Once Tyne had turned 18 months old, we started to notice that he seemed to be outgrowing his cot quiite quickly.
He has always moved around quite a lot in the night, and we would often hear him hitting his head on the rails over the baby monitor while he was asleep and of course we were concerned about this but unsure of when was the right time to move him from a cot to a bed.
I asked around some friends and family members for opinions, and read up on toddler beds - single beds but lower to the ground than normal to make them safer and with ease of access for little ones, and with built in side panels to stop them from easily rolling out too.
We decided that a toddler bed would be the way forward and set about deciding when & how to make the change.
We moved house in December last year when Tyne was 20 months old, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.
Tyne would already be experiencing the change of moving home and having a whole new bedroom, so it made sense to me that a new "big boy" bed would be best implemented from the start.
The lovely people at HelloHome had given us the chance to choose a toddler bed from their extensive range to try out with Tyne, and we opted for the Thomas & Friends Snuggle Time Bed (£119.00)- Tyne is a HUGE fan of Thomas The Tank Engine and so we knew that the addition of a Thomas theme would make the new bed all the more exciting to him!
That evening, we apprehensively went through the bedtime routine, worried that Tyne would keep getting out of bed or, worse, falling out but we needn't have worried.
It actually took over 3 months of being in the bed every night before Tyne first got out of bed himself in the night! I don't think he actually realised that he could for a while!
I know that other children can struggle to understand that they need to remain in bed though, and that we perhaps experienced a bit of a fluke with Tyne being so keen to stay put for the night, and that's where perseverance would be key.
Once Tyne did start getting himself out of bed, we made sure to always go straight up and calmly take his hand and lead him back to bed, tuck him in and say goodnight, and leave.
It would usually only take 2 returns to bed before he fell asleep properly again and stayed put.
Of course he's no angel with bedtime and we HAVE had struggles since as he's got older which is something I'll be discussing soon, but the transition period itself went much smoother than we ever imagined which I am very grateful for!
And I personally believe that the fun character bed made the transition process MUCH smoother for us as it gave the bed a real appeal to Tyne and made it seem like something that was a treat for him - an exciting new bed just like his favourite TV character - SO much more fun than his boring old cot, right?!
In short, here are my Top 5 Tips for making the transition from cot to bed.
1) Pick the right time - if you are moving house or the child is moving bedrooms this could be an ideal opportunity, otherwise make sure you choose a time when not much else is going on so that if the nights are a bit disrupted it's not going to cause too much of an impact - for example you might not want to make the change when you have visitors staying, when you have a series of early important work meetings and so on!
2) Introduce the new bed during the day time - confronting the child with the new bed at bedtime might be too much for them, the earlier in the day they see the new bed the more time they have to try it out and become familiar with it before bedtime rolls around.
3) Consider the "fun" aspect - if your child does have a beloved character, would a character bed make them more interested in the switch and more likely to accept and be excited about it? Even if a character bed isn't something you want to go for, something as simple as character bedding could be a big help in getting the child interested and excited for their new "big bed".
4) Safety - Your child has more freedom at night time now, so you want to make sure that if they do get out of bed they're not going to encounter any accidents. Before putting Tyne into his toddler bed, we did a check around his bedroom to make sure that all furniture was securely anchored incase he decided to climb on anything, we made sure all electrical sockets were covered, and that any chords (blind cords, light cords, even his dressing gown belt...) were all WELL out of reach.
We also made sure that the windows were locked and that there was nothing in front of them that he could stand on, and that the stairgate was closed and secured each night.
5) Perseverance - When they do try to get out of bed, persevere. Go up and calmly take their hand and return them to bed each time they get out of it, tuck them in and say goodnight and leave the room. Try not to get drawn into conversation, try not to get angry and insist they stay in bed too harshly as you don't want to make bed seem like a punishment - as tiring as it might be, eventually they WILL stay put.
