By Carla Kriel
Moving from a cot to a bed can be an exciting time for your child, but you might have to rethink the safety of your home. Here are some tips for managing the transition with the minimum of fuss.
When is the best time to move?
There is no set time to move your child, but it is probably safest to wait until they are 2,5 years old.
You might consider moving your child into a bed when:
- they have outgrown their cot
- another baby arrives (move your child into a bed at least 6 to 8 weeks before the new sibling arrives, or use a baby bassinet for your newborn for a few months before you move your older child)
- they are trying to climb out of the cot
- they are toilet training and need to get to the bathroom easily
Where should my child sleep?
Toddler beds are low to the ground so they reduce the risk of your child falling out. If you are using an adult bed, make sure there is no space between the bed and the wall where your child could get stuck.
You can use a portable bed rail to stop your child falling out of bed. Make sure it is installed properly and that there is no gap between the mattress and the rail.
Another idea is to put the mattress on the floor or lay soft flooring materials around the bed in case they fall out. Another great and inexpensive idea is to use using pool noodles underneath a fitted sheet.
The sleep area for all young children should be free of clutter from soft toys. Wait until your child is 2 before you introduce a pillow for sleep.
Make your house safe
Now that your child is in a bed, they can move around the bedroom during the night. Here are some tips to make your house safe.
- Install safety locks on any windows — make sure any gaps aren’t big enough for your child to climb through.
- Make sure cords from curtains and blinds are out of reach.
- Attach heavy furniture to the wall with brackets.
- Make sure medicines, cleaning fluids and anything small that they could swallow is out of reach.
- Keep electrical appliances out of reach and install safety plugs in electrical outlets.
- Use security gates or lock doors to ensure children do not have access to stairs if it is unsafe to go up or down them unsupervised.
- Take away anything your child could climb on, like chairs and ladders.
Tips to help your child move into a bed
Every child is different. Some children adjust easily to a big bed, others don’t. It is often harder for your first child to make the transition than for later children. Here are some tips for helping your child to adjust.
- Put the bed in the same position as the cot.
- Give your child the same blanket that they used in the cot.
- Involve your child in choosing the new bed and planning the move.
- Introduce a bedtime routine with some quiet time before bed.
- Let your child climb into bed and pull up the covers by themselves.
- Tell your child you are proud of them for moving into a bed.
- Use your reward chart and stickers to keep them motivated to stay in bed. Your bedtime rules still apply.
Some children will keep getting out of bed. Gently tell them to go back to bed and leave the room. You might need to do this several times until your child settles down.
Sources: Babycenter (When should I move my child from a cot to a bed, and how?). .Raising Children Network (Moving cot to bed). .Red Nose (Cot to bed safety).
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