3 Steps To Get Your Child To Sleep In His Own Bed

Getting your child to sleep in their own bed is difficult but not impossible. Maybe he or she is still sleeping in your bed and you do not know what to do about it.

Or maybe he or she stumbles into your bed at night after you sleep him or her in his or her own bed? Regardless of the situation, you feel that you are ready for a change, and we will give you some tips to help you on the right path.

Maybe you have not been able to get your child to sleep in their own bed yet because he or she just wants to be with you at night. Maybe your child has lots of nightmares, and that’s his or her undeniable excuse to sneak into your room at night.

Or maybe the family routine has been interrupted, maybe by a vacation or a persistent cold, and the child has gotten out of the habit of sleeping in his own room.

Sleeping alone is a basic habit for your child to develop properly. In this way, it can learn to overcome its fears and learn to be more independent. Of course, we know that this will not happen overnight.

Why does your child not want to sleep in his own bed?

There are several reasons why your child does not want to sleep in their own bed. The most common is the need for love and closeness, or to give it a more official term, “attachment”. It could also be because he or she is afraid of the dark. This is quite common until children are three or four years old.

There are also children who have gone through traumatic situations and this often also affects their sleep patterns.

The second reason is simply because they have become accustomed to it. As humans, we cling to everything that makes us safe and secure, and that’s what happens to young children. The child will think, “Why should I sleep alone if I feel so much better when I am next to my mother?”

But of course, children must at some point move from their parents’ bed or bedroom and learn to have their own rooms. This is to their advantage, but also for the well – being of the parents, so that they can enjoy their privacy again and get a little more rest!

Key steps to get your child to sleep in their own bed

Getting a child to sleep in their own bed sometimes seems like an impossible task. But with perseverance, commitment and consistency, we can help the child understand where he or she needs to spend the night. The goal has been achieved, and everyone will be able to relax in their own safe bed!

First goal: To lie down and fall asleep

To achieve this goal, you must take the child into his or her room and stay there until he or she has fallen asleep completely. Remember that what really comforts the child is not his or her bed, but that you are there. If the child knows that he has nothing to fear, he will probably fall asleep.

Wait until you are sure he or she is completely asleep. Sometimes they “trick” us and when we stand up they open their eyes and start crying.

Be patient, this process can take several days. When the baby has fallen asleep, get up very slowly and go to your room. It is advisable to leave the door open to both rooms.

Second goal: That your child does not enter your room at night

You will often be surprised to wake up at night or in the morning and see your child sleeping next to you. Your job is to calmly take the baby back to its own bed each time it comes in. Some children can be extremely quiet and can change beds without their parents noticing.

Repeat the process described in point 1 if he or she wakes up on the road.

Third goal: for your child to fall asleep on their own

Now your child should be in the stage where he or she does not wake up in the middle of the night and sneak into your room. Because of this, you can now be a little less strict when it comes to your baby’s sleep routine. An example of this is to leave the bedside lamp on until the child falls asleep.

You can also let him or her bring a safe toy or book to bed, or even let the family pet sleep next to it to “protect” him or her. This way, the child feels safe without you having to be by his or her side.

Getting your child to sleep in their own bed is no easy task, and it takes time and patience. It is important to start slowly and take small steps in the right direction day by day. Just take the time you need to break the old habits and create new habits. It can take days, weeks or months.

And one last very important point: both parents must agree on what needs to be done and must stick to it. That way, your little one will realize that rules are rules and that he or she cannot change them. Good luck and sleep well!