5 year old won't sleep in own bed.

[shuz1980]

My 5 year old will go to bed/sleep in his own bed but after hour or two he comes in my bed. I take him back but then he just comes back in after 10 minutes. After a few hours, im either exhausted and give in or fast asleep and don't notice. He doesn't cry when i put him back. So he's definitely not distressed in his own bed. I feel like half the battle is won because he will start the night in his own bed no trouble. He's a big 5 and me and dp have no space in bed anymore when he's in bed too. Im pregnant so definitely need to curb this before baby comes. Tips and advice very welcomed

Bump for you OP because my nearly 4 year old is exactly the same.. I've tried a bunch of things and nothing has worked yet..

Bribery? So a star chart, and if he manages (say) a week without coming into your bed, he gets a bigger reward, e.g. a toy, a day out etc. It worked for us with DD!

This just needs you to have firm boundaries and be very consistent.

If you sometimes might not wake when he comes into your bed then you can get those door alarm things like shops use - when a bell will ring as his door opens.

Then be very consistent. Don't even let him get into your bed. He gets up, you immediately take him back. I'd be inclined to wait behind his closed bedroom door for 15 minutes when he gets up. That way you can listen out for him getting out of bed and immediately return.

This is a technique called Rapid Return, if you want to google it.