Cot to toddler bed... When? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Cot to toddler bed... When?

494
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 12:50

Hi all ds is 16 mths coming up 17 mths. He will be 22 mths when #2 arrives. My qtn is when should I move him to a toddler bed?

I know I shouldn't do it too close to b2 arrival either side. But when would be good? Any tips?
Basically do I do 2 cots or move one kid out to toddler bed and the other in the vot. I plan to have b2 in a crib in my room for the first 8 weeks at least so won't need a cot until around then.

Tia

17
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 20:38
I think he's probably ready, does he sleep through the night usually? We made the transition at 18 months and after a week or two, we would put DS down to sleep and he could fall asleep on his own! We used the Jo Frost Supernanny technique where every night you sit a little further away from the bed until they fall asleep. Eventually you simply stand outside their door whilst they fall asleep on their own. We bought one of the nightlights that project lights onto the ceiling and play a lullaby and we usually switch that on, it plays for 10 minutes and by the end he is sound asleep! I think it's all about making the bed his 'big boy' bed, putting his favourite toys in and getting him a cool coverlet, ds loves thomas the tank engine so we managed to get one with trains on and he was a happy chappy! When we made the change I wasn't sure if we were doing it too soon and I was sure DS would wake in the night and want to get up and play with his toys but it was actually the opposite, he just sat there and cried softly until I came to him. Just make sure the toddler bed has a good side rail and i'm sure he'll be fine!
140
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 20:34
Our second baby is due in March and we wanted to get DD used to her new 'big girl' bed before then. She was more than ready so we put her in it at 21mths and she loves it!! We got a toddler bed (with the side guards built in at the top end) so she can climb into by herself and she jumps in and pulls the blankets up over herself. Originally she would stay in all night and come into our room at her normal wake up time but lately she's trying to bed hop a little (she's teething and wants cuddles) so we are having a few restless nights trying to resettle her in her bed. We have a night light in the hallway between the two rooms so she can see when she needs to come to us and of course we have put safety gates on the stairs and we close the doors to the other rooms upstairs (especially the bathrooms). To encourage her to make the transition, I took her bed shopping to allow her to try out and choose her own bed and bedding. We have been very lucky that she has taken to it so well as I have friends who almost resorted to putting their LOs back in their cots!!! Good Luck!
232
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 19:50
I am in the same boat! You must have given birth around Oct / Nov last year. I was in Nov. I am going to keep the new baby in my room for up to 6 months (few weeks in a moses basket and then in a crib). I have heard that some babies can make the transition from the cot to the bed around 18 months, so hopefully your LO will have mastered it by the time the new baby arrives. I would put the older one in a toddler bed and the next one in the cot.
19
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 14:55
IMHO, as soon as the toddler can safely stay in the bed at night and safely get out of it himself in the morning - he is ready to go to a bed. Let him get used to it and understand that the cot is not for sleeping anymore (might remove the matress for some time, "brake" it, or move to another room) and definately not for playing or climbing (safer for both toddler and baby)
 
 

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