Bella Creations Articles

OCTOBER 2006

SAY GOODBYE COT, HELLO BIG BED!

I always try to write about subjects that I have experienced or am experiencing and this is one area that we are getting ready to tackle. I must say with a new baby coming along and what I'm sure will be lack of sleep to follow, I find it mildly terrifying to think we may have two children awake at night because of this transition. It has been recommended that we wait a while until after the baby is born and all has settled down as much as possible before we encourage the big move. This is one bit of advice that we are listening to but it's not making my anxiety any easier. You see our beautiful little boy has been the perfect sleeper since about 6 weeks old and to anticipate that this may all change at the drop of a hat, well I'm sure you'll understand my apprehension.

So I thought I would share with you some of the tips that I have come across in readiness for this BIG MOVE!

• Encourage your little one to help make a decision about the bed linen to go on their new big bed. Perhaps give them a choice of two that you think would be suitable rather than letting them make the decision totally themselves-who knows what you might end up with if you did!
• Initially make the bed a fun place to be. Perhaps read some books on there at times throughout the day.
• Once they seem to think this big bed is a great place to be perhaps suggest they have their daytime sleep there.
• It might help to point out that he/she is a "Big Boy/Girl" now so they get to sleep in a big bed like Mummy & Daddy.
• If you are met with resistance and gentle persuasion gets you no where, don't push it. Let it go and try again the next day.
• Once they have experienced a good daytime sleep in the bed, then perhaps try a night time sleep.
