Your growing child needs a good night’s sleep in the right bed.
The transition from cot to bed is a major milestone in your child’s life. The timing of this move often depends on your child’s physical skills and emotional readiness. It’s also important to invest in a bed that will support your child’s growing body.
Children develop at different rates, so don’t worry about making the change by a specific age. As a general guideline, children are ready to move from around 18 months to three years old. This might vary between siblings. Your second child may even be ready to make the move sooner than your first-born.
Getting the timing right for potty training is also important, read our article here.
Signs that your child may be ready for a big bed:
- Climbing: If your toddler can climb out of the cot, then it’s time to change. Climbing could cause falls and injury, so your child will be safer in a low bed.
- Growth spurt: Babies physically outgrow the cot. Once they start to get so tall that they are no longer comfortable lying down in the cot, a bed could be a better option.
- Toilet training: If you’re potty training your child and he or she no longer uses nappies at night, then knowing how to get in and out of bed at night will give them the freedom and control they need.
Once the time comes to make the change, you’ll want to give your little one a bed set with correct support for their growing body. The Sealy Singles bed is a good option. A good night’s sleep is essential for your child’s development. A comfortable and supportive mattress can make all the difference. The Sealy Singles mattress provides optimum spinal support for your child.
Find out more about how much sleep your child needs.
The Singles range of mattresses offers hypoallergenic properties to combat common household allergens. It therefore delivers a fresher sleeping experience. With layers of pressure-relieving foam and an exclusive double offset spring system, they provide comforting support. This allows your child’s body to rest and recover after a long day of play and learning.
Tips to simplify the shift from cot to bed:
Keep things familiar
Transfer your child’s favourite toys or blankets to the new bed. Keep their bedtime routine the same. Putting the new bed in the same place as the cot will also help.
Toddler-proof the room
If your toddler can climb out of the new bed, then make sure the room is a safe environment. Secure any electrical devices and install plug covers on plug points. If the curtains or blinds have cords, move them out of reach, or change to window coverings that do not have cords.
For safety, railings are a good idea. Your toddler is used to rolling around in a cot and being “caught” by the high sides. Safety railings will prevent them from rolling out of bed.
Make it exciting
Let your toddler know ahead of time that they will be changing beds and ensure it becomes a fun event. Make a big deal about it and praise them for trying out the new bed. You can involve them in the process as much as possible by letting them choose the bed and bedding with you.
Be patient
Your toddler might not adjust straight away to their new bed. This means that, even though they have been sleeping through the night for some time, you might have some sleepless nights in the beginning. Give them time to adjust to the new arrangement and be patient. If you are frustrated, then your toddler is likely to get more frustrated, too.
Where to find a suitable bed?
Bravo Brands is South Africa’s largest furniture and sleep products manufacturer with seven world-class factories producing thousands of pieces of furniture per month for 10 brands. These have all become renowned household names in South Africa and include bedding products under brand names such as Edblo, Sealy Posturepedic, King Koil and Slumberland; and lounge products under brand names such as Grafton Everest, GommaGomma, La-Z-Boy and Alpine.
