We did the move from cot to big bed at the weekend - had to go cold turkey as no space for both the cot and bed. Anyway, DD is being a bit of a pickle about going to sleep in the bed - once asleep, she's sleeping fine (waking up once or twice during the night, but that's normal), but getting her to sleep in the bed, is a different matter.
I had to lie down with her at nap time to get her to sleep, but I don't want her to get into a habit of this with a nb on the way. DH gave her some milk last night, which she hasn't had for a couple of months now, so again, don't want to get into a habit.
To begin with at nap time, it was just whingeing, which I will often ignore, but as I tried to walk out, she worked herself into a state, until I gave in and lied down.
We had to move DD1 into a big bed a little while ago to free up the cot for our new little one. We tried to get her excited about it by letting her pick out a bedspread for it (she chose Dora) and telling her what a big girl she is now for sleeping in a big bed. It was easier than we had expected although we did have a few nights that were a bit difficult. She moves around so much in her sleep so we got put bumpers on the sides to stop her falling out. She has been fine ever since and she loves showing off her big bed to all her friends. Good luck with it!
DS is 23 months and we have made the transition to 'Boori cot with side off' last week because he suddenly started to climb over the side. We also went cold turkey because of this (lol, I wasn't ready). The first night we did what you did; say 'night night' and walk out to leave him to it like we always did when he slept in his cot, but this caused similar 'seperation anxiety'.
So we changed the plan to me carrying him to bed (after bath, tooth brushing, books, cuddling daddy), cuddling him shortly until he is happy to lie down. Then I rub his back while talking about our day and singing our sleepy time song about how everyone loves him. Once he is calm and settled I tell him I am going to do XYZ (something he is familiar with; for us it is 'feeding our horse/have a drink of water' something quick to start with) and that I will be back with him straight after that is done. I just kept repeating this until you come back in and he is asleep, gradually increasing the time between going back in. He redeveloped his trust in a few days and now I can just walk out most of the time and he happily self settles in his bed. Sometimes he still needs me to come back in and have a second cuddle, usually when he has trouble winding down after a busy day, but then settles really well. HTH.
Last edited by Esme; January 20th, 2010 at 12:01 PM.
Tips for going to sleep in a big bed!
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