taking the sides off a cot bed - how do you manage the transition?

[Kazkabs]

My 18 mo DS is tall and has nearly toppled out of his cot, so we have taken the side off. He used to be a really good sleeper, would get into the cot, snuggle down and sleep all night. Since we have taken the side off he seems upset, gets straight out and follows us to the door, wails and cries on the other side of the door. We go in, pick him up, cuddle and say sleepy time, put him back and leave again. he gets up again.... first night it took 1.5 hours, second night 1 hour 20 mins. should we persevere or is he too young?

Any helpful tips - the most difficult bit is that he seems so upset being left, having previously been happy to settle himself.

Well personally I never took the sides off untill my DD had atually climbed over and fallen....you could put them back on and place a matress or something as a crash landing cushion?

Otherwise I'm not sure what you are asking..."Is he too young" for what? To have no sides on his cot? Of course not....I also think you are doing the right thing in putting him back....it goes on in cycles I have found, he will get used to this and then in a year it will be something else making bedtime hard...bedtimes just ARE hard!

Hi. We took the sides of my dd's cotbed few months ago as she fell out onto her head trying to reach toys! We put a wooden bed guard (from John Lewis) on one side with wall on other side. She can get out if she wants but won't fall out during active sleep and I think she feels more secure.

I would put a side guard on, we bought ours at the same time as we bought the cotbed as my older sister recommended it. Depending where you bought your cotbed you should be able to get one that bolts on firmly.

It gives them the same feeling as being in the cot as it acts like a barrier.

Did he see you take off the side? Both my boys were almost 2 and they watched me remove it, had a little play of getting in and out etc and were then fine with being put in.

I would put a child gate across his door just to make sure he is safe and also remove any potential dangers from his room which weren't an issue when he was in a cot.

Keep returning him to bed, and reassure him. Be consistent in your approach and he will get what you want him to do, I'm not saying he'll like it though