Sleep Question for 4 Year Old

When our son was moved to a big kid bed at 3 1/2, he had some of the same issues. I know it's just a phase and they are supposed to grow out of it, but I'm not one to sit around and wait for the growing to happen. I wanted my sleep too! We attacked the problem 2 ways at once:

1. Preventing the wake up at night: We created a "talisman" of sorts to ward off bad dreams, etc. I bought a plaster Spiderman and he painted it and put glitter on it and we hung it on his wall right by his door (about 3 feet off the ground so he can touch it and see it all the time). He believes that Spiderman won't let anyone or anything bad happen to him while he's sleeping. If your daughter is into princesses, I heard that Ariel is a pretty tough cookie. We also told him that any scary things out there are REALLY afraid of Mommy. And since Mommy is in the house, they won't come any where near it. He believed that one, big time.

2. Rewarding sleeping all night. We kept a sticker chart for 2 weeks. He had to "sleep all night long" to get a sticker. Once he got 10 stickers out of the 14 nights, he got to go to the store and pick out his own hot wheels monster truck. He had seen it at the grocery and we "visited" it each time we went, but he couldn't bring it home until he got his stickers. We did this 2 times and it worked like a charm. We also reminded him each night as we were leaving his room that we loved him and would like him to sleep all night long so he could get a sticker and pick out that monster truck.

Good luck!
N.

When we moved my son into this new room, we had the same problem. We got a GloMate, which is a rechargeable nightlight that children can carry into bed with them. A charge will last 6 hours, and has an LED light, so it doesn't emit heat- just a nice soothing glow. We call him "glow buddy" and told my son that glow buddy chases away the dark. Worked like a charm.
You can get a GloMate at BabiesRS or online-
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3601494

Moving her to a big girl bed was a change for her.... probably one of the biggest so far in her little life so it is going to take some adjusting. She is old enough that she should be able to communicate what she is afraid of. She may be afraid she is going to fall out so falling asleep is scary. It is something that may take time but it is normal and she will get used it the idea. Whatever her fear is.... talk with her openly about it. Let her express her feelings, give them a name and help her work through them. If you are Christian I suggest you pray with her about whatever she is feeling. If she is afraid of "monsters" and they do have quite active imaginations at that age.... pray that God will give her comfort and protection, etc. Did her nightly routine change when she switched beds? That maybe part of her problem as well. If she is potty training or ready too (or already trained) that is another reason why she maybe waking up and just doesn't know what to do in the middle of the night.
Hope this helps :)

I'd say the transition to the new bed has traumatized her slightly. Did she change rooms, or only beds? Maybe a temporary/portable side rail would make her feel more secure and would still let her out as needed. Always make sure to take her to the bathroom when she awakens. In my experience (4 kids and 3 grands) when kids wake up, they almost always need to pee. If you start staying with her, it'll consume her nights. Have a serious talk with her and let her know that if she needs you, she knows where to find you. Ask her outright what she's afraid of, and assure her that her fear is unfounded. Get a night-light but put it where it won't shine directly into her eyes as it's been found that sleeping with any light can cause nearsightedness. The more 'rattled' YOU are by her fear, the worse it'll be.

Based upon all the questions each week about kids and their sleep habits, I'd say this is completely normal.

We're having the same issue with our 3.5 year old who wakes up each night and ends-up in bed with us somehow. We're not sure why he's waking-up and despite 2 night lights, he's scared of being in his own room.

We've explained that we "Monster Proofed" the house and that both our dog and cat are there to protect him. Something's gotten in his head and has him scared.

You could always call the pediatrician if it persists and gets worse to ask if they have any advice. Otherwise, I'm leaning to this just being a normal part of having a kid this age.

Good luck.