Reasons Your Toddler Sleeps on the Floor, Not a Bed

Discovering your toddler has started sleeping on the floor can be puzzling or concerning for any parent. Why would they choose the hard floor when they have a perfectly comfortable bed they could be using? The concept is confusing enough, but after a few nights of trying to convince your toddler to sleep in their bed; instead, you’re probably frustrated or worried. So why does your toddler refuse to sleep in their bed? Here are a few things to consider.

Why does my toddler sleep on the floor instead of her bed?

It is not uncommon for young children to sleep in unexpected places. Toddlers are still learning about the world around them and may not yet have a strong sense of bedtime routines or the concept of “bed” as a place for sleep. Additionally, toddlers are at a developmental stage where they explore their independence and may want to make their own decisions about where they sleep.

If your toddler is sleeping on the floor instead of in their bed, you might gently guide them back to their bed and establish a bedtime routine to help them understand that the bed is a place for sleep. You could also try making their bed more comfortable and inviting by adding pillows and blankets, for example. If the behavior persists, it may be helpful to consult a pediatrician to rule out any underlying medical issues or discuss potential strategies for addressing the behavior.

Is it OK for toddlers to sleep on the floor?

It is generally not recommended for toddlers to sleep on the floor. Toddlers need a firm, flat surface to sleep on, and the floor does not support proper spinal alignment. In addition, the floor can be cold and hard, which can be uncomfortable for a child to sleep on. Finally, there is an increased risk of injury if a toddler falls out of bed in order to sleep on the floor, as they are more likely to hit their head on a hard surface.

It is essential to provide your toddler with a safe and comfortable place to sleep, such as a crib or bed.

Autism and sleeping on the floor:

Children with autism sleep in unexpected places. Children with autism may have difficulty with transitions and routines and may resist going to bed or sleeping in a traditional bed. They may also have sensory processing issues that make certain surfaces or environments more comfortable for sleep.

If your child with autism is consistently sleeping on the floor, it may be helpful to identify any underlying reasons for this behavior and address them. For example, suppose your child is seeking a specific sensory input, such as the feeling of an excellent surface on their skin. In that case, you could try providing an excellent, comfortable sleeping surface in their bed. In addition, if your child is having difficulty with transitions or routines, it may be helpful to establish a consistent bedtime routine and gradually encourage them to sleep in a bed.

Why would my toddler sleep by the door?

Some toddlers may sleep by the door because they feel more secure knowing that they are near an exit or can see what is happening in the room. Others may sleep by the door trying to avoid something in their bedroom, such as a scary toy or noise. Finally, in some cases, a toddler may sleep by the door because they are trying to get attention or because they are seeking a sense of independence.

If your toddler is consistently sleeping by the door, it may be helpful to identify any underlying reasons for this behavior and address them. For example, if your toddler is sleeping by the door because they feel scared, you could try using a nightlight or leaving the door open to help them feel more secure. If your toddler is seeking attention, it may be helpful to establish a bedtime routine and gradually encourage them to sleep in their bed.

Why does my child like to sleep on the floor?

There can be a variety of reasons why a child might like to sleep on the floor. For example, some children may find it more comfortable to sleep on the floor because it is softer or more relaxed than their bed. Others may prefer the floor because they feel a sense of independence or control by choosing where they sleep.

Toddlers want to be able to make their own choices.

Your toddler likes to assert their power whenever they can. No is certainly one of their favorite words. Choosing a bit of the floor might be another way they choose something for themselves. Your child can’t change that it is sleep time, but they can choose to sleep in location other than their bed. In most cases, your toddler choosing to sleep on the floor is completely harmless. You might try putting them to bed once they fall asleep, but they will likely wake up in the middle of the night and move back to the floor.

Try making up a bed on the floor.

If you can’t get your toddler to move back to their bed, you can try to make them up a bed on the floor. Try moving their mattress to the floor or making a bed with blankets and pillows to make them more comfortable. Some toddlers will still refuse to use the mattress or blankets laid out for them, but giving them the option might help you feel better about this new behavior. If they choose to use the mattress, it may be easier to transition them back into bed with a little time.

Please make sure they are warm enough.

Dress your toddler appropriately for the weather, considering how cold the floors can get for the season. A nice fleecy onesie and socks will keep them warm in autumn or winter. In the summer, you probably don’t need to worry very much. Your toddler is unlikely to get too cold if your house is well-insulated and the floors are not drafty. You know the temperature in your house the best, so keep that in mind when dressing your little one for bed.

Moving them might not be worth it.

Before you decide to move your sleeping toddler, consider the potential consequences. First, some toddlers do not take well to being moved while sleeping. Second, your toddler might wake up and be difficult to get back to sleep. Third, some toddlers become very upset if they wake up somewhere different than where they fell asleep. Lastly, nothing stops your toddler from climbing back out of bed and going back to sleep on the floor if you move them. Therefore, moving them to bed after falling asleep might be a losing battle.

Ask them why they don’t like their bed.

It may seem almost too easy to ask your toddler why they don’t want to sleep in their bed, but if they can communicate well enough with you, they may give you a clear answer. Your toddler might have an answer for you, or they might not. They might not even know what the answer is. It is worth asking, though, as the solution could be as simple as they are too warm or uncomfortable there. Sometimes the explanation can be as easy as wanting a change of pace. Without a way to effectively communicate what a whim is, your toddler may not know how to explain their reasoning to you.

Sleeping on the floor is still sleep.

Trying to fight a toddler to sleep in their bed and not on the floor might drive a parent crazy. Before you lose your mind over the situation, take a few deep breaths. Are you feeling calmer? Now ask yourself a few fundamental questions. Is your toddler otherwise happy and healthy? Are they well-rested? Have they had any mood or behavior changes other than this? As long as everything else seems alright, you might have to let this one go and be grateful that they are sleeping. Sleep is sleep, no matter where they get it.

Has anything changed recently?

Think about your toddler’s circumstances. Has something changed for them in the days or weeks leading up to their new floor sleeping habit? It could be something as big as a new sibling, moving to a new daycare or house, something as little as a new blanket, or a minor change to their daily routine. Any change can make a toddler prone to acting out and digging their heels in about something. Doing so is perfectly normal and healthy. Your toddler may feel more control over themselves by choosing to sleep on the floor instead of their bed. This behavior may be in response to a change in another area of their lives.

Grin and bear it – it’s just a phase.

In the end, as long as your toddler is healthy, happy, and sleeping, you don’t need to stress about them sleeping on the floor. Sleeping on the floor is a phase many toddlers go through somewhere around 2 or 3 years old, and it is nothing to be concerned about. Some children will continue to go through occasional periods where they choose to sleep on the floor well into their teenage years. Your toddler will probably sleep on the floor for a couple of weeks before abruptly deciding to sleep in their bed again. As with most phases, the behavior will go as quickly as it came, and life will return to normal.

How can SleepBaby.org help?

If your toddler is sleeping on the floor instead of in a bed, it could be due to various reasons, such as discomfort in a bed, an attachment to a specific sleep location, or simply a preference for the floor. At SleepBaby.org, we understand that each child is unique and has their own sleep needs and habits. Our sleep experts can work with you to identify the underlying cause of your toddler’s sleep behavior and provide personalized recommendations and guidance to help them transition to a bed and establish healthy sleep habits. Whether through our sleep training program or one-on-one consulting, we’re here to help your toddler (and you!) get the restful sleep you need. So check us out at SleepBaby.org. Best of luck to you and your little one on your sleep journey!