[Loveyourwork]

My DD (just 2) has been sick for the last week and as a result as been coming into our bed in the middle of the night,most nights.

Not surprisingly, she is now making it clear that she prefers our bed to her own! She will go to bed in her cot at bedtime, but if she wakes up in the middle of the night she wont be settled there - repeatedly asks for "Daddy's bed" until we give in. On the plus side, she will go straight to sleep as soon as she hits our bed, just means a disturbed sleep for DH and I.

I need to break the pattern, but not sure how? She is still in a cot (doesn't try to climb out yet). I tried giving her a flat pillow (as that was part of the appeal of our bed) but that hasn't really worked.

Her cot is one that lowers to a toddler bed, and you add a lower rail so she can get in and out herself. Maybe its time to do that and make a "big deal" of her "new bed?"

Any suggestions welcome!

[zaacaa]

We have the same problem. We usually find that it resolves a few weeks after DS being sick, he will still stir and call out, but will then go back to sleep in his own bed. He seems to do it in his own terms so no practical advice here sorry!

The last week he's ended up with us also, and although our sleep is not great, it's stil preferable for us instead of hours of resettling in his bed in the middle of winter!

[lozoodle]

We've just come through the same thing with my 20 month old.

You just have to be tough, even if it means getting up 20 times to go back in and lie them down again. The second I bring her back into my bed it starts the cycle all over again.

I find it better if DP goes in, and not me. She seems to play me more because she knows I am more likely to give in.

[sharkie81]

This is what I would do- but might not be everyone's cup of tea.

I wouldn't implement any change now if she's sick, but once she's over the illness, if she's still wanting to come into your bed, I would bite the bullet one night and just have more patience than her at insisting she go back to sleep in her own cot.
She'll be tired, and if you remain calm, but insistent, she will end up realising you mean business. You might need to stay there and pat her or keep a hand on her gently until she falls asleep.

Dropping her cot to a toddler bed will just mean she can get up and make her own way to your bed in the middle of the night! You said she can't climb out of her cot?

But, as a PP said, she might just stop calling out in the middle of the night once she recovers from her sickness. So I would at least wait until she is symptom free.

[clm1982]

Ive got the same issues with my almost 3 year old. She pretty much just sleeps in our bed now need to start weaning her back into her bed though just dont know how to go about it.