How to Transition from a Cot to a Bed

Trying anything new with a child can often be a bit of a challenge. Childhood is often a time when routine is best, and anticipating your child’s reaction to change can sometimes be difficult. Throughout their early years however, there are some changes that are inevitable, one being the transition from a cot to a bed. There’s no predicting how it might go, but here we lay out some handy tips that could just make the change a little easier on you both. Why move to a bed? Children grow at a sometimes-scary rate, and so it’s only natural that one day they’ll be too big for a cot. As well as this, it’s not uncommon for a child to be able to get themselves out of their cot, and wander around – a key sign it’s perhaps time for a “grown up” bed. For safety reasons, it’s also wise to move them to a bed before they can climb out of their cot. There’s much further to fall from a cot than from a bed, meaning toddlers that can pull themselves up and over the cot bars are at risk of hurting themselves. How to know when it’s time The two scenarios that best dictate when to make the change are when your baby is strong enough to escape their cot, or they’re too big for it. So long as they’re safe, well and happy in their sleeping place however, the decision of when to upgrade is yours to make. It’s fairly common to start thinking about changing beds when your child is around 18 months old, at the youngest. Making the bedroom safe One change you’ll need to be aware of, is that with a new bed there’s nothing stopping your child from getting out and wandering around. You’ll need to make sure their bedroom is safe just in case they do get up in the night, which means babyproofing! Make sure windows, cords for blinds and any other hazards are out of the way, and ensure they can’t climb up onto any other bedroom furniture. This also applies to any other rooms they could wander into, as well as making sure there’s a stair gate to prevent any accidents on the landing. While your little one gets used to their bed, it’s a good idea to keep soft cushions or similar along the side of the bed. This will help make sure they don’t hurt themselves if they happen to roll over in the night and fall out. How to choose a bed Choosing something mid-sized can be a great in-between option, just as choosing something fun and creative can help encourage your child to spend more time in their bed and feel relaxed sleeping in there. Take a look at our children’s bed guide for more information on the best kind. Making the move When the time comes, the best thing to do is to keep the bedtime routine pretty much the same. You may wish to spend a bit of time talking to your little one about their bed, helping them get familiar with it, keeping their most comforting toys or blankets there, and generally spending a bit of extra time in bed, so they see it as a safe place. Make sure you don’t spring the decision on your child, as they may need some time to understand and adjust to the change. A week or two before you swap the cot, start planting the seed that the change is coming. When you do choose to make the move, timing is crucial. Too many changes at once can be troublesome for toddlers, so make sure everything else in your little one’s life is at a nice constant first. Helping them settle in A good way to make the transition easier for your child is to make it exciting. Letting them choose their bed, or simply a new cuddly toy that’ll accompany them while sleeping can make bedtime something to look forward to, helping them to feel calm as they drift off. Helping your child feel comfortable at bedtime is a great way to ensure they get a good night’s sleep. Take a look at our guide on The Importance of a Bedtime Routine for more handy tips. Images:©iStock.com/mapodile, ©iStock.com/FamVeld.