Making the cot to toddler bed transition smooth and stress-free

Transitioning your child from a cot to a bed is a significant milestone in their growth and development.  For some parents, this step is exciting; a sign that their child is growing up.  For others, it can stir mixed emotions as the baby days begin to fade.  Alongside the emotions, many parents worry about how this change might affect sleep, boundaries, and bedtime behaviour.

If you’re preparing for this transition, or wondering whether now is the right time, you’re in the right place.  This guide will help you understand when to make the move, how to do it well, and what to do if it feels harder than expected.

Is your child ready for the move from cot to bed?

Timing is one of the most important factors in a successful cot-to-bed transition. While many children make this move somewhere between 18 months and 3½ years, age alone is not the deciding factor.

Children are more likely to cope well with the transition if they:

• Are sleeping well overnight

• Can settle themselves to sleep independently

• Are not experiencing significant night wakings

• Show an interest in a ‘big kid’ bed or are climbing out of the cot

• Are physically too big to sleep comfortably in the cot

If your child has not expressed interest in moving to a bed, it’s worth gently asking them how they feel about it.  Some children are not emotionally ready to give up the security of their cot, and moving too early can unintentionally create sleep difficulties that weren’t there before.

Unless there is a safety concern, such as climbing out of the cot, waiting until your child is 2 years or older often makes the process easier.  Older toddlers have more understanding and are beginning to develop impulse control, an important skill when staying in bed becomes part of the expectation.

An important note on sleep

Moving to a bed is not a solution to poor sleep.  In fact, the transition tends to go much more smoothly when a child’s sleep is already settled.  If bedtime battles or night wakings are ongoing, addressing these first will set your child (and you) up for far greater success.

Before moving on, it can help to ask yourself:

• Am I considering this move because my child is ready, or because I feel pressure to do so?

• Is my child currently coping well with sleep, or would this add another challenge?

If you’re unsure, that’s completely normal and it’s often a sign that taking a little time to plan or seek guidance could make things easier.

Involving your child in the process

When children feel included, transitions feel less overwhelming.  Talk to your child about the change ahead of time and involve them in setting up their new bed.  Let them put their favourite teddy to bed, choose familiar bedding, and celebrate their role in the process.  This helps build excitement while maintaining emotional safety.

Safety comes first

A bed gives your child more freedom, so it’s essential to ensure their environment is safe.

• Use bed rails if your child is used to sleeping against the sides of a cot

• Secure furniture such as wardrobes, bookcases, and drawers to the wall

• Consider stair gates and window safety catches where needed

• Check the room for anything your child could access unsupervised

Creating a safe space allows you to be confident in holding boundaries at bedtime.

How to make the transition as smooth as possible

• Keep everything else the same: bedtime, bedtime routine, comfort items, and sleep environment.

• Avoid introducing multiple changes at once (for example, don’t add a pillow and duvet at the same time as moving out of the cot).

• Support impulse control during the day with games like Simon Says or musical statues.

• Maintain clear, consistent bedtime boundaries.

If your child gets out of bed for genuine needs (illness, toileting, distress), respond calmly and reassuringly.  Otherwise, quietly guide them back to bed with minimal interaction. Being predictable (and a little boring!) helps reinforce expectations.

Managing common challenges

It’s very common for sleep to be a little unsettled at first.  For most children, with consistency, things begin to improve over days or weeks.

However, if your child:

• Repeatedly gets out of bed despite consistent responses

• Becomes increasingly anxious at bedtime

• Sees sleep disruption worsen rather than improve

• Was already struggling with sleep before the transition

…it may be a sign that they need more support, or that the transition needs to be slowed down or reworked.

For children aged 3 years and older, tools such as a Bedtime Pass can help support boundaries while still being responsive to your child’s needs.

Remember: this is one step in a bigger journey

The move from cot to bed is just one part of your child’s wider sleep and developmental journey.  Emotional regulation, impulse control, confidence, and sleep skills all play a role in how smoothly this transition unfolds.  Some children move through it with ease; others need more time and support and both are completely normal.

Celebrating progress

Celebrate the small wins: the first night in the new bed, staying in bed until morning, or calmly returning to bed after waking.  Let your child know how proud you are of them. Positive reinforcement builds confidence and helps them feel secure in this new stage.

When extra support can help

You may benefit from additional guidance if:

• Your child’s sleep deteriorates significantly after the move

• You feel unsure about boundaries or consistency

• Your child experiences anxiety, heightened emotions, or sensory sensitivities

• You’re feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or worried about ‘getting it wrong’

Every child will move from cot to bed in their own time.  Try not to compare your journey with others; what matters most is that your child feels safe, supported, and secure.

If you’d like help deciding whether your child is ready, navigating a tricky transition, or strengthening sleep foundations before the move, personalised sleep support can make all the difference.  You don’t have to figure it out alone.