Moving 21mo DD to big bed-tips please

[jolenje]

Hi ladies!
I am expecting a new bub in 3 months, who will eventually get DD's cot.
I am hoping to move DD from her cot into a single bed very soon.
We have set the single bed up in her room so she gets used to it, it has a pretty doona cover that she loves, and she has been on it and loves to play, bounce on it etc.
I was hoping to start her on it for day sleeps, but have yet to achieve that as she generally self settles in her cot, and won't usually do the 'fall asleep cuddling me/then I transfer her to bed' routine.
She has already tried getting off the single bed, even though it has a safety rail, she just tries to escape through the gaps either end.
I haven't pushed the issue, as I want to ease her into it gently.
I would love some tips and advice that may help this transition to be a gentle one, she has always been quite a good sleeper, and I don't want bed time to become fight time...
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

[Seacretsquirrel]

My DD went into a single at 13 months but she never really tried to get off it was as if she didn't even think to try. DS went into a singel at 8 months and was the same till recently (about 13 months) which is now a bit of a PITA but we do the consistency thing if he gets out we pop him back in if he is upset he get a cuddle and a drink (he takes a water botte to bed with him - we live in Darwin so it is too hot not to have acess to water and the sheets dry fast if it spills :laughing:) We have jsut weaned too so our new routine is a story then some songs till he is all relaxed and still then pop him into bed - sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't but it is getting better.
DD was a bit different as she wasn't as cuddly so wasn't as happy to sit and snuggle but we still did and still do the stories songs routine and it works for us - mostly DD (3) still stalls a lot some nights (drinks, toilet trips, cuddles and kisses and to say she loves us:cloud9: and the latest one monsters/strange noises :hair:) but she gets there!
I think sometimes just biting the bullet is the way to go with DD we took her cot down to fit the bed in so she had no choice (though if it was an issue we would have put the cot back up) but with DS we left the cot up for a few days but they were both 100% fine right from the workd go - though they are younger so I wonder if that helps with the transition as they are less aware of it being a big change.

Good luck hope it is a smooth transition for you

:sleeping: :goodvibes: :sleeping:

[jolenje]

Thanks Squirrel...Maybe I should have thought about it a little earlier...oh well will have to do the best we can!

[MummaFug]

JUST DO IT !!!

Seriously, I stresses about it with my DS and it really turned into a non-event.

We went to IKEA - he picked his bed and 2 sets of sheets, went home, he helped his Dad put it up and then he got in and went to sleep (it was about 2hrs before nap time)...
It took him about 3 mths to realize he could get out of it alone and we have not had a single problem :)

GOOD LUCK

[MothersMilk]

I'm with mummafug - i moved my DD to a single bed at around 19 months and i was so stressed but she took to it really well. The first night was rough but every night after has been a dream. It was a while before she actually realised she could get out but even when she did she still stays in bed all night and only climbs out in the morning to wake me up.
Just get in and do it and :fingerscrossed: it is smooth.
Good luck. :)

[jolenje]

Thanks MummaFug and Mothersmilk...I have her nice and worn out after playing outside all morning, so hopefully she will be tired enough that I can try her for a day sleep in her new bed!
:fingerscrossed:

[jolenje]

I have her nice and worn out after playing outside all morning, so hopefully she will be tired enough that I can try her for a day sleep in her new bed!
:fingerscrossed:

Good news...DD tried an initial escape and then a mini-tantrum once she worked out that i wanted her to stay in the big bed...
Eventually though she settled herself and slept for 1.5 hrs...:yelclap:
Now I just have to keep up the routine, and be firm every time she tries to escape!

[Seacretsquirrel]

Well done mummy and bub - sorry big girl :yelclap:

AS for starting earlier I think I am theexception rather than the rule most people seem to to the bib bed transition once bubs turns 2 ish, or when a new bub is coming!

[MothersMilk]

Well done jolenje :)
Glad it went well for you and your little (big) girl.

[jolenje]

Thanks girls for looking in on us! xo