Bump in the Night: Keeping Your Toddler in his Bed

When things go bump in the night, it may actually be your toddler prowling around the house. If your child is awake when everyone else is asleep, there are some steps you can take to protect her.

Keep Her In Her Bedroom

Ã?· If your toddler still sleeps in a crib, you can purchase a “crib tent” at baby stores. It’s basically a top that fastens to the crib, keeping a child from climbing out.

�· If your toddler sleeps in a bed, there is probably no safe way to keep her there. But you might try putting a baby gate in her doorway at night, if she is not the kind of child who would loudly protest at 2 a.m.

Provide Alternatives

Ã?· Make it clear to your toddler that if he wakes up in the middle of the night, he must stay in his room – but he is welcome to quietly look at a book or play with a doll. Provide a small lamp or flashlight that your child can easily turn on and off for this purpose.

�· If you awake to hear him wandering in the hall, quietly bring him back to his room and hand him a book. You may have to do this for several nights until it sinks in.

Make Sure There’s Nothing To Trip Over

�· At bedtime, go over her room carefully. Make sure there are no toys, cords or other objects lying around that could cause her to stumble in the dark.

Ã?· Also, take a look at the floor in your bedroom before retiring for the night. If your little one needs a nocturnal visit to Mom or Dad, you don’t want her tripping over Dad’s slippers.

Install Nightlights

�· A nightlight in the hallway will prevent a child from becoming disoriented during a midnight stroll. A little light in the bathroom is not a bad idea either, if your toddler is potty trained.

�· If he is not potty trained, a toilet lock is a good investment if your child likes to play in the water. They are available at most baby supply stores.

Don’t Forget Toddler-proofing

If you are the kind of parent who rips off cabinet fasteners and other childproofing devices as soon as your child is asleep, you should reconsider. What would happen if your toddler wandered into the kitchen some night and tried to make oatmeal himself?

Children learn best by exploring their environment. But when their natural curiosity gets the best of them in the middle of the night, a little planning on your part will make sure those nocturnal explorations don’t get out of hand.