Toddler asking for cot side to be taken off...

[PetitFilou1]

Ds asked me today at his lunchtime nap if I would take the cot side off. Trouble is we've tried putting him in a bed twice and it was a disaster. The last attempt was several weeks ago now but I was going to wait until he grew out of his cot after the last nightmare. He's 2.4 and not too big for it yet! What do you think?

why don't you try it? the last time was a while ago, and if he's asking, why not? what happened the last time?

A disaster in what way? He was unhappy? kept coming in to you? If your cot is stable with out the side on this might be a good way to make the transition to a bed. When we went to buy a big girl bed for dd1 she climbed in to a childrens bed in ikea and thats what we ended up getting. It grows with your child and worked relly well for us - three of ours have now started in it. They are small, low to the ground and work with the cot duvet - so not too much changes at once. Think it cost about 60 quid.

Disaster on two counts - in that he wouldn't go to bed at all and he was coming into our room in the night and early morning. I'm tired enough with getting up at 6am to feed dd without him having been up all night as well - he's usually a very good sleeper. He loves the idea of a bed but mainly because he knows he can get out of them, he's never been sad about leaving his cot behind but he's never minded being in one either.

why not leave it down for naps only and when he's settled down with it introduce it at night?

Oh yes, that was the other part of the disaster. He refused to have lunchtime naps. At all. Ever. And if I left him in his room he wrecked it even if I said he didn't have to sleep. Whereas once in his cot he sleeps for two or even three hours. You can see why I'm reluctant - surely?!

Floatingonthemed So if you were me would you do what he asked or wait because you knew it would be difficult?

If it works best for you keep him in cot for the time being. I had to move one of mine because I caught him standing on the side rail, holding the wall and thought it was dangerous to leave him in it. Do you alreagy have the bed he will go to? is it in his room? you could get him to practice , get him to show you at nap time how nicely he can stay in bed. you may have to stay with him for a few days, if you can take the time, try and view it as an investment. Tell him if he can't stay nicely in bed he will have to go to the cat. Agree with Med that with some children its never going to be easy. for these kind of changes dh and I always brace our selves, wait for a time when ew are not too tired, no disruptions etc. and go for it big time with a resolve and determination that we generally find our children pick up on, although it remains unsaid. they seem to know we mean business.

to the cat? or even the cot!

Is it a drop side ? If so you can remove it and see how it goes with the threat that it goes back on if he is difficult. You could try a sticker/reward chart to encourage him to stay put. dd slept like that for over 6 months !

Thanks all - the cot turns into a bed (first side comes off then you can extend it and take off the other side) I think we will keep waiting for now until either he starts climbing or struggles to fit into it...... I was wondering if people would say I wasn't being respectful of my toddler but thankfully no-one has so far! Maybe we will go for potty training first - more joy to look forward to.....

I put my 2.6 girl into a bed about 5 months ago had 2-3 nights of hell where I had to sit outside room and put her back to bed each time she got up but it worked and we've not looked back since. Hoever, you must be determined and calm (easier said than done!) I didn't reason with her or listen to arguments or shouts. when she arrived outside the room I said "Its bedtime now" walked her back to bed put her in it gave her a kiss said "sleep well, love you" and left the room.

It was very tiring but good luck you can do it!!!

I think he wants the side off so he can mess about personally - you are the parent, leave it on until he doesn't nap in the day any more.