Do toddlers have to go in a bed once they can climb out of their cot.

[fruitstick]

My DS is 2 and can climb out of his cotbed. He could do this about 6 months ago so we put him back in a sleeping bag so he couldn't. Now he can climb out of the cot in his sleeping bag! He climbs out and opens his bedroom door (to let the light in) and then throws all his toys around the room! Is it time to change to a bed or should we teach him to stay in his cot. Surely we'll have the same problem if he's in a bed?

in theory yes you should put them into a bed once they can climb out......

However in reality DS2 could climb out of his cot (in his grobag) at about 15 months, and came out of his cot at about 3yrs old......

We just lowered the sides and made sure there was nothing he could bash his head on if he did slip.....

did the novelty of climbing out wear off at any point?

i think you need to go to a bed for safety

we had to do this with our just turned 2yo and his brother at about 15months

our boys are climbers..its a pain

it seemed to wain as he got a little older and the option was there to climb out (because of lowered cot sides)

He was far safer to be climbing out of his cot than some of the other stuff he got up to (climbing on the dining room table and running across it.......)

DS went into a bed when he started climbing out of the cot. He climbed out of the bed LESS as it was less of a challenge i think.
Same now with his stair gate. He kept climbing over it. Took it away and now he stays in his room

you could try a matress on the floor. not much to climb out of then and get hurt.

I have spent 2 hours this morning converting his cotbed into a bed (very proud of myself)......... and have just spent the last hour trying to get him to stay in it and go to sleep (which thankfully he now is, although I may have to wake him up soon!). Please tell me it gets easier, or do I have to kiss lunchtime naps goodbye!

Heaven knows what happens when he can climb over the stairgate!