If you are making the transition yourself soon - good luck and think positive! It may not be as bad as you think, it certainly wasn't for us! If you've already made the transition, do you have any tips to pass on to others?
COMPETITION
The very lovely people at HelloHome are giving one lucky Sparkles & Stretchmarks reader the chance to win their own Toddler Character Bed!
The winner will have a choice of either the Thomas & Friends Snuggle Time Bed or the Peppa Pig Snuggle Time Bed (please note that as HelloHome do not sell mattresses, the bed will be given without one so you will need to source your own.)
To enter the competition, just complete the Rafflecopter form below - Good Luck!
Ts & Cs
UK Only
Entrants must be 18 and over
No cash alternative given
Prize provided by the PR company, Sparkles & Stretchmarks does not take responsibility for any prizes lost in transit.
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I woul choose the Peppa Pig bed for my little niece because she is still in her cot an will be soon making the big transition! She loves Peppa Pig so I am sure she will love love to sleep in it - hopefully all night long!
ReplyDeleteI love the Thomas The Tank bed as every boy loves trains. This would be great for my nephew as I know my son used to be mad about Thomas.
ReplyDeleteThomas & Friends Snuggle Time Bed please! :)
ReplyDeleteThomas the tank fandabidozy
ReplyDeleteI would choose Peppa Pig as I am expecting a baby girl x
ReplyDeleteThomas & Friends Snuggle Time Bed
ReplyDeleteThomas & friends one because all boys like trains.. right?
ReplyDeletePeppa Pig! x
ReplyDeleteThomas the Tank Engine Storytime Toddler Bed
ReplyDeleteI would choose the Thomas & Friends for my grandson who loves Thomas
ReplyDeletepeppa pig, this would help with the transition from my jasmines cot, as its her favourite chraractor this would encourage her to use it
ReplyDeletePeppa Pig Snuggle Time Bed for my little Peppa Pig fan
ReplyDeleteLynsey Buchanan
i would choose the thomas and friends one
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the Thomas the Tank Engine one! My nephew is obsessed with him!
ReplyDeleteThe Peppa Pig bed as both my son & daughter would like it.
ReplyDeleteThomas & Friends Snuggle Time Bed as my son would like it.
ReplyDeleteI would choose the Peppa Pig Snuggle Time Bed for my youngest who is just getting to this age and who loves Peppa Pig (and snuggles)! :)
ReplyDelete(Elizabeth Hinds)
Thomas & friends one because my son loves him x
ReplyDeleteI would choose the Peppa Pig because my daughter would love it
ReplyDeleteI would go for the Peppa Pig bed. My granddaughter is about to make the move from a cot to a bed and loves Peppa Pig, this might help make the move easier x
ReplyDeletePeppa Pig for sure, my daughter would love it!
ReplyDeleteThomas & Friends Snuggle Time Bed please! - leanne w
ReplyDeletepeppa pig, my daughter loves peppa pig
ReplyDeleteThe Thomas bed
ReplyDeleteThe Thomas bed please, for my Thomas-obsessed little boy!x
ReplyDeleteThe Peppa Pig one would be great! :)
ReplyDeletePeppa Pig because we only have little girls in our family
ReplyDeleteI would choose Peppa pig as my niece absolutely loves her.
ReplyDeleteThomas the tank engine for my little fella
ReplyDeleteThe Thomas and friends one as my son loves anything blue! Thanks for such a great competition and helpful post xx
ReplyDeleteThe Thomas the Tank Engine for my godson :) He'll think I'm the best godfather ever :)
ReplyDeleteThomas the tank engine
ReplyDeleteWe love peppa in this house, so it would have to be the peppa pig bed!
ReplyDeleteThomas and Friends because my youngest adores Thomas.
ReplyDeleteThomas bed for my little man.
ReplyDeletePeppa Pig Bed!
ReplyDeletepeppa, my youngest is a big fan :)
ReplyDeletePeppa as my daughter is peppa pig mad.
