Moving from cot to bed

Most parents start thinking about moving their child from a crib into a bed around the age of two. By this age he’s probably outgrowing his crib and is capable of sleeping in a big bed without falling out and injuring himself, although to begin with you may want to fit a bed rail to his bed to stop him falling out, particularly if he tends to move around a lot while asleep.

There are several things to consider before making this transition. Firstly, is your child a good sleeper in his crib? If he still tends to wake in the night, then moving him to a bed will simply mean that he will now be up and about once he’s awake – and probably trying to get into your bed too. Most experts agree that moving a child from a crib to a bed is unlikely to cure any existing sleep problems, and recommend trying to resolve any problems before making the change. If your child is a poor sleeper, you might want to consider keeping his crib as a fall-back if the night prowling gets too much. Sometimes, the threat of demotion to his ‘baby crib’ can work wonders in persuading him to stay in his big bed and go to sleep.??

Secondly, are there other things going on in your child’s life that might make such a transition stressful? Try and avoid making the switch at a traumatic time for your child, for example, starting daycare or preschool, or starting potty training. Opt instead for a stress-free period and make it a positive thing – help him choose his comforter and sheets and get him involved in putting them on the bed for the first time. Being evicted from his crib to make way for a younger sibling can work both ways – he might be delighted at his ‘promotion’ to a big boy’s bed, but might equally yearn for the security of his babyhood crib, so don’t automatically assume that it’s a logical move which he will accept with equanimity. If you suspect he’s not ready for the change, instead of buying a single bed straight away, consider investing in a crib that can be converted into a small, low-set toddler bed. If you do decide to buy a twin or full-sized bed, look for models which are close to the floor with a firm mattress, and which will accommodate a bed rail to stop your child falling out – a common hazard in the early days!

Read our Kit section for reviews and ratings on cribs currently available to you.

The information on this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

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Last Modified: 02/08/2007

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