How to get an 18 month old to stay in bed?

[Rhubarb78]

I know he is young but we need the cot for dd. He goes to bed at night no problem but in the day he just wont stay there for a nap no matter how tired he is. I have tried keeping on putting him back in but he ends up in hysterics and is out again as quick as you put him in. I have also just tried leaving him to it but he Potters round the room or stands, crying at the baby gate. At night he doesn't even attempt to get out! Any ideas?

Why do you need him to sleep in his bed during the day? Is it possible for him to sleep on the sofa? He might want to be close to you.

Have you tried having him nap in his pram in the day?

Thanks both, dont desperately need him to sleep in the bed but he used to nap really well in the cot so it just seemed to make sense. He has fell asleep on the sofa once when he was extremely tired but again, its difficult to get him to stay there long enough to drop off. He will sleep in the pram if out but not at home and i have a stupid phil and teds with a non reclining top seat so he doesnt sleep for long periods in it. Once dd is older the second seat can go on the bottom and will recline but she is only 12 weeks so a while away yet. Cant even geta side by side because it wont fit through our door

Travel cot for naps?

18 months is really young for a bed. Cant you just get another cheap cot?

Travel cot could be the answer, will need to get it back from mums and give that a go. I know 18 months is young but he is fine of a night and dont have the space for another cot. I know ideally it would be best to leave him in a cot. Just dreading him twigging that he can wander round at night, he doesnt seem to have noticed that he can get out at night and stays there till we come and get him in the morning.