By Jan de Lange

Sooner or later every toddler outgrows their cot. They become too tall, the cot becomes cramped and before you know it, you need to transition your young one from the cot they’ve gotten so used to, to a bed. Here are some ways to make the change a bit easier.

When to make the change

Unlike starting solids or potty training, there aren’t any definitive milestones to indicate that the time for a bed has come. Most toddlers can climb over the railing of their cot once they reach a height of around 90cm, at about 18 to 24 months. Some toddlers will give their parents the fright of their lives when they one day climb over, while others will be less adventurous and never climb out at all. Once your toddler is able and tries to climb out, it’s time for a bed. Kids who don’t try to climb out can often keep sleeping in the cot past the age of 2.

What type of bed to use?

Here are some things to consider when making the move from cot to bed. Firstly, decide how they’ll be sleeping. Many parents simply put the cot mattress on the floor. This has the benefit of keeping things low to the ground, reducing the risk of injury if your toddler rolls off. It’s also familiar to your child. They’ve slept on this mattress for a significant part of their lives, which can be a great comfort during the transition. You can also opt for a toddler bed that can accommodate your cot-sized mattress, or the mattress of a normal, adult-sized bed placed on the floor. 

Bedtime routine

It’s also very helpful to establish a bedtime routine. Many parents already have a bedtime routine in place that they’ve used to help their babies sleep well. If this is the case, things might be a bit easier and may only require some tweaks to the existing routine. In any case, routine at bedtime is something that helps your child understand what is expected of them, which can make things a lot easier during this transition.

Babyproofing 

Double down on your babyproofing before moving your child out of their cot. Recheck every room your child will have access to in the time between them waking up and you tending to them. Televisions, bookshelves, water bowls for pets can all be deadly hazards to a curious, clambering toddler. Keep fire safety in mind too by removing matches, and switching the stove off at the mains. Additionally, you can put an alert system in place to alert you if your child’s left their bedroom. Bells or a monitor can help with this. Alternatively, consider putting a baby gate at the door to their bedroom.

Keeping them in their new bed

The secret here is to make their own bed their most appealing option. Toddlers commonly resist the new bed initially, wanting to sleep in their parents’ bed or the cot again. If your child wants to come to sleep in your room, consider making it a requirement that they bring their own blanket and pillow and sleep on the floor. Give them the security of being able to come to sleep with you, but don’t make it comfortable enough that it becomes their preference. This may not be appropriate for all ages, so use careful judgment in taking this option. Some toddlers might need a temporary return to the cot.

This transition is important but can also be difficult. Don’t worry too much if it’s tricky initially. Toddlers mature quickly so if they struggle too much with the move initially, it’s ok to revert to the cot for a while and trying again later.