[color=Teal]What a night and day we've had! Kai has never shown too much interest in climbing out of his cot before, but last night he did it 3 times!! And, he didn't just climb out of his cot, he climbed straight over the end of his cot (the highest part!)into his brother's cot!!! o: One minute he's in his cot, and the next he's in with Ryan. This has happened 5 times now since last night, so he's obviously very good at it!!

And, although Ryan flipped out of his cot a couple of times about 2 months ago, he hasn't done it since so all was well. But, today he climbed out of his cot and got stuck between it and the wall!! What on earth is going on with my boys?!?! I think they're a bad influence on each other!!

I was so looking forward to keeping them in their cots until they were at least 2 years old (3 years would have been even better ), but now I'm going to have to order their beds sooner than expected.

It's going to take anywhere from 3-6 weeks for their beds to arrive, so what on earth should we do in the meantime?!?! DH suggested taking the sides off their cots (he'll reinforce the cots with some timber so they're sturdy), but I'm a bit worried about them climbing in and out all the time. I guess we'll just have to take things one day a time, and kid proof their bedroom so there's nothing they can hurt themselves on.

By the way, not sure if you remember but I was looking for king single beds with drawers underneath (we're short on space in their room). I found 2 that are quite good (if anyone's interested for themselves):-

http://www.sleepinggiant.com.au/ (Boston king single bed with 2 drawers - approx $569 each..... I think that's what I was quoted!)

http://www.bunkers.com.au/pr_06.htm (price varies depending on whether you have 3 or 6 drawers underneath the bed..... approx $730-$1,070)

If you've read this far...... thank you! And, if you've got any suggestions for me I'd really appreciate it!

Vanessa |:

When my two get to that stage (3 months old tomorrow) - we plan on taking one side off there cots - therefore being a bed, but not having to buy single beds yet.

[color=Blue]Unfortunately our cots aren't cot/beds, so it's not really recommended (for safety reasons I guess) to take the sides off a cot (unless they're specifically designed to do so)........ or so I've been told! But, DH will take the sides off and add on a piece of timber to strenthen the cots so they don't fall apart. That should hold for a while, until the beds arrive.

I guess what I'm most concerned about is how the boys will cope with the transition. They've always been such good sleepers (12+ hours a night since they were 9 weeks old), so I hope the change to beds (and not being confined in their cot) won't change all that. We've loved having good sleepers, and in turn having good sleep ourselves!

Maybe I'm worrying over nothing, and hopefully things will be OK. But, I guess if I prepare myself for the worst, then anything better than that will be a pleasant surprise! ;p

Vanessa

As far a climbing out of cots we never had this problem as J&C slept in gro-bags until they went into beds (theyre like sleeping bags so climbing wasnt an option.)

They went into beds at 22 months as their sleep was becoming very disturbed because they had out grown their cots.

Now getting them to stay in their beds was somewhat of an issue for about the first 4-5days before they learned that we were SERIOUS :mad: about it! Now they get a stamp in the morning if they stay in their beds all night (Cam always used to get into Joels bed with him and joel would end up getting into cams just so he could sleep in peace)

So I know thats not much help for your original question but I guess youre going to have the same problem with getting them to stay in bed?

good luck



Caz Joel and Cam at 2 1/2years old-"we turn 3yrs in June"

My girls were able to climb out of their cots wearing a sleeping bag, so we HAD to go into beds before they were 2.

What we did, as we didn't have beds to start with. We put their cot mattresses on the floor & used them as a bed. Then they couldn't fall out or climb. The first night we also put a lock on the door (as they wouldn't have stayed in their room).

We tried to keep the same bedtime routine. We then kissed them goodnight & left the room shutting the door behind. The first night DD1 cried a bit, but the 2nd night she was fine.

We had heaps of problems getting them to sleep during the day though. I ended up ringing Riverton in Brisbane & this is what they suggested.

Sit with them, every time they get off their bed, you lie them down again. For my girls, this was every min! I had to get DH to help b/c I couldn't manage myself.

When they start to stay on their beds, move to the door & do the same thing. Then once they stay on their bed, move to just out the door. It sounds easy, but wasn't for us.

After a few weeks, they knew what to do & it was just a battle of the wills. We also got them a proper bed & had a bedrail.

Now, they are wonderful during the day, but tend to muck around at night. Some nights are better than others.

I think how it goes mostly depends on the kids. With mine, they tend to "egg" each other on. Some people don't find the transition hard at all.

Hope it goes well

Belinda

Hi,

We are going though the cot to bed transition at the moment, luckily we didn't get to the stage of the girls climing out of their cots so I'm sorry I don't have much advice about that aspect.

So far we have managed without getting bed guards, we have the cot mattresses on the floor.....which they have never fallen onto, when they fall out they tend to flip out over the end :confuse:

So far the nights have been fine, no messing around, just straight to sleep but the daytime sleeps for the last 4 days have been a nightmare, we have ended up taking them out for drive so that they have their afternoon sleep (something we have never had to do). I will certainly try what Belinda suggested.

BTW we bought the girls single beds from the Australian Bedding Company and they build the bases with drawers if you want them, they were really good and only cost $300 each.

