The transition from a cot to a full-size bed is a change that many young parents dread. This new stage in your child’s development and growth is very important, and should be carried out gently and calmly. That’s why in this article we thought these few tips would help you support your child when the time comes!
To begin with, it’s important to talk to your child and explain that they will soon have to sleep in a big bed. So as not to frighten them, you can show them the many advantages, for them and for you, of this change of bed.
– You can explain that they now need a bigger bed because they have grown so much recently and show them all the centimetres they have gained on one of our pretty Height Gauges.
– This future bed will be just as secure as his cot. In fact, we offer a number of House Beds with removable protective barriers to optimise safety. So you can easily reassure your child by showing them that they are now protected by small barriers.
– A big bed will also allow your child to get in and out on their own at bedtime or naptime, as they now know when they’ve had enough sleep!
– We also offer Drawer House Beds: for extra storage space and to keep toys, books or another mattress for when their friends come to sleep at home.
– The big bed is a good way to get closer to your child at naptime or in the evening, to read them a story and be close to them – Our House Beds are perfect for this big change because their designs have been thought out and created based on the Montessori method, which aims to encourage self-confidence, independence, experimentation and gentle learning. Our House Beds give children a high degree of independence in a safe environment, and their house-shaped roof will soothe and comfort them at bedtime.
Granted, this big change isn’t easy, but any change in your child’s development is positive. You need to show them the positive side of this progress to not cause them stress.
It’s true that this change can also be stressful for young parents, and a number of recurring questions can arise: “Will they come and wake us up at 5am or very early in the morning?”
There may be a lot of questions, but rest assured that most of them have answers! For the others, you’ll just have to accept that your little one has grown up. Why not try putting your stress aside and turning it into a moment of joy and celebration! You can invite family or friends to show off your child’s new big bed. Your little one needs to feel valued and that this stage is going to go extremely well, as it’s a very positive change. Don’t hesitate to make them happy by taking them to choose new decorations for their bedroom and dress up their new bed! We’ve got lots of decorations to choose from, including our pretty Braided Bed Bumpers and our wide selection of throws and blankets.
If the situation becomes complicated for your child and they ask to sleep in their cot again, you must not give in. If you go back, your child will understand that the change was a mistake. To avoid this kind of crisis, take a moment with your child in their bedroom and explain to them and make them understand that this is the right time and that you’ve made this decision with them, so there’s no reason to go back to their cot. There are lots of simple tricks you can use to reassure them! Read them the bedtime story in their bed, or give them accessories that will reassure them, like our magnificent lamps, which, thanks to their designs, will soothe and comfort the little ones. To reassure them even more, our Dream Catcher collection is ideal!
It’s also best to avoid making several major changes at the same time. If a little brother or sister is arriving soon, remove your baby’s cot a little before or after a few weeks to encourage him or her to become a big brother or sister. Other events should be avoided during this changeover, such as: a new nanny, the arrival of a little brother or sister, a big move, or starting school. And if the cot is passed on to the little brother or sister, it’s best to wait a few weeks between the two to be sure that your little one has really adopted his or her new “big bed”!
Above all, don’t forget that your child is unique and that there’s no specific age for this step; you’ll be able to find the right time to do it. It’s essential to wait for your child’s consent before making any major changes in their life!
We hope you’ve found these tips helpful.
