Support needed with getting 3 year old to bed

[HalleLouja]

DS has been in a bed for a few months and after a difficult start was happy to play / go to sleep in his own room.

Fast forward to now. He is being a right pain and keeps coming down stairs. Started with him pooing (whole other thread) so we were happy to change him. Now he is coming down for any old reason.

So thought I should try to put him back in bed like we used to when training him to sleep in his bed but tonight he thinks its the funniest thing.

I am nearly 32 weeks pregnant (he came at 34 weeks) and have a low placenta and DH has a bad back.

HELP!!!!!!!!

Argh. Have a very tired DS who won't sleep and is crying behind his stair gate.

Maybe gradual withdrawl will be the best plan as I can't deal with upset DS.

I am going to try gradual withdrawal myself so let's make thus a support thread!

I am on the steps of his bedroom ( which leads off ours). How I move out of sight and not give constant verbal reassurance I can't imagine! But most of all what happens once new born is here ???

Lots of sleep books do recommend gradual withdrawal for toddlers. Easier on everyone?

Well we have just been up changed his nappy (he had done a poo). We have read him a book or two and put him back to bed with the gate open. He seemed upset at the though of me closing it so thought I would give him the benefit of the doubt... We will see.

You don't move from there until he's asleep. When he's got used to you being there, you can move a bit further away. I'd say to my DS1 that I'd stay there as long as he stays in bed. If he messes about, I'll go downstairs (said to him). He wanted me there, so he stayed put!

Start a thread on gradual withdrawl we might need to join you soon!!

Gradual withdrawl, do not move from where you are sitting until they are asleep, took us 3-4 weeks with this method.

Anyway after we changed nappy and read story DS was asleep. He didn't like it when gate did shut but after DH opened it he went to sleep no messing around. Probably helped he hadn't had a proper nap and needed sleep.

Fingers crossed threat of gate is enough.

Thanks for all your advice. If it goes tits up think gradual withdrawal might be next...