Cot to Bed Transition: Timing & How To | Parenting Hub
When to move toddlers from cot to bed, how to do it safely, and how to handle the disrupted sleep that often follows.
Most toddlers can stay in a cot until 2.5–3.5 years. Here's when to consider the move to a bed, how to make it safe, and what to expect.
When to move
There's no fixed age — most children move between 2.5 and 3.5 years. Move sooner only if there's a clear safety reason (e.g. climbing out and risking a fall). Many children can stay in a cot longer if they're settled and safe.
Signs they may be ready
Look for a combination, not just one sign.
- Climbing out (or trying to) — main safety trigger
- Cot is too small for comfort
- Toilet training and needing easier access at night
- A new baby needing the cot (move toddler well before the baby arrives, or wait a few months after)
- Asking for a 'big bed'
How to make it safe
The room is now the safe space, not the cot.
- Use a floor bed or a low single bed with a guard rail
- Anchor heavy furniture to the wall
- Cover power points and remove cords
- Use a baby gate at the doorway if there are stairs or unsafe areas
- Keep the room temperature and lighting consistent with cot setup
How to do it
Make it positive and predictable.
- Talk about the change in advance — book about it, choose sheets together
- Keep the same bedtime routine and sleep cues
- Try the new bed for naps first if possible
- Expect 1–4 weeks of disrupted sleep — bedtime wandering is normal
- If they get out, calmly walk them back without long conversations
When to see a doctor
If the transition triggers weeks of severe sleep disruption or anxiety, talk to your maternal child health nurse or GP.
When to seek urgent care
A fall from the cot or new bed with head injury signs (vomiting, drowsiness, behaviour change) needs urgent assessment.
When to seek help
- Head injury with vomiting, drowsiness or behaviour change
- Persistent severe anxiety or distress at bedtime
Common questions
When should we move from cot to bed?
Usually between 2.5 and 3.5 years, or sooner if climbing out is a safety risk.
Should we move them before a new baby arrives?
If you can, move at least 6–8 weeks before, or wait a few months after — so the change doesn't feel linked to losing their cot to the new baby.