Is your toddler undertaking a mountaineering expedition each night, climbing their cot sides as if they’re scaling Everest? Or are you potty training and a safe route to the toilet is needed? Or quite simply has your little person asked to move to a ‘big bed’? If anything of these scenarios resonates with you…read on for some hints and tips for a successful transition from cot to bed.
Some children respond really positively to moving to a bed but for others it will be quite daunting. They have been enclosed and snug in their cots for their entire lives and can sometimes feel a little nervous and overwhelmed when the sides come off. This is totally normal and there are lots of things you can do to smooth the way.
The first thing to do before making any changes is start to prepare your child for the change. Have a chat with them about moving to a big boy or girl bed, and allow them to get used to the idea before springing it on them – you could even let them pick out some new bedding! This will ensure your child is ready for the move and you can allay any concerns they may have.
Next thing to look at is the positioning of the bed; placing it in the same place as their cot will be really comforting for your little one as it will feel familiar – they will have the same view from their sleep position. To reinforce this familiarity, use the same duvet and pillow that your child was using in their cot, along with any cuddly toys or comforters they are used to.
Before the big night you will need to ‘child-proof’ the room; now your little one is free to roam from their bed, you need to check what they can reach! For example, make sure there are no hanging curtain/blind cords or strings, everything electrical is in a safe position and there is nothing for your child to swallow! You may even want to put a stair gate on the door if your little one is used to having the door left open, or they are able to reach the handle and open the door themselves. Remember to check the room from your child’s height – yep, that’s right, get down on your knees and see what they can get to that you may have missed! Something to consider is whether you use a bed guard if your toddler is active in their sleep – the last thing you want is for them to go bump in the night!
Now the actual transition…allow extra time for bed on the first night as there is likely to be lots of excitement. Firstly, encourage your toddler to climb into bed and practise pulling up the covers by themselves. This will give them the confidence to do it on their own in the night and hopefully not call for your help! It’s possible that for the first few nights, your toddler will get out of bed rather than going to sleep. Use a two-pronged approach to nip this in the bud quickly.
Firstly, start a reward chart with whatever prizes/rewards work best with your child. If they don’t get out of bed, then they get the reward. Simples! If they do get out of bed, then use the Back to Bed sleep training method straightaway – no attention is given, they are just taken straight back to bed. Although this will all be new and exciting, your little person will get bored very quickly if they are taken back to bed with minimal input each time they get out. If your child is over 2(ish) or has good comprehension for their age, then you can always introduce a day/night clock. These are great for reinforcing their understanding of when it is night-time and they should stay in bed, and when it is morning and they’re allowed to run into your room and wake you in whatever way they decide that morning – will it be a kiss on the nose, a headbutt to the shoulder or a bundle on your full bladder…who knows?!