My 2 year old won't sleep in her own bed because she is scared

Hello!

Learn More

Any advice for a mum with a 2 year old girl who won’t sleep in her own bed cuz she’s scared. I put her back in her bed numerous times a night but eventually she ends up in with us. I have done the putting her back and not letting her come in thing but the next night it starts all over again. I leave the light on it has a dimmer switch, i shut her window show her its locked and close her blinds. I’m desperate!! I haven’t slept in 3 weeks. We live in a quiet area which sometimes makes noises seem louder eg a motorcycle going past but not many if any do at all hours of the night.

Posted by Laura 28.1.2013

Post your reply

Want more real mum questions sent to you?

63 replies
Post a reply

- - mom81879 said
  - 29 May 2019
    9:57 pm
You could try sleeping with your daughter in her room for a short while, see how that goes. Once she realises there’s nothing to be scared of, it might work
- - mom125971 said
  - 30 May 2015
    12:44 pm
OMG- this sounds like my life right now! My almost 3 year old is doing exactly that- I am up and own all night trying to get her to go back to bed. I hope you found a solution- I will be reading through the thread to see if there are some answers for me!
- - Mis Jo said
  - 29 Jul 2014
    9:42 am
You will have to be firm and have patience!! good luck!!
- - alaisha said
  - 10 Mar 2014
    4:50 pm
very useful comments, as I got the same issue.
- - kjgarner said
  - 28 Oct 2013
    11:25 am
Is she sleeping properly now?
- - meltingmoment said
  - 27 Oct 2013
    9:29 am
I heard another mum tell me she uses a small water spray and tells her daughter it is special fairy water and keeps bedrooms safe.
- - snoopy said
  - 18 Oct 2013
    2:24 pm
My son always loved his glow bug that played melodies when he squeezed it. He would squeeze it whenever he woke up at night, and it would help him to relax.
- - lynzstevo said
  - 31 Aug 2013
    9:58 pm
There’s some other good suggestions here too
- - lynzstevo said
  - 28 Aug 2013
    2:53 pm
I hope things have improved for you. Besides a nightlight, calming music, and a comforting toy I’m not sure there’s much else that could be done.
- - maureen3 said
  - 28 Aug 2013
    1:03 pm
Put her to bed with her favourite soft toy A night light too would help
- - a-edwards said
  - 20 Aug 2013
    9:05 pm
How far away is ur room from hers
- - kjgarner said
  - 30 Jul 2013
    1:03 pm
Something to cuddle or sleep with may help
- - gigi said
  - 21 Jul 2013
    8:38 pm
I had this problem with my kids and sometimes still do. Who would have ever thought getting kids to sleep in their own bed would be so hard… I think what other mums have said below is true. My four year old still needs the light left on all night to feel ‘safe’ (nightlights don’t do it for him!). Whatever it takes…
- - lovi said
  - 30 Jun 2013
    12:10 pm
They also have stuffed animals that play music and that might work…
- - lovi said
  - 29 Jun 2013
    11:12 pm
They have glow pets that may help – let her choose one and also put a kiddi gate across her door
- - smiles said
  - 31 May 2013
    1:25 pm
Maybe get her to choose a little light to go by her bed and let her know it is so she can sleep in her room ALL night.
- - smiles said
  - 26 May 2013
    4:19 pm
Maybe put her to bed with a soft toy and tell her it loves cuddles all night. Having ‘something’ with her all the time may help.
- - tammykilby said
  - 23 May 2013
    11:38 am
sounds like my 3 yo she still wakes in the night im just hoping she grows out of it..
- - allisonbriggs said
  - 20 May 2013
    2:27 pm
maybe play a cd of light music while they are sleeping to break up the outside noises just don’t let her get into your bed as it make it worse
- - allisonbriggs said
  - 20 May 2013
    2:26 pm
it is phase they will grow out of it maybe crying it out that should help i know it sounds harsh but it does work