Is it a bad time to move a toddler into a junior bed now?

[Sanne Panne]

Need some advice please! Have seen the "cot to cot bed" thread but wondering what to do in our situation.

We have a 22 month old daughter and a new baby girl on the way (due in June when our toddler is 23 months old). We'll need the toddler's cot in our bedroom for the new baby from day 1 so we need a new bed for the toddler asap. Should we get her a cotbed or a junior bed? She's already used to duvet and pyjamas and sleeps through the night but does happily spend 30 minutes or more chatting to the stuffed animals in her cot before falling asleep at night (50% of the time followed by 5 minutes of angry crying after which we go in to soothe her and then she'll usually go to sleep). She also easily plays in her cot for 30 minutes after waking up in the morning. Does this "cot play time" (followed by the "help me fall asleep" crying at night) habit mean she'll never stay put in a junior bed? Or is she ready for the freedom?

Second question... will a 26 month old toddler (in a junior bed) bother a baby if we move this baby into her room (in a cot) when she's 3 months old? When we were still sharing a room with the toddler (until a few weeks ago - we just moved out of our one bed flat) she would just shout until we'd get up in the morning. Now that she's in her own room she just plays. Does this mean she's going to bother her baby sister as soon as she wakes up? Shake the cot bars and throw toys into the cot etc?

I know it all depends on the toddler but what's your experience/instinct/opinion?

Thanks!

[buggie]

I've not got direct experience of this, but would have thought that a junior bed with side guard added would be most beneficial - can imagine a cot bed would only last another couple of years before it needed changing to a bigger bed (although on the other hand baby would then be using it). The guard could help hold toys in so she could still have them in bed with her.

I was 8yrs when my sister (then 3mths) moved into my room - don't remember us disturbing each other much!

[GinaG3]

You could always buy a cot bed, see how your toddler does without the rails on. If she doesn't seem to get on with it you can put them on, or even just one. It does make a difference to some children, some just like the security of one side up or even both. The cot bed I have can be used up until 8 years. It has been passed down my family for more than 20 years and is still in excellent condition, it may be worth investing then you can still use for other children and you would still have the option for cot or junior bed in one.

As with the baby moving into the toddlers room, I guess you will just have to wait and see. Your toddler will begin to feel comfortable with the new addition, it may take longer than 3 months or it may take less. Every child will react differently to new siblings.

I think its all about experimenting and finding whats right for your child/children, good luck with it all.

[sillywoman]

DD1 was 18 months when DS1 was born. We bought a cotbed for her, then switched to a 'big girl bed' when she was about 3 and DS1 then had the cotbed. It all worked OK. They shared a bedroom from the time she was 22months until she was 5. She was a great sleeper, he was awful - but he never woke her up (only me!), and vice versa in the mornings. Often I'd come in to find them playing together in his cot once he was old enough to be of interest (about 9 months if I recall?) but he never called or cried for me in the mornings if he woke and she was there awake too - they just played. Now of course they're teenagers and hate each other with a passion. Ah, the good old days, sigh . . . .

[Sanne Panne]

If you can fit bed guards (or are they called side guards?) to ALL cot beds (doesn't seem too clear from websites like Kiddicare etc) I think I may go for the cotbed option and just see how she reacts to having one of the sides removed. Don't want to have to choose between high bars or nothing at all, definitely want a guard to keep her from rolling out. What I like about junior beds is that they have those little guards by the pillow which converted cot beds don't (unless you go for the ?367 option). Decisions, decisions...

edited for typo

[Moos]

We converted our son's cot into a cot bed recently - was dreading the constant popping-out of bed that we thought would follow, but so far, not once! I'm sure it will come one day but he adjusted very well and still seems to expect us to come and get him when he's not happy.

[Sanne Panne]

Moos Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> We converted our son's cot into a cot bed recently

> - was dreading the constant popping-out of bed

> that we thought would follow, but so far, not

> once! I'm sure it will come one day but he

> adjusted very well and still seems to expect us to

> come and get him when he's not happy.

Moos, how old is your son?

[Moos]

sorry, that wasn't very helpful of me. He'll be 3 next week.