Toddler to sleep through/stay in bed

[Sal1105]

Hello everyone. Any advice on this very common problem would be appreciated. My DS (3 in May) is in his own cotbed now. He's in one of the Gro duvets where there are zips so he can't fall out. The problem we're having is that he keeps coming in to our room anywhere between 1.00 am and 3 and saying either there's something in his bed or he's scared, etc, etc. I'm sure it's for attention as as soon as I make a move to get out of bed he runs off back to his bed for me to put him back in. I've tried the Supernanny technique where you don't say a word and lead them back to bed. Hasn't worked. I've tried stickers and the threat of their removal in the middle of the night. He's not bothered although is super excited when he gets given one. I've tried a star chart with a bit of success but he's not that bothered with the removal of a star. Last night he was back and forth about 7 times and I threatened the removal of a star and this morning he reminded me to take it off! In the middle of the night when all you want to do is sleep it's really difficult to remember which punishment/reward you're doing so I'm sure the inconsistency doesn't help. I asked him this morning if he wanted me to put the side back on his cotbed and he said yes. I am tempted but it does seem like a step backwards. He wont stay in bed much past 6am either and he used to sleep (when in a cot) until 7.30am. I've tried the GroClock thing with disasterous results and it was more a problem than a solution as it's so bright, even turned down, I might as well have shined a torch in his face.

I'm hoping someone has got a magic formula for solving this problem. He's so tired in the evenings that it's having a knock-on effect with his eating habits. He dropped his nap about 2 months ago and everything has gone wrong (sleep-wise) since. If he does have a nap, usually about 45 mins, he's a monkey at bedtime, too. Urgh. When will it end?!? I don't want to routinely introduce the nap again because I think it will exasperate the night-time problem. Help - it's driving me mad. I know this is a common problem and sorry for the boring rant. Sometimes it's good to just type!!!!

Just popped to Boots and a lady on the check-out asked if I'd consider taking the door handle off the inside so he can't get out. Seems a bit harsh - has anyone tried this. She said it took about 3 nights before her grandson stopped bothering. Hmmmm.......

We put a stairgate up at the door. Our son could open the door, but could not get out to come into our room. Worked really well (although he didn't have the worries of monsters under the bed etc). He was in his own bed from about 1.5yrs, so learned a bit earlier then your little on.
No if he is up too early in the morning and comes into wake us up, we can threaten to put the stair gate back up - that usually does the trick (of course we won't do it, in case he needs to get to the bathroom!!)

Hi Smircat. Thanks for your reply. We took the door handle off last night. Felt a bit weird, but I suppose it's no different to putting a stairgate on and I view it as an extension of his cot, really. I talked him through it so he didn't get scared in the night if he tried to get out. He got a bit panicky this morning when he couldn't get out but I think after a couple more nights, hopefully he'll get used to it and just give up and get back into bed. If this doesn't work, I'll try putting a stairgate on but he's in the room with his little brother who then wakes up too if the door is open and the light comes in - he thinks it's time to get up too. Ooooh, those pesky children! Thanks again.