From cot to bed

[Cheeseycheeseycheesecheese]

Just looking for a bit of a general idea here.

DS is 2yrs, he's still in a cot at present, and is content to be in there still, however a few friends have mentioned that they moved from cots to bed between 18months and 2 years as their children started trying to escape. DS has shown no interest in climbing out of his cot, quite content to sit there playing with his cuddly toys until he is ready to get out or needs to toilet, then he shouts for me or dh to get him out to use his potty.

If he's happy in there, I'm happy for him to stay put, but my friends have now got me paranoid and thinking his cot should be converted already...

When did you make the move?

We moved DD at around 20 months, because she was climbing out. Otherwise we’d probably have left it longer.

I had to make the change at 14 months as DS could climb out even thought it was on the lowest "setting" I don't really know what other word to use but yeah we had to for safety but to be fair he took to his bed straight away

DD stayed in her cot till we moved house two months ago - so was 2.8 when we made the move. I’m pleased we waited, as she was old enough to understand and follow an instruction to stay in her bedroom unless we say she can come out. Transition was insanely easy, possibly because she’s that bit older.

I don’t anticipate any such seamless move for DD2 (7 weeks), who hasn’t even made the transition from our bed to her co sleeping crib yet…..

Around the third birthday is ideal IMO.

My youngest was in a cot until past 4th Birthday. There is no rush, toddlers get a lot if reassurance and feelings of being safe and secure from the cot sides.

2½ years for ds and 2 years for dd
I'd keep them contained as long as you can

DS is also two. He is staying in his cot until the last possible minute. I am not ready to cope yet with him running into our bedroom in the morning shouting 'Mama Poo Poo'. It's not hugely acceptable when he does it over the monitor but at least I have a few moments to compose myself before I go into his room.

Mines 2.4 and ive no plans to move him. He can climb in and out like a pro🙈but generally will call for us to come and get him before he climbs out.

I have just put my 2.5 yo into a cot bed this week as my ex partner put her in a bed at his house and I wanted her to have the same as he said she loved it.
I regretted it instantly as she was coming out of her room constantly, 7-8 times and coming into my bed early morning. I put a gate on her door which has helped however I didn't really want to do that. She enjoys the freedom but I would say I rushed it and didn't need to change when she was happy as she was.

My two DD went into a bed once they were too big for their cots and getting their little legs/arms stuck in the bars. I think they were around the age of 2. We said nothing, didn't make a big deal or any deal out of it. Literally said nothing and just popped them down in the bed instead of the cot. Neither of them noticed the difference. Don't make a big thing of it "ooh big girl/boy bed now!" It just makes them aware that something has changed, they may be all excited during the day but once bedtime arrives all of that will go out of the window.

Mine is 2.6 and no plans to move her. She is quite content and happy in her sleeping bag with the sides up. Never tried to climb it.

2 for both DC. When they could climb out. They got a side thing on to stop them falling out which still gives them a lot of security.

I think we took the side off the cot when at least 3 and dry at night. Why change things if they are happy to sleep in there 🤷🏽‍♀️

DS will be 4 in Dec and I moved him from his cot to a single bed last week. Probably could have moved him a wee bit before but we moved house recently and didn't want to build a bed to dismantle it and rebuild it again. He never made any attempt to climb out of his cot however. He has transitioned no bother sleeps thru, doesn't wander around and has only fallen out once. He loves it

Leave them as long as possible. My 2nd was happy as you like in his cot, would lie there singing til after 8 every morning (and he was perfectly capable of escaping).

I moved him into a room with his sister just before he was 2.5 and although its been mostly fine he regularly appears in our room at 6am and does faff about at nap and bedtimes and keeps his sister awake in the process. I only did it because I was essentially doing 2 bedtime routines, was ve2ey pregnant and wanted to reduce it.

If they are happy, safe and sleeping then don't intefere! You will do them absolutely no harm at all leaving them in there longer than your friends.

Thank you for all your replies everyone, it's reassuring to know that it's not abnormal to keep him in there for longer as he's fine with it.

We're planning on selling up and upsizing next summer, so maybe just making the change when we move will be the sensible option like you did @Timeturnerplease.

I also think I'm going to follow your advice (and tell DH) @thewinehasgonetomyhead and not make any mention when it happens and let it be as it is. Thanks for that one.

Again, thank you all for your answers 😊

Why move him out if he is secure and comfortable in his cot? My first had to vacate by the cot when they were 21 months or so for DC2 and my second was climbing out at 13 months but otherwise I would have kept them in for as long as possible.