Cot to Bed

[Fimi88]

My daughter is 28 months and 4 days ago my she climbed out her cot so we transitioned her into her big bed. The 1st night she seemed very panicked and was screaming so I sat with her till she fell asleep. She wakes up every 30-60 minutes now crying for me. I taker her back to bed but end up having to sit with her till she falls asleep again. I'm absolutely exhausted and getting no sleep at all. I don't know if I should continue to sit with her or just leave the room to see if she settles herself. I've put a baby gate at her door so she can't leave the room but I hate the idea of her being upset and not going in to see her. Any help or ideas would be appreciated. I just really want a few hours sleep.

Is the bed a bit too big for her maybe?
Could you take the side off the cot so if she does get out she can get back in?
Is she cold, im always cold in a bigger bed on my own. Maybe fleecy blankets for her to snuggle into?

Bring her bed into your room for a while if it’s not already there. Let her into your bed from first or second wake so you’re not constantly getting up and down all night. (Or sleep in beside her) she’s still only very small.
my two older boys are 6y and 10y and me or my husband lies with them in their big beds till they fall asleep every night, having cuddles, chatting about their day and reading a story. When they got their own beds I got double beds so one of us parents would comfortably fit to lie beside them and sleep there if needed.
I also have a 21m old baby who is in bed with me at night as he breastfeeds overnight and I don’t want to get out of my bed. I don’t move my children out of my bed until they’re old enough to potter back into me if they need me, again so I don’t have to get out of bed myself !

Is the bed big enough for you to sleep in too? Or an air bed on the floor of her room?

What's her dad doing during this.... hopefully splitting night time support so you're getting some sleep. At 2 I think you'd be able to discuss it a bit and she would understand, why its important she stays in bed, maybe a sticker chart for staying in bed. I bought my daughter a life size (toddler size) peppa soft toy that shared the bed with her to make it more snuggly, can you take her shopping somewhere so she can pick some new bedding and a cuddly to sleep with maybe. I'd focus on making it a lovely welcoming option for her, lots of reading together in her bed, role playing games where a doll goes to bed (and stays there). Ultimately this will be a phase, I remember lying on the floor too (we already had a sofa bed in there, so consider something you can actually sleep on whilst soothing her). Remember that no 16 yr old has their mum sit with them at night, this too shall pass. Good luck op!

A bed guard might be helpful if she likes the feeling of an enclosed space, e.g. safetots have wooden bed rails that are similar to a cot but much lower.

Try a bed guard! She can get in and put of bed easily but she will have that comfort of having a bit more of a confined space around her