Good luck with your climbers!
Beth

Sophie and Daisy 9/4/03

Hi all, my two as yet dont make any attempt to climb out of their cots. But I wonder if beacause they are in separate rooms that i've been spared this drama so far. The girls are almost 23 months. Our cots are quite big and they girls are short so maybe this might have helped as well. I was looking at beds as my sis is due shortly and it seemed a waste to buy another cot when I have 2 but after reading your stories i'm going to wait a bit longer.

Vanessa can you separate their cots at all? Maybe on opposite walls so they can see each other in bed but not touch each other??
Good luck..

Cheers Rebecca
Me 31
DP 28
Amber and Olivia 08/05/03

[color=Teal]Thank you so much for your replies. You've given me some good ideas, and some hope!

This morning we were laying in our bed when a little face appeared next to DH's side of the bed!! Ryan had climbed out of his cot and walked in to our bedroom! Kai also climbed out of his cot into Ryan's again for his morning nap (although he slept in Ryan's cot last night and never moved once!).

We'll give it a try leaving their cot sides down as low as possible (still a bit dangerous, but not as bad as them falling from a great height!), and I might even try just putting them on their mattresses on the floor. But, I think the time has come to buy their beds......... boo hoo!! ;p

I'm really not looking forward to the transition, but I guess it had to happen sooner or later!

Thanks again for your help.

Vanessa

Hi Vanessa, I feel very sorry for you! We went through this and it's not an easy transition. I miss being able to plonk them in their cots and that's where they stay!

But our boys are fantastic now so there's light at the end of the tunnel. We brush teeth, go into the bedroom, read stories then snuggle them into bed and leave. If they start playing up we go back in and get them back into bed. My boys don't like falling asleep with the light turned down, they like it fairly bright, so we tell them we'll turn the light down if they don't stay in bed and this works for us. We also put a snip lock on the outside of the door so that we could stop them escaping in the beginning and this stopped them getting revved up and running out etc.

We moved them into beds as soon as they started doing the sort of things you're describing as I was scared they would hurt themselves. I think the things you've described are a good idea until your beds arrive. Putting just the mattresses on the floor is also a good idea. We also open out the boys' little couches on the floor next to them in case they fall out of bed during the night- which has happened a couple of times and this saves them hurting themselves. Like Beth, I took my boys for a walk or a drive after lunch most days so they could have a nap, and then carried them into their beds, as otherwise their daytime nap was a battle for me. Now they don't nap, but they go to bed at 7 or 7.30pm. Yay!

On the plus side, I must say that I love my sleepy little boys coming down the corridor and climbing into bed with us first thing in the morning (usually around 7-7.30am). Of course they couldn't do this when they were in their cots. They are so cute and snuggly and I just love our morning cuddles in bed!

Gosh this was a long long post sorry. Hope you have a good night,


Maycee (35)
DH (33)
Twin boys (4/12/01)
DD (7/10/03)

Hi Vanessa,

I was going to suggest moving the cots apart so that there is only floor to exit onto (not the other cot mattress soft landing etc), but sounds like that isn't an issue either!

Good luck!


Steph
DD Alex (March 04)

[color=Blue]Well, we bit the bullet and DH took the side off each of the boys cots last night. I don't know why, but I was in a bit of a state of the "no copes"! I think I could see my usual 12 hours sleep a night boys changing on me! But, I'm happy to say that night 1 went without a hitch! We put them in their cots, tucked them in etc and closed the door. I sat outside for about 15 or so minutes to see how they'd go, and they both fell asleep! No whinging, no crying (well, not from them anyway! ;p ) and they woke up at 7am this morning knocking on their door!

I just hope this wasn't a fluke and they keep up the good work! I'm sure there'll be good and bad nights to come, but so far so good!

I just have to thank everyone who replied to my post. Your support and helpful advice is invaluable!

I'll keep you posted!

Vanessa

just HAD to pop in and say....... WOW they are growing up sooo fast..... but it has to happen huh?

i just ordered Logans new bed last week to, as he has climbed out of his cot a few times lately.

we bought from Bunkers, the "lo-line bunks" so Baden can have the top bunk and logan the bottom. but we got the trundle underneath rather than the drawers, good for sleep-overs.

Am i dreaming, or do the boys look like your DH and his family.... i can see you in them too, but being boys i can see DH's family in them more.


LOGAN IS 2

[color=Blue]Hi Kaz

How are you?!?! Great to hear from you!!

I went out to Bunkers and checked out their beds. They're very well made and very sturdy....... especially good for boys!! The low-line bunks are fabulous, and will be perfect for your boys! The trundle is also a great idea, and I'm sure your boys friends will have a lot of fun sleeping over.

Yep, I think both my boys do have a lot of DH and his family in them, but I can also see my side of the family in them too. But, I have to say we get more comments that they look like their Daddy, than me! I think Ryan's probably a bit more like my side of the family, but there are times when I look at Kai and I can see my mother in him.

Take care, Vanessa

After reading this thread I am now completely freaked out at the thought of moving the girls into beds - I've been joking that if they start climbing, we'll tie them in - now I don't think it's a joke! Any chance we can keep them in cots until they're at school?! LOL

How have the last few nights gone, Vanessa?

Maree

Harriet Lorna 1/8/03
Eleanor Rosalind 1/8/03