How to stop my 3 year old joining us in bed every night? Should we buy him a dog bed?

[TheBlonde]

I'm sure this will have been done before.
DS often wakes in the night and wants to come to our bed.
Previously he was held at bay by the stairgate but he can now open them

Which is best?

• keep returning him to his bed, usually with screaming? will this eventually work?
• get a mattress or dog bed for him to sleep on in our room?

I don't mind him in the room but there is not enough space in the bed for him

[Jazzicatz]

Why a dog bed?

[TheBlonde]

It'll take up less room than a proper mattress

[CarGirl]

I've got a spare cot mattress you can have

[Jazzicatz]

I have a spare cot mattress too if you want.

[TheBlonde]

Thanks CarGirl & Jazzicatz

What I really want is DS to stay in his own bed all night as if by magic

[CarGirl]

Ah well in that case......

DD3 regularly woke at night and was just awake anything from 1 -4 times per night most nights. finally as she approached 4 I took her to a cranial osteopath after 1 treatment there was a huge improvement, after 2nd treatment it stopped altogether.

So as if by magic she started staying in her bed all night

[choufleur]

keep returning him and don't give in. tackle it when you know that you don't have a busy day the next day and when your DP can take turns with you.

it's hideous but does work. it may take a few nights to crack it though so keep going but it should get easier.

[navyeyelasH]

Have you tried rewards / "punishments"? Have you asked him why he does it? Is he cold/hot/bored etc?

[TheBlonde]

he doesn't really understand rewards/punishments

he is generally half asleep and crying when he appears

[crokky]

I'd let him go on a cot/cotbed mattress on the floor in your room. lol at dog bed!