Most children move out of the cot somewhere between two and three and a half years. There is no prize for doing it early. A cot is a safe, contained space, and every month you keep it is a month of easier bedtimes.
The one sign you cannot ignore
If your child is climbing out, the cot has become the more dangerous option. A fall from the top rail is a longer fall than a roll out of a low bed. This overrides every other consideration.
Before you give up, check two things: is the mattress base at its lowest setting, and is there anything in or beside the cot being used as a step? Moving a nearby chest of drawers sometimes buys several more months.
Other signs of readiness
- Reached the cot's stated height limit
- Toilet training and needing to get out at night
- Asking for a big bed and clearly meaning it
- The cot is needed for a new baby
On that last point: if a sibling is arriving, make the move at least six to eight weeks before the birth, or wait until several months after. A toddler who is evicted from their bed the same week a baby appears will connect the two.
Toddler bed or straight to a single?
A toddler bed is low, uses the cot mattress in many convertible models, and feels contained. It is outgrown in a couple of years.
A single bed lasts into the teenage years and often works out cheaper overall. Add a bed rail and it is just as workable. If your convertible cot converts to a toddler bed, use that stage. If not, going straight to a single is a sound choice.
Make the room safe first
This is the real change. Your child can now get out at any hour, in the dark, unsupervised. Before the first night:
- Anchor all furniture to the wall, including chests of drawers, bookshelves and wardrobes. Toppling furniture causes serious injuries to young children in Australia every year, and a newly mobile toddler will climb.
- Secure blind and curtain cords well out of reach
- Cover power points and remove loose cables
- Remove anything breakable at reach height
- Consider a safety gate at the bedroom door or the top of stairs
- Position the bed away from windows and radiators
The first few weeks
Expect some getting out of bed. It is not defiance so much as novelty.
- Keep the routine identical. Same order, same time, same books.
- Involve them in the setup. Choosing the sheets gives ownership.
- Return them calmly and briefly. Minimal talking, minimal eye contact, straight back to bed. Consistency ends it faster than negotiation.
- Use a bed rail for the first months, especially for a child who rolls.
- A dim night light helps a child who now has to navigate a dark room.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the cot mattress in the toddler bed?
With a convertible cot, usually yes. Check it is still firm and in good condition. If it is showing wear after two or three years, replace it.
Is a pillow safe now?
A flat toddler pillow is generally fine from around two years, when a child is in a bed. It is not appropriate in a cot for an infant.
My child was fine and has started getting up again
Common after illness, travel or a new sibling. Return to the calm, consistent approach and it usually settles within a week or two.
See the options
Babyworth stocks convertible cots that grow into toddler beds, along with mattresses and bedding. Visit our Peakhurst showroom to see how the conversion works.
General information only. For furniture stability and product safety see Product Safety Australia (ACCC).