My child keeps getting out of bed

You have said goodnight to your child, tucked them in and rather than go to sleep they keep getting out of bed.

Yes, it can be frustrating but generally there is a underlying cause. A child may genuinely require some attention.

Once a child is transitioned into a bed the freedom to be able to get in and out by themselves can be exhilarating. In this case the novelty will generally wear off.

Although there may be a genuine reason for the child getting out of bed constantly so it is best not to dismiss or ignore it.

What can you do?

A child may continually get out of bed during the night with the reasons or excuses as to why they got out of bed as long as your arm but it will lead to them forming a habit of waking.

It may include getting out of bed but staying in their room and keeping themselves occupied.

It may include getting out of bed and also getting out of their room.

• Eliminate any reason that you can think of (or that they have tried) for them to feel they need to get out of bed. So have the water by the bed, have a night light on, they go to the toilet before bed, etc.
• When they first get out of bed, kiss them, reassure them if needed but firmly, quickly escort them back to bed.
• Allow no conversation during the period. Remind them it is night and time for bed. A quick goodnight is best. This allows them no recourse for an answer.
• Try not to engage in too much talk with them unless you have to as this may wake them fully and then it may be harder to get them back to sleep.
• Continue to escort them back to bed each time they get out so that they don’t get to sleep with you or stay up or obtain any ‘reward’ for getting out of bed.
• The person who places the child to bed in the beginning of the night is the one who places them back to bed every time they then get out.
• Make sure that the same person is not putting them to bed every night.