Smooth Moves: Transitioning to a big bed

So your little one is ready to transition from a cot to a bed. How exciting!

One of the best (and hardest!) things you can do as a parent is to ensure your toddler gets enough rest. However, transitioning them from cots to beds can be difficult and stressful. That’s why support from a certified sleep coach or sleep training consultant could be useful if you anticipate resistance from your child.

Sleep coaching advice can help you create healthy sleeping habits that are safe, and comfortable sleeping habits for your toddler during the transition period. It involves providing your child consistency, structure, and routine so that they understand what to expect each night when it’s time for bed. This helps reduce stress and anxiety levels for both parents and children as they adjust to their new sleeping space. One of the things I advise is not to move your child into a bed too young. It’s much easier on everyone if they have a good level of understanding before the move is made. Another valuable piece of advice is to not make too many changes at once. For example, if you are expecting a new baby and will need the cot for them, be sure to transition your toddler into a bed a few weeks before their new sibling’s arrival.

When considering transitioning your toddler from a cot to a bed, remember some important steps - such as introducing the bed gradually and keeping a consistent bedtime routine. When we transitioned our 3-year-old into his bed, we were fortunate that he had a big room with lots of space. This meant that we had been sitting on the bed for a few months before we started the move to read his bedtime stories, so he had very positive associations with a ‘big boy’ bed. Even though we did lots of prep, we did still have some issues, such as false starts- which we resolved by being super consistent and continuously putting him back into bed.

It’s important to set expectations early, such as making it clear that they should stay in their bed until morning and not try to climb out of it during the night unless they need you. To help with this, we introduced a gro-clock; his age allows him to understand the concept. Another thing we did was to involve him in choosing sheets (he chose Buzz Lightyear and Lightning McQueen!) for his new bed, so he was super happy to go into it. We also invested in a bed guard for safety, as he is such an overnight acrobat!

If you’re feeling nervous about the transition (and there’s a lot to think about!), you could consult a certified sleep coach or sleep training specialist who can help you design an individualised plan that works for your toddler’s needs and personality so you and your child can successfully navigate the change. A cot-to-bed transition doesn’t involve a sleep training programme, just a one-off phone call for guidance and to ensure you have your strategy in place.

Good luck!