Transitioning Your Child from a Cot to Bedroom

Every parent and child will have to face the transition from a cot to a bedroom. While the idea of getting your child used to a new environment may seem daunting, never fear. There are many techniques that can help ease the transition. By working with your child to design a bedroom that they are going to love, you are taking the right first steps towards setting them up in a bedroom they are going to thrive in.

Getting the bedroom right

Firstly, parents should know that there are no set rules when it comes to moving kids into a bed. That being said, the older the better. When your child is close to three years in age is a good time to start thinking about it, otherwise, they are likely too young to be ready for such a step. Of course, your child might be younger than three when they become too big or active for the cot. It really is a case by case decision.

Transitioning from a cot to a bedroom can be made easier by involving the child in the design. Involving kids may make the process slower, but giving them an important job can help ease the transition to the new bed. By letting them pick their new bed, it helps to make them feel like their bedroom is a special place created just for them.

Childproofing

Before moving a child into a bedroom it is important to childproof the area. When your child was in a cot, there were bars around the cot preventing them from roaming around. Most beds will not have bars, so parents need to keep the area safe.

Childproofing a room means making sure that the furniture is attached to the wall. This prevents having cabinets and the like fall on kids if they choose to climb on it. This process should also involve making sure that any wiring or window blind cords have been made safety proof. This way kids can’t get tangled up in them.

Parents might also like to invest in a safety gate. By placing the gate in the child’s doorway, it prohibits them from exploring the house further. Giving you peace of mind that your child is located safely in their bedroom.

Making space for play

Another way to ease the transition from cot to the bedroom is by having space to play in the bedroom. By doing this, parents are showing kids that having a bedroom is actually a fun idea, not a scary one.

Bedrooms typically allow for a lot of free space on the floor. This is actually a great thing in terms of playing. Free space allows for unstructured play. This kind of play fosters creativity. By having no guidelines for the play, kids can experience freedom and control. Experiencing this kind of happiness in their bedroom can help them warm to the change of having a bedroom as well.

Establishing a sleep routine

During the transition from a cot to a bedroom is often a good time to establish a sleep routine. Everything is going to be new, which will energise kids and therefore keep them awake when they should be asleep.

By establishing a bedtime routine, kids are kept calm and relaxed before bedtime which facilitates sleep. Routines help establish a rhythm that kids can stick to and kids like routines. A sleep routine doesn’t have to be a complex one. An effective sleep routine may start 20 minutes before bed or even 2 hours before bed, it depends on the child. The best sleep routines create an environment of relaxation and calm, two perfect ingredients for sleep.

Toy storage

When kids first get their own bedroom it can lead to yet another messy room. However, the key to keeping any room clean is storage. Be it wicker baskets, book bins or built in wardrobes, kids storage comes in many forms.

By having a dedicated place for each item, kids know how to keep their rooms clean. Having a tidy environment has benefits for parents and kids. For kids, a room that is without mess helps sleep. This is because no one can sleep properly in a room that is cluttered because clutter equals stress.

Making the change

Transitioning kids from a cot to a bedroom isn’t as simple as putting them in a grown-up bed and saying goodnight. Instead, this process requires care, time and patience. Put simply, your little person has to get used to a new environment, so making them comfortable is the top priority. Easing the transition by creating a space with your child in mind that has room for play and sleep will help establish routines to help children get a goodnight’s sleep.