When to take the sides off the cot bed / introduce toddler bed?

[BunMum]

Hi there,

I'm wondering when is the general time that people usually introduce their LO to a toddler bed or take the sides off the cot?

We have a cot bed but Ollie has never been a good sleeper, I'm convinced he doesn't like his cot or the bars. Generally we bring him into bed when he wakes which can be anywhere between midnight and 3am. I'm not looking to do any sleep training but I feel we're coming to the time where we should settle him in his own bed to sleep with cuddles, books etc. Currently he has boob to sleep in the rocking chair then I transfer him to his cot when he's asleep. He usually rouses as I put him down, but settles when I rub his back.

I probably should add that he isn't properly walking yet but we have bed rails that we can use.

Thanks in advance x

 

[Kitten]

We did this about a month ago, so at 21/22months. I left it so late because he's a mischievous thing and I was convinced he'd be up all night tearing his room apart but he started getting his arms stuck in the cot, and waking up in the night a lot and now I'm quite big and pregnant I was struggling to lean over and get him out so we just did it one day and he's been fine.

 

[letia659]

we did this a couple of days ago with Zander he is 18 months and he loves his "big boy" bed

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

Um, never?

 

[Kent Mummy]

my LO must be the oldest. she is 3 at end of July and she is still in her cot. She wasn't ready for it last year (when I tired and pregnant so we left it) and besides she's happy in her cot (and loves her grobag) so to make my life easier we left the cot bars on.

But we do plan to buy toddler bed this summer so my baby can have the cot. I don't think there is any rush to get them in a toddler bed to be honest. I think sometimes if it is done too early it can just make more work for you.

L

 

[19Sarah87]

my LO must be the oldest. she is 3 at end of July and she is still in her cot. She wasn't ready for it last year (when I tired and pregnant so we left it) and besides she's happy in her cot (and loves her grobag) so to make my life easier we left the cot bars on.

But we do plan to buy toddler bed this summer so my baby can have the cot. I don't think there is any rush to get them in a toddler bed to be honest. I think sometimes if it is done too early it can just make more work for you.

L

hi, im glad i came across your post, i was worried because ds will be 3 mid july and i thought we were leaving it too late to get him out of his cotbed. We tried taking the sides down last year and he went mad lol oh thinks its a bad move taking them down yet as he can be a bugger and will get into mischief at any given time. Im just pleased im not the only one lol

 

[DaisyBee]

I dont think there is anything wrong with having them in the cotbed? Even at 2-3 yrs. If they are sleeping well & there isnt any issue - why mess with it? But for the op - it sounds like sleep training is the issue - not the cot? If he knows he will get to come sleep w/ you then he'll continue doing what he's doing. We did cc with Megan at 13 months and it was so worth it. She now goes in her crib happily w/out tears, a fight, or anything. We have a bedtime routine including cuddling & books & then she gets put in her crib & she goes to sleep.

Megan sleeps fantastic in her crib (cotbed) and we wont be changing anything for quite a while. When baby #2 is needing a crib - then we might consider moving her to a big girl bed. But I am in no rush.


If he isnt walking yet - I would think it would be a little young to make the switch?

 

[MrsMama]

My daughter was 14 months when we put her in her toddler bed. I would say as long as they have a good sleep routine and are confident with walking/climbing then it's fine. A month before my daughters 3rd birthday we put her in a proper single bed and she absolutely loved it. Go with your instincts. Every child is different, my friends 2 year old little boy is still in a cot so it depends on each child x

 

[LittleBoo]

We've had Jack in a big boy bed (normal single bed, never seen the point in toddler beds ) since he was about 18 months, he loves it