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Original poster

When to take the sides off the cot bed?

18 replies

SultansOfSwing · 06/08/2019 10:30

DS is 2.5 and has slept in a cot bed since 9 weeks. He has never slept in a "normal" position - he moves around a lot and often ends up on the other end of the bed. I have left the sides up on the cot bed without thinking much of it to make sure they don't fall out. I have seen those little half sides you can get to stop them from falling out but I would have to put them all the way down the side to stop him falling out due to his awkward sleeping positions. My mother is putting pressure on me to remove the side and whilst I do agree with her that DS really ought to have the side down, I do know that as soon as he goes to bed he will be straight out of bed and pulling toys out of the toybox and playing and will definitely fall out of bed once asleep.

I don't want to "baby" DS obviously but I am not sure what to do.

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Finfintytint · 06/08/2019 10:32

If he is able to climb out over the sides then it’s time to remove them. Can he do this yet?

gamerchick · 06/08/2019 10:35

When they start to climb out.

Then you mourn the cot and work out a way to stop them getting out of bed Grin

RaeCJ82 · 06/08/2019 10:37

My DD is 2 years 2 months and I'm not planning on removing the sides until she attempts to climb out. She's a very "active" sleeper too and I really do think, knowing her personality, that she wouldn't stay put without the sides up. I don't really see why it's necessary to remove them when they're still so young just because other people think that it's the right time.

RaeCJ82 · 06/08/2019 10:37

My DD is 2 years 2 months and I'm not planning on removing the sides until she attempts to climb out. She's a very "active" sleeper too and I really do think, knowing her personality, that she wouldn't stay put without the sides up. I don't really see why it's necessary to remove them when they're still so young just because other people think that it's the right time.

RaeCJ82 · 06/08/2019 10:37

My DD is 2 years 2 months and I'm not planning on removing the sides until she attempts to climb out. She's a very "active" sleeper too and I really do think, knowing her personality, that she wouldn't stay put without the sides up. I don't really see why it's necessary to remove them when they're still so young just because other people think that it's the right time.

RaeCJ82 · 06/08/2019 10:37

My DD is 2 years 2 months and I'm not planning on removing the sides until she attempts to climb out. She's a very "active" sleeper too and I really do think, knowing her personality, that she wouldn't stay put without the sides up. I don't really see why it's necessary to remove them when they're still so young just because other people think that it's the right time.

RaeCJ82 · 06/08/2019 10:37

My DD is 2 years 2 months and I'm not planning on removing the sides until she attempts to climb out. She's a very "active" sleeper too and I really do think, knowing her personality, that she wouldn't stay put without the sides up. I don't really see why it's necessary to remove them when they're still so young just because other people think that it's the right time.

RaeCJ82 · 06/08/2019 10:38

I don't know why that's posted so many times!! Blush

Limpshade · 06/08/2019 10:39

I've heard of people putting a pool noodle under the sheet to stop them rolling out - that's supposed to work a treat.

We are in the middle of this too. Our DD has never actually tried to climb out (she loves her cot!) but she'll be three soon and it's time.

We will be getting an IKEA toddler bed that has side panels and putting a folded over duvet on the floor next to her just in case (not bothering with the cot side down as her little sister is waiting for it!)

Limpshade · 06/08/2019 10:39

I've heard of people putting a pool noodle under the sheet to stop them rolling out - that's supposed to work a treat.

We are in the middle of this too. Our DD has never actually tried to climb out (she loves her cot!) but she'll be three soon and it's time.

We will be getting an IKEA toddler bed that has side panels and putting a folded over duvet on the floor next to her just in case (not bothering with the cot side down as her little sister is waiting for it!)

Limpshade · 06/08/2019 10:39

I've heard of people putting a pool noodle under the sheet to stop them rolling out - that's supposed to work a treat.

We are in the middle of this too. Our DD has never actually tried to climb out (she loves her cot!) but she'll be three soon and it's time.

We will be getting an IKEA toddler bed that has side panels and putting a folded over duvet on the floor next to her just in case (not bothering with the cot side down as her little sister is waiting for it!)

Limpshade · 06/08/2019 10:40

Eep sorry for the multiple posts!

user1493494961 · 06/08/2019 10:43

Leave him for a bit longer, it doesn't matter. When he's 15 you're not going to bother that he had cot sides on until he was nearly 3.

welshweasel · 06/08/2019 10:46

Sides came off at 2.5 here, to coincide with dropping his nap - meant he was so tired by bedtime that he never tried getting out! Moved into a single just before he turned 3 and still just shouts when he wants to get out.

AutumnGlitterBall · 06/08/2019 10:47

I left the side on til DS was about two and a half. He was able to quite confidently climb out at about two but he moved around a lot in the night. He now has a bed guard I bought in Tesco for about £20 and he’s getting a proper bed in the next couple of weeks but that’s because we need the cot back shortly for number two.

WinterRose92 · 06/08/2019 10:50

I removed the side when my son was about 2.3 - he had started trying to climb.
I put up a half side so he doesn’t roll out. For the first few nights he kept getting up just because he could but the novelty soon wore off and he has no problems staying put now.
They do say the longer you leave the sides up the better but when they start to climb to remove them.

WinterRose92 · 06/08/2019 10:51

My son is now 2.8 now by the way!

Original poster
SultansOfSwing · 06/08/2019 15:44

Thanks for the responses! I love the pool noodle idea, I think I will definitely try that when the side does come down.
DS can climb over and jump down, which is what prompted my mum to tell me that I must take the side off immediately in case he breaks his neck. (Talk about dramatic). As I said, DS can climb but has only ever done it twice. He prefers to wake up and shout "Mummy" until I go in and lift him out. He loves his cot bed and like I said he is such an active sleeper that if I put the half sides on, I would have to cover the length of the side which to me would defeat the object of removing the side.

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