6 Tips to Help Your Kids Sleep in Their Own Beds

Need tips on getting toddler to sleep in own bed? Check out these 6 tips to get your child to sleep—and stay—in his own bed the whole night.

After months of sleep deprivation, Nick’s daughter proved she could sleep a solid 11 to 12 hours straight. But just when he thought she’d sleep through the night from now until forever, he faced a new problem: His daughter began to refuse sleeping in her room.

Right on cue, she’d creep into their bed, too afraid to sleep in her own. Other times, she refused to sleep in her room to begin with. And he wondered whether he’d ever get a solid night of sleep again.

Getting toddler to sleep in own bed

I too had to deal with a toddler who wanted nothing to do with sleeping in his room, much less his bed. How can we help kids sleep in their rooms?

1. Tame the fears

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Kids may not want to sleep in their rooms because of fear that keeps them from feeling safe and comfortable.

My son was afraid of the dark after we installed curtains that keeps his room pitch black. In Nick’s case, his daughter was afraid of monsters lurking in her room.

Help address these nighttime fears while being sensitive to your child’s feelings. Install a night light. Move plants around that might be casting scary shadows. Offer a special lovey or stuffed animal that your child can sleep with.

No matter how silly or inconvenient their fears are to us adults, they’re real for our kids. Don’t say “it’s okay” and dismiss their fears. Instead, acknowledge them as real and help your kids find ways to cope with their emotions.

Get more tips about dealing with your child’s nighttime fears here.

2. Consider any transitions or changes in your child’s life

My son’s refusal to sleep in his room coincided with transitioning him into a toddler bed. No longer safe within the confines of his crib, he now faced with the wider world of his room.

For safety reasons (he was climbing out of his crib), we had to move him to a bed. But we also had to ensure he felt okay sleeping in this new environment.

Maybe a new baby in the family is competing for your attention and prompts your child to be near you. Or maybe he’s starting school, or has a new child care provider, or has moved to a new home.

Dig into potential insecurities your child might feel so you can address them. You may find that another reason is keeping her from her bed.

Get tips about how to transition from a crib to a toddler bed.

3. Offer temporary comforts

Temporary comforts like sleeping in their room or offering a special toy might help. Since my son felt scared of staying alone in his room, we started sleeping on the floor next to his bed. Then once he was fine with this arrangement, we would only go in when he would call for us.

We lessened our presence until all he needed was for one of us to pop our heads in and reassure him we’re still here. Now he sleeps fine in his room without us having to sleep in there or bring him into our bed.

Get examples of a 2 year old sleep schedule.

4. Give your child a head’s up

Before placing him in his room and closing the door, give your child plenty of prep so he knows what to expect.

Starting that afternoon, explain to him that you’ll be doing things different now. Lay down exactly what will happen: “After bath time, we’ll go to your room, read four books and sing songs. Then we’ll turn off the lights, turn on your night light, kiss good night and close the door.”

He might still feel scared, but at least he’ll know what to expect rather than feel surprised.

Learn 8 mistakes you might be making when your 2 year old refuses to sleep.

5. Find something enjoyable about her bed and room

Encourage your child to sleep in their own bed by making it fun. Find something that she loves and tie it to her sleeping experience.

And reinforce the idea that his bed and room is a safe place to be. You might want to get new sheets or a night light to reassure him and make the room feel comfortable and even fun.

We demystified our son’s toddler bed was to wrap a bed sheet over the rails, making a canopy he called a house. Suddenly the bed was a fun place to be in.

6. Pick a method that works for you and be consistent

Sometimes the most difficult part about instilling change lies in our own inconsistencies. One night you encourage your son to sleep in his room only to concede to his endless cries the next. You’re sending mixed messages that will only prolong your end goal.

Instead, hold your ground. Don’t change the expectations: “Okay, just for tonight.” Decide on what you want to do and stick with it, perhaps giving it a week to settle in. Follow through consistently with your word so he takes you seriously. Don’t let him sleep in your bed or you in his, even if he protests.

When he was finally ready to sleep in his own room alone, we did check-ins every few minutes until he fell asleep. The first few nights, he fell asleep near the door, then on his rug, until finally he was fine to sleep in their own bed.

Bonus tip #1: Fess up

We focus so much on our kids when they don’t sleep in their own beds that we forget the role we’ve played in making this happen. If your child has grown used to sleeping in your bed, it can be difficult to transition him into his own bed and room when this is all he’s experienced for a long time.

Instead, fess up to the role you played. Explain to your child how you’ve been allowing him to sleep in your bed, which hasn’t been helping anyone get the sleep they need. Let him know you’re going to make changes as well so that everyone can rest well at night.

This simple admission of your own “mistakes” makes you and your child a team—on the same side and gearing toward the same goal. You’re in this together.

Bonus tip #2: Congratulate her the next morning

This is all difficult for our kids, no matter how easy sleeping in their beds may seem to us. The next morning, congratulate your child for doing his best (yes, even if he woke up several times or whined and complained).

This is a big step for him, and the best approach is to show empathy and patience, no matter how tired we may feel. Point out a few ways you were proud of him, and continue to encourage and believe that he can sleep independently in his own bed.

I also recommend reading the book A Bed of Your Own by Mij Kelly with your child, perfect for kids struggling to sleep alone in their beds:

Conclusion

When your child is crying for nights on end or is wailing to come sleep in your bed instead, consider what you want. If your goal is to get her to sleep in their own bed, keep that in mind when you’re about to get mad or bend the rules. Consistency, a positive experience and showing empathy will get you the sleep you need.

Want to determine whether your child is ready to drop a nap? Join my newsletter and download my FREE printable, Transitioning to Fewer Naps! Use it to record when your child is likely ready to take one less nap (hint: 5 days in a row is a good indicator!). Download it below:

Get more tips on helping your child sleep in their own bed:

• Getting Your Child to Stay in Bed All Night: 7 Crucial Tips You Need to Know
• How to End Bedtime Battles and Get Your Child to Finally Sleep
• 9 Children’s Books about Bedtime
• How to End Your Child’s Nighttime Fears
• How to Get Through the 2 Year Old Sleep Regression

Tell me in the  comments: What are your top tips on getting toddler to sleep in own bed?