We put a child safety gate across our son’s door. It didn’t stop him getting up (or sleeping on the floor) but it was much easier to check he was safe.

Create a bedtime routine, follow it every night so he winds down and knows what’s coming. Stick to it. When he gets up, take him straight back to bed, no talking and as little fuss as possible. It will take a while, but Super Nanny assures me it will work

We used a baby safety gate – we could still monitor the kids but it kept them in their rooms.

My nephew came to live with us and his mum had the same problem with him. Our solution was to start a bedtime routine. Sothing bath clean pjs a quiet/settled playtime make sure he was actually ready for sleep. No point putting him to bed at 7 if he is wide awake. Usually it was 8:30-9 when we toom him to the room turned all the lights off at the end of the house and cuddled him into chest/shoulder walked around in the dark while holding him with a musical night light toy (one of those ones that stays on for 5-10minutes playing soothing music). He would be out before the nightlight turned off. then we put him in the cot, which roused him a little but he was so settled he went back to sleep almost instantly. We would pull the door half way to block out noise but allow light.

He never came out or cried, it took 10 minutes of extra effort but he was a happier little boy for it.

We’re about to transition my bub to a big boy bed, so I’m sure I’ll be feeling your pain too! Hope some of these suggestions work for you both.

good ideas guys, I meant putting a chair behind his door! yeah does eat too much junk. generally he is over tired. during the day he either has a bottle of milk and I put a movie on and he crashes on e lounge, or sleeps in the car. he still comes out a few times at night though.. please sleep through little man

Maybe make sure he is ready for sleep too and getting enough exercise during the day. Perhaps add going for a walk before evening meal into part of your settling routine. Make sure you cut out any junk foods that might be upsetting him during the day which might be providing too much sugary energy and stimulation.

Perhaps try sitting with for a little while until he’s relaxed enough to go to sleep. While not ideal itself it may eliminate the tears

Bribary? I love bribary it works great in our house. In saying that on average our Mr 3 will come out 2-3 times before he goes to sleep!

had a shocking week with settling him but Dad has the charm

You are probably making this issue a little worse by actually locking him in the room its not going to feel like a safe haven to sleep but more a punishment. I know its hard when its so late and you’re very tired but I would tackle this very carefully for you and the child. Try relaxing before bed time a nice bath and a quite story followed by ambience such as a rainforest or even your own voice reading on tape. I also used to let my son sleep with my shirt it worked like a charm. Good luck

As mother of two grown sons,first one tried to stick to rules (like you and put up with situation of tears tantrums etc, need i say more. second on who did not come for 6 years due to various reasons I was more lax but would only let him have his bottle in bed,he used to fgo and stand at cot waiting to go in for his bottle.Even though yours is older it might work also had lullaby music playing and reading him stories also helped he would sometimes fall asleep on my knee or next to me. Just suggestions from my experience but hope it helps

trying a bottle of formula (instead of cows milk) maybe it will fill him up more. fingers crossed.

My little one did this. We just sat at the door for a couple of nights and kept putting him back in his bed. We said we are here, you are safe, we love you but it’s time for nigh nigh’s. We didn’t want to traumatise him and often if you lock them in they get more worked up and panicky. Consistency and a few hard nights were what worked and he only come out now if he’s scared. I personally wouldn’t lock him in there

he plays up during day sleep, I just let him stay up, night is bad, he was up 6 or more times last night. I put the chair there and could just hear him say mum, mum, so I ended up getting up early. oh well, they are only young once

I’d be worried about him climbing out of his cot.
Have you tried a reward chart. A stamp or sticker for staying in ?

Oh! It must be so frustrating! I love the first idea with the clock. One friend of mine had it and it functioned. Her daughter really stopped going out of bed before a certain time. But she was older, around 3 years old.

We used the Save Our Sleep method. We also used one of those sleeve door handle covers too. Only needed it for a week or so then they didn’t try to open it any more.
What ever you do, stick to your guns and follow through with your plan.
Good luck.

Maybe try a routine. Dinner, bath, tv time, brush teeth, read a book or 2 in bed, give them a kiss, tuck them in, walk out etc. With this type of problem, consistency is needed

When you find a solution please share!! Will an extra tall baby gate help? Won’t be long and you should be able to discuss it with him and say he needs to stay in his room until the sun wakes up (therr are clocks that show sun and moon time to help kids know when it is awake and sleep time