ReplyDeleteMy little girl would love peppa pig
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure. As the child for which this bed would support, hasn't been born yet. He/she is due in November. I guess should I win, I would have to take a gamble and pick one, probably Thomas. It's a shame both are so gender specific.
ReplyDeleteThey're not at all gender specific, they're children's TV characters. My son loves Peppa pig and I know lots of little girls who love Thomas, if you don't enforce old fashioned gender stereotypes of blue for boys and pink for girls on children then theres no reason at all that either bed couldn't suit either gender
DeletePeppa Pig - for my daughter.
ReplyDeleteI would choose the Thomas one my little one is Thomas mad! currently having bed time issues trying to get him to sleep in the bed he has already, so this would be great to win as I think this would help the bedtime routine as he would want to get into the Thomas bed. great giveaway fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteSophie
xx
www.pocockins.co.uk
The Peppa Pig one!
ReplyDeletePeppa pig for my little Peppa fan :) xxx
ReplyDeletepeppa pig x
ReplyDeleteThomas for my little nephew who is thomas mad x
ReplyDeleteThomas for my nephew who is Thomas mad x
ReplyDeleteMy daughter would be happy with either but she's more of a Peppa fan so I'd choose Peppa :)
ReplyDeletePeppa pig as my kids are addicted to Peppa!
ReplyDeletePeppa Pig please, my daughter is crazy for the little pink piglet
ReplyDeletePeppa Pig for my little girl as she has just turned two and we will be moving her into a bed soon and both she and her baby brother love peppa pig xx
ReplyDeleteThomas - my monkey is obsessed!
ReplyDeleteI would definately select the Thomas the Tank Engine Storytime Toddler Bed as my little boy loves him so much I already say to him when he's going to sleep that 'it's time for the no.1 Blue Engine to take you off to dreamland' - I can imagine his reaction if it was really true! x
ReplyDeletei would choose thomas. although my youngest does love peppa, it would be easier to have thomas when my boys have their friends over
ReplyDeleteId choose the Peppa pig one.
ReplyDeleteI don't know which one yet as we don't know what we're having.
ReplyDeleteHas to be THOMAS, little man loves his trains :)
ReplyDeleteI would choose the Thomas bed in preparation for my little boy
ReplyDeleteMy daughter loves Peppa Pig therefore the Peppa Pig bed
ReplyDeleteThe Peppa Pig one looks lovely and snuggly
ReplyDeleteThomas & Friends cause i dont think my son would be impressed by peppa pig. lol but I think they are both fab.
ReplyDeletepeppa big as there is a little girl that would love it :)
ReplyDeletePeppa Pig Snuggle Time Bed
ReplyDeleteI love the Peppa Pig one
ReplyDeletePeppa pig because my daughter loves peppa pig
ReplyDeletethe boys LOVE Thomas, so i'd have to choose that.
ReplyDeleteThomas, looks cool!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Thomas one for my son - he's a big fan!
ReplyDeleteEmily loves Peppa Pig, so it would be ideal for her.
ReplyDeleteI would choose thomas for my nephew he loves thomas and it's his birthday soon so would be a lovely present if I was to win
ReplyDeleteIt would have to be Peppa Pig - my 19 month old Lola is CRAZY about her - she even mentions her name in her sleep! This would totally be the bed of her dreams, literally! (S.Morris)
ReplyDeletePeppa Pig bed for my daughter, she would love it :)
ReplyDeleteMy son Reece would love the thomas bed he makes a train on his bed at home x x
ReplyDeletei put my twitter id as @vch22217 instead of @vch2217 on the rafflecopter sorry
ReplyDeleteMy little boy is a huge fan of Thomas so it would have to be the Thomas bed that I chose for him
ReplyDeleteThe Thomas bed for my grandsons when they have a sleepover at Nannys x
ReplyDeletepeppa pig -unisex and super cute
ReplyDeleteThomas and friends for my gorgeous nephew!
ReplyDeleteThomas and friends for my son Max x
ReplyDeleteI love the Thomas The Tank bed as every boy loves trains and I know my grandson would so love this thank you
ReplyDeletepeppa pig my niece loves her
ReplyDeleteDisney Princess StarTime Carriage Toddler Bed - I'd choose this for my daughter who loves absolutely everything all Disney Princess!
ReplyDeleteThomas the tank for my little boy
ReplyDeleteI don't have any children but would love to win this prize to donate to charity, to go to Romania. Would choose Thomas
ReplyDeletewould love to win this gorgeous Thomas bed for my adourable Grandson William who is Thomas crazy,
ReplyDeletewould love to win this gorgeous Thomas bed for my adourable Grandson William who is Thomas crazy,
ReplyDeletePeppa pig as my little one adores Peppa
ReplyDeletedisney princess star time carriage because it would fit in lovely with the decor we already have xx
ReplyDeleteThoman the tank engine for my train mad girl
ReplyDeletewould have to be thomas for my grandson Lloyd
ReplyDeleteI would choose the Thomas on for my cute little nephew, I was only discussing with my sister the other week when she was going to get rid of the cot for a wee little bed
ReplyDeleteI would choose the bear hug design, my little boy loves animals and this design is soooo cute x
ReplyDeleteThomas for my nephew
ReplyDeletePoppa pig because my girls love everything peppa
ReplyDeleteMy nephew would love the Thomas bed
ReplyDeletePeppa Pig for my 2 year old daughter she loves Peppa
ReplyDeleteThomas because my 3 year olds crazy on it xx
ReplyDeleteI'd choose Thomas because my little Alfie would love it :) x
ReplyDeleteThomas bed for grandson
ReplyDeleteMy daughter loves Thomas the Tank Engine so would definitely be that one for her! <3 x
ReplyDeleteThomas & Friends Snuggle Time Bed please :) My son would love this it was his birthday yesterday so this would be the icing on the cake ;)
ReplyDeleteI would choose the Peppa Pig Snuggle Time Bed as my niece lives Peppa Pig!
ReplyDeletethomas as my daughter loves the programme x
ReplyDeleteI'd choose the Thomas one as a treat for my nephew who has just changed to a toddler bed successfully
ReplyDeleteI'd choose the Thomas bed because it would go well in my little boys room and he would love it.
ReplyDeleteI would choose Peppa Pig for my little girl as my girls all love Peppa pig!
ReplyDeleteI would choose thomas the tank for my youngest son. He loves thomas.
ReplyDeletei'd like the Peppa Pig one, because i know my daughter would love it xx
ReplyDeleteMy son loves both Thomas and Peppa, but since he has a few Thomas bedroom thing already I think I will have to say Thomas! Sarah Gibson
ReplyDeleteMy son loves both Thomas and Peppa, but since he has a few Thomas bedroom thing already I think I will have to say Thomas!
ReplyDeleteMy son will be having a big boy bed soon, so I'd choose the Thomas one for him! Lovely giveaway x
ReplyDeletePeppa pig
ReplyDeleteThe Thomas bed, for sure - she loves having the stories read to her already.
ReplyDeletePeppa Pig for H she is turning 2 in August and is now able to climb out of her cot so deffo time to go to a toddler bed :)
ReplyDeleteI would choose the Thomas one for my little boy for his 'big boy room' x
ReplyDeleteThomas the Tank Engine. My son loves the original television series and we are reading the Thomas collection!
ReplyDeleteThomas the Tank bed please.
ReplyDeletePepos Pig as she is adored here!. Dxx
ReplyDeleteI'd choose peppa pig
ReplyDeletePeppa pig for my neice
ReplyDeleteI would choose the Thomas & Friends for my grandson who loves Thomas
ReplyDeletePeppa Pig for my *almost* 2 year old niece. She is absolutely obsessed. All she says is "Peppa" :)
ReplyDelete