I know, I know we should have taken bars off cotbed 18mths ago - SOME ADVICE PLEASE!!

[tiswas]

Hi there all,
My dd who is 3.4 sleeps in a very large cotbed. Up til now we have kept the rails on - purely because its been easier, she can climb out but only has done on a few occasions.
This week we have decided to take the rails down, purely as when we go on our hols in 2 weeks she'll have to sleep in a single bed.
I just know she is going to be a total nightmare, getting up and messing about.
Just wondering, any mums out there who left it late like me? what problems did you encounter and how did you deal with it???
Love Tis X

It's not that late, imo. we did this with dd's when they were 2yr 10 mths and 3 yrs. to stop them falling out of bed we put a single quilt on the "wrong" way and tucked it under the mattress. if she gets up just practise the rapid return technique with sticker chart to reinforce

hang on, so you haven't even done it yet but still think 'she is going to be a total nightmare'?!

Why not be an optimist on this one? She'll probably be fine - if she can climb out of the current set-up but doesn't, there's no reason to think she'll climb out of the new set-up.

I'd tell her you know how sensible she is, what a big girl she is etc etc, and have a little faith.

(and if it doesn't work, rapid return as bundle suggests)

oh and let her watch as you take the cotbed apart so she knows it's still hers. also buy some bedlinen that she chooses

My dd 3y2m is still in a normal sized cot. We went away last year in a caravan and she was fine in a bed. She was okay when we got back and quite happy to go back in her cot. She will quite happily sleep in either. However she has got older sisters that she will climb into bed with if she gets lonely and she doesn't go to bed/cot until she ready (which is around) 10pm. Thinking about it maybe I'm not the best person to ask

Just agree on your plan of approach and if it's as bad as you fear it may be follow through. It may not be of course, but I always find things easier to do if I have a plan in advance. Rapid return worked for us. Warning: ds fell out of bed 2 or 3 times the first night without rails, but hasn't done since. You might want to put a folded duvet or similar on the floor the first night just in case.

Thanks for all your replies - the rapid return technique? Obviuosly thats just putting them back straight away right? I've just have a feeling she will get up loads of times for attention.

give zero "attention"

just repeat: Goodnight darling, it's time for bed.

ad infinitum.

and stress how groovy the new duvet cover is.

do not under any circumstances let her come into the living room or your bedroom. (unless you want her to do that every night )