How to stop toddler from getting out of bed?

Lately when DS can't sleep, he gets out of his big boy bed and either wanders the hallway or runs into my room and climbs into my bed. He startled me yesterday morning by standing in front of my side of the bed and watching me sleep. I didn't realize he was there until I rolled over and opened my eyes

I don't want to put a gate in his door way, but I'm not sure what else to do

Re: How to stop toddler from getting out of bed?

It's either a gate, or close the door. We keep our DD's door closed at all times to keep the cat out. She has never slept with it open.

Re: How to stop toddler from getting out of bed?

DD#1 has a tendancy to do this although not lately. We do keep a gate up and it took a few weeks (acutally maybe abou 2 months worth) of walking her back to bed and letting her know not to get up until she called for Mommy and I said it was okay to come.

I happened to be dealing with insomnia at the time so it made it easy but she has scared the bejeezus out of me when I am in a deep sleep.

Re: How to stop toddler from getting out of bed?

First, I put a gate on DS door. THat didn't work because he climbed over it. We closed the door but then he would get out. Now, unfortunately we have to lock his door (hook and latch). Before anyone flames me - Before this there was a month stretch where he wasn't sleeping, getting out of bed, climbing into our bed and engaging in inappropriate behaviors during the day b/c of lack of sleep. Our pediatrician suggested this to us as well!

Re: How to stop toddler from getting out of bed?

Thanks for the tips! I guess I'll start by re-thinking the gate idea. He can't climb over it (as far as I know) and take it from there!