My son is almost 21 months old and we are going to try him in his big boy toddler bed this weekend. My fear is that since he will have acces to toys and a room that he will not want to sleep, but play all night instead, lol. I want to try the transition now only because we are expecting as baby in 3 months and I don't want to hit him with a new baby sister, a new bed, and then potty training around 2 as well.
So, any advise on ways to ease a toddler into their toddler bed? How did it go for your child?
Thanks
Heidi2010-09-15T05:26:16Z
Favorite Answer
Hi there, great idea to time this now. Most toddlers transition quite easily to their new bed. If he's sensitive to it, prepare the move by telling him he is a big boy now and gets to sleep in a big boy's bed, ... Keep all the rest (such as cuddly toys, mobiles, anything that was in his direct environment when in his cot) the same as much as possible, also stick to the routine and schedule you had before.
This is also the perfect moment to start working on clear rules about night time: no playing, no walking around the room after bedtime, ... and you decide whether he is to call you when he needs you at night or if you want him to walk over to your room. But the best is not to overstress these things now, I would not even mention them to him now, except for casually 'time to go to sleep and stay in your own bed now' that kind of thing.
If you'll emphasize "do not come out of bed" you might actually give him ideas he may not have tried otherwise ...
You know your boy best but the main thing now is to set clear simple rules, stick to them consistently without making a fuss about them.
Good luck with this big step for your son, and with baby sister on the way!
the Dream Baby guide by Sheyne Ro...? somehting, has excellent ideas on bed time blues, transitioning and communication.
I think your first intiative is to get the communication and bedtime routine downpat so it is stable and the same ever night, same time and atleast 5 things leading up to bed time that you do everynight. eg. quiet play in peaceful soothing non-exciting or bright environment, bath, teeth, goodnights, hop into bed, read books, tuck in & kiss goodnight with lullaby music.
In this book the main idea is that toddlers need guidance and if the communication & routine is the same every night then the child knows what to expect and what comes next. So if you were doing a routine like this & also disscusing, bed time- time for sleep while sticking to the same routine, the transition shouldnt be such a big task.
Also if you give him the feeling of independecy of being a bigboy in a big bed but also explain the role of sleeping in a bigbed he will flourish in the situation. Another idea is role playing for a week or so before the transition with a teddy, he can have his own little bed beside the cot, or during play time you can initiate the act of bedtime sleeping with a toy or teddy & explain how they are sleeping in their own bed, a big bed all by themself.
goodluck. Im sure you will find the best option for you but the dream baby guide has some good ideas, even just google it for a sneek peep!
It's a novelty at first that they can get in and out whenever they choose but after around a week they settle down and as long as you keep him in your usual bed time routine he'll realise bed time means sleep time and not play time.
Putting toys away in boxes that you can close or lock and that he can't open is an idea that works well for most parents until he understands his boundaries. If he does decide to get up and play give him two warnings and if he doesn't understand or isn't willing to go back to bed then you physically place him back in the bed, walk away and shut the door. It sounds harsh but with no communication other than "it's bed or sleep time" he'll learn.
Three months should be plenty of time for him to adapt to the new situation.
I have 4 kids, and I found it helped to take them out to choose their own bedding. I gave each of them a special friend (teddy) to look after them at night, and give stars for big boys who stay in their own bed all night. At the end of a week, if they have 7 stars, they get a treat like a trip to the park or a new book. It doesn't have to be expensive, my kids love the £1 shop!! xx
best thing is to stay with the same routine as if he was to be put into the cot/crib but lay him into the bed. at his age he may not really notice the difference if you dont make a big thing of it