Moving your little one from their cot to their first bed can be a big step...for you as well as them. It’s another move towards independence and a big step in their growing up journey. So, how do you know when the time is right? And how do you make the transition a smooth one? Here are a few helpful hints that we’ve heard from parents in the past:
- There is no specific age when you should move your little one – it typically happens between 1½ and 3½ years old.
- If your child’s learnt to climb and the cot bar is at chest level when they stand you might want to think about doing the switch. The last thing you want is for them to attempt to climb out of the cot and hurt themselves in the night.
- An obvious sign that it’s bed not cot time is if they look scrunched or uncomfortable in their cot. A bed gives them more freedom and space to stretch out.
- If you’re toilet training and want to start the process towards getting them dry at night, a bed makes it far easier for them to go to the toilet in the night. You’ll obviously want to make sure you accompany them on their night bathroom visits though.
- Another reason to move them may well be necessity especially if you have another child on the way! Make sure you make the move a few months before the new baby arrives otherwise jealously becomes a problem with them still viewing the cot as ‘theirs’.
- When you’re making the transition be guided by your child. If they’re ready and raring why not have Big Kid Day party when you set up the bed and add a few bedtime gifts to get them really excited about their new bed? If they’re a bit more hesitant take it one step at a time – maybe remove the cot mattress and put it on the floor so they’re in a familiar place but get used to feeling of not having cot bars surrounding them.
- Choose a toddler bed specially made with kids in mind. They’re designed in the shape of fun things like cars, fire engines and princess carriages. The fun designs have a practical purpose too as they provide protection against falling out. Plus they’re smaller than big beds, making them a great transition between a cot and a full sized bed.