How do i move my toddler from cot into a toddler bed?

[Lunalis]

Hello,

Last night we had the exciting time of trying to get my LO to sleep for the first time in his toddler bed. He is 2yrs and 2 months and i am expecting another baby. We thought it would be good to get him settled before the new baby arrives in the summer, bust last night was a disaster and we resorted back to his Stokke cot.

Does anyone have any tips? He got up as soon as we left the room and no amount of stories, hair stroking would work. He got so upset in the end and refused to even go near his bed and i didn't want to push him. He has always been so good a getting off to sleep on his own. Could he just not be ready??

Help have no idea where to start!

lunalisx

Honestly He sounds like he's not ready. I know it'd be easier to have him in to a bed so you could use the cot for the new baby but it'll only make it worse if you pressure him. I waited till my daughter was able to almost climb out of the cot to put her into a big bed, but we started with only taking one side off the cot and she was fine yes she would constantly get in and out of bed playing but its just getting used to it. As long as he's happy and not getting upset I'm sure he's fine. Even now she doesn't go straight to bed, she ends up coming to the door, she's slowly learning not to come to the door and to go to sleep in the bed. I'm sure he'll be ready soon enough.

Two things - he is still quite young to go to a big bed and its only the first night, stay calm :)

I have a Stokke and a 2.6 yo DS who is growing out of it rapidly so I need to think about this too.

I was planning on lowering the cot right to the bottom and then taking off one of the sides. That way he is still in his bed (which he loves) its just that the bed is now a little bit more grown up.

I am planning on buying the bed conversion kit for the Stokke as DS loves his cot so much.

Thank you - my instincts say that too. Sometimes it helps to have someone else say what you are thinking. The front of his cot comes off and i maybe we should try this first before the big move...

We put DS in proper bed a few months ago at 18 months. We put a gate on his door and just say night night, and leave him. Sometimes he'll play a little of cry a little before going to sleep, but he always settles down. Though I understand it's not easy to leave them crying.
Just make sure all the furniture is secured to the walls etc and leave him to it. He will lay down and sleep when he's ready.
I was really surprised that DS settled himself in his bed, I thought he'd collapse on the floor when tried or something, but it's been fine.

Hth x

I think I agree - it does sound like he's not ready. My DS (2.9) is terribly attached to his cot and got horribly upset when we tried to remove the cot sides about 6 months ago and begged to have them back on again. The summer is a long way away, I wouldn't worry too much there are months to go before the baby needs it. Maybe go back to the cot and gently hype the bed up a bit over the next couple of months and then just before you swap over take him to choose his own duvet or something to encourage the move?

Thanks for your suggestions. Can you believe that he cried this morning for his new bed!! But i think i am going to wait a while. July is a long way away and there is no rush. :)