Moving your little one from cot to bed is a big step, marking their progression from babyhood into the toddler years. As a parent, it can be hard to know when it's the right time to make the transition and how to make it as safe and stress-free as possible.
Having helped thousands of customers with all things childhood-sleep-related for many years, here’s our advice to help things go smoothly.
When should you transition from cot to bed?
While there’s no universal time for transitioning from cot to bed, typically, the shift happens between 18 months and 3.5 years. There may be practical reasons for moving them - like having another baby on the way, or safety reasons - like they’ve started using their cot as a climbing wall. Whatever prompts the move, there are a few things you can do to help the process.
Choosing the right mattress for your toddler
Your child’s growing body needs good support for restorative sleep. Mattresses aimed at children are generally poorly made and designed with neither quality nor comfort in mind. That’s why we designed the Growbright Junior Mattress.
It’s breathable, washable, supportive, and temperature-regulating, offering the same quality you’d expect from your own mattress. Designed specifically for growing kids, it features a supportive core and soft top layer to ensure the right balance of firmness and comfort. Available in Single and King Single as part of our Junior Sleep System.
How to transition from cot to bed
Toddlers love routine and knowing what to expect, so naturally, changing where they sleep can bring with it a few hurdles. Here are some tips to help make it easier.
Open communication
Create excitement around the idea of moving to a “big kid bed”. By talking about it, you are giving them more time to mentally adjust to the change. You can also find lots of great stories centred around this theme.
Involve them in the process
As tempting as it can be to do all the shopping yourself and surprise your little one with their new bed, it’s helpful to involve your toddler in the process. One easy way to do this is to let them help choose new bedding or a new soft toy for their big bed.
For kids who particularly struggle with change, you might want to consider waiting a few weeks before this step, keeping the familiarity of all their old things until they’re ready.
Consistency in routine
Even if the bed is new, the bedtime story or lullaby doesn’t have to change. Aim to change just one thing at a time for the best results.
Test the waters
A great way to help your little one transition into their first bed is to introduce daytime naps in the new bed for a week or so. This soft start can ease them into the idea of sleeping there overnight.
Moving from a cot to a bed is more than a change in furniture. It’s a new chapter in your child’s life. Set them up for success with the Growbright Junior Sleep System.