Is Your Child Ready to Transition to a Bed?

Most parents who have a family bed and co-sleep with their children next to them in a moses basket will wonder whether or not their child is ready to transition to a cot or cot bed. Moses baskets /bassinets are designed for newborns up to a baby of a certain weight /age/development. Initially, it makes most sense to check the manufacturer’s advice for weight and age guidance as each brand of bassinet will differ. It will also be easier to spot when to stop using a bassinet when you’re looking out for the signs that your child is ready to transition to a bed.

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It can take a while for the transition to be right for both baby and parents, It is most definitely a step in their development milestones and baby/parent attachment.

Of course, one of the most obvious signs is that they are getting closer to needing this change is sitting up unaided. Most experts recommend moving a baby around 6 months or when they can sit unaided. Again for safety reasons just make sure that your baby isn’t exceeding the weight limit of the bassinet before 6 months. Whilst also being aware that the safest place for a baby to sleep for the first 6 months is in the same room as you. If your baby has outgrown the moses basket for the reasons mentioned above then a cot or larger bassinet in the same room would be essential.

Transitioning your baby into a cot could take a little time, as it’s most definitely a big step in their development milestones and baby/parent attachment. Start off with daytime naps in the new cot bed, making sure you follow safety guidelines with cot bedding. We as parents of four children can highly recommend using a baby sleeping bag instead of blankets and covers. We also placed our babies on a firm, clean and flat mattress with their feet at the bottom of the cot and with no pillows/bumpers etc in the cot as per safety guidelines.

If your baby is going into their own room then consider whether you require a sleep audio monitor or video monitor for peace of mind. It is perfectly natural to find the first few nights really emotional when adapting to this new stage.

Consistency is really key for successful bedtimes, so continue sticking to routines that suit you as parents. What works for one family might not suit your family. Your baby may prefer white noise whilst another baby a quieter bedroom. Whatever you find works best is the routine for you. Keeping this routine going from the transition from moses basket to bed will be helpful for a smooth transition.

From Cot to Junior Bed

Toddler beds or single beds are small beds that are designed for children who no longer require a cot and are ready to transition to a bed. They tend to be lower to the ground, so there’s not so much of a drop for a child when they roll out of bed to come and find you. Toddler bed sizes are also typically smaller than regular single or twin beds, which makes them very easy for young children to get in and out of and not feel so overwhelmed with all of the extra bed space they have.

You have to consider your child’s age and their ability to climb in and out of their cot bed before you decide to move them. You can find junior beds that come in all shapes and sizes from mini adult beds to car beds and princess beds. Overall, toddler cot beds are a better option for most parents compared to a single bed because they make the transition from a higher-up cot with sides to a bed without sides and lowered to the ground.

So while you still may end up buying a larger kid’s bed later on, you still have this middle step to help to transition from moses to the cot bed and cot bed to junior bed. So is your child ready to transition from a cot bed to a junior bed? Let’s take a look. 

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• Think about their age in terms of their development. A child who may be 2 or 3 years old in their physical age isn’t always 2 or 3 years old in terms of their development. Their age is really not the only factor that you must consider. Developmental milestones have to be taken into account. So if you have a child who is really showing signs of more and more independence then it’s time now to make that switch.
• They are climbing out of the crib at some stage in their development. Toddlers always seem to manage to climb out of the crib and make their way across the house. If you’re waking up in the morning to your toddler, standing over you then a bed is going to be the safest option. You want your toddler to be independent, but not so independent that they are able to get stuck into the rest of the house while you are just trying to sleep.

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• You have started to potty train! it’s a great time now to transition them to their own bed. If they wake up in the night needing to wee, then they need to be able to get out of bed on their own to be able to use the potty, whether you place that next to the bed or whether they come to get you first. The last thing you want to have to deal with here is a bed full of urine and have to clean that up when you’re half asleep.
• It’s the right time. If your child is currently and very vocally expressing a desire for more independence than making the switch to a regular bed is just the good next step. They might want to choose their own bedtime stories or pick out their own pyjamas, and they may want to bring their own comforter into bed with them. They can’t do that if you’re still giving everything to them at their demand from the cot.
• They are simply too big. When you look down at your child, are they filling the cot space? Are their legs tucked up? Are they finding it difficult to stretch out along with their blanket or teddy? If your child is getting far too big for their crib and they are starting to fill the width of it and are unable to get themselves comfortable, you will know because they will be walking you through the night to help them adjust their sleep setting. Switching over to a bed may still seem like a big deal, so you have to take this transition slowly while they outgrow the crib. They should be able to move around comfortably while they sleep while sleeping soundly at the same time.

Independence is super important for a toddler and if you are looking to ensure that you can support them and give them that independence whilst showing them that you can trust them is just fantastic.