Convincing your child to sleep in his own bed can be a challenge once he/she has been in the habit of co sleeping. Whether your child refuses to fall asleep in his own bed or he ends up crawling into your bed halfway through the night, kids who don’t want to sleep alone will be very persistent.
Experts generally recommend around the age of 3 is when children are capable of self-soothing and can move to independent sleeping.
It is recommended to ensure their room is sleep-friendly before you suggest he/she start sleeping there. This could mean different things to different children, whether it is a night light, pink noise, certain bedding or room décor. This sort of an environment makes them feel safe about this space and being alone in it.
Your toddler can reasonably understand quite a bit you may expect of them so start by talking to them ahead of time. Involve them in setting up their room, making them feel like they have control of the space and they will want to be in it more and more.
Be part of the process and create a routine. Help your child unwind and get ready for sleep, whether it be a a warm bath, a few good books, or some cuddling. Then, when it’s time for lights out, shut off the lights and leave the room so he/she can practice falling asleep on his/her own. How about getting them a new snuggly toy sheep from Warmies? Their plushies are fully microwavable to provide soothing warmth and comfort. These adorable soft toys are scented with real dried French lavender and perfectly weighted for a positive sensory experience. Warmies make an ideal gift for all ages and may make this new sleeping stage easier to tackle.
If your little one had been co-sleeping with you, some suggested methods are like this: For the first few nights, the parent will put the child in their bed and sleep on the floor next to the child. The parent will gradually decrease their presence in their child’s room, going from sleeping on the floor, to sitting in a chair until they fall asleep, and ultimately standing by the door until the child is sleepy and then closing the door. With this method, this may take weeks, or even months but it is important to stay consistent and stick to the set routine.
Try a reward system as this usually works with kids this age. Introduce a sticker system where they earn a certain number of stickers to win extra time outside, on their tablet or in the park. Or even help them save for their favourite toy from Warmies?
No matter how they react, always validate your child’s feelings. Rather than say, “Don’t be scared,” say, “I know you feel scared but I know that you are old enough and strong to stay in your own bed and it will not feel so scary.”
If your child has been sleeping in your bed for a long time—perhaps even all of his/her toddler life—he/she will need a little help with the transition to that new bed.
If you need more help finding the best solution, have a look at Plushible.
How adorable are their Blanket Besties! They are a 2-n-1 animal blanket and stuffed animal that will certainly bring smiles from ear to ear, and a feeling of comfort and safety to children of all ages and occasions! Choose their favorite animal in the softest coziest plush.