Cot to bed at 21 months(ish)?

[vgiraffe]

We have another baby due just before DD turns 2. Would like to use a cot with them from the start as we did with DD (so no crib). Ideally we would like to use the cot we have and move DD into a bed but is this too young? What signs should I be looking for that she would be ok (or not) in a bed. Don't want her to feel that new baby is stealing her cot hence the timeframe of around 21 months (she's currently 18 months so just thinking ahead a bit).

Well, DS2 was in a bed before that age because he had climbed out of his cot!
Both of mine went into beds because they climbed out. I'm not aware of other signs other than getting too long. But a number of kids will be in a bed before 21 months.

We moved dd at around 27 months. A few weeks after dd2 was born. But she had been co sleeping with us so the transition was fine. Still climbs into bed with us some nights.

Dd2 slept in a Moses basket beside the bed for a few months

Just remember if you are using the same cot best advice is to change the mattress for each baby.

Mine were both in a bed before that. DD1 was fine for a month then had a period of getting up a million times a night... we just kept putting her back and she gave up after a few nights.
DD2 had no issues whatsoever and has still rarely got out of bed over a year on.

DS moved into his bed at 21 months as he kept climbing out of the cot. He took to it straight it away. I let him chose a duvet cover so he was involved in it all. We did put a stair gate on his bedroom door so he couldn't wander round at night.

She is showing no signs of climbing (not in the cot at least) so it's more a matter of convenience but I guess it must be ok if others are forced to do it early due to climbers! She is in a sleeping bag, not sure whether to switch this to an exciting duvet or keep it for a while so there's some continuity. She hasn't a lullaby elephant but no other toys she's particularly attached to. The handle on her bedroom is a bit fiddly and probably will still be too high for her to reach anyway so she should stay contained!

Re. cot mattress - was wondering if this is the case within the family? Obviously it won't have been stored and has a waterproof lining and always used a waterproof sheet too. So do we still need to get a new one? Bit confused about the advice tbh.

We didn’t move ours due to climbing, we just did it because it needed doing at home point so why not then? Don’t think it would have been any easier if we’d done it later.

Ds was in a bed at 17 months. I couldn't wait to move him. He loved it

Mattress- advice is to get a new one for each baby. Luckily we had cotbeds so the cot turned into a bed for dd1 and we bought a new cotbed and mattress for dd2.

I'm sure loads of people don't do this so it's your own judgement call.

Interesting, thanks. Wasn't sure if she would be at risk of falling out or something but would have a bed guard on anyway. Seems like plenty of others do ok at this age and younger.

I looked into the mattress thing further and found this on the lullaby trust website (who I think are pretty reliable?):
There is some research that found an increased chance of SIDS when using a second-hand mattress brought in from outside of the family home, although the link is not yet proven.
To help reduce this risk, if you are using a second-hand mattress make sure the mattress you choose was previously completely protected by a waterproof cover, with no rips or tears and is in good condition. The mattress should also still be firm and flat to keep your baby sleeping safely.

I was in a similar position and took dd1s cot sides off at 20months, first week she slept great but then she realised she could get up herself and started to do that and never sleep and it was a nightmare. She ended up in the bed with us instead as we were due another baby and didn’t have the energy to do anything. However I think it depends on how well your toddler slept before (she wasn’t a good sleeper). This time I’m waiting longer for DD2.

Hmm well she wasn't a great sleeper when she was younger but has been sleeping through for a good few months now. We do sometimes hear her whinge for a minute or two and then go back to sleep - in the evening or early hours - so slight concern that if she wakes up and can get out, she will! But think we just have to try it and see!