if totally shattered. If not, he's a nightmare.

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Yummymum1 · 17/07/2006 20:38

Poor you!We also are up and down the stairs tonight with ds1 (5) as school is winding down and he just isnt tired!!Still i have a drink on the go so its not all bad!!

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FloatingOnTheMed · 17/07/2006 20:56

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mustrunmore · 17/07/2006 21:50

Asleep But took from 7.15 to a few minutes ago In the end, had to bf ds2 to sleep on the end of ds1's bed, once he's stopped screaming, put ds2 in the cot, and go back to ds1, plus negotiate being allowed down for a wee
ds2's new one for stalling bedtime is 'I need a wee, I dont want to do it in my nappy'. What can you say to that, when he's mid potty train?

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Thomcat · 17/07/2006 21:54

In the end we put a stair gate at the door of DD1's bedroom and she would fall asleep behind gate and we'd move her to bed when we went up. I laid blanket by gate so she was comfy and also safe. Lasted for a while but not for ever.

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FloatingOnTheMed · 17/07/2006 22:09

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Rhubarb · 17/07/2006 22:15

We had this very problem last night! Ds has discovered how to climb out of his cot, so he climbed out, opened the bedroom door and stood howling at the top of the stairs. We would go and put him back and he would do it again, this went on until 11pm. Tonight we have transferred him into our room (which he would have ended up sleeping in anyway, it was just that a spare room was available last night and we wanted a room without the kids!) which has a catch that he can't open. I did the routine, put him to bed and then left him - none of us went to him at all. After half an hour he had stopped and I went up to put dd to bed. He had climbed out and was in our bed, so I put him back, he woke up but settled.

This is what you have to do I'm afraid. It's hard but he's not a baby anymore. First night is bad, but the second is much better and by the third night there is hardly a peep!

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eidsvold · 17/07/2006 22:42

our dd1 kept coming out of her room - mainly in the morning when she was awake and we weren't. Solution - stair gate - forms barrier rather than gate iyswim. It goes up when she goes to bed - she does not always go to sleep in her bed - sometimes on the floor - but as dh and I spend most nights downstairs in the family room - she needed to be safe and we needed to know she was safe. IF she decided to fall asleep on the floor - put her in bed when we go to bed. ALso means she cannot wander the house if dh and I wake later than she does. She has learnt to simply play in her room.

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Yummymum1 · 18/07/2006 14:24

Floatingonthemed(wish we were!!)regarding the rope ds hated having it on the door and would scream blue murder(lucky no neighbours!)when we put it on so we ended up reasoning with him that if he would stay in room we wouldnt have to use it.If he came out of his room we would put it straight back on.In the end it just took the threat of the rope to get him to go back to bed.It is a struggle though isn't it and it makes you so resentful as it is your precious evening that is being taken up

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FloatingOnTheMed · 18/07/2006 16:32

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Yummymum1 · 19/07/2006 13:09

I guess you are winning then!They get the message in the end especially if you stay firm and the rules never change.Good luck for tonight!!

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singsong · 22/07/2006 22:29

Well have been continuing with this rapid return business but Ds thinks it's a game and starts laughing when he comes out of his room. Also twice this week when I thought he'd gone to sleep in bed I've later found him asleep in the cat bed outside his room! KTeePee I'd love to go back to the days of the cot but my ds can climb out and it's quite a way to fall which is why I moved him to a bed in the first place. Putting a stair gate on his bedroom door will be my next step I think.