3 year old restless nights

[cdmj2111]

My 3 year old son still does not spend a night in his own bed. He goes to his own bed wonderfully. But anytime from 11 pm he'll come into us. I am usually asleep and either let him in or end up in his bed and he sleeps in mine! He has about 3 drinks a night, which i know is wrong!

I know I've made a rod for my own back, but please, if anyone has any ideas of how I can crack this.

I have a 19 month old too, (who sleeps very well). They both have their own rooms, but as the house is quite compact,  I just dread 3 year old waking baby and then having them both awake screaming in the middle of the night, so i have whimped out. But now I'm feeling tough and ready to get him through the night!

PLEASE HELP a very tired mum.   

[andy hughes]

You need to re-establish his bedtime routine properly. Put him to bed, read him a story, tuck him in, and leave a night light on (12w bulb is ideal). If he comes in to you, take him to the toilet, then back to bed, and tuck him in again, but don't make a big deal out of it. Remind him you are just next door, and then leave him to go to sleep. Do this a few times, and he'll get the message.

His coming in to you may just be a bit of security, so if you tuck him back in his own bed, he'll learn that you are still there, even if he can't see you, and he won;t feel the need to rassure himself by coming to find you. Good luck.

[Le Chat]

Couln't have put it better than Andy!

[Thunderchild]

yes andy hit the nail on the head u rust be firm and reasuring

ps a 5 w cheap running bulb will be great or less if they exist will save power

[padders]

Andy is right.  You may need to spend 3 or 4 nights putting him back in his bed every time he gets up but it normally only takes a few nights of this.  If he gets into your bed 20 times, then you have to put him back 20 times.  You will be tired for a few days but you're probably pretty tired anyway and your son can't be getting the benefit of a proper night's sleep like this anway.  He will be a much happier boy.  You need to make sure that your partner also sticks to this because it only takes one of you to back down once and you're back to square one!

[cupcake]

My son (now 7) came into my bed most nights but once he got to school and realised that the other boys thought this was 'babyish' he soon wanted to be in his own bed! I didn't stress out about it and after all your wee one is only three. But if he asks for a drink during the night maybe u could try just giving him water- he'll soon realise water is not really worth getting up for!