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A MadeForMums report gathers advice from two children’s sleep consultants for parents whose toddlers leave bed at bedtime or during the night. Their suggestions include a predictable wind-down routine, gradually reducing a parent’s presence at sleep onset, and calmly returning a child to bed each time; the report says learning to stay in bed can take up to six weeks.
MadeForMums has published advice from children’s sleep consultants for parents whose toddlers get out of bed at bedtime or during the night, recommending a steady bedtime routine and calm, consistent responses. The report says it can take up to six weeks for many children to learn to stay in bed independently, so the suggestions are not presented as an overnight fix.
Sleep consultant Mandy Gurney, founder of the Millpond Sleep Clinic, advises parents to consider timing before changing a child’s sleep arrangements. She says major changes — such as starting nursery, moving house or expecting another baby — can make the adjustment more difficult, and recommends not beginning the process just before such events. The report describes the shift as an emotional upheaval for a toddler.
Maryanne Taylor, founder of The Sleep Works, recommends a predictable, calming routine before bed. Gurney’s example starts with time to talk about the day, followed by putting toys away, turning off screens and choosing quiet activities such as puzzles or drawing. A short bath in dim light can lead into getting ready in the bedroom, a cuddle and a story. Taylor stresses that keeping the wind-down routine consistent matters.
For children who rely on a parent being beside them to fall asleep, Gurney suggests reducing that presence in small stages rather than leaving abruptly: a parent might begin beside the bed, then move farther away over time. She says each step may take four to seven nights. If a toddler gets out of bed, her advice is to return the child gently and repeat the response each time, with little or no conversation. Taylor also recommends praise or other positive reinforcement for staying in bed. These are expert suggestions reported by MadeForMums, not guarantees that one approach will suit every child.
Why Consistency Can Help
Repeated trips out of bed can disrupt sleep for both a toddler and the adults caring for them. A predictable routine and a low-key response give families a clear pattern to follow, instead of turning each bedtime or night waking into a new negotiation. The consultants’ emphasis on gradual change also sets expectations: a parent may need to repeat the same steps for days or weeks.
The advice may be useful to families trying to decide whether to start changing bedtime habits and how to respond when a child leaves the room. It also places responsibility on caregivers to agree on a consistent approach where possible. The report does not establish that these methods work for every child or identify one method as superior; it shares practical recommendations and parent experiences.
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The Bedtime Changes Described
The MadeForMums feature addresses several situations: a toddler who resists settling at bedtime, wakes and leaves bed during the night, or gets up early. It combines guidance from Gurney and Taylor with accounts from members of the publication’s parenting community. One parent described making a bedroom feel more inviting with a new blanket, favourite-character posters and a nightlight; another said a new bed seemed to help her son, while acknowledging she did not know why.
Those family accounts are individual experiences, not evidence that a new bed or room changes sleep for all toddlers. The consultants’ suggestions focus more broadly on routine, reducing parental involvement gradually, and calmly returning a child to bed. The source does not provide a study, success rate or comparison of different sleep approaches.
“This is going to be an emotional upheaval for your toddler.”
— Mandy Gurney, founder of the Millpond Sleep Clinic
What the Advice Cannot Establish
The report does not give a publication date, cite clinical research, or quantify how often the approaches succeed. It is not clear how the suggestions might need to change for a toddler with particular health, developmental or family circumstances. The six-week estimate is presented as a general expectation in the feature, not a deadline or a guarantee.
It is also unclear whether a child’s repeated trips out of bed stem mainly from routine, fear, discomfort or another cause. The article offers strategies but does not assess individual children. Parents with concerns about a child’s sleep or wellbeing can seek guidance from their pediatrician or another qualified health professional.
A Gradual Plan at Home
For families choosing to try the advice, the next step described in the report is to select a period without a major upcoming change, agree on a consistent response, and follow a calm bedtime routine. Parents can make adjustments gradually and note whether the child is settling more independently over time, rather than expecting immediate results.
The report does not announce a follow-up study or a formal evaluation of the techniques. It leaves the practical outcome to each family’s experience; parents may need to adapt the routine and seek individualized guidance if sleep problems persist or cause concern.
Key Questions
How long might it take for a toddler to stay in bed?
The MadeForMums report says it can take up to six weeks for most children to learn to stay in bed independently. That is an estimate, not a guaranteed timeline.
What should parents do when a toddler gets out of bed?
Sleep consultant Mandy Gurney recommends gently returning the child to bed each time and keeping the interaction quiet and consistent. The report does not claim that this response works for every family.
Should parents change the bedtime routine during a major family event?
Gurney advises against beginning a sleep change just before events such as starting nursery, moving house or expecting another baby, because the adjustment may add to an already emotional period for the toddler.
Can a new bed or nightlight solve the problem?
Some parents quoted by MadeForMums said a more inviting room or a new bed appeared to help their child. Those are individual accounts, not evidence that these changes will work for all toddlers.
Source: madeformums.com
