Moving from cot to toddler bed

[HelpNeededFast]

I need help! DS (2.8yrs) needs to moved to a toddler bed because he protests so much at being left at bedtime the cot is about to give way as he throws his full weight against it. He has bruises from where he bangs his head against the bars. Also when we go away he is too big for a travel cot (and we have the same toppling issue).

The main issue at bedtime is he hates being left, particularly by Mama. How do people deal with this? The last 3 nights we have sat with him until he falls asleep but I know we might end up regretting this.....do you end up having to do this for years once started?! It's just that we have a 13mth old who is not a great sleeper either and his screaming would wake her and we would have a less than ideal situation!!

How have other people done this big move with a not-so-great-at-bedtime toddler?

my ds1 was a terrible sleeper. when he moved to a bed things did get better. i did gradual withdrawing from the room, moving closer to the door each night, then in the door with it open, then outside with it open then pulled too a bit. then I'd sit on the stairs. took 3 weeks for him to settle and we did relapse once but i repeated. not had a problem since. now if i could just deal with the early morning wake ups!

Thanks so much dribbleface, that gives me hope and think will work better than trying to escape immediately! I can sympathise on the early mornings too as our 13mth old DD has yet to sleep thro and wakes anytime from 4.50 to 5.20 for the day. Apparently a time will come when we won't be able to get them out of bed....or so they say ;-))

ds2 has been a great sleeper so far, not done anything different, guess it's just his personality. ds1 still is up with the birds! he starts school September so i live in hope it will wear him out! good luck

Mine have all made the transition from cot to bed no problem. I honk it helps when they are older and can understand a bit better what is going on. A new duvet cover and cuddly do the trick plus all the fuss about a big girl/boy bed. I also did the if you get out your bed you will have to go back in the baby cot threat.

Also once they dropped their daytime nap they were usually so tired they fell into bed. With all 3 girls it was an easy transition, let's see how the boy fairs though, I could bd eating my words.