Bambino Merino Blog

Somewhere between 18 months and 3 years of age most toddlers are ready to make the transition from a cot to a ‘big bed’.  This may be for a practical reason, like having learned  to climb out of her cot or to make way for a new baby, or it may just be that your little one is ready to take the next step towards growing up.  Moving from the security of a cot to a grown up bed can be both an exciting and unsettling time for parents and children.  Many children – even those who have previously been great sleepers – have difficulty going to sleep when the sleep cues they have become familiar with are no longer present.  

If you’re moving your toddler in to a bed because you’re expecting another baby, most experts suggest you time the move 6-8 weeks before you are due so that the older child is well adjusted to their new bed before they see the new baby ‘taking over’ the cot.

Here are our 5 Top Tips for a smooth transition . . . .

1. Discuss the change excitedly leading up to the event and involve your child in shopping for his/her new bed together
2. Position the new bed in the same place as the cot was – children can feel disoriented when they wake in an unfamiliar bed or location
3. Retain some familiar sleep associations, such as the same pillow and cuddly toy.  If your child is used to sleeping in a baby sleeping bag which is getting too small, upgrade to the next size (we now stock merino sleeping bags for 2-4 year olds too).  This saves you endlessly pulling up the duvet when your toddler inevitably kicks it off and wakes up cold in the night.  The novelty of being able to get out of bed by him/herself will soon wear off.  In the meantime a sleeping bag can be useful for discouraging toddlers from repeatedly getting out of bed at sleeptime
4. Consider using a guard rail at first for extra safety whilst getting used to the ‘big bed’ – better than putting pillows on the floor!
5. Praise your child for getting in to bed in the evening and again in the morning, for staying in bed all night