Moving and own bedroom?

Question

My daughter is 11.5 months old and has (happily on all sides before anyone lectures!) co-slept since birth. We're moving home in a couple of months and as soon as we're settled in I want her to start sleeping in her own room as we're trying for another baby and so I want to get her well settled into her own bed and room before another baby comes along so she doesn't feel pushed out. She's never slept in a cot, so would it be okay to put her straight into a toddler bed? Anyone have any tips as to how to make the transition easier on her? Also, she still feeds at least once during the night at the moment, would it be easier to make the transition once she has stopped night feeds or will moving her once she's sleeping through make her revert to wanting to feed in the night?

Answer 1

My SIL had the same situation, but their baby was only 3 months at the time, so it was a lot easier on them.

I don't know about which type of bed to get her, but maybe it's a bit too much for her to take in to move house and start sleeping alone in a very strange room all in the same day. Changes are she'll start waking up a lot more at night, because she might be scared and will want you near.

Is there a possibility that she can start sleeping on her own before you move, so she can get used to on new thing at a time.

Answer 2

just do it as soon as possible... otherwise she will get used to being with you all the time

Answer 3

a toddler bed, or converted cot bed would probably make her feel more like the bed she is used to.

I think you should still get her used to having feeds in her new room, because she's going to have to get used to sleeping there.

I see no problem in co-sleeping, we couldn't do it, because we are both such heavy sleepers, I would be concerned, but they do say it is fine.  

I wish you all the luck with trying for a new baby and hope your daughter enjoys her new room.

Answer 4

my son was about this age when we put him in his own room as well. I moved him to a crib because I felt that an open bed might not be safe for him at that age and I thought he might feel more secure enclosed in a crib but thats really up to you. I just made sure to get him very well aquainted with his own space and crib before I made the leap of putting him there at night, I would let him lay in it during the day and play with some toys and look at his mobile that I would put up during the day and I would let him try and take his naps in there. Now Im not saying it was easy, lol...but he is now sleeping wonderfully on his own, he goes to bed at 7 and wakes up a 7 in the morning. I would have to sit by his bed at first and pat his little back just to reassure him mommy was still there, I had to do this for about a week but after that he was very comfortable with it and he knew that after bath and lotion time when we put him in his crib that it was sleep time and he would just doze off! Actually I was a little sad over it and I think it was harder on me,lol...just get your daughter used to her own bed before you make the transition and be willing to help her through the first couple nights or maybe even a week or two but she can do it! Good luck and I hope it goes as smoothly for you as it did for us!

Answer 5

no  

Answer 6

I'd go straight for the toddler bed or even a normal bed with the box springs removed (to make it lower) and a bed rail.  Emma's doctor actually recommended a bed at 12 months.

Answer 7

I think your baby is a little too young for a toddler bed.  Also, the enclosed feeling a baby experiences in a cot may help to make her feel a little less vulnerable at first.  Expect some problems, though!  It's unlikely that the change - at whatever stage - will be smooth.  I think, though, that you are right to want to establish this new routine before baby number two comes along.  Remember not to be over anxious if she frets at first as this will feed her own anxieties and encourage her to expect attention.  Just settle her when she wakes - no talking to her - and leave it a few minutes longer each time before you go to her.  Eventually she'll settle and adjust.  Good luck!