8 Ways to Get Your Toddler Sleep in Their Bed

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How to Get Your Toddler Sleeping in Their Bed Without Losing Your Mind?

It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation when it comes to getting a toddler to sleep in their bed. Some families choose to co-sleep for closeness or convenience. Others find themselves in nightly battles trying to keep their little one in their room. And sometimes, even with the best intentions, we end up doing whatever it takes just to get some sleep.

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But if you’re not getting enough rest—if you’re waking up tired, sore, or spending half your night being kicked by a toddler, it may be time to make a change. That change starts with compassion, consistency, and some simple strategies that support both you and your child. These 8 Ways to Get Your Toddler Sleep in Their Bed can help guide you through the process and create a more restful night for the whole family.

Every Family Is Different

It’s important to acknowledge that every family has its own reasons for the choices they make around sleep.

Some parents choose to co-sleep because it aligns with their values or lifestyle. Others might do it out of necessity, like limited bedroom space, managing siblings, or simply to get through a tough phase.

8 Ways to Get Your Toddler Sleep in Their Bed — 8 Ways to Get Your Toddler to Sleep in Their Bed

The key question to ask yourself is this:

Is this arrangement working for everyone, especially you?

If the answer is no, and you’re constantly exhausted or uncomfortable, then it may be time to guide your toddler back to sleeping in their bed.

Get Support When You Need It

Sometimes, just knowing you’re not alone can make a huge difference. Many families wait until they’re at their breaking point before seeking help.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need guidance, sleep support programs or parenting communities can offer immediate access to advice and tools without waiting weeks for an appointment.

The most important thing to remember is that it’s never too late to make a change that benefits your child and your well-being.

Here Are The 8 Ways to Get Your Toddler Sleep in Their Bed

If your toddler regularly climbs into your bed in the middle of the night or starts bedtime with acrobatics and excuses, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Here are eight expert-approved tips to help guide your child back to their own sleep space.

1. Understand Sleep Regressions

Sleep regressions are normal. They often follow disruptions like illness, travel, house guests, or big transitions like starting daycare or welcoming a sibling.

Even previously great sleepers can regress during stressful or unusual times.

The key is to draw a clear line: “That was temporary, now we’re getting back to our routine.”

Helpful tip: Reinforce structure with loving firmness. Let your child know the situation has changed, and their bed is ready for them again.

2. Reintroduce Their Room Gently

If your toddler has been sleeping with you, going cold turkey may feel too harsh. Instead, try easing them back into their room by sleeping there with them for a few nights.

You could set up a mattress next to their bed or sit beside them until they feel safe and relaxed.

The goal is to help your toddler reconnect with their space as a comforting, secure place to sleep.

Helpful tip: Make their room cozy and welcoming. Let them help decorate it or choose a special bedtime toy or pillow.

3. Create a Calm Sleep Environment

Your toddler’s room should feel relaxing, not chaotic or overwhelming. Take a moment to get down to their level literally.

Lie on their bed and look around. Is it cluttered? Are there open drawers or bright distractions?

Also, consider that many toddlers start to develop nighttime fears around age two. A messy or unfamiliar space might make things worse.

Helpful tip: Keep the room tidy, warm, and consistent. Add soft textures, remove harsh lighting, and create a peaceful bedtime atmosphere.

Child sleeping with his teddy bear — A child sleeping with his teddy bear

4. Choose the Right Nightlight

Not all nightlights are created equal. White, green, or blue-toned lights can interfere with your child’s ability to sleep.

Those colours emit blue light, which disrupts melatonin production and affects the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.

Instead, use red, amber, or pink lights, which are gentler on the eyes and don’t trigger wakefulness.

Helpful tip: A warm-toned nightlight or a dimmable salt lamp can offer enough comfort without interfering with sleep hormones.

5. Prioritise Comfort

It’s easy to overlook, but toddlers care about comfort too. If their mattress is stiff, their sheets are scratchy, or their room is too hot or cold, they’re less likely to settle.

Sometimes the reason a child prefers your bed is simply because it feels better.

Helpful tip: Upgrade the bedding if needed. A mattress topper, soft natural-fibre sheets, and a familiar blanket can make a big difference. Think of it as creating a little “nest” they want to return to.

6. Ease Yourself Out Over Time

Once your toddler is sleeping in their bed again, start to gently reduce your presence.

You might begin by sitting next to their bed as they fall asleep, then slowly move further away over several nights.

This gradual withdrawal allows your child to build confidence and independence while still feeling supported.

Helpful tip: If your child wakes in the night, respond calmly. Offer brief reassurance without restarting the bedtime process. Be predictable and consistent.

A baby boy was sleeping alone in his bed

7. Be Firm, But Fair

Setting boundaries is essential, but they need to be kind and realistic.

Rather than locking the door or ignoring your child’s distress, find a middle ground.

You can be firm about bedtime rules while still showing compassion and reassurance.

Helpful tip: Use simple, reassuring phrases like, “You’re safe. It’s bedtime now. I’ll check on you in a few minutes.” Be consistent and follow through.

8. Take Small, Steady Steps

Don’t expect success overnight. Changing sleep habits, especially ones that have been in place for weeks or months, takes time and repetition.

Your toddler is still learning emotional regulation and self-soothing skills. Progress might be slow, but it’s still movement in the right direction.

Helpful tip: Celebrate small wins. A night where your toddler falls asleep in their bed (even if they sneak in at 2 AM) is still a victory.

Extra Tips to Support the Transition

If you’re looking for more ways to support your child through the change, try these ideas:

Use a bedtime chart or sticker reward system. Let your child place a sticker for every night they sleep in their bed.
Introduce a sleep buddy. A special stuffed animal or “sleep toy” can help them feel secure.
Try a consistent wind-down routine. This might include a bath, a book, a cuddle, and a special phrase (“Goodnight, I love you, see you in the morning!”).
Use audio aids. Gentle white noise or sleep stories can help soothe and distract them from fears.
Spend daytime playtime in their room. This builds positive associations so their room doesn’t feel like a place they’re “sent away” to.

What If Nothing Seems to Work?

If your toddler is showing intense resistance, experiencing night terrors, or waking constantly despite consistent routines, it might be time to seek extra support.

Some sleep issues stem from deeper challenges like anxiety, developmental changes, or even physical discomfort (such as sleep apnea or reflux).

Don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s healthcare provider or a qualified sleep consultant. Help is available, and you don’t have to go through it alone.