This is one of our most frequently asked questions: How do I know when it’s the right time to move my child from a cot to a bed, and how do I go about it? Here we share our top tips on choosing the right time, the right kit and the all important preparation to ensure your child is set up for success!
When is a good time to move from cot to bed?
- If your little one is running out of space in their cot.
- If your child is climbing out of their cot.
- In advance of a new baby arrival and you needing the cot for them. Please only do this if your older child is ready.
- If you are potty training and they are waking in the night to use the loo.
When not to do this?
- You’re feeling social pressure as all your friends are telling you to.
- Their sleep is already unsettled and you think that moving them into a bigger bed will help….it won’t!
- If there have been or are about to be other significant changes in their lives.
The prep!
Although children don’t like change being sprung upon them, they also have no concept of time so don’t assume they know what you mean when you refer to ‘in a few week’s time’. Visual calendars really help to reinforce timeframes and prepare a young child for when change will occur.
Let them be part of the process choosing some ‘grown up’ bedding….the shortlist already having been pre edited by you of course!
Assuming they are well into toddlerhood already, if they sleep with a pillow in their cot, that should transition with them, along with special teddies/comforters. This will bring familiarity to the new space. We don’t recommend sleeping bags in beds as if they do get out, this will increase the likelihood of them stumbling as they try to move around.
Encourage some independence by showing them how to pull their duvet up and how to get in and out of their bed safely.
Make sure that if you have little climbers, any free standing furniture has been securely attached.
The kit!
We would recommend a stair gate across their doorways. This ensures that any night time disturbances are contained to their rooms and means you don’t have to worry about them raiding the fridge at 4am!
A bed guard is a useful way of ensuring they don’t roll out of their beds in the night.
If their new room is lighter, use a blackout blind. Remember, we all sleep best in a mostly dark room so this is not the time to turn your child’s one into a display of lights that mirrors Soho at midnight!
The bedtime routine
A familiar bedtime routine of having a bath, some milk (if appropriate), bedtime stories and a cuddle all show your child predictable sleep cues so they feel safe and are more likely to relax into sleep. Following these steps in their new room models that you think it’s a good idea.
Say goodnight and tell them you will see them in the morning, calmly walking out of the room. Many children stay in their beds but if they do get out, it is usually to explore their new found freedom or is a reaction to the change which can feel unsettling to us all. Try to remember, they are looking to you for guidance so keep any interactions to a minimum by just being a calming presence. If they try to chat, do a gentle reassuring shush. Repeat this as many times as is necessary but remember, their sleep pressure is at its highest at bedtime so you have science on your side – they will settle.
Remember we don’t just work with babies! We can help with children up to the age of twelve who are struggling with their sleep so do get in touch if you want to find out more.
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