Moving from cot to bed - how long did it take your child to settle

[Rubberplant]

Our 24 month old DS has learnt how to get out of his cotbed by throwing his weight up and over the side. As a result we've taken the sides off and turned it into a bed.

Obviously this has unsettled him. He won't stay in bed and screams by the door of his room. I've been returning to him every 5 to 10 minutes putting him back to bed with a couple of calming words then leaving again.

My DP would rather sit with him until he falls asleep but I feel this will create problems as he needs to learn how to settle himself.

Did anyone else have this problem? How long did it take before your child was happy in their bed?

Any tips?

We took the sides off our 24 month old's cot two weeks ago after he hurled himself out over the side. DH dismantled it while DS was watching, we made a 'look at daddy magically changing a baby's cot into a little boy's bed' song and dance (not literally) about it. DS then put his bears into the bed and was happy with that. We were worried he wouldn't take to the change but has. He falls out every night but climbs back in on his own.
Did you change the bed without DS there? It could be the sudden change he doesn't like - don't have much advice for you other than it sounds like you're doing a good job and it is something he will learn.
This too shall pass .

Thanks for your response B52s. Sounds like you got the transition spot on.

We didn't think to change the cot while DS was there. To be frank DP and I usually end up arguing when such jobs are done however insignificant.

Me - Oh, er is that how it's meant to come apart?

DP - Yes. Arrghh. It's fallen on my foot!

Me - Well, er, perhaps you could hold the other side up next time.

DP - Just give me some space.

Me - (Retreats to another room.)

When we moved DS from cot to bed he loved the idea of playing in it but not so much the sleeping!

I just stayed with him till he fell asleep to start with and then started leaving him for 5-10 mins and saying if he stayed in it I would come back for a cuddle, now we put him in his room and he plays till he is really tired and then gets into bed and drifts off

Maybe a new teddy that he chooses himself would help?

We chatted to DD about having a Big Girl's Bed and then she and I went shopping so she could chose her duvet set. She was so excited and luckily settled immediately.

Maybe play it up as how grown up he is and let him chose a new teddy or duvet set for his big boy bed.

Don't worry about staying with him while he falls asleep. ds went into a bed at around 18mo since then he has gone through many different fazes......being read to untill he's asleep.....the same 3 stories every night......getting up every 5mins (this was at the very begining lasted maybe a few weeks) and being put back to bed continually (aarrgghh) and lastly not so long ago having 1 story and then needing me to hold his hand till he fell asleep.

I wouldn't worry too much about causing problems in the future just help him settle in his bed whatever it takes and then when he's settled generate a routine that works for you both.

Put the sides back on and put him in a sleeping bag so he won't climb out? My son is 2 and still very attached to his cot, not planning on moving him till he wants to/ needs to!

would 2nd going back to a cot with sleep bag. My LO was 2 and a half and hated his bed, after 3 weeks of no sleep and sitting until he had dropped off sometimes it could take an hour I put him back in his cot in a grobag and he sleep 12 hours everynight very happy for the next 6 months. I put a thick double quilt on floor incase he climbed and fell out which he didnt.

If you are miserable, fed up, getting no sleep go back to a cot he is not ready.

My LO is now in a bed and every night I still sit until he has gone to sleep but now we have a fear of tghe dark and monsters in his room - yet another phase!!!!