Please share advice on transition from cot to bed

[Mariacbw]

I'm 38+1 with DC2. 5 nights ago DD1 discovered she could climb out of her cot so she's now got a toddler bed. . . And it's a nightmare. She's gone from being in her cot at 6.30pm, asleep by 7pm by herself to jumping up and down on the bed and generally messing in the bedroom until 9.30pm some nights.
Weve tried -

• no afternoon nap
  
• reading stories
  
• holding her hand
  
• stroking her
  
• leaving her to it
  
• telling her off
  
• putting her back in bed repeatedly
  Once she's asleep she sleeps through till 7-8am it's just the getting to sleep that's the problem.
  How did you overcome the move from cot to bed? [as I type I can hear what sounds like furniture removal coming from her room]
  I'm literally exhausted from the gazillion trips upstairs - all suggestions welcome.....

[KittyCatKittyCat]

Bump and lurking, our DD loves big beds, and we have to move her to one soon... I forsee lots of jumping about with glee when she should be sleeping.

[Mariacbw]

why can't cots have bigger sides

DD is 24 months old btw

[Needsweetstosurvive]

I know this is hard to do in the summer but when we moved DS1 into a bed at 20mo we made sure his room was very dark (was the middle of winter) so that he couldn't see to find his way out! He was never scared and never tried to get out or play. In fact, it wasn't until he turned 5yrs old that he started voluntary getting out of bed. Prior to that he would want until we went in to get him in the morning! DS2 is only 14mo but I already know he will be a but harder to deal with this transition..... He is a bit of a pickle!

[grabaspoon]

Its been 5 nights and you've tried all those tactics. Just choose 1 and be consistent with that one.

[sparklyDMs]

DTS 1 and 2 both came out of cots at 22 months (one climbed, the other took notes and then copied).
Be consistent with your method- I went for putting back to bed with minimal interaction. I didn't engage in any cuddles or chat, I was incredibly dull when seeing them back to bed. Took a few nights but worked for me. Good luck

[FATEdestiny]

I've never had any problem with toddler getting out of the proper bed. But then I wouldn't consider the change this early and I suspect that is the reason.

Agree with PP though who said that in 5 days you have tried too many methods. You need to pick one and be consistent. It may take a couple of weeks worth of consistency.

[slightlyconfused85]

I've just had all this with dd age 2 and a half. I found the persistent ignoring strategy (plus no nap which she dropped at 2 anyway) over a week did the trick. She goes go bed just before 7, gets straight out. One of us goes in once and gently reminds her that it's bedtime and we won't be back. After this she faffs about for 5 minutes to 30 minutes then just falls asleep. She's realised that she gets no attention for it and it's finally worked! Sometimes she falls asleep with no covers or on the floor but we tuck her back in later...

[Greenstone]

We moved dc1 at I think 26 months when i wás pregnant and she had decided to go dry at night.

It is a phase and it will pass. We did rapid return. Really consistent and really dull. I didn't talk to her at all during the returns but I was careful not to appear cross so as not to wind her up or make her more anxious (the getting out is partly a new anxiety thing of course). Just put her back to bed with a kiss and left. It took about an hour for 2 or 3 nights, then settled down. If you can knacker her out during the day that will of course help.

[DuchessOfWeaseltown]

Lurking OP... having similar problems here though DD is 2.3 and wishing had never made the move to the bed this early

I agree with consistency, though more just because I am clinging to the hope that something consistent will work rather than because I've had success yet!! I agree with a PP who says that getting irritated/stressed out probably just winds them up more and makes them anxious so I think the extremely boring approach is probably best... tried that tonight and it certainly made me feel better so will stick with it for a few weeks and just hope!!

Without wanting to hijack, though, can I just ask people, re the rapid return and being boring etc - what did you do about requests for water...? DD has, I think, cottoned onto the fact that it's hard to deny her requests for water, so this is is 'reason' she gives for continually getting out of bed and then, even when she's in bed, for why she needs us to go in... I guess I can still do the 'boring' thing by just not saying anything and giving her the water, then leaving asap...? But any other suggestions?? If I refuse to give her a minute sip of water, she gets upset and that just delays everything even longer.

I don't think I can leave a cup/beaker by her bed as she'll probably spill it/mess around with it and then we'll have a damp bed to sort out!!! Or maybe I should just do this and see what happens...?

Sorry you're suffering though OP, it is depressing after having had a good settler... It is taking a solid 75-90 mins here every night and it is SO boring/such a waste of time!!

[sparklyDMs]

Duchess, stick with the dull approach - hand over the water beaker, wait for DD to drink without any chat and then take it away with you and maintaining the same level of dullness.
Eventually DD will only ask for water if she really needs a drink and not for diversion. Good luck, stay dull!

[Mariacbw]

Thanks for suggestions, the dull approach definitely works better. Have had a slight improvement with giving her reduced attention.