When and how should I move my toddler from cot to a bed? Is a commonly asked question on my mums group.
From reading many parenting books its seems the baby experts agree that a toddler will be ready to move from a cot to a “big ” bed between the ages of 2 and 3 .
I found placing the big bed in the same place where the cot had been worked a treat. We allowed them to choose new duvet covers so they were excited to try them out.
It is advised not to do this at the same time as bringing a new baby into the family, so time it well in advance of any new arrival.
I asked the mums on my Facebook group & Twitter mums how they handled this stage in their toddlers development;
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Rachel; My middle daughter liked the security of the cot bars so we bought a wooden bed-guard. She stopped being afraid. Keeping them in a sleeping bag helps with proprioception (awareness of their own body in a physical space).
Titch; My toddler (now 3 n half ) never slept in a cot, was in a travel cot she wouldn’t go in a normal cot then when she was about 1 and a half I put her in a normal bed next to a wall with a bed guard up
Sarah; Just did it. Had her there while we put it together let her play in it. She was excited that she had a big girls bed. She was 21 months
Zoe; I put mine into beds at 2. I got them all new duvet covers with their favorite characters on that they chose and kept the whole dinner bath and bed routine exactly the same. Once they are in the bed that’s it, no wee’s drinks etc. Light out. If they got out then they were lifted back into bed. No conversation no eye contact nothing.
Shona; I moved my oldest from cot to bed at 16 months and she never settled properly would wake at around 3 am every night until we got her a single bed but my youngest settled straight into a toddler bed at 12 months.
Yvonne; Kyran was 2. Went straight from a cot to normal single bed, and he settled straight away. Lucie is 2 1/2, and about to move into her bed.
Charlotte; When my son started climbing out his cot think he was 2 I then put him in a toddler bed
Dawn; We brought cute toddler beds and did a big build up about getting big boy beds. mine were 2.3 ish. When the beds arrived they were so excited. They were great n sleep really well n never get out or fall out. On the downside it did mean the end of day time naps. If you are looking for beds b n m bargains had racing car beds with a bedside table n toy box for £70/£80 – they had girly pink ones too
Tiffany; We did it all in one go, moving her into her own room ad popping her into a toddler bed, we’d just moved house and I couldn’t stand the thought that she might climb out her cot and because she’d be in her own room shed get hurt and I wouldn’t know. She was 15months. Made sure I put cushions and her actual cot mattress beside the bed in awe she fell. She slept straight trough and has done ever since, best thing I ever did
When And How Should I Move My Toddler From Cot To A Bed? Tell Me About Your Own Experience Of This..
