Switching from a cot to a bed ?

Question

I've just bought my little boy his first proper bed

Any tips on how I can get him in settled in it quickly?

I know that to begin with he's probably going to be getting up a lot, just wondering the best way to deal with this

I don't want bedtimes to turn into a battle with him

Answer 1

my little girl went into her toddler bed a couple months ago. she was very excited about it and loved being able to get in and out of it so i was dreading bedtime. but when i explained that she needed to go bed etc she got in. i kept the cot mobile on it and that helped - so it may help for you. i said goodnight and tucked her in and left the room. when she got out i left her for a minute then went back in and settled her and left the room again. took a couple of attempts and in the end she realised i wouldnt be coming to put her back in and so she got back into bed and went to sleep. this didnt take long atall that night. only took a couple nights and then she was fine.

give it a go

x*x

Answer 2

Whenever he gets up, just keep putting him back calmly but firmly - he'll get the message.

Answer 3

My daughter was 18 months when i switched her from a cot to a bed as she kept climbing out of her cot so i thought she would be safer in a bed! Since being in the bed thou she sleeps better than she did in her cot! as when she was in her cot she would still wake in the night to be put in with us but now she sleeps all night in her own and she goes bed earlier and get ups later! if he does start getting out just tell him calmly but firmly its sleep time now! hope it all goes well for you.  

Answer 4

Oh i remember doing this with my daughter! After 10 mins of putting her to bed, she would get straight back up! I just used to not talk to her or make eye contact and gently guide her back to bed, tuck her in and then leave the room straight away. It took a serious amount of will power and about a week! But we got there! She is 3 now and bedtimes have been really easy ever since. Its worth persevering with, although you feel you want to pull your hair out!!

Another tip I've heard is to put the new bed against the wall and temporarily put the cot in front of the bed, so the child gets used to the feel of his new bed while also keeping the familiarity of his old cot.

Good luck with it!

Answer 5

just stick to his normal bedtime routine, when he gets up which he will, just keep returning him to bed & explaining that its bedtime!

be patient & stay calm! when he does eventually settle expect him wake through the nite but again just do the same as before! if he stays in bed all nite praise him in the morning for being a good big boy staying in bed all night! good luck x

Answer 6

use familar bedding and have it in the same place in the room.

he may not get out a lot, depends on age, my DD has never got out of bed, she went into a bed 25 mths.

if he does get out keep putting him back, settle him and walk out, dont get cross or shout, it may be worth staying outside his door to make it quicker, he will soon get the message.