And so it begins....DS getting out of toddler bed

LizLovesJason

We converted DS's crib to a toddler bed on Sunday night. Every day since then, he's gone down just fine for both naptime and bedtime. I was beginning to think that maybe we would luck out and he would just never realize how much freedom he has now. However, yesterday he walked out of his room when he was done with his nap, with a proud look on his face, and I knew that was the beginning of the end!

I put him down for a nap today at about 2 p.m. In the past hour, he's walked out of his room twice, crying and saying, "Wake up!" He's always been GREAT with naps and usually naps for 3 hours. I feel like he's never going to nap again now! He's been in his room for a while now, playing, but I'm sure it won't be long before he tries to come out again....Any tips on gettng him to stay in his room? Somehow we never had a problem with my older DD once we moved her to a toddler bed, so I have no experience with this!

lizlemon77

We had to put a gate up in the door to her room.  We let her play in there but since there are only a few books and almost no toys she usually takes ten minutes or so and then climbs into bed.  The first few nights though she fell asleep on the floor by the gate.

A few months after we put the gate up we had to take it down because we needed it somewhere else for her little sister.  She still never leaves her room.  I think she's just conditioned now to know she needs to stay in there.

grja

My ds did that at first, but it stopped after a few days. We tried a gate and he got SO worked up, he wouldnt even attempt to go back to bed.

But after a few days, the idea of getting out of bed must have lost its excitement becuase he stopped. Now when he wakes up he just plays with his toys.

CookiesPI

We still have issues, and ours has been out for 5 months. She's fine for naps (hasn't napped in 8 months anyways- she just stays and plays for 2 hours). Night time, the odd night she'll get up though. We're just firm with her, and tell her 'bed time, back in bed now'.

The Happiest Toddler on the Block does endorse using a 'eye hook' lock on the outside of the door, we just haven't taken it that far.