Ideas to get toddler to sleep?

[svs79]

Any ideas to help my 20 month DD go to sleep by herself again? She was doing really well going to sleep in her bed, but now she won't even stay in her bed with me right next to her. The last couple nights I've had to nurse her in my bed (forever) and then transfer her back to her bed later. I am really missing my time with DH in the evening Any suggestions for getting her to fall asleep in her bed again? Please no book recommendations, I don't have time to read a book right now. TIA!

[LadyCatherine185]

Whenever we've made changes with DS, we've always had to be very firm and consistent. We have never left him to CIO or done any harsh sleep training, but we have made several changes. I think you just need to lay down with her in her bed, tell her it is time to go to sleep, nurse her or whatever she needs, but don't let her get up out of the bed. If she gets up, lay her back down. Repeat. After a few nights she should get it.

Also, blackout curtains and white-noise are huge lifesavers for us.. DS is distracted by every sound/sight so we have to keep it pitch black dark and the white-noise to drown out any background noise.

A consistent bedtime routine should also help. Like books, jammies, teeth, cuddle in bed. Every night. So she knows books=almost bedtime and gets into that mindset.

[svs79]

Originally Posted by LadyCatherine185

I think you just need to lay down with her in her bed, tell her it is time to go to sleep, nurse her or whatever she needs, but don't let her get up out of the bed. If she gets up, lay her back down. Repeat. After a few nights she should get it. .

Thanks for the suggetions. My only problem with this one is she is in a toddler bed, which I'm afraid won't support my weight. I guess we could try just a mattress on the floor?

[LadyCatherine185]

ohhh yes I would try a mattress on the floor then, or maybe put a chair beside her bed and you can sit in it while she is in the bed? my DS has a twin bed so I lay in bed with him.

[Honey693]

We just bought an essential oil diffuser that has lights and changes colors. DD will lay in bed next to me and watch the colors change until she passes out. It's the easiest way I've found to keep her in bed.

[svs79]

The essential oil diffuser with lights is a great idea. I'll have to look into that one. Probably some blackout curtains would help too. We have been using a blanket over her window, but half the time she just pulls it down...

Maybe we'll try the mattress on the floor tonight. I've tried sitting right next her bed, but she won't even go for that!