Tips on How to Transition From Cot Bed to Single Bed
When your little one starts showing signs that they’re ready to move on from their cot it’s time to prepare their bedroom (and yourselves) for the next step – the ‘big kids’ bed!
Cots soon become outgrown, potty training has begun and your baby might be considering a low budget re-enactment of The Great Escape – before you know it, they’re growing up, getting bigger and their first bed is in desperate need of an update.
For many kids, the necessary transition from their safe and secure cot to new and unfamiliar furniture can be a daunting prospect. Tears, tantrums and disturbed sleep can all be avoided if you find the right bed for your not-so-little one!
Fortunately for you, we’ve rounded up a selection of safe and stylish toddler beds and single beds to help you and your tot through. When the time comes for them to part from the safe confines of their cot, our top tips will leave you and your kiddies feeling confident!
1. Leander Classic Baby Cot
Before your little one has even arrived on the scene, by first selecting a cot bed, these clever designs can save you worry and stress down the line.
Crafted from responsibly sourced Beech wood and carefully moulded into shape, the Leander Classic Baby Cot starts out as a secure cocoon for newborns to snuggle up in. The bed base can be adjusted to suit growing babies, but so too can the frame! Suitable from birth to approximately 7 years of age, with the added conversion kit, adapt the bed to suit your little one’s stage.
By simply removing the sides to create a toddler bed, your little one can get to grips with their newfound independence before jumping straight into a full-sized single bed and potentially becoming overwhelmed with all of that extra space! By transforming the familiar frame from cot to junior bed – in these smaller steps, the whole process becomes much more manageable. And if they still need a little added reassurance, guard rails come available too, so night-time tumbles won’t be a problem.
2. Oliver Furniture Wood Mini+ 4 in 1 Cot Bed
Another great option to start your little one on their sleep journey, the Oliver Furniture Wood Mini+ 4-in-1 Cot Bed converts multiple times to suit every stage of childhood!
Taking them from birth up until the age of 9; when it’s time to leave the cot stage behind, this cleverly engineered FSC wooden bed frame makes the process painless for parents and tots.
Designed with a height adjustable bed base, removable cot bars, interchangeable guard rails and an extendable design – when your little one shows they’re ready for the next step, the Wood Mini+ Cot Bed easily transforms.
An additional conversion kit allows you to create a low loft bed. Not quite a full-sized single bed and set closer to the ground, it’s a great in-between if you’re considering getting a high sleeper bed or a bunk bed in the future. Test the waters first and see how your tot feels about all of that extra playing space below the bed!
3. Isla Toddler Bed
Reducing bedtime anxiety for tiny tots, a toddler bed stage is a life-saver!
Often the fear of separating themselves from their cot is due to the added space a single bed brings. The Isla Toddler Bed looks similar to a kids single bed but in a smaller package.
Surrounding their sleep space, the guard rails keep them safe during the night, preventing tumbles and tears. Little ones are able to access their bed easily from the entrance and jump out of bed when they need to. There is even an optional storage drawer below, perfect for keeping comforters and teddy bears close by should they need another layer of reassurance.
4. Cabane Toddler Floor Bed
Embracing the Montessori principle – the Cabane Toddler Floor Bed encourages independence! Set lower to the ground, the reduced height gives little ones added confidence at bedtime. The fear of falling out of bed is removed and they’re able to hop in and out of bed without struggling. Larger than a cot, but smaller than a full-sized single bed, this intermediate stage changes a scary step into an exciting one.
Style the house bed roof with fairy lights, bunting and hanging decorations, with soft bedding, cushions, and soft toys to cosy up with. They’ll be so distracted by their exciting new abode and accessories, that all thoughts of leaving their cot behind will be long forgotten.
5. Kids Tipi Bed
If your littlun is showing fewer signs of reluctance, they might be ready for something bigger already!
The European full-sized single bed is made less daunting with the lower dimensions and playful tipi design. They’ll have plenty of stretching out space if they need it, but the comfortable and cosy wooden bed frame leaves little ones feeling relaxed when bedtime rolls around.
Add the zig-zag canopy to create a teepee bed of dreams! They’ll enjoy playing inside during the day, familiarising themselves and growing more comfortable with their change in surroundings. And when it’s been outgrown, simply remove and style with their choice of hanging décor!
Completely revamping their ‘big kids’ bedroom? Pair the Tipi Bed with the coordinating furniture and storage and surprise your kiddies when they get home from preschool!
6. Lifetime Wildlife 4 in 1 Combination Bed
Designed for children as young as 2 and suitable until they’re teens, the Lifetime Wildlife 4-in-1 Combination Bed covers all bases and grows with your youngsters! Generally, most tots are ready to move from their cot around the age of 24 months. Making this step simpler for everyone involved, by picking out a bed packed with fun features, tots’ fears will be forgotten.
For kiddies aged 2 to 4, the Lifetime Wildlife bed’s lowest height setting has an easily accessible entrance, with guard rails surrounding the European single. The colourful jungle canopy above them brings added reassurance at night and fun during the day! Next, for children aged 5 to 7, the bed can be raised to provide added storage and encourage independence. It can then be raised again – a high sleeper bed is possible, ready for children aged 8 to 10 years! Then finally when the high sleeper has lost its appeal, teens can benefit from the day bed style single bed.
By keeping the same bed frame throughout their infancy and all through their childhood, bedtime will never be disturbed!
7. Explorer Treehouse Bunk Bed
Not just bringing the Wow-factor at bedtime, the Explorer Treehouse Bunk Bed offers up plenty of options for tentative tots. Little ones have the choice of the top and bottom bunks!
As the lower bunk rests closer to the ground, it’ll encourage tots to get in and out independently and the ladder acts as a makeshift guard rail for added security while they sleep.
To start with, the top bunk might just be used for supervised playing. Kiddies can practice climbing up and down the stairs and playing house, with their soft toys to keep them company. Once the staircase has been mastered and they’re feeling confident about the transition to their bigger bed, they’ll soon feel ready to make the top bunk their permanent quarters! The bottom bunk can then be converted into a cosy nook for reading, playing and relaxing and friends can come over for sleepovers.
8. Vox 4 You 4 Poster Single Bed with Adjustable Height Levels
The Vox 4 You 4 Poster Single Bed was made for tots and teens! The wooden bed frame helps with the transition from a cot to a single bed by adapting the bed base to suit their development.
Starting off low to the ground, toddlers can easily get in and out of bed during the night to fetch drinks and pop to the loo. Giving your little one’s this added independence they’re able to learn to tend to their own needs and find their feet!
When they’re a bit older, the bed base can be raised, offering up added storage space below. Pair with the trundle drawer and keep extra bedding, toys and games tucked away or for the ultimate sleepover set up, add the additional pop-up bed.
The white and natural wooden frame creates a neutral base for any choice of bedding and accessories. As your kiddies’ interests change, simply switch up the décor instead of buying replacement furniture!
Saving you stress in the cot to single bed transition; this futureproof single bed saves you a few pennies in the long run too!
Toddler Beds and Single Beds Don’t Have to Be Daunting!
By selecting a bed design with special features and exciting distractions, your little ones won’t think twice when it’s time to separate them from their cot. If you’d like to find out more about our single bed and toddler bed top picks, call +44 (0) 1305 231231 or email customerservice@cuckooland.com
