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Making the transition from a cot to a bed

When should I move my child from a cot to a bed, and how?

• Most parents move their child from a cot to a bed sometime between 18 months and three and a half years of age.
• The difference you’ll notice is that, without the restriction of the cot, your child will be free to roam around.
• It’s an exciting milestone, as you’re showing your child that she’s now old enough to be in an adult bed and you trust her to be well-behaved and grown-up.
• There’s no specific reason to move your child from a cot to a bed, it may just be that she’s grown out of the cot and a bed would be more comfortable.
• You may also think of making the change if your child is starting to try and climb out of the cot on her own.
• Another typical reason for the switch is because another baby is on the way. If you’re expecting, give your older child enough time to get used to the change, and make the switch from cot to bed at least six to eight weeks before you’re due.
• If you’re in the process of potty training your child, you may well want her to sleep in a bed because she will need to be able to get to the toilet or potty when necessary.

How do children react to the change?

• As with every change in life, all children will react differently. Some will adjust automatically to the change, while others find it more problematic.
• To make the transition easier, put the bed in the same place as the cot and give your child their old cot blanket to sleep with as a comforter.
• Involve your child fully in the process by taking her to the shop with you to choose a new bed.
• Put up a guardrail to prevent her from rolling over and falling out of the new bed.
• Some children don’t adjust quickly to being in a bed, so make sure you keep the cot and bring it back if your child is unhappy in the new bed.
• Even if your child does have to go back to the cot, make sure you present it as another exciting change, not as a step-back or a punishment.
• Eventually she will happily make her way to using a bed instead of a cot. She may just need some more time to make the transition.