Moving from a cot to a big bed

A big bed is a proud moment, and often a wobbly one: with no bars, your toddler can get up whenever they like. Here’s what UK guidance says about timing, safety and the first nights.

When should my toddler move to a big bed?

There’s no single right age. NHS services in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough say most toddlers move between about 18 months and 3 years, and it’s different for every family. Many parents make the change when their toddler can climb out of the cot, or is too big for it.¹ The Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) says children should only move up when they’re old enough, or when they start climbing out, as that’s a fall risk.²

If your toddler is happy in their cot, Sleep Scotland says there’s no need to rush. Without the cot sides, toddlers often get up to explore and come and find you.³

A new baby or nursery on the way? An NHS leaflet says starting nursery, potty training, a new baby or moving to a bed can all unsettle a toddler’s sleep,⁴ so it may help not to make the move at the same time as another big change. Sleep Scotland suggests not moving a toddler out of their cot for a new baby: they may have mixed feelings about a baby in the cot they still remember as theirs.³

How do I make the big bed safe?

• Low is good. CAPT says toddler beds are usually low enough not to be a serious fall risk, and suggests keeping the floor beside the bed clear.²
• Bed guards. CAPT says only use one made to British Standard BS7972, for children from 18 months to 5 years, fitted exactly to the instructions, with a 250mm gap at each end to avoid strangulation risks from smaller gaps. On an adult bed, a child could fall either side of the guard, or while climbing over it.²
• Against a wall, with no gap. Australian guidance suggests pushing the bed flush against a wall to reduce falls,⁵ but Red Nose, an Australian safe sleep charity, warns a child can get trapped between the bed and the wall.⁶ If it’s against a wall, check there’s no gap.
• No top bunk before 6. CAPT doesn’t recommend the top bunk for children under six, because of serious falls.⁷

The Lullaby Trust’s safer sleep advice, including no pillows or duvets, is for babies up to 12 months.^8,9

Now they can get up, is their room safe?

• Stairs. The NHS says to use safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs until your child is at least 2.⁹
• Blind cords. RoSPA says never fit a blind with a looped cord or chain in a child’s bedroom, and keep their bed away from the window. Elsewhere, fix cords with a cleat at least 1.5 metres up, and don’t cut them.¹⁰
• Furniture. RoSPA says chests of drawers look like climbing frames to a child and pull over easily if they aren’t secured, so fix furniture that could be pulled over to the wall.¹¹
• Windows. Keep low furniture away from windows, and fit restrictors or locks (keep the keys handy in case of fire).^7,9

How do I keep bedtime the same?

The NHS suggests keeping a similar bedtime routine as children grow, winding down with calm things like reading.¹² A review of the research says a routine, the same predictable steps in the hour or so before lights out, is linked with earlier bedtimes, falling asleep faster and waking less. Most studies show a link, not cause, and rely on parents’ reports.¹³

In one trial of 199 toddlers aged 18 months to 3 years, mothers randomly picked to follow a short routine for two weeks (a bath, lotion, then a quiet cuddle or song) reported fewer night wakings and less calling out. The other group didn’t change. It was funded by Johnson & Johnson, and relied on mothers’ reports.¹⁴

• The same steps, every night.¹³
• Bring the comforts. Their old bedding and a favourite toy or blanket can help, and a spare toy is useful.^3,4
• A short, familiar story in bed.³ My Big Bed is about this very night.
• Give it time. Turn screens off at the start of the routine, and stick with it for at least two weeks: it may get worse before it gets better.¹⁵

What if they keep getting out of bed?

An NHS leaflet says being able to get out of bed, wanting independence and separation anxiety can all disturb a toddler’s sleep, and a big bed can bring resistance at first.⁴

• Calmly walk them back. Remind them it’s bedtime and put them back into bed, every time, without conversations or arguments. Sometimes they just need a reassuring cuddle first.¹⁶ Try not to get impatient or cross.⁵
• If they want you there, sit with them as they settle, then move a little further away, towards the door, over days or weeks, keeping it quiet and boring.^3,4

There’s little research on the move itself: this advice comes from NHS services and safety charities, not trials.

Getting support

If sleep is a struggle, or you’d like help with a routine, talk to your health visitor.^12,4 The Sleep Charity’s National Sleep Helpline gives free advice to parents of children from 12 months.¹⁷