Moving toddler from cot to bed

Dormouse

I'd love some advice on how to move my toddler from cot to bed.

He's not even 2 yet but is very tall and about to outgrow his cot (not a cotbed). Even more worryingly, he looks like he will be (successfully) attempting to climb out of it any day now :eek:

What I want to know is:

1. How to make sure he stays in his new bed through the night?

2. What sort of bed to get for him? A proper single size adult one (seems such a big step!) or one of those toddler beds (or are these a waste of money?).

Would love any advice or hear about any experiences.

TIA

Counting_Pennies_2

This probably isn't the right way of doing things, but my friend was worried about her tall baby falling out of a bed, so put a single mattress on the floor for a few months, and when he got used to being without railings, moved him into a small bed.

It's a tough one, as if you think he is going to be able to climb out any way, it might be best to do this, that way he won't fall out in his sleep.

If you keep his door closed, or a sturdy stairgate at his door he will then be contained in his room.

I look forward to seeing other points of view on this one

rchddap1

Problem comes when toddler works out how to open stairgate. My sister's monster has worked out the stairgate at home, but not at granny's yet.....watch this space. Not made it to a bed yet, but he's also rather tall for his age.

jo_b_2

I moved my little one last month. Was really momentous. He's not a baby anymore, now he's out of nappies and sleeping in a proper bed!

I actually had a cot-bed so it was just a matter of removing the cot sides. I have fitted a bed guard though, and would use one of those whether you decide on a toddler bed or a single bed. Just gives that extra reassurance.

If your child's larger than average anyway, you might prefer to get a single bed, as you'd probably have to get one sooner rather than later. Just a thought.

By the way, my little darling has taken to waking up a couple of nights a week and climbing into bed with me! Other than that he generally stops in it - even when he is put to bed at night.

Good luck!!

Hunnymonster

Dormouse wrote:

1. How to make sure he stays in his new bed through the night?

My recommendation here is glue or industrial strength velcro - our littl'un finds his way out regardless....

Seriously though we put a bedguard on his bed - with the 'larger' gap at the bottom of the bed (ie. the bit where he's not lying) so he has to move around the bed before falling out.

Dormouse wrote:

2. What sort of bed to get for him? A proper single size adult one (seems such a big step!) or one of those toddler beds (or are these a waste of money?).

Would love any advice or hear about any experiences.

TIA

We got a cot-bed for our little fella, and it's probably going to last another 2 years or so (say 4.5 years in total) - by which time I'd be thinking about replacing at least the mattress anyway.... it might be a big step into a full-size adult bed - perhaps a junior is the right step to go to (if such things are still made of course) - mind you I'd probably just get a standard single in your shoes, and make sure it's a decent one with a good mattress and replace the mattress regularly (not every time there's a change of monarch)

Mumstheword

My kids have the 'shorty' beds, which you can get from argos. They are only 2'6" wide instead of the usual 3', and shorter too. There's more space in their rooms to play, but an adult could manage a night's sleep in one!

The only one of my 3 who was a problem was the oldest. He used to get up from his bed. We would just calmly go and put him back in, give him a kiss and say goodnight and walk away. This would go on and on, with him getting more frustrated. We did, too, but luckily we could take it in turns, and when one of us was going to lose it, or give in, the other would talk sense and carry on the routine. It used to take 3 nights to stop him, but eventually he did get bored and realised that he was getting nowhere and bed time was bed time! We probably went through about 5 of the 3 day sessions in the first few months in a big bed, and each time by the third night we would get quite relieved as we knew we were nearly finished again!!

The other two seem to have learned from watching their big brother that when it's bed time, that's where you stay!

It's a really exciting time, and you could take him with you to choose a bed, and the bedding too!

You can get little beds in the shape of things like cars which I don't think cost the earth. If you are going to have younger kids, you can get more money's worth!

Johnnypanic_2

Just moved my youngest daughter from her cot to a bottom bunk bed, shared with her older sister.

She was not impressed the first night. Kept telling her she's now a big girl, etc. She was great about the bed, until it was time to go to sleep. To say she was upset, would be an understatement!

I put her back in, had a word (not too stern ) and give her a big hug. She moaned a bit, but as she was very tired it didn't take long for her to fall asleep.

In the morning, she had climbed out unto her cot mattress, which we put by the side off the bed and pulled a blanket over herself

The next few nights were fine (we replaced the cot mattress with a duvet) and she is now settled in (I hope!).

Btw, she has just turned two and in all honesty we should have moved her earlier, but being the youngest you don't want to let go off the cot.

I would advise on buying a normal sized bed, more room for cuddly toys at the bottom

Johnnypanic

gravitytolls

Good luck.

Ditto everyone else. If he's beginning to climb, he may as well be in a junior bed, it's not so far to fall.

Bed guards are okay, or maybe a folded quilt by the bed to land on.

He's bound to get up several times, because he can. You ned to just tuck him in, kiss him, and leave the room. Don't stay with him, or lay next to him, or you'll still be falling asleep with him in 3 yrs time.

We compromise with our 3 year old. He must sleep in his own bed, but he can come in with us in the morning. Mind you, morning used be at sun up, but sun up is now halfway through the night.

rolpaula

I think everyone has covered it all..........full size single bed saves money in the long run..........you either need a bed guard or something soft on the floor like a doubled up quilt or extra mattress.........because they will fall out of bed if there is no guard..........

born_blonde

We used a bed from IKEA that extends as the child grows, both ends can be folded up to begin with and it feels more like a cot, it also has a bed side that attaches. We also put it into his room a few weeks before he moved and used it for naps.
He could never get out because we used baby sleeping bags ( growbags) so that wasn't a problem.!

loobs40

lol when I moved my son from a cot to a bed all those years ago, he was fine about it until on the first night he dropped his teddy out of the bed onto the floor. He was crying his eyes out until we got to him, becasue he hadnt realised he could get out of bed, pick teddy up and climb back in again !