Move to ‘big bed’ before baby arrives?
My son is two-and-a-half and has had a 'big bed' in his room for the past two months. We read stories in it, but he still won't sleep in the bed. Fortunately, he has never tried to climb out of his cot. Our second baby is due in two months and we don't want to force him out of the cot, causing resentment. (We will borrow a cot for the baby if we need to.) What should we do?
A few months after the baby has arrived would be a good time to make the change to a bed. Of course, if he asks earlier, then go right ahead and follow his lead. You can point out that cots are for babies. You might want to get a rail that is attached to the bed if that helps him feel safer. You can reward him with a special privilege for being a big boy, like extra time before bed, or a special day out with mum or dad alone, so that he can see the advantage of growing up and moving into a big bed. Make sure you tell him how happy you are to have a big boy and how very special he is.
I know this seems like a difficult problem, but it usually works itself out rather smoothly when a child is internally ready to make the change.
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