As your baby gets older, it can be tricky to work out when they’re ready for the next steps across many aspects of their lives. An example of this is working out when to transition to a toddler bed from a cot. But, don’t worry, here at Ashbridge School, we’ve got plenty of advice to help clear up when is the right time to make the move, as well as how to transition to a toddler bed.
How to Know When to Transition to a Toddler Bed
When it comes to a child’s growth and development timeline, everyone is different! Our biggest recommendation is to listen to your child’s needs and pay attention to their behaviour, as they will let you know when they’re ready for the change. Let’s get into a few handy cues that your child may be ready to transition to a toddler bed:
- They’re outgrowing the cot: Does your little one seem like they need more room to stretch out and get a comfortable sleep? Are their legs starting to pass beyond the bars of the cot? Then it may be time to introduce them to their new sleeping arrangement.
- They’re attempting to climb out of the cot: If you’ve caught your child attempting to climb over the side of their crib, it’s probably time to move them into a bed. This has the potential to be dangerous and is a telltale sign that they’re ready for a toddler bed.
- They want a ‘bid kid bed’: For some reason, when we’re young, there’s nothing more appealing than being old! Just like little ones wanting to be privy to adult conversations, or keen to stay up later into the night, you may first notice them expressing a desire for a ‘big kid bed.’ For parents, this is an excellent signal as it shows that they’re emotionally ready and prepared for the transition.
How to Transition to a Toddler Bed
Just because the time is right doesn’t guarantee a smooth and straightforward transition. Let’s talk about how to transition to a toddler bed to best support your little one through this change.
- Don’t alter their bedtime routine: Just because they’re changing beds doesn’t mean that their whole nighttime routine/ bedtime has to change, too. Keeping things regular helps children adjust to the changes in their environment and will hopefully send them off to sleep quicker.
- Consider all surrounding hazards: With a toddler bed, your little one has much more freedom and access to move around the home, perhaps without your knowledge. With this in mind, you’ll need to safetyproof their room and may even want to consider investing in a guardrail.
- Let them have a say in their bed and bedding: There’s no harm in creating an air of excitement around your child’s new bed. In fact, we’d recommend bringing them along for the bed and bedding selection process and even letting them have a small say in what you pick for their room. This makes the transition all the more inviting and less daunting for your little one.
Find out More About Ashbridge
Here at Ashbridge, we’re big believers in letting little ones guide us in their learning and development, which is why we think it’s so important to pay attention to a child’s signals when it comes to big life moments like transitioning into a toddler bed.
Whether you’re looking for more advice from our blog or are keen to find out more about the Ashbridge ethos, you’ll find plenty of helpful information on our site. Explore our selection of Ashbridge nurseries today and consider sending your little one to Ashbridge.
