When to take the side off the cot bed???

[NoGoodAtHousework]

Hoping I can get a few opinions on this.....when did you move your LO into a bed i.e change the cot bed into proper toddler bed.
We're considering it in the hope our son will amuse himself for 10 mins in his room in the morning if he can get out of bed to his toys.
Be interesting to know when others have done it. Cheers

We changed cot to bed at 18 months.. And put gate on the door.

No answer for you, but watching with interest as DS is 21 months and still in a cot. He seems happy enough though, and not trying to climb out, so think I'll stick with for as long as I can get away with!

Our situation was slightly different in that we had twins sharing a room. First tried when they were about 2 I think - had the night from hell the first night (they kept coming to the top of the stairs) so put a baby gate on their doorway and for the next two nights (despite our best attempts to get them to stay in their beds) they both eventually fell asleep lying on the floor next to the gate (cue serious guilt trip!). We bit the bullet at that point and put the sides back on. Took them off again when they were just over 2.5 and they were fine - the transition was really smooth - think they took an hour or so to settle the first night and that was that!

With Number 3 (in her own room), we took the sides off at about 18 months and she didn't bat an eyelid. Don't know whether we handled it differently (I don't think so) or whether it was the fact she didn't have any distractions, or whether she was just excited about being in a "big" bed like her siblings.

Having said all of that, I'm not sure its the answer to a child amusing themselves (certainly not in our case anyway).

Also watching with interest - was quite keen to move DD up to a bed and took sides off at 20m but DS is 21 m now and showing no signs of disliking cot life so may well try to keep him in there as long as poss.

Watching. My 21 month old DS sleeps well on the cot. He does move a lot and is found in all kind of corners of the cot so am afraid of him falling out and waking up. He does sleep quite solidly and so he cares little about where he is put down to sleep. On the few occasions that he has slept on a low bed, he just walks off it and comes to find me. Wonder if he is ready or I am being insane trying to rock the boat.

Interesting, my little boy is only just 1 but has always been an amazing sleeper. He's very tall but will maybe just leave it until he threatens to jump out! Was hoping he might get out of bed and play on a morning for a bit....rather than being bored when awake. Realistically know this won't happen. Other half suggested waiting a bit until he stops moving around so much in bed-he would have a 'crash mat' but dot want to be forever picking him up off the floor!

DD refused to sleep in her cot from 15m - final straw was at 16m: screaming, holding onto bars, for 5hrs (I was out, working late - DH was sat next to cot all that time singing, holding her hand, etc but didn't think to try her anywhere else). I came home, put the mattress on the floor whilst I changed sheets as she'd been sick, she promptly clambered onto it, curled up and went to sleep. The next day a catalogue arrived, she pointed at a bed and said "dat!". We got the hint, bought a toddler bed and haven't had a problem with bedtime since.

Sure, some nights she talks to herself for hours and we've had a couple of evenings where she's thrown her toys out and demanded them back, but she's never once got out of bed unless to go to the loo. We've never put a stairgate across her door. She's only recently started getting out of bed by herself in the mornings (she's 3), and then only after her gro-clock switches to day setting. Basically, she's just been a lot happier sleeping without bars, and has slept much better and longer (no waking up wedged).

DD1 at about 2.4 when she climbed out.

DD2 is 2.6 and still hasn't attempted to get out. I'll leave her as she is until she does.