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Transitioning From Cot to Big Bed - What do you need?

Transitioning From Cot to Big Bed - What do you need?

What are the essentials for moving to a big bed?

Your little one is growing and it’s time to ditch the cot and move to a big bed. Exciting! But potentially worrying and stressful - where do you start and what do you really need?

If your babe has been sleeping well in the cot, you may be worried about them getting up and moving around, falling out of bed or a drawn out bedtime as they enjoy their new freedom (cue the morning coffee). If they’re an active sleeper, you may also be worried about how to keep them cosy and warm overnight. All valid things to think about.  

But it needn’t be complicated. We’ve chatted to some of The Sleep Store team about how they transitioned their toddlers to big beds and what they found useful. Whether your child’s transition has come about because you need the cot for your next baby or because your toddler is climbing out the cot, our team have lived the experience and here’s what they recommended:

  1. Mattress Protection
  2. Wool Underlay
  3. Cotton Sheets
  4. Wool Duvet
  5. Low Profille Pillow
  6. Sleeping Suit
  7. Brolly Sheet
  8. Big Bed Bumper
  9. Gro Clock
  10. Night Light

10 Essentials for Moving from a Cot to a Big Bed

1. Mattress Protection

You’ve got the bed (which may have seemed like the biggest decision), the next thing is to dress it. Start with mattress protection. You’ve likely invested good money in a new bed, so protect the mattress from unexpected accidents with a quality waterproof mattress protector, keeping it free of unwanted smells and bacteria. It’s a great last line of defence when used in combination with a Brolly Sheet. More on Brolly Sheet’s later.

View all mattress protectors >

2. Wool Underlay

Cosy up the bed to keep them in! Adding a wool underlay can help keep your little one warm in winter and more comfortable in summer. Sleeping on wool has been shown to encourage longer, more restful sleep and poor sleep can often be due to being cold. A wool underlay is one way to help your little one stay at the right temperature all night.

If you’re worried about accidents you can use a wool underlay under the mattress protector and it will still help to insulate the bed in winter. Our two most popular wool underlays are both machine washable (win!). And the reversible quilted wool underlay, has the benefit of a cotton quilted backing which can be used in the summer, with the fluffy wool side up in winter. This is more suitable for warmer climates - in cooler areas or rural areas, most of our customers will use the wool side up year-round.

View all wool underlays >

3. Cotton Sheets

If you can, choose cotton bedding. It will breathe well and not be too hot, whilst also being durable and easy care. Involving your little one in choosing their bedding can help them accept the change to their big bed and ease the transition. Start with a fitted sheet and then depending on your child you could choose a top sheet and duvet combo or use a sleeping suit, which they can’t kick off. If you're using top sheets, consider a sheet with a waterproof panel to protect balnkets and bedding from inevitable midde of the night accidents.

 

View all Big Kid Sheets >

4. Wool Duvet

Choosing a duvet / bedding combination can be hard work as it needs to work across a range of temperatures. Choosing natural fibre bedding will help to regulate your childs’ temperature better than a synthetic fabric. We recommend wool for its superior thermal abilities and breathability. Choosing a duvet set that covers all seasons is a good option as it’s just one investment and you can change it over as needed and have everything ready in your cupboard.

Many duvet styles are available that include a summer and mid-season weight, which then snap together for a winter weight. Alternatively you could choose a mid-weight duvet and then add extra blankets for warmth in winter. It’s a good idea to also have either a waterproof duvet protector or a top sheet with a waterproof panel to protect the duvet from any accidents as well - less hassle when washing too!

5. Low Profile Pillow

You may have already introduced your little one to a pillow when they were in their cot. If so, there’s no reason why you can’t use the same pillow in a big bed. If not, look for a pillow with a low profile - children don’t need big, puffy pillows as their neck & spine are still developing.

If you have an active sleeper you may find a pillow helps to ‘anchor’ your child in the same spot, but there’s no guarantee and you may have a child who prefers to push the pillow aside during the night.

 

Read more about when to introduce a pillow >

6. Sleeping Suit

If your toddler has been in a sleeping bag, you may find they struggle to keep sheets or duvets on and then wake up cold during the night. To mitigate this, use a Sleeping Suit such as the Woolbabe Sleeping Suit or Ergopouch Sleeping Suits. These will not only keep your little one cosy all night, but they are safer when getting up and down off the bed (nothing to trip over) and will seem more “grown up” for your little one. Do consider adding a light sheet or blanket to help them get used to blankets long term.

 

View all sleeping suits >

7. Brolly Sheet

You may wonder why you need a Brolly Sheet if you already have a mattress protector. Our staff (and many customers) have found a combination of Brolly Sheet and mattress protector to be the best of both worlds. A Brolly Sheet is the top layer of bedding on your child’s bed, so if there’s a middle of the night accident, all you have to do is whip the top layer off and you’re good to go - the rest of the bed remains dry and is already made up.

If you have an upward wetter consider using a waterproof top sheet or a waterproof duvet protector. Next morning, there’s less washing for you! The mattress protector then provides a final layer of protection in case there’s another accident later in the night.

Read more about Brolly Sheets >

8. Big Bed Bumper

Without the cot bars there’s nothing to keep your little one in bed. Middle of the night falls can happen as your toddler gets used to a bed with no sides. Using a Big Bed Bumper will prevent falls from bed, yet still allow them to safely get up should they wake in the night.

You also need to be aware where you place the bed. If placing it next to a wall, make sure your child won’t be able to roll in between the gap and get stuck as this can cause suffocation. Take care as well of blind cords - if you have loose blind cords, use a safety device to prevent accidents..

9. Sleep Trainer Clock

With the sudden freedom of a big bed, your child may simply get up when they wake up. Unfortunately for us parents, this may be a little earlier than we’d like! Using a Sleep Trainer clock can help your little one stay in bed longer.

You set a “wake up” time and the clock will change colour (or icons, depending on the clock) as wake time approaches. Your child can then get up when the appropriate colour starts to show. We love the Gro Clock and Yogasleep's Light to Rise which also features a night light & white noise.

Read more about choosing and using a sleep trainer clock >

10. Night Light

Many little ones are scared of the dark, so having a night light can provide some extra security for them, especially as they transition to a big bed. It can, of course, be handy for you as a parent too. Look for options which have a soft light and consider a light that can be made brighter or softer as needed.

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Transitioning From Cot To Big Bed - What Do You Need? | The Sleep Store

Boy on big bed with the sleep store organic cotton bedding reading a book wearing woolbabe pyjamas

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