How to Ease the Transition to a Toddler Bed

If your toddler has started to climb out their cot, it's time for a toddler bed. But how can you make the transition smoothly, so it's easy for mama and child?

Making the move from cot to bed can be both an exciting and scary time for your toddler. While they may love the new found freedom of a bed, no longer being in the security of a cot with sides can feel rather daunting. The temptation to leave their new bed is often too much to resit and you may find your toddler comes out of their bed every couple of minutes to find you. This can often last all night, leaving both you and your toddler, exhausted and cranky. However it's important not to give up.

Some of the best advice I was given, when struggling to crack the toddler bed, was firstly, to prepare for a few sleepless nights. Secondly, no matter how many times my toddler got up, walk him straight back to bed, tuck him in with a kiss and go back to bed. Don’t make fuss, try not to engage in conversation, just keep repeating the process. Eventually, they get use to the idea of sleeping in their “big kid’ bed and stop getting up. Two kids down and it was so successful, I am planning to repeat the whole process with baby number three.

Of course its important to remember that this is a big moment in your child’s life, the more you can help prepare them for the transition from cot to bed, the better. Here are some of our favourites methods to make the process easier:

Choosing the right bed

Some parents start off by putting their child's cot mattresses on the floor to ease the transition but this could cause issues later down the line when you want to switch them to a bed. Others might go straight for a full sized bed with a bed guard. However a full size beds tend to be higher off the ground and rather scary for such a small person.

Instead, we suggest opting for a toddler bed. Designed low to the ground for ease of access and incase your new to a bed child falls out, another benefit of toddler bed is that they can usually accommodate an existing cot mattress. The also come in fun toddler friendly forms such as cars and tree houses.

Mokee

Tipee Bed & Cover

Mokee

Tipee Bed

The Mokee Tipee bed is one of our favourites. Available in two sizes, Midi and Junior, this stylish bed comes with a timeless Scandinavian design and the option of four colour ways. However its the option of adding a bed cover that makes the Mokee Tippee Bed ideal for this important time in your toddlers life.

Creating a safe place to sleep, cuddle and play, the cover comes with roller blinds to open the day and close at night, for an cosy incredibly cosy space that will help your child feel comfortable and secure.

Let your child pick their sleeping accessories.

Help your child get excited about their new bed, by letting them help you pick out child-friendly bedding and comforters. Swedish brand Newbie has some lovely organic bed linen, with fun yet tasteful prints (see main image), while everyone’s favourite swaddle brand Aden & Anais have designed a range of weighted blankets especially for toddlers. Using gentle pressure, the blanket is designed to help your little one fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, making bedtime easier.

We also suggest going shopping for a couple of special soft toys, to make the big-kid bed seem even more appealing and give am added sense of security. The White Company has a gorgeous selections of soft toys, with the Jellycat Odelle Octopus and Fuddle Wuddle Unicorn being some of our favourites.

Establish a Bedtime Routine.

As with any transition, establishing a good routine is essential. Now that they are no longer in a cot, why not enjoy their bed time story in their new big kid bed. Better yet invite their new stuffed toy to listen in too.

An enjoyable and consistent routine should help your child feel grounded and leave them looking forward to going to bed.

Aden & Anais

Weighted Blanket

Child-Proof your House.

The last thing you want to worry about when switching to a toddler bed is your childs safety.

Do a safety sweep of every room your toddler might be able to access. Secure the stairs with gates at the top and bottom, or better, bolt bookshelves and tv’s to the wall, and put safety latches on dresser drawers so they can't pull them out and use them to climb.