Many parents, especially first-time parents, wonder when is the ideal time to move their little one from the cradle to bed and above all how to succeed in the process.
The truth is that there is no fixed time, but it is usually at 2 or 3 years old. There are 3 reasons that will tell you that the time has come for the change: your child is already too big for the crib, moves too much or no longer sleeps in a diaper so he needs to go to the bathroom during the night.
If the change to bed occurs due to the arrival of a new member to the family, try to make the change a few months before the birth of the little brother. If you make it coincide in time, he can take it as an invasion of his privacy and adopt a jealous posture towards his new brother.
Things to always keep in mind:
- If the cot was in your bedroom, the first thing to do is to move it to a separate room a few months before making the change. Do not make both changes at the same time: from the paternal room to the children’s room and from the crib to the bed.
- It’s a process of adaptation, don’t try to do it all at once because it won’t work.
- The bed should always be against the wall and on the other side it should have a protective barrier. Realize that he is used to not falling no matter how much he moves.
- Do not vary the rest schedule. Don’t let yourself be blackmailed by your child, who will surely ask you to go to sleep later because you have changed to bed.
- Make him part of the change: choose his new sheets, buy him a new lamp or decorate his room to his liking.
- When he manages to sleep for a week in a row, reward him with a fun plan and congratulate him for getting older.
- During the first few days, make continuous visits and do not close the door of the room, he may feel locked in.
- The bed should not be too high, nor should it be near windows.
Firstborns are usually the ones who have the most difficulty with this change. Little siblings, in their attempt to look like their older siblings, will want to sleep in a bed for as long as they can remember.
Each child is different, what we do know is that once they get used to it… they feel very proud of themselves!
In our stores in Malaga we have models available for children’s beds with the perfect characteristics for them, ask us!
