[hunter4]

Obviously it depends on the child. Both mine did much better in a bed than in the cot and we're moved before their 2nd birthdays, in many ways I wish I'd moved them earlier as it really did improve their sleeping. I never had problems with them getting out, neither of them even tried it that I can remember, we keep bedroom doors closed around here and they were more than happyto stay put.

[julz78]

DD1 was in a single bed at 11 months, she was a climber and frightened the hell out of me when I found her lying asleep on the floor after she climbed out I was outside hanging out a load of washing. We had wooden floors and I was terrified she was unconscious at the time or worse.

DS we bought a different cot for that could be turned into a toddler bed and as soon as he showed any signs of climbing we converted it to a toddler bed this was about 10 months of age. He stayed in toddler bed until he was nearly 3 and getting too big for it.

DD2 we bought another convertible cot for because we were expecting another climber but we are lucky so far at 14 months she isn't trying to climb, she just stands up and screams.

In the OP's case I would buy a bed, preferably one you can set at different heights and have it on the lowest level, unless he is really happy in the cot and I would just buy another one, you can pick up good quality second hand ones cheap

[Sassy Girl]

Our four children all went from co sleeping to their own bed at two years of age.

[Bluenomi]

DD is 2 and I'm aiming to keep her in her cot until she's 3. She doesn't climb and loves her cot so I see no reason to change things.

[howdo]

DD1 was just under 2 - we needed the cot cos the baby outgrew the cradle.

DD2 was just under 3 I think - we had to wait until we could afford a bed.

DS was 11 months and wouldn't go in the cot so we bought him a bed.

As to the question of how we stopped them trashing the house - doors. We closed them.

None of them ever had a rail except DS did have a large wooden cut out of a red car that acted as one. They didn't fall out of bed though I was never actually worried that they would tbh.

[HeroOfCanton]

I'm amazed some kids were still in cots at 2.5- 3!

DD went into a get at 17 months because she would wake screaming to be let out of the cot. We took the side off and had her in a toddler bed until we got pregnant with #2, then got her a single bed.
No issues anymore - she wakes once at night & walks quietly into our room across the hallway. She asks to be picked up, and snuggles in between us with minimal interruption to our sleep - win!

[Princess.cranky....]

I'm an 'if it isn't broken don't fix it type of person' Our toddlers were more than happy to be in their cots and I saw no reason to get them out.
I had 3 cots going at one stage. I think they were all in cots for at least 2.5-3 years.
Those who climbed out just did.

Totally agree with that. No rush. DD1 was 2.6 years and DD2 3.4 years when they moved to a big bed. DD3 is 20ths and I won't be moving her anytime soon.

16 months age gap I would be getting another cot. I just think that age is too young for a bed.

I have exactly 2 years between DD2 and 3. We got a cheap second hand cot for DD3. We did not want to move DD2 because she was happy in the cot and with a new baby coming we did not want to mess with what was working. And it is easier when they are confided to the cot.

And when they are older they understand what was happening and not to get out of bed. We had no problems at all with getting our girls to stay in bed.

I'm amazed some kids were still in cots at 2.5- 3!

Depends on the child I guess but my kids loved the cot and we were in no hurry to move out of it. And there is no rush.. if they are happy then I say leave them in the cot as long as possable.