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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To keep a three year old in a cot?

45 replies

meowcatmeowing · 27/02/2026 08:00

Money is tight and honestly I can’t stretch to a new bed. But I am wondering when it becomes really unreasonable to have a child in a cot? She fits in it OK but probably hasn’t loads of room but then I’m not sure she would in a bed either?

OP posts:
Octavia64 · 27/02/2026 08:01

We used a futon mattress on the floor.

largely because we felt they couldn’t fall off it - we had twins and both were very clumsy.

it was fine.

Calliopespa · 27/02/2026 08:03

I think it isn;t the size so much as the risk of them falling once they are tall enough to climb out. Can you leave one side open/ take it off?

mumonthehill · 27/02/2026 08:04

Facebook marketplace is your friend here, we have had 2 beds free from there and if you are in no huge rush you can wait until something you like comes up. Your dc will need the come out of the cot soon especially if you are potty training.

RampantIvy · 27/02/2026 08:04

mumonthehill · 27/02/2026 08:04

Facebook marketplace is your friend here, we have had 2 beds free from there and if you are in no huge rush you can wait until something you like comes up. Your dc will need the come out of the cot soon especially if you are potty training.

Or Freecycle.

RandomMess · 27/02/2026 08:07

We just took the side off.

NewYearNewJob2024 · 27/02/2026 08:10

Our very nearly 3 year old is still in a cot! Hasn’t made any attempt to climb out, plenty big enough…so we’re just going to continue using it until they either start trying to climb out or until we’re ready to do their bedroom out.

IceIceSlippyIce · 27/02/2026 08:46

Its absolutely fine if (and its a big if) they aren't climbing over the edge.
Personally, both of move climbed out of the cot before they were 2 - so the side got taken off immediately. DS2 then slept in the sideless cot bed until he was 4 - when we moved house.
So, space unlikely to be an issue, but id think they were getting close to escaping!

Blueberryme · 27/02/2026 08:46

Try Freecycle, Facebook marketplace and any other Facebook groups giving stuff away for free. Also the charity shops that stock only furniture and homewares - we got DS a solid wood bed frame for £20 a few years ago.

Our local Baby Bank also supplies beds and bunks (and asks for donations of these) so you could see if you have one in your area.

Original poster
meowcatmeowing · 27/02/2026 08:49

Yes, she’s never tried to climb out or anything. I suppose I’m inclined to think ‘if it ain’t broke.’

OP posts:
whatifs1 · 27/02/2026 08:51

It’s fine, she doesn’t climb out, she has space. My nearly 3 year old is also still in her cot. She has SEN so I’m hoping to keep her in there for as long as possible tbh.

BusMumsHoliday · 27/02/2026 08:51

DS was in the cot until 3.5; never tried to climb out. DD just turned 3 and is still in the cot for the same reason. I'll probably take the side off in the next few months.

goz · 27/02/2026 09:08

Why would she not have more room in a bed? Cots are tiny.
I can’t imagine lifting a 3 year old into a cot and equally having to lift them out.
Mine went into single beds at 1.5 and the other just before 2nd birthday.

smallsilvercloud · 27/02/2026 09:13

Maybe 6 months at most if she’s small anyway, but I’d buy a second hand bed frame and buy a new mattress on credit.

takealettermsjones · 27/02/2026 09:32

There's also her weight to consider - baby mattresses aren't designed to support heavier children.

ThatMintMember · 27/02/2026 11:05

meowcatmeowing · 27/02/2026 08:49

Yes, she’s never tried to climb out or anything. I suppose I’m inclined to think ‘if it ain’t broke.’

My 3.5 year old is still in his cot but it's a cotbed so that's the size of a toddler bed anyway. He's never tried to climb out, I also go by the 'if it ain't broke approach'! He understands it's dangerous to try and climb out so hasn't tried. I'm willing to take the sides off now but he doesn't want me to so we've pushed it back a bit.

I follow a sleep consultant on instagram who's son was still in a cotbed at 4.

BarnacleBeasley · 27/02/2026 11:10

We had a cotbed and didn't bother converting it to a full bed until after DS was 3, and he was asking for a big boy bed. But also he could totally climb in and out by himself at that point and it wasn't an issue at all. He didn't tend to climb out (actually is still too lazy to get out of bed at 4.5), but he was definitely old enough to be able to risk assess and do it safely if he was going to.

Original poster
meowcatmeowing · 27/02/2026 11:16

Yes, it’s the size of a toddler bed. I was hoping to skip the toddler bed and just get a regular single one in a few months.

I also need to get her out of her sleeping bag so that’s another consideration!

OP posts:
BarnacleBeasley · 27/02/2026 11:18

As I said, I think it's fine to keep her in a cot, but if it doesn't convert to a toddler bed (you could take the side off?) there's no need to have a toddler bed at all. Just get her a normal single bed when you can afford one, and a bedguard to stop her falling out.

ThatMintMember · 27/02/2026 11:24

meowcatmeowing · 27/02/2026 11:16

Yes, it’s the size of a toddler bed. I was hoping to skip the toddler bed and just get a regular single one in a few months.

I also need to get her out of her sleeping bag so that’s another consideration!

I only switched to a duvet and pillow in September so somewhat late to the party with that too. It was fine but I'm aware that the bedding is a smaller size than a single bed so if it's going to be soon maybe do both together? I'll barely get a year of use out of the duvet, pillow and 3 bedding sets before needing to get a single bed and bedding!

Peonies12 · 27/02/2026 11:25

Just get a normal single off facebook marketplace, mine went to a normal single on the floor at 12 months. much easier to transition earlier.

Sprogonthetyne · 27/02/2026 11:29

If it's fine size wise, then it should be OK. I would be inclined to take the sides of, just incase she decides to try climbing out and falls.

It doesn't have to be a special converting type to be able to take the sides off, we had a bog standard one with one side removed next to our bed.

FruAashild · 27/02/2026 11:29

RandomMess · 27/02/2026 08:07

We just took the side off.

This. Because we were moving house and I didn't want to buy a bed until I knew what space it was for DS was in a cot until he was 5. It had the side off from him being 2. I should say we are a short family so he did have enough room to sleep.

user2848502016 · 27/02/2026 11:34

Can she climb in and out herself? If she can she is at risk of falling and also by 3 they should have a bit of freedom to be able to get out of bed in the morning especially when she is out of nappies at night.
So not cruel as such but I would say getting her a bed soon is a priority.
I agree with freecycle or Facebook marketplace, we got my DD a little toddler bed on there for £20 or there are always single beds popping up on there too

Fupoffyagrasshole · 27/02/2026 11:59

My daughter was in her cot til 3.5 (she was in pull ups at night anyway so not geting up to go to the loo at night)

she never once climbed out and she even said she liked it in the cot and didnt want to move to a bed

I only swapped her over as we needed the cot back for the new baby so we moved her into a bed ahead of babies arrival as didn't want her to feel like he was taking her cot from her!

i dont get the urgency tbh if the kid is happy and not a climber its fine

my nearly 2 year old different story he is a climber so might have to move him sooner

Geranium1984 · 27/02/2026 12:03

My 3 year old is still in a cot. She isn't a great sleeper and I know if we move her to a bed she will wander down to our room in the night or get up ridic early. Right now if she wakes at 6am, she stays in the cot and chats happily, so at least we can all stay in bed an extra half hour.
We actually have a bed for her ready to go but I just cant be dealing with loosing sleep!
DS1 was in a toddler bed at around 3yo, but he has never messed about getting up and down.

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