Top Tips For Transitioning From Cot To Bed
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The move from a cot to a bed can be an exciting milestone in your parenting life, although many parents consider the process to be stressful. It’s not an easy task to persuade your child to stay in bed when they can easily get out. Nonetheless, with some persuasion and parental trickery, you will eventually convince them to accept their beds.
That said, how do you know when it’s time for your toddler to go from cot to bed? As the studies have already shown, it is essential to get the timing right as moving too early will reduce the quality of your toddler’s sleep and your sleep!
It’s important to know there is no “perfect” time for the transition. However, most parents make the change when their child is between 18 months and four years of age – most children make the switch at around three years of age. However, you may notice that your toddler is ready to make the move way before then.
As toddlers mature at different rates, the age at which they are ready for the transition varies greatly. There’s no hurry and no golden rule; wait until it’s the right time for you and the right for them.
Ask yourself a few questions:
Are you worried about them falling out of the bed in the middle of the night? Are you concerned that they may go exploring?
If you have thoughts such as these, it is an indicator you aren’t ready and can save the cost of purchasing a new bed for another time!
However, if you’re worried about them trying to escape their cot, or perhaps they’ve started toilet training, they could be good indicators that you are ready for them to make the switch to a toddler bed.
If you have a new baby on the way, then it may be necessary to move your child to the bed so that the cot is vacant for the baby. Some tips you can use include:
1.
Evacuating your baby from their precious cot unprepared can raise feelings of resentment as they'll assume the baby arrived at the house and 'stole' their cot. If they're the firstborn, they may not understand what's happening. To avoid this scenario, move your baby a few months before the new arrival. The transition will provide some time for the toddler to be comfortable in the 'big bed' before their new sibling arrives.
2.
Usually, a toddler-aged two years or younger hasn't developed emotionally to sleep in a bed. In this case, you may have to buy a second cot to accommodate both babies.
3.
If you are not in a position to afford a second cot, then you should consider placing a mattress on your bedroom floor. This way, your baby won't get hurt if they roll off it.
Generally, babies having older siblings will transition quicker because they’re looking to imitate their older brothers or sisters.
- Make your child's bedroom/house a safe environment.
- You're giving them unsupervised freedom, perhaps for the first time when your child moves from cot to bed! With this in mind, it would be advisable for you childproof their bedrooms and the rest of the house. Consider limiting access to the rest of the house with safety gates and doors.
- Cords for curtains and blinds should be placed well out of reach; these are strangulation hazards.
- There are many chocking hazards in every home - particularly childrens' bedrooms. Marbles, coins, small balls, broken crayons... the list is endless. Store them all out of reach.
- The same goes for all types of medicines and cleaning fluids etc.
- Heavy furniture is another danger, so consider attaching them to the wall with brackets. The same goes for chairs, stools, ladders - anything that they could climb on.
- Electric appliances and sockets are also great risks. Keep all appliances out of reach and use socket protectors.
- Many items of furniture also have sharp edges. Consider using edge and corner protectors.
Maintain the bedtime routine
When the time comes, maintain the usual bedtime pattern. You may have to start slightly earlier during the first nights so that you'll have enough time to help your baby settle into the 'big bed.' You don't want them to feel rushed.
Involve your toddler.
Shifting to a bed is a big deal to toddlers. Keep the excitement going by involving them in the transitional process.
Try not to discuss the process too frequently as you risk building up expectations too much. Tell them they'll be in a new bed and nothing much will change as they'll sleep as comfortably as they did before.
Allow your child to be part of the bed and bedding choosing process. The transition will feel more positive and can give your little one some sense of control and ownership - resulting in them feeling more relaxed in the new bed.
While you're at it, tell your toddler how proud you are of the feat. Applaud them for growing up.
You can go to extra lengths by throwing them a small party and inviting close relatives. Your toddler may become so enthusiastic about getting into the 'big bed' that the transition will hopefully be a super smooth one!
Decorating your baby's room
Make the transition memorable by redecorating their room. You don't have to go overboard as you only have to bring a different look to the environment. Hang a few drawings on the wall or add some colourful cushions and toys.
Also, involve your child in the decorating process. They may want to sleep with their favourite blanket from their cot to settle faster. If that is the case, allow them to do so. Maybe they'd like to furnish their big bed with soft toys that they find comforting. They may arrange the pillows in their way and pick their desired bed covers. In no time, they'll feel more settled.
How to deal with your child's anxiety
Arguing and using a harsh tone with your child will only make that transition more difficult. Punishing them for leaving the bed won't help things either, as it'll increase their anxiety levels.
What helps is praising them for sleeping without causing any fuss. Remain patient and comforting when your baby calls out during sleep time. Remember, this period will end sooner rather than later, and that remaining calm will ease the transition.
The tips above aren’t rocket science. They’re simple but can be very useful. Typically for toddlers, it’s the simple little things that make all the difference when there are changes to their routine.
There are no hard and fast rules on when to make the transition. It could be as early as 18 months, or some parents might wait until their child is 4. Look out for the signs and make the switch when it’s right for you and most importantly, when its right for them.
If they start showing signs like climbing out of the cot, then they may be ready to make the switch. Only make the change if you are comfortable with it and not before. There are no set rules, as a guideline most transition between the ages of 18 months and 3 1/2 years of age.
As above, they are ready when they start showing signs and when you are comfortable. There’s no set rules, the guidelines state that most children make the switch between the ages of 18 months and 3 1/2 years of age.
They can sleep in a cot or if you think they are ready to make the transition they can switch to a low toddler bed.