Cot to bed - how do you keep them in there?

[catherinemummy]

Just converted dd's cotbed to bed (she's 21 mth) as she had started jumping out in middle of night. Was very good at getting slef to sleep in cot.

First night I sat with her while she went to sleep.

Last night went down by herself.

Tonight I have so far had an hour of screaming with me going in every few minutes and putting her back to bed with brief cuddle only and no chat other than "it's bedtime". Fortunately she can't open the door handle yet.

Naturally dh working this evening so am on my own and getting very hungry.

Help - what did anyone else do?

catherinemummy - we (i say we, dh really) did exactly the same. My dt's were 23 months when we did the move and thought it was wonderfully exciting being able to get out after bedtime. I was away at the time, and when I got back - 4 days after move the novelty had worn off. DH just kept bedtime the same, bath, bottle of milk (looks sheepish!), then like you, silent quick return. They have wills of iron, but soon got bored of the lack of attention.

Few months later though we went back to trashing the bedroom til 9pm, but again only lasted a short while.

Good luck and stay strong.....