Won’t Sleep Alone

Your child may have learned to fall asleep in your bed or by having you lie down next to her. So when your child wakes up, she cannot go back to sleep because you aren’t there.

Some parents don’t mind having their child sleep in their bed. However, if the situation is causing lost sleep or other difficulties, you will need to train your child to sleep on her own.

To do this, you’ll need to avoid lying down next to your child or letting your child sleep in your bed. You might do this gradually. For instance, the first night you might only sit next to her on her bed until she falls asleep. A few nights later you might lie on her floor but not in her bed. Eventually, you should put her to sleep and leave the room.

If she gets up at night and tries to join you in bed, take her back to her bed. Be sure to offer a comforting word, but be firm.