Toddler Bed Transitioning Help Needed ASAP

Last week we transitioned my 2 year old to a toddler bed. First 3 nights he slept perfectly in it. Ever since he wakes up at least every hour and calls my name. He seems scared of his room now. We have a gate by the door but leave a night light on and the hallway light on as well as his door open. zi tried sitting in a chair in his room until he falls asleep but hell wake up afterabout an hour and I have to keep sitting in the chair Shoudl I let him cry it out, Im afraid #1 hell wake my 7 month old #2 it will make it worse since he seems to be afraid (he wont tell me why hes afraid just that hes afraid). I tried bribing him with ice cream and it worked 1 night and then not again Please help since I go back to work in 1 week.

Re: Toddler Bed Transitioning Help Needed ASAP

We just moved DD into her big girl bed at 2 1/2. This is what worked for us: we made "special treat" jar. We repeatedly told her (for about 2 or 3 weeks) that if she stays in her bed all night long and doesn't get out, then she'll get to pick a special treat from the jar in the morning. I filled it with fun stuff like stickers & crazy balloons and tattoos. Worked like a charm. But she would still call out for me a lot. We lengthened her bedtime routine. Spent a lot of time before bed setting up her stuffed animals (she sleeps with like 10 of them!) and reading books. Then I turn out the light (she has a nightlight) and lay down with her, rub her back and talk to her softly for 5 minutes. Then I get up and leave. No going back in. It's like CIO all over again. But she now knows that whining does not bring mommy. I have a video monitor in there so I only go in if she's in distress, as opposed to whining for me.

I read the Supernanny book and got these ideas- she stresses independent sleep for toddlers & teaching them to soothe themselves, etc. They need to know that it's safe to fall asleep by themselves and that they cannot control their parents. She's very against staying with them until they fall asleep or sitting by the door. Sounded good to me & it worked!

Hope this helps- good luck!

Re: Toddler Bed Transitioning Help Needed ASAP

Maybe your DC is just too young for a toddler bed? When my dd was 2 she started climbing out of her crib so we switched her to a toddler bed. Just like you, the first two or three nights were fine, but from that point on she wanted no part of it. She would scream and cry and only wanted to sleep with us b/c she was afraid. We gave it about 2 sleepless weeks before we caved and bought a crib tent and put her back in the crib. At three y/o we put her in a regular twin bed and it was not a problem at all. We think she just wasn't ready for a bed any younger than 3.

Re: Toddler Bed Transitioning Help Needed ASAP