[jo-v]

A few weeks ago we took the sides of DD's (19m) cot, we did it a few months earlier than with DS but we were having a big spring clean of their bedrooms so at the time it made sense.

It started off well but has now deteriorated to her getting up at around 3am and not being able to get her back to sleep till 6am. We're all blooming exhausted. Seriously thinking of putting the sides back on but have a feeling that now she knows there is an alternative she'll just create merry hell (which is what happens if we shut her door to keep her in her room.

What age did you change? How did you deal with them getting out of bed? We've tried repeatedly returning her but it doesn't work. (This does work at bedtime though). Because DS comes into our bed (always has) she wants to do the same but problem is he goes straight to sleep and she doesn't, plays around, pokes people in the eye, ear, mouth etc. or gets back up and plays.

Can't remember what happened with DS but don't remember it being this bad. Maybe she is just too young to get it?

(Not a fan of letting my kids cry it out for lengthy periods so leaving her in there with the door shut is not an option).

[Covert]

DS is 21 months and we haven't even thought about doing it as I fear we would have the same problem.

I'd be interested to hear other people's advice!

[Liz75]

My 34 month old is still in a cot. He has a bed in his room but has shown no desire to sleep in it. He loves his cot so we will keep him in there until he out grows it or he asks to sleep in a big bed.

[lovealpacas]

Just before her second birthday. And she has always slept with the door shut so we have never had a problem with her coming to our bed. For quite awhile she wouldn't climb out of bed at all, but now she does and for the past month or so she has developed delay tactics at bedtime, she gets out of bed and knocks on her door and asks for something (cuddle, drink, etc). We just put her back to bed without engaging with her. After a few times she gets the idea that she's not getting any attention so she stays in bed. Maybe try that OP. It could be a few tough nights but if you are consistent then it could work.

[AvadaKedavra]

When they outgrow the cot/can climb over the rails. DS was 2 years and 10 months. He has friends who are 3 and have just been moved. They need to be old enough to understand WHY they should stay in bed. Because from a kids point of view, why on earth would they WANT to stay in bed. All the awesome fun people they love are out there having fun, and you've given her a chance to come play. Hell, I'd take it.

I know some people dont have a choice as they have younger siblings coming along and they need the cot back... but if you don't have that scenario, I'd delay it until they are old enough to be reasoned with.... closer to 3 in my opinion!

[jenchristo]

We moved DD1 at 28 months. We moved house and had #2 arriving in 6 weeks so it made sense. Otherwise we probably would have left her in the cot for containment purposes.

[lovealpacas]

Oh I forgot to mention why we moved DD from her cot when we did. She's a very tall girl and even though she couldn't climb out of her cot, she was just too long for it and was waking herself up when she banged in to the sides and ends. She needed a bigger sleeping space, otherwise she would have stayed in it for a bit longer.

[Guest_~ Pearl ~_*]

20 months because he kept trying to climb out and hurting himself in the process the little monkey!

I use a toddler gate and then he would get up open the door and play by the light coming through the door and then I put a child safety lock on the door and he still gets up and plays for a bit sometimes but he know he cant get out so he just puts himself to sleep.

Sometimes he trashes his room but he will eventually hop into bed and go to sleep.

I take the child safety lock and open the door once he has gone to sleep just to let some heat and air into his room.

[mummasaurus]

I only recently moved my son into a double bed, during the week of his third birthday (he chose his special 'digger truck' quilt cover as a birthday present). Prior to that he was in a toddler-sized cot, ie. one that can be converted to a toddler bed.

We had no reason to move him to a bed earlier, and I'm glad we waited as long as we did as he has settled into his big bed really easily. I'm not one to force children into change before they are ready- preferring a to adopt a child-led motivation to most aspects of parenting- and thus far this approach has worked well for our family.

[melanieb530]

Oldest two both on their 3rd birthday, youngest is still in her cot as she is not yet 3.