Making the Move from Cot to Bed Easier: Expert Sleep Tips That Really Work
By Flic Tyrer | Certified Responsive Sleep Consultant, Creating Dreams Sleep Solutions
Moving your toddler from a cot to a bed is one of those milestones that feels surprisingly emotional. One day they’re tucked safely behind bars, and the next they are wandering into your room at 3am with a proud grin saying, “I got out by myself.” It can be both charming and unsettling. This step isn’t just about furniture - it’s a developmental leap towards independence, and for many families, that realisation lands with more feeling than expected.
As exciting as it is, this change often sparks new sleep challenges. Understanding what’s going on emotionally and developmentally makes the transition far less overwhelming. It’s also why I am such an advocate for sleeping bags, especially Slumbersac’s penguin-style design, as they help toddlers feel calm, cosy and safe during this phase.
Why Cot-to-Bed Changes Can Rock Your Child’s Sleep
Parents commonly make the move when a toddler begins climbing, or because a new baby needs the cot. However, most children under 3 aren’t developmentally ready to manage the freedom that comes with a bed. They are curious, energetic and testing boundaries so they will get out of bed and explore if they can.
Moving to a bed can also feel like a big emotional shift for toddlers. A cot offers a contained, small environment that feels like a little sleep den. A bed, by contrast, is open. Some toddlers interpret this as an invitation to roam, while others feel exposed and unsettled. This combination of freedom and uncertainty can lead to early waking, repeated bedtime “pop-ups”, and calls for reassurance long after lights out.
As a sleep consultant, I also see how this milestone affects parents. Seeing your toddler in a bed rather than a cot can stir a powerful sense of them growing up. Feeling proud, nostalgic or even slightly wobbly about this change is entirely normal.
Extending the Cot Stage Safely
If your toddler is experimenting with climbing, you can delay the cot-to-bed switch with a few thoughtful adjustments.
Keep a sleeping bag in the routine
Sleeping bags are safe, practical and provide the kind of comfort and familiarity toddlers thrive on. They also help your toddler associate that snug feeling with sleep. By selecting the right TOG for the season, you can keep them at a steady temperature year-round.
Use a penguin-style sleeping bag
Slumbersac's sleeping bag with feet is like a pengiun style. They allow toddlers to walk and play giving that lovely independence they crave, while still keeping the warmth and security of a sleeping bag. The shape also makes it much harder for them to lift a leg high enough to climb out of the cot, so they can sleep safely for longer.
Put the sleeping bag on backwards
If your toddler starts taking their sleeping bag off at night, you can even try putting it on backwards (only if the neckline allows and is safe). After a few nights, most little ones lose interest in unzipping it and go back to wearing it normally.
Try dropped crotch pyjamas
On warmer nights or for children who reject sleeping bags, these give the illusion of normal pyjamas while quietly making climbing more difficult as they won’t be able to lift their leg high enough to get over the top of the cot.
Helping Your Toddler Feel Positive About Their New Bed
When you eventually make the move, aim for a space that feels exciting and reassuring.
Try the following:
• Keep your established routine: repetition reduces anxiety and anchors bedtime expectations
• Use familiar sleep cues: comforters, sleeping bags or favourite pyjamas help their body recognise sleep time
• Add a bed guard: to replicate a sense of enclosure and stop them falling out
• Spend time on the bed during the day: reading, cuddling and gentle play build emotional connection before bedtime arrives
Bedtime confidence grows when toddlers feel they have some control. Give them a mini “role”, such as switching on their nightlight or choosing a story. These small responsibilities help them embrace the new environment.
Help Them Understand Morning Time
Once your toddler recognises symbols and patterns (usually around age two), a sleep trainer clock can work wonders. I particularly love the Gro Clock. In our house, saying goodnight to the sun at bedtime and waiting for it to reappear in the morning changed early wakes almost overnight.
The key is consistency. If you allow early rising before the clock shows morning, it loses it's magic.
Prioritise Safety
A toddler with freedom will explore, so make sure their room is prepared. Secure drawers, keep blinds and cords out of reach, and use a stairgate if needed. A safe space gives you peace of mind and gives them autonomy without risk.
If Sleep Has Already Derailed
It is never too late to restore good habits. With a clear routine, calm boundaries and reassurance, toddlers adapt remarkably quickly. Their emotional world might feel big during this transition, but with the right support, they learn that a bed is somewhere safe and restful.
Top Tips for a Smoother Cot-to-Bed Move
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Aim for 2½–3 years if possible
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Use a sleeping bag to maintain bedtime familiarity
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Choose a penguin-style sleeping bag to support safety and independence
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Keep bedtime routines and comfort items consistent
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Confidence develops with time, repetition and patience
Familiarity builds emotional security
Just like adults love curling up in their favourite blanket or pyjamas, toddlers find great comfort in what’s familiar. A sleeping bag can become part of their bedtime identity - it smells like home, it feels like safety.
About the Author
Flic Tyrer is a Certified Responsive Sleep Consultant and founder of Creating Dreams Sleep Solutions. Drawing on her deep understanding of how sleep deprivation impacts the entire family, she helps parents create calmer nights and happier days through responsive, evidence-based support. Her approach focuses on nurturing the wellbeing of the whole family - because when everyone sleeps well, everyone thrives.
Additional FAQs
When should I move my toddler from a cot to a bed?
Most toddlers are ready between 2½ and 3 years old, when they can follow simple sleep boundaries and feel secure without cot bars.
How can I stop my toddler getting out of bed?
Use consistent routines, familiar comfort items and sleep trainer clocks to reinforce sleep boundaries without battles or confusion.
Are sleeping bags helpful during the cot-to-bed move?
Yes. Sleeping bags provide familiarity and comfort, helping toddlers recognise sleep time and reducing unnecessary wandering at night.
What if my toddler’s sleep gets worse after the move?
This is common. With reassurance, predictable routines and emotional support, sleep usually improves within a short time.
