Getting 2 year old to stay in bed

[kellybean18]

Hi

My 2 year old has a good bedtime routine - bath, warm milk, story, in bed by 7:30. However she is simply not staying in bed.

I am wondering whether it’s worth introducing a reward system for bedtime - has anyone done this and had success? We found a reward chart helped hugely with potty training. I’m just a bit unsure how to use it for bedtime. Thanks!

Do you mean she wakes up and gets out of bed looking for you? or do you mean that she is still awake when you leave her and expect her to fall asleep by herself? if so then that could be asking a little bit too much from a two year old... why not just read her stories until she falls asleep?

Having similar issues with my 2.5 year old twins atm , waking constantly in the night, I've just ordered some reward charts from eBay, not sure if they will quite get it yet but worth a try I suppose. I think they may be going through separation anxiety as they slept great before lockdown x

@AladdinMum she used to settle in five minutes max, would just roll over as I left the room and go to sleep. Now it can take up to an hour.

@helpamummaout SAME! This is exactly what I’m talking about, she was fine before lock down. No fuss nothing. We pushed bedtime back thinking maybe as she’s a bit older that would help and it hasn’t really. I’ve ordered a Gro Clock and reward chart but I’m a bit sceptical about whether she’s old enough to really grasp it. Though as I said, she really loved it for potty training and would ask for a sticker after achieving each thing.

@AladdinMum I see what you are asking sorry, no she doesn’t wake looking for us. It’s going off to sleep. As I said, she used to be fine and has developed this recently.

Stairgate on the door to keep her safe in her rokm, and a small book/toy corner.

My 2 yo says goodnight to us but sits and plays for anywhere between 20mins and an hour before going to sleep.

@Lazypuppy do they put themselves in bed after that? Or do you find them asleep on the floor etc? I have debated this but I just worry she would be up all night

@kellybean18 at nap time sometimes she is on her rug because the kids at nursery sleep on the floor, but bedtime she always gets herself into bed and under the duvet.