I don't know if this helps, but with my DD I started by putting her in the big bed for her day sleeps. The first few were a little hard for her to cope with so i layed with her for a little while and gave her a few of her favourite 'security' items to snuggle with.
About a month or two later, I put her in the big bed for her first night and she slept like a log! We made her cot into a bed for her favourite toys for a few weeks before moving it out of her room completely.
DD1 transitioned really well just removed the cot put in the bed and no problems
But some tips i have heard are:
* For a few nights before putting the bed in remove the side of the cot so they get used to not being "enclosed" and get used to a bed idea whilst still being in the cot.
*throw a big-bed party and celebrate the move to her own bed?
*You could get her to help you set up the new bed. If it seems like a fun idea, take her shopping to choose the bed or bedding, then have her in the room with you while you move the furniture. She’ll be happier if she’s had a say in the move too.
*If possible, make the transition from cot to bed before the birth of your baby or a few months after. Otherwise, your toddler may resent the baby for coming into the house and immediately ‘stealing’ the cot.
*Consider marking the transition by redecorating your child’s room. It doesn’t need to cost a lot; just changing the pictures on the wall or covers on cushions will make the room look different. Involve your child in planning and decorating their new ‘big kid’ bedroom.
We started DD's transition to a toddler bed when she was 14 months old, she is only going to be 21 months when bub #2 is born and she is going into a big single bed.
We started by taking the big side off the cot, and placing a bed rail designed for cots up. Over a few weeks we took off the other side and the high ends. She thought it was great being able to climb up into bed herself, we never really had a problem with putting her to bed as she was a great sleeper and self settled herself, occasionally found her asleep on the bedroom floor somewhere.
We cant get the furniture for her new room until after bubs is born, but we have started collecting the stuff to decorate it, she will move to the new room once it has all been finished and we can make it a big deal. I have considered placing her old toddler bed in there as well in case she doesnt agree with the single bed, bub can use the bassinette for a few nights.
I do really suggest a bed rail though, at least for a little while until they adjust to not having sides to stop them falling, it can help to make them feel more secure as well.
studymum- Thank you soooo much for replying, I am wanting to start DS transition shortly and he is only 13 months but self settles sooo well. Everyone has told me its too soon, but I think that it's the right time and its so good to know that there have been others out there who have doent it at the same stage. I was considering taking the rail off and I think that you've made up my mind for me now!
If you feel that he is ready then he probably is, sooo many people told me that it would cause problems being so young. Just depends on the child I suppose, I know some who are over 20 months and would not handle it yet. Good luck
I think each child is different. If you know yours is ready, then i'm sure you're right. I started the daytime sleeps in a big bed at 9 months old. Most people thought that I was crazy, but at exactly 12 months, we were out of that cot. Haven't looked back.
Good luck to all, being a parent is never easy and the rules are always changing! haha... not all kids are the same.
Im subscribing to this also cause i think we will be needing to transfer Miss B to a big girls bed soon as i have caught her with one leg up over the bar a few times already
A friend suggested to me taking the sides of the cot first - but start with the one near the wall?!
DS was 15 months old when I took the cot rails off his cot and it changed to a toddler bed.
I put a bed rail on it for security (and peace of mind for me) and I also slept in his room for a few nights to make sure he didn't climb out.
It worked for me! At 21 months he transitioned again (because we moved) into a BIG BOY bed....he still has a bed rail up, but happily climbs into his bed and sleeps all night.
we took the cot sides down first, so like someone else posted DD could get used to it and then one day she was really tired for a day nap and i just popped her in and we havent looked back...
i was suprised by the transition in that i thought it would be alot trickier, but DD likes the idea of being in a Big Girl Bed ITMS...
Sunshine - I'll just tell you what we did, it might give you some ideas!
DD#1 was about 19mths when she went into a big bed, and she moved to a new room at the same time so we were able to take our time setting it up. We would go in there and talk about her "big girl room" and her "big girl bed" so she was really familiar with it.
We also took her shopping for new doona cover/sheets etc and she helped to choose. She helped to choose a new lamp and some stickers too.
Someone had suggested putting the cot in the new room for a few nights and we tried this - but as soon as we went to put her to bed in the cot she just wanted the big girl bed - and she didn't look back! She loved it, and slept really well, even though she was normallly really restless in the cot and moved around alot. She's only fallen out of the bed about 3 times ever! We do also have bed rails up.
We made the transition about 6 weeks before her sister came along too - and she had no issues with the new baby going into her old room.
We cant simply take the side/s of DD cot off as it's just a standard cot not 1 that turns into a toddler bed.
So sometime after she turns 2 next month we'll be buying a single/king single bed and everything for her and taking down the cot and putting her straight into the big girl bed, her bedroom isnt big enough to have the cot & big girl bed in there at the same time.
Bonham- ours wasn't a convertible cot, I just pulled off the side that drops down as they are usually only held on by the sliders which will screw off...
First night went good, woke up once cause dogs barked and when I checked on him at 4am this morning, he had climbed off the bed had a play with teddy and curled up on the pillows on the floor. So very cute!
Transition from Cot to Big Bed. Any tips appreciated :)
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