Moving toddler to own room

[violetdazed]

Due to circumstances our 21 month old daughter is still sleeping in our bedroom (in cot next to bed). This was never the intention , but essential because of space issues.

Now, at last, we have her own bedroom ready for her. It has another cot ready and waiting.

She feeds to sleep and always has done. She's also a pretty rubbish sleeper on the whole! (I've put this largely down to me and her daddy disturbing her in the night).

Last night I put her in her new bedroom and she slept well til about midnight. She woke crying. I tried to settle her, ended up sat on our bed. She fell asleep eventually. Carried her into her room and she was wide awake screaming as her head hit the pillow. I tried to get her to settle in her cot but she screamed til she was almost sick!
This cycle repeated several times before we gave in and put her in her cot in our room where she slept soundly.

Any advice on how to manage this transition more successfully?

Before anyone trounces in with telling me how wrong I've gone- I know this should've been done ages ago but it really wasn't possible and I know I've indulged her a bit with still feeding to sleep but she was / is a long awaited, long fought for miracle baby and I guess that somehow should excuse my indulgences??

Please be gentle- and any practical advice will be gratefully received!!

Why not put her normal cot into her room? Why have two cots?

Does she nap ok in her own room cot?

If she wakes during the night, I wouldn't lift her out her cot, I would just gently lay her down and say "night night time" or suchlike....she definitely doesn't need any milk during the night at this age, that's just a bad habit (as you know).

Or you could try a proper bed with a bed guard, that way you can sit at the foot of her bed until she settles?

It's hard.....I know that much, but you just need to be very firm!

Thanks mummy bear, what you say makes perfect sense and I kind of knew it already, it's just good to hear from someone else.
The 2 cots thing is just circumstances- but I think having her old cot still in the bedroom probably makes it a bit too easy to give in!!
I'm better prepared tonight... fingers crossed