I have been asked on more than one occasion what is the correct age to move a baby from a cot into a bed.
As all children are individuals, I would say that there is no set age.
This is how I made the transition with my own children:-
My boys were moved when I felt the time was right for them, my eldest was around 18 months, he just seemed too big for his cot. He was very excited about going into a ‘big boy bed’.
I put a safety gate across his bedroom door as I was concerned that he may get out of bed during the night and being sleepy fall down the stairs, he also had a low night light on in his room. By keeping his bedroom door open he knew that I could hear him if he needed me or his dad.
My second son was of a similar age when I decided the time was right for him to be moved; he had started to get his limbs between the cot bars as he moved around in it, plus his older brother had learned to climb into the cot so that they could play together in the early mornings.
My youngest son started climbing out of his cot at about 19 months of age, so was given a bed instead.
If possible I would advise keeping a child in the same bedroom when making the transition to a bed, that way at least the room and decoration is familiar even if the bed is different.
Let your child choose their own bedding (quilt and pillow cases).
Try to avoid making the change when other things are also happening, for example, moving house or the arrival of a new baby. The less disruption to a normal routine is better for the child.
You could also start by letting him sleep in the new bed at nap times during the day before going through the whole night.
There are special toddler beds available but I put my children straight into a standard size bed after leaving their cot.
Having a bedtime routine here is also key to a good night’s sleep for everyone.
As always questions, comments and topic suggestions are welcome.
Until next time.
Karen
x
We recently moved my daughter into her big girl bed – she will be 3 in July. She was quite content in her cot and it meant there was no escaping which was a blessing for me. But after jumping out a couple of times recently, we decided to transition her cot into the bed. She has taken to it very well and we bought a guard rail so she doesn’t fall out. We also put a safety gate at the top of the stairs incase she wanders during the night. I bought her a GroClock (which she loves) and she also has a couple of dim night lights. #DreamTeamLinky
Ahhh I remember this stage like it was yesterday. It can be a tricky transition can’t it. Possible harder for the parents! We had a cot bed which transformed brilliantly from cot to toddler bed. I think it really helped as everything still felt so familiar. We did the same and put the safety gate on the bedroom doorway as we were more worried about someone tripping over the gate at the top of the stairs or pushing on it and then tumbling down. Thank you for joining us for the #DreamTeamLinky xx
Great advice. When we moved the twins from cots to beds, we had to get them a double as they kept sleeping together and there was just no way of stopping them! #KCACOLS
My toddler is just over 2.5 yrs old and we converted her cot into her toddler bed at around 18 months as she was also getting limbs stuck. For a few weeks, we put a folded duvet on the floor next to her bed in case she fell out, which she did, quite a lot. Great advice! #KCACOLS
I had a special toddler bed for my first, but my two younger ones went into twin beds.
Also gave me more room when I had to lay down with them to get them to sleep.
Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time.
Thankfully my boys were both excited to move into a bed from the cot. We did the same with napping in the bed first. #KCACOLS
We currently have a three year old in bed with us and a newborn in a bedside crib which has to be a #mumfail! #KCACOLS
Great tips, we are currently going through this with our 19 month daughter.