Big Girl Bed

I haven't transitioned mine yet, so I don't have personal experiance to draw from here. Maybe she just isn't that ready to transition yet?

I'm sure she will settle better in another wekk. Also, try putting up any books/toys in her room so she won't be tempted to get out of bed and play as much. Also, maybe a nightlite would help if she doesn't have one. Here are some other great tips:

http://www.drgreene.org/body.cfm?id=21&action=detail&...

Try the sleep sense program. You can google it to find the website. We are using to transition from our room to her room right now and it is working well. We are not normally structured and organized about everything but in case is has helped to have a plan that both my husband and I agree with!

If you have any questions or would like more info you can contact me. Good luck!!!

This is such a fun and tough time!! If you are like me, the biggest part of the problem is that your sweet 2 year old has figured out how to talk her way in and out of lots of things!! As a mom, you want to be sensitive to the fact that this is a big change for her, but at the same time, if you give her an inch she will take more than a mile for sure!! The thing that finally helped us was rewarding my daughter for staying in her bed. Her bribe of choice was chocolate milk with breakfast (a sippy with milk and a tsp. of ovaltine:) There were mornings that she pitched some good fits, but that just proved to me that this was a good choice to reward her with because obviously she really cared about it! Also at this age though, she may not be ready to go to bed as early, so maybe trying half an hour later will help, or cutting back on nap time. There is lots to explore with this new found freedom, and so if you are ok with it, I agree with putting a gate across her door, and letting her play quietly or read books etc. If you dont have a play room, and all of her toys are in her bedroom, you may have to put some in the closet or something to minimize the distraction. Other than that, just be firm and dont let her get away with every excuse in the world...these little girls are pretty smart these days!! Good luck!!! ~A.~

I would try playing a classical music CD (I use Peaceful Mornings). You might also want to try a white noise machine. I also put blackout curtains in my sons room. It is very dark in his room even in the middle of the day if I don't open up his curtains. Do you have bed rails up on her ber? I bought the really long ones from One Step Ahead. Also, you might want to make sure that you have a very specific routine for bed...and follow it! My son will tell you if you do something out of order! The best advice that I can give is DON'T sleep with her when she wakes up...we made this mistake with my son and it was tough to break the habit!

Hey K., I am in just about the same boat as you. My two year old good sleeper got put into his big bed and started get up at night, then started fighting going down at night, and then started getting up earlier too. Pedi said he is testing us and that he is trying to assert his independence. We have tried most everything you can think of short of putting a lock on his door and locking him in (which we are not comfortable with doing, although I know many people have). All I can tell ya is be prepared for it to possibly get worse before it gets better and it may be a long time before it gets better. A lot depends on the child and their personality. I wouldn't suggest letting her stay in your bed as that is just another habit to break, I have heard about putting a bed for them on the floor in your room so they can stay there. Mine didn't like that either. He's 2 1/2 and we are still working on this problem. Keep as much of your original routine, that you had when she was in her crib, in place as you can and stick by your guns, if you waver they will run with it. Sorry this isn't very positive but sometimes things aren't. You're not alone just remember that.

I have a 2yo daughter who is currently sleeping in her big girl bed w/o major tantrums. Some nights is very easy and then there are nights where she has tantrums(10mins). I've found that I if I tell her what's going on and talking about her big girl bed makes it a little easier at bedtime. For instance, we talk about it while getting her pj's, picking out books(to read later), bathtime, brushing teeth and finally going to bed and read the books she chose. I talk it up in other words. She has a night light in her room. We say our prayers, my husband joins us sometimes(but she usually just wants mommy to put her to bed), she gets a kiss good night along with her baby doll(Amy) and she's sleep within 10 mins. I never send her to bed angry. It takes time. She sometimes she sleeps with us, but I didn't allow her to do that until after a few weeks of sleeping in her own bed.

When she's ready, you will know. I tried to early once(18mos) and she didn't respond well to the idea. She's 2yrs,4mos.

Good Luck