Best time to move from a Cot to a Big Bed
When is the ideal time to move your little one from their cot to a BIG BED?
In my experience around 3 years is the perfect time as they are more emotionally ready and can understand consequences. There’s no hurry, though. There are even one or two advantages to leaving your child in a cot if they happy there. For example, your child can’t fall out of the cot while they are sleeping and there is no temptation to get out of bed and explore in the dark.
A previous client who moved her little one into a big bed at 2 years old just to “see how it would go”’ experienced THIS:
“At nap time she will scream and fight her sleep then at night time I put her to bed at 7pm and she can be up crying till 1am no matter what I do.
Would you recommend putting her back in her cot??”
My answer: YES. This little one became insecure and wasn’t ready for the transition. As soon as we moved her back into her cot, and her familiar surrounds, I was so pleased to hear from Mum:
“she’s settled back in very well not waking up in the middle of the night and bed times are so much easier now “
Timing is everything and if you moved your little one too early there is no harm in popping them back into their cot until they are more ready for the freedom of their big bed.
Signs for moving from cot to bed
It might be time for your child to move to a bed if:
- they are close to 3 years
- they have started climbing out of the cot and it is no longer safe
- they are physically too big for the cot
- you have a new baby who needs the cot
If you’re moving your child into a bed to free the cot for a new baby, try to move them either a few months before the baby is born or when the baby is a couple of months old. This way your little one won’t feel that the move is because of the new baby, which could cause resentment towards their new sibling.
Helping your child settle into the new bed: tips
Here are some tips for making a successful change from cot to bed:
- Tell your child how proud you are. After all, moving into a bed is an exciting step towards being a big kid!
- Tell your child all about the plans to set up the new bed – and make sure it’s fun.
- If it seems like a fun idea, take them shopping to choose the bed or bedding. Let him watch while you move the furniture in the bedroom. Children feel happier if they’ve had a say in the move too.
- Make sure the sleep environment is safe as they will be able to get out of bed!
Sometimes the shift to a bed brings a few new bedtime battles and is often the cause of the majority of toddler sleep issues. After 2 – 3 weeks of bedtime bliss the temptation of being able to get out of bed, independently, and give Mum and Dad a surprise visit is just too hard to resist. Strategies are often required to get our new ‘big kids’ to stay in bed!
If you need help keeping your toddler in bed book a free 15 minute consult and I will help steer you in the right direction.
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