How to Get Your Co-Sleeping Child into Their Own Bed

Maybe co-sleeping just happened and was never your plan. Whatever the reason, you now realize that you are ready to move your child out of your bed and into their own bed.

It is not too late. Change is always possible!

You ready to move your child out of your bed but don’t know what to do or where to start? Read on for some practical tips and strategies that will make the transition as easy as possible.

Make a Plan

Talk to your partner about the plan and make sure you both agree! Sleep decisions can be stressful, and before you begin, having an understanding between you is important. You will need to support each other when you both feel like throwing in the towel during those middle of the night visits. Staying consistent once implementation begins is crucial to your success.

Talk to your Child

Engage your child in the plan by talking to them about sleeping in their own room. Be open about what has not been working in your family regarding sleep and why a good night’s sleep is so important for everyone.  Be clear what this means and what the new sleep routine will look like. Be positive! Have them pick out the bedding, and a lovey that they can sleep with. Also spend intentional time playing with your child in their room before the move. Going into their room as much as possible prior to the change will help to make the room feel comfortable and familiar.

Expect some pushback and tears. Being kind but firm is important.

Be Prepared

Be prepared for your child to protest and be upset. Your job is to stay positive yet firm in your words and actions. They will attempt to do whatever they can to get you to change your mind, including coming into your bed at all hours of the night. This is where the support of your partner and your determination to stay consistent is so important. Giving in once will have the effect of positively reinforcing their protests and make the process longer and more difficult. Should you have a middle of the night visit, calmly walk them back to their bed each time. Don’t waver on this, you are being tested.

Discuss the New Sleep Routine

Get their input into the new sleep routine. It may help to make flash cards with the new routine so they can visualize what will be happening and in what order.

Stay Consistent

Once you start the plan, it is important to stay consistent and follow through all night long. No exceptions.

Acknowledge their Feelings

Your child’s feelings are real, it is important to acknowledge that they may be feeling angry, sad, and afraid. Change is hard for everyone, not just kids. It would be normal for them to miss sleeping with you and you will not change how they feel. Your role is to support them, show them love and be kind yet firm with the new boundary and new routine.

Parenting is hard! Being an exhausted parent is even harder.

If you need help with your family’s sleep challenges, Baby Snooze Coach is here for you.