throwing teddy bear out of crib at bedtime

[lrr2939]

For the past couple weeks, my 19 month old daughter has started a pattern of throwing her teddy bear out of the crib multiple times at bedtime.  She is quite attached to her bear and is not able to fall asleep without it.  Once she throws him out she repeatedly yells "uh oh" until we come and give him back to her.  We put him back in the crib and she immediately lays down as if she's ready to sleep. We limit interaction by only saying "night night" and leaving the room immediately.  Sometimes she only does it once, others up to 5 or 6 times. Any suggestions on how to deal with this?

[nona]

what if you tie it to the crib  - on a short ribbon (ie not long enough to be choking hazard)?

another friend of mine's toddler would do this as well. IMO, i would either do the above or just get rid of it b/c she is just playing a game with you! that would drive me NUTS!!!!  or you could put several of the same type in the bed. 

[1sttimemamma]

I totally remember this stage. After putting his lovey back in after the first few times - we decided that if he threw it out - it stayed out. So - I think we told him that - like lovey stays on the floor if you throw it. He'd get upset - but not crazy upset - then fall asleep. After awhile he just stopped doing it because we didn't put it back in. I may have had to walk in/walk out a few times when he got really upset.