Transitioning to the Toddler Bed
Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at 12:01AM
Well, we are on night five of Elle being in her “big girl bed” and I feel like we’ve made progress. The first night was definitely the hardest. Mostly because I was by myself and wasn’t adequately prepared i.e. I didn’t have one of the plastic covers to go on the door so she couldn’t open it.
I read to her, tucked her in, sat there with her for a bit and then got up to leave. She got really upset and followed me out the door. I took her back in and put her back in bed and did the same thing over again. She followed me out crying. I then put her in bed and shut the door. She opened the door. So, then I put her back in bed, closed the door and held the knob so she couldn’t get out and that really made her mad. I FELT HORRIBLE!!! I ended up going in and staying with her until she fell asleep.
She woke up a few times through the night…I’d say four times and came into our room. I put her back down every time but had to stay with her until she was almost asleep.
The next day I bought the protective cover for the door knob so she couldn’t open it. I also started a more consistent bedtime routine. We had gotten lax because she had gotten pretty good about knowing it was bedtime. Now, I needed to make sure she had time to unwind and know what was coming so I wouldn’t have to have a night like the one before. We had dinner, then went to the playground to play, then bath, then teeth and books and bed. Again, she cried when I left and ended up following me out. I took her back in, sat with her for a bit, left and shut the door behind me. She got really angry and upset when she couldn’t open the door. We were able to watch her on the camera. She didn’t cry for very long and did end up falling asleep on her bed. She woke up again about four times and came into our room. I think I got up twice and my hubby got up twice. We hadn’t not gotten this much sleep since she was newly born! Ick.
We kept at it and the next night there was barely a cry when we left and thank goodness we didn’t have to shut the door. I’d rather leave it open than close it, if I can. She followed me out the first time but understood when I said Elle it’s time for bed. She climbed back in and stayed. She did end up coming into our room twice but was good about going back in her own bed. It was cute…in the morning I heard the pitter patter of little feet that stopped short of our bedroom doorway. I said “elle” and she said “mama” and I said “come on” and she ran to get in bed with us because we always cuddle in the morning.
Night four was about the same. Crying has gone to hardly anything if anything at all. We are still dealing with a wake here and there. Last night, she woke us at 5 a.m. to tell us she had to pee pee so I was very happy about that wake up. All in all, we are slowly making the transition. So far it hasn’t been as bad I’d feared but we are only just beginning and we’ve been very consistent, persistent with the bedtime routine. We have to make ourselves keep at it! I can’t believe our little girl is now in a “bed” or I guess can climb into her bed by herself. It’s so bittersweet. And while I was so nervous and continue to be about her roaming the house, I love hearing the pitter patter of little feet heading excitedly for our room in the morning.
Reader Comments (4)
Thank you for this post! I hope my transition goes smoothly when my daughter gets a little older. :)
Thanks Daynah! Well, wouldn't you know it after writing this post our daughter finally slept through the whole night! Crossing my fingers it wasn't a fluke. Let us know how your transition goes! Good luck!
Overall it sounds like the transition in moving along quite nicely! And congratulations on a very successful night last night! Gooo Elle! I'm dreading the transition because I'm spoiled that Reese loves to play in her crib after she wakes (which gives Mommy and Daddy some extra Zzzz's) but when that day comes I am hoping it goes as smoothly as yours! Thanks for sharing all your tips and tricks! So proud of you gals!!
Consistency is what it takes to get little ones used to new beds. Sounds to me like you are doing great. I know how hard it is to listen to them cry, though. Sitting with her was probably the best thing you could have done. It let her know that you are still there and she hasn't been abandoned. Best wishes!