Transitioning your child from a cot to a bed is a significant milestone — one that can feel exciting but also filled with uncertainty. As a parent, you want the move to be smooth and successful, setting your child up for continued healthy sleep habits.
Step 1: Determine if Your Child is Ready
There is no universally “right” age for transitioning from cot to bed, but from a developmental and behavioural standpoint, age 3 is typically ideal. By this age, most children:
Have the cognitive ability to understand and follow basic rules
Are less likely to repeatedly test bedtime boundaries
Often have stronger independent sleep habits
Before making the switch, ask yourself the following questions:
Is my child consistently well-rested?
Are they sleeping through the night?
Can they fall asleep independently, without parental help?
Are they at least 3 years old?
Do we have a solid, consistent bedtime routine?
If you answered “yes” to all of the above, your child is likely ready. If not, it’s wise to focus on sleep skills and consistency before transitioning. Avoid using the transition as a quick fix for sleep struggles — it often backfires and introduces new challenges, like frequent get-ups and night visits.
Pro Tip: If your child still relies on feeding, rocking, or other sleep associations to fall asleep or return to sleep, work on sleep independence before introducing a new bed.
Step 2: Prepare Your Child Ahead of Time
Young children thrive on predictability and routine. Sudden changes, especially at bedtime, can be unsettling. Preparation is key.
Here are ways to help your child feel involved and secure:
Talk about the transition in advance. Mark the “big bed day” on the calendar and count down to it.
Explain what will happen in simple terms: “You’ll get a new bed! It’s going to be just like your cot, but a little bigger.”
Create a “social story” — a short picture book or slideshow showing them moving from cot to bed and staying in bed all night.
Keep the tone positive and calm. Avoid hype or pressure, which can cause anxiety.
Bonus Tip: Visit a friend or relative who already has a “big kid bed” to help normalise the idea.
Step 3: Set Up the Room for Sleep Success
Your child’s sleep environment plays a major role in how smoothly this transition goes. The goal is to make the room feel familiar, safe, and consistent.
Place the bed where the cot used to be, if possible, to maintain spatial familiarity.
Keep the rest of the room unchanged — avoid major decor overhauls that could be distracting or overstimulating.
Ensure the room is sleep-friendly:
Dim or blackout curtains to keep it dark
Cool, comfortable temperature
White noise machine for consistency
Empower your child by giving them small, age-appropriate choices:
Let them choose new sheets, a pillowcase, or even a stuffed animal or “lovey” for their new bed.
Personal touches help foster a sense of pride and ownership.
Safety Tip: If you’re using a toddler bed or a regular bed with a safety rail, double-check that it’s securely installed. Also, ensure the room is toddler-proofed in case they get up at night.
Stick to a Consistent Bedtime Routine
Once the bed is in place, follow your usual bedtime routine — bath, pyjamas, story, lights out — just like you did with the cot. Consistency helps your child understand that even though the bed has changed, the rules and expectations have not.
What happens next typically falls into one of three categories:
Smooth Sailing: Your child loves the new bed and settles in easily.
Delayed Resistance: The first week or two go well, then your child begins testing limits (frequent get-ups, stalling).
Immediate Pushback: Your child resists the new bed from the start.
If your child is getting up frequently or coming into your room, it’s crucial to maintain firm but gentle boundaries:
Calmly and consistently return them to their bed with minimal interaction.
Avoid reinforcing the behaviour by giving in to extra requests (water, hugs, more stories).
Stay neutral and predictable — not angry, not playful.
Pro Tip: Some families find it helpful to use a “sleep training clock” or visual bedtime chart to reinforce staying in bed until morning.
Step 5: Reinforce Success and Celebrate Wins
When your child successfully stays in bed all night or follows bedtime rules, be sure to acknowledge it with positive reinforcement:
Offer verbal praise in the morning: “I’m so proud of you for staying in your bed all night!”
Use a sticker chart or small reward for several nights of good behaviour.
Celebrate with a fun breakfast or a high-five dance party!
Positive reinforcement not only boosts your child’s confidence but also reinforces the behaviour you want to see more of.
Final Thoughts
The transition from cot to bed is a big step — one that can go smoothly with the right preparation, consistent routines, and a little bit of patience. Trust your instincts, stay consistent, and remember that setbacks are normal and temporary.
If you’ve set the stage with strong sleep habits and clear boundaries, your child will likely adapt beautifully.
Need a little extra support?
If your family is struggling with the transition or bedtime has become a nightly battle, you’re not alone. I have helped hundreds of families navigate exactly this type of scenario and I would be delighted to help yours too!