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Original poster

Oh blimmin heck it's time to move to a bed

26 replies

meow1989 · 20/06/2020 19:52

Ds is 2 tomorrow. Hes still in a large cot (turns into bed) but tonight has decided to learn to get up over the side (didnt actually fall out but would have) so I think the time has come to bite the bullet and get him into his bed.

I've already planned getting his chair and rocking chair out so he can't climb. And big furniture is bracketed to wall. Dh is ordering a bed guard to stop him rolling out and we will get another stairgate for his door (one on stairs already). Hes not great at blankets as hes a real fidget so hes in a sleep bag but that might have to go too...

But.. how do you manage the actual transition?! I can't see how he wont just be getting out to play all night?

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flummingbird · 20/06/2020 20:01

Honestly mine just didn't bat an eyelid. I took the side off and put a guard up, and that was that. Depends what temperament he has etc, just got to keep putting him back if he gets up!

SweepTheHalls · 20/06/2020 20:05

Didn't even bother with a bed guard... Popped a pool noodle under the fitted sheet and a couple of pillows on the floor for the first couple of nights. No big deal!

Chaaaaaching · 20/06/2020 20:07

Following. We’ve moved to a duvet and pillow but not taken the side off the cot yet.

Original poster
meow1989 · 20/06/2020 20:08

I've been so.spoilt with his sleep, the idea of going through prolonged bedtime and getting up files me with dread! Obviously we will and I'm a big believe with dealing with behaviour at the beginning rather than letting it become routine but still.

I was also planning on stopping the dummy (only has for sleep) but that'll have to wait now as too much at once will upset him I think.

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Original poster
meow1989 · 20/06/2020 20:09

I am reassured (albeit a bit disbelieving Wink) to hear how easy it can be

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Bollss · 20/06/2020 20:23

We bought a really low bed, didn't bother with a bed guard. Did think Ds would be up all night getting in and out but he never did!
He has night terrors and throws himself around a lot as well so we were really worried but it's been great so far.

Original poster
meow1989 · 22/06/2020 18:52

Well side is off, bed guard up and I'm sitting outside ds door leading him back in silence when he tries to come out of his room. Clearly a novelty climbing in and out but spending the majority of time in bed (chatting singing laughing but still.. he did that when the sidew was on too until he was ready to fall asleep)

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Original poster
meow1989 · 22/06/2020 18:54

Correction: bed rail off, he managed to push it out a bit from the mattress so there was a gap and I'm paranoid about strangulation

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flummingbird · 22/06/2020 20:48

How did you get on? Did he go off quite quickly? If it's a low bed he will be fine without the guard!

Pinkblueberry · 22/06/2020 21:03

DS has also just turned two when he went in his bed - he loved it! Never been so excited to go to sleep Grin we might just be very lucky, but the idea of getting out at night doesn’t seem to occur to him. He has a really low bed, we put a duvet on the floor next to him to start with, he rolled out twice the first night and only once or twice since then.

FTMF30 · 22/06/2020 21:06

Following as DS will need to transition soon too. I like the idea of a pool noodle.

slipperywhensparticus · 22/06/2020 21:11

Put a stairgate on the door and let them crack on

The pool noodle trick I discovered with number 3 worked better than anything tried with 1&2 ds used to throw a leg over it and sleep these days he chucks his leg over me and sleeps 🙄

Original poster
meow1989 · 22/06/2020 21:52

1 hour 47 minutes!

He was good for the first half hour then decided to basically play knock down ginger which he found hilarious the spent the rest of the time having a bit of a chat/sing/whine, rolled out once and then sparko. Not going to even hope it's that done, but hoping by weekend we might have cracked it.

Definately getting a stairgate tomorrow so I dont have to sit outside the door. Bless DJ who brought me tea and dinner to much whilst I waited and has declared me the better more patient parent Grin

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ChakaDakotaRegina · 22/06/2020 22:06

Following
21 month toddler has suddenly gone batshit at bed and nap time and fighting for hours. He used to point to his cot when tired (We were so spoiled!).

Wherethereshope · 22/06/2020 22:12

I was so worried taking the side off DS cot.. I think we did it at around 2 and 3 months, he didn't budge! He acted the same as he would have with the side on, calling for me in the night and didn't get out. I couldn't believe it. It was probably 6 months before he got out. I heard a lot of people say it but my DS was such an explorer I thought he'd be all over the place.

I wouldn't buy too much stuff, just take the side off and see what happens. Just make sure you have a stair gate at the top of the stairs for safety

Original poster
meow1989 · 22/06/2020 22:36

The extra stairgate I'm going to get as ds is a floor up from us (though I'm staying in spare room on that floor for now) so I worry that he might go and run the bath or I wont hear until he clambered over the stair gate. He is a monkey so will see how tonight goes!
Hes a really good boy in the mornings and will look at books in his cot after waking whilst I dose for a bit till we get up ... we will see how tomorrow morning goes!

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Wherethereshope · 23/06/2020 22:24

Ah I see, yes that stair gate makes sense with him being on another floor.

Good luck! Let us know how he gets on.

nettytree · 23/06/2020 22:35

When I did this with my son the first night was fine. 2nd night, well let's say it didn't go well and I put the side back on. Tried it again 2 months later and it was fine.

Loladisco · 24/06/2020 07:41

How's it going OP? My DS is 22 months but has twice recently got his leg so stuck between the bars of his cot we have had to use olive oil to free it (that's with him in a Gro bag). I think today will be the day we take the cot sides off. Feeling nervous!

Original poster
meow1989 · 24/06/2020 19:34

So second night went ok as we were at my mums for (socially distanced!) Dinner and he fell asleep in car so I transferred him. He rolled out once and after a panicked run because o couldn't see him in the monitor I found him asleep on the floor. Rolled out again and cried but settled. Overnight I saw him get up once or twice, walk the the door then go back into his bed.

He wouldn't nap today so hes knackared. We have transferred story time (used to be us all cuddled up in spare bed) to his "big boy bed" and hes asleep now after 10 mins and one try of the door.

Fingers crossed we continue like this, good luck to those starting soon!

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Wherethereshope · 25/06/2020 06:15

Sounds great! Well done both of you!

Loladisco · 25/06/2020 07:00

Wow OP sounds like he's doing really well. I hope it continues so positively for you both. DS has spent the night on the floor. He's still asleep now, right by the gate on his door. I'm hoping he figures it's comfier to go in the bed soon. He does look ridiculously cute though.

Original poster
meow1989 · 25/06/2020 09:30

I'm pretty pleased Smile think I will order a hero clock to tackle the 5am getting up to start the day though!

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Original poster
meow1989 · 25/06/2020 09:53

Gro not hero

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flummingbird · 25/06/2020 11:07

I got my gro clock from
Facebook marketplace for £5, worth a look there before you order. It works wonders for keeping her in bed as she gets a Pom Pom to put in a jar if she doesn't come through until the sunshine has woken up

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