Back to the cot??

DS1 turned two in July and we recently took the side rails off his cot. He used to be a great sleeper - put him in his cot, walk away and he'd go to sleep. Now it takes up to two hours of me sitting next to him repeatedly asking him to get back into bed or to lie down. Doesn't matter what time I put him to bed it still takes at least one hour. As I also have a nine week old baby (who is a terrible sleeper) I don't really have two hours to do this and it's driving me batty.

So my question is, would you persevere with the toddler bed or put the side rails back on? I don't want to make things worse by putting the rails on again but I'm fast running out of patience and sanity. I've tried leaving him in his room but he destroys all his books/toys so doesn't really work.

Any advice/experience greatly appreciated!![PHP][/PHP]

Put the rails back on. Was there a reason they needed to come off?

Put the rails back. I'm sure he will make it known when he wants the independence that comes with them off.

I had to move DD to a toddler bed at 14 months as she was a climber and too worried about serious injury, so she had no other option but to deal with it!

Could just be the novelty value. You could try a week of letting him get up and playing without fighting him on the issue until he gets bored of it. Don't let him watch tv and don't give him much attention. Let him pull all the books down, it's not the worst thing that can happen. Don't make an issue of it. After a week he'll either be over the novelty or put the sides back on.

I had the same problem with DD when I moved her to a bed about 2 mths ago, it took a long time to get her to stay in bed a lot of patience and perserverance. If I had a 9 week old, I would put the rails back on and save that battle for another day. I read somewhere to put a porta-cot up next to the bed, give him the opportunity to settle in bed- if no go, then into the porta cot. He might then decide the "big bed" is preferable??? Don't know if it would really work...

Thanks ladies xx I put the side rails back on as it was just stressing me out too much for no good reason. He's been fine since :) We'll try again in a few months before DS2 needs the cot!

Hi Lise,
I was wondering how you are going. I ended up taking my own advice and putting my DD back in the cot as I was constantly putting her back to bed after my c/s. Putting her back in the cot was great, she went to bed easily and without fuss every night for the past 10weeks :) then last night she asked to go to sleep in her big bed, which I said yes to and she slept thru! Giving her lots of praise today and will see what happens tonight. She also asked if her baby brother could sleep in her cot ( still in her room) lol, will have to think about that one. She must have overheard me say just yesterday, "oh well, I guess I'll buy DS his own cot this week"! Anyway, I guess my opinion is now, they will move on when they are ready and I'd it causes stress, they're probably not quite there yet!

Disclaimer: this could all change tonight and be totally irrelevant!

Hope you are doing well :)

Such baby brain, I thought I replied to this ages ago!

We're okay, DS1 is back in a bed as he basically broke the sliding rail on his cot and it was unsafe to leave it there. Day sleeps are a struggle and still causing some angst. I'd be happy for him to skip the day sleep on the days he's home but he gets do tired and cranky without it, he still really needs it. Night time is better, we still have to sit in his room but he goes to sleep much faster.

How has DD been??

Hi Lise,
It is hard work isn't it. DD has slept in her bed for all sleeps bar one since she asked to go back to it. She has asked to sleep in her cot a couple of times but I have managed to re-direct her attention and get her in to bed. I have to move the cot out of her room and put DS in it soon, but we have my BIL staying in what will be DS room. I think it being there is a constant reminder that she can still sleep in it. The last two nights DD has gone to bed ok, but stays awake talking and singing for a couple of hours!!

How is DS2 sleeping for you?

At least she's just singing! DS1 turns on the light and starts playing!


I've been taking DS2 to a new chiropractor (took him to one a couple of months ago but they were useless) who is just brilliant and DS2 has finally started sleeping longer than the 45 mins he was day and night which was totally liking me. Most if these sleeps are still on or next to me but it's a start!!

Oh dear! You mustn't be getting any sleep at all :( I hope they both settle down soon x