Thinking of moving your toddler from their cot to a bed? Read on for some tips for how to help make the transition as smooth as possible.
Is your toddler starting to climb out of their cot? If yes, then there are a few things you can do to help put a stop to this. One thing to think about is their sleeping bag and whether they are getting out of it. If they are, then you could try a different style which is harder to escape from to see if that makes a difference.
Their age can also have a huge impact on how smooth this transition is as around the age of three they develop greater impulse control. This means that they have more awareness over their actions and are more likely to remain in their bed when it is time for sleep. So if they aren’t climbing out of their cot and they are happy in there still then it can be a good idea to leave this move until they are three or older.
If they are climbing out of their cot, then it may be time to make the transition as their safety is paramount. Before doing this, spend a few days talking to them about the transition so that they are aware and involved in the process. If they currently do not have a pillow and duvet, try to move to this a few weeks before so that they are used to it. Another useful tool to support this transition is a toddler sleep clock. You may already have one and if so, then keep using it. When you do make this transition though, it is a good idea to make their ‘wake up’ time earlier so that they have success and then gradually move the time back to where it was before.
If you don’t currently use a toddler clock then I would suggest introducing it to them before the cot to bed move. Spend time at the beginning explaining how it works and set the wake up time to earlier than would be your ideal morning time. Use lots of praise when they have success as this will support how successful they are with it in the long term. Once they are used to it then you can gradually move their ‘wake up’ time later.
Once you have decided to make this transition, involve them in the process. Position the toddler bed in the same place in their room as their cot was so that they are used to the same area. If possible try to recreate the sleep environment- move any bedding and toys and set up in the same way in the bed so that it is familiar to them.
The next important thing to do is to check their bedroom is toddler safe. Now that they will be able to get in and out of bed on their own, look to ensure plug sockets are secured, there are no loose cables or blind cords etc which may cause a hazard. You may also want to move any toys out of their room that you think might cause a distraction or be too tempting for them if they have free rein of their bedroom.
If you are using a raised toddler bed (not a floor level bed), then it is a good idea to use a bed guard to help stop them falling out of bed as they move around in the nighttime. There are many different ones on the market now so it is a good idea to look at some different styles to see which one might suit you best.
Encourage your toddler to get in and out of their bed on their own and help them practise pulling up the covers as this will be a useful skill to be able to do in the middle of the night!
This is a really positive experience for most toddlers as it is a sign of them moving away from babyhood and they can feel really excited and proud of their new bed. Use lots of praise and try to keep the whole emphasis on how positive it is for them. Toddlers pick up on your positivity and thrive on praise so a little can go a long way!
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