Tips on How to Transition from Cot to Toddler Bed

Your toddler will ultimately graduate to big-kid sleeping arrangements, regardless of how much they enjoy their cot or how eagerly they want to leave it. How do you switch to a toddler bed securely and smoothly, and when should you do it? Here are a few recommendations.

When to Transition to a Kids’ Bed?

Between 18 months and two years old, one-third of toddlers switch to a bed, and a second-third do so between 2 and 2.5 years. In summary, between 18 months and three years old, most children generally transition from a cot to a bed, so that’s the ideal time to do so.

Is Your Child Ready for the Move?

Because of the extensive age range, there are a few things to consider before making the change. However, you don’t have to wait for all the indicators. If your child can climb out of their cot, it’s a sign they’re ready, as climbing out of the cot is a significant risk factor. Your child may also be prepared for a larger bed if their chest is above the cot rail when standing up or if they communicate a wish for a big bed like yours or an older sibling’s.

However, if your toddler struggles with self-control, it may be better to delay the transition until they’re closer to 3 years old. If you’re expecting another baby, consider moving your toddler to a bed a few months before the new arrival. Additionally, if your child’s going through other significant changes like potty training or a family move, it may be best to postpone the bed transition to avoid overwhelming them.

How Can I Make the Transition to a Toddler Bed Easier?

You’ll need to organise before switching to a bed for kids to make the transition smooth and easy. To keep your child happy, use these advice and strategies.

Choose the Best Bed for Your Child

Some parents simply place their children’s cot mattresses on the ground to help the transition. Others opt for a toddler bed, often low to the ground. While a toddler bed is OK, it’s not essential for keeping toddlers safe. Instead, it can be more practical to choose a single bed option from the wide range of kids’ beds available as you can always install a detachable guard rail to prevent your toddler from slipping out.

That way, you’ll get an option to grow with your child and not make any future changes, which can further be overwhelming for your child. What makes a good kids bed? Most parents are familiar with the phrases bunk and single as more “standard” types on the market. However, here’s more info to help you make the best choice for your kid.

Kid Bed Types

Single Beds

This type will undoubtedly last a lifetime and is appropriate for toddlers, teens, and adults. These traditional low-profile beds are an excellent option for your child, and if you need more storage or an extra bed, many designs have trundle bed drawers or other forms of extra storage, allowing you to make the most of your space.

Bunk Beds

Bunk beds for kids are a favourite among the little ones. Constructed with one bed stacked on the other, the bunk bed is a popular way to double your available sleeping area and save loads of valuable floor space. They’re a terrific option for tiny bedrooms, giving you extra room for play. In addition to the conventional design, you can also have an L-shaped arrangement, which allows you to add a bedside table, bookcase, or workstation to the side of the bottom bed. Additionally, sharing a room or having a buddy over for a sleepover is so much fun with a bunk bed!

Loft Beds

The loft bed, also known as a “high sleeper bed,” is similar to a bunk bed in that it has a raised frame with a convenient room underneath for storage, a workspace, or a play area. Loft beds are a terrific concept for maximising space because they offer a usable space underneath. If you have limited space, a loft bed may be the best option for you and your child. Due to the adaptable nature of the bed frame, loft beds and high sleepers can both have a wide variety of stunning designs.

Materials

These days, different materials are used to make bed frames, from twisted pine to gorgeous oak, cutting-edge metal, and a combination of wood and plastic. Every material offers something unique, from increased durability to distinctive design potential.

Upholstered kids beds will make your child’s bedroom feel cosy and luxurious. Sturdy bed frames come upholstered in luxurious textiles in various classic and modern designs to fit both boys and girls, and last throughout childhood and beyond.

Other Tips and Suggestions

Have Your Kid Choose Their Sleeping Gear

Allow your child to assist in selecting kid-friendly sheets, pillowcases, blankets, sleepwear and stuffed animals for the bed of your choice. This may make the shift to a “big kid” bed more alluring.

Create a Bedtime Routine

It’s beneficial to maintain a dependable habit throughout any moment of transition. If you already have a nighttime routine, follow it as closely as possible. If you don’t have one, create one – ideally, a few weeks before the change, so that you have something reassuring and reliable to rely on when you adjust.

A regular bedtime routine can give a young child a sense of stability. Change can be difficult for toddlers because they frequently feel conflicted about maturing and leaving their childhood behind. However, once they have mastered a new talent, they have a genuine feeling of pride and achievement.

Childproof Your Home

Make a safety check of any space that your child can enter. Put safety locks on dresser drawers so they can’t be pulled out and used as a climbing aid. Have televisions and bookcases bolted to the wall. Install gates at the top and bottom of the steps to secure them.

Some experts even advise locking or installing a gate on your child’s door, but you should consider fire safety, too. To be informed when they leave the room, you can either use a monitor or hang bells from the door.

Be Real: It Won’t Be Simple

Your child might cry, wanting their cot. Keep a cheerful attitude and expect a month or two for them to become used to their new surroundings. They might go on several excursions because of their newly acquired independence. After you put your kid to bed, it’s quite common that they get up. When you put them back to bed, they appear again. Simply quietly put them back to sleep and exit the room as soon as possible.

Keep the cot because there’s a chance they won’t be ready for a large bed just yet. It’s not a big deal to briefly return to it if necessary: your kid may be prepared in a month or two because toddlers mature swiftly. Don’t rush through this crucial adjustment; instead, be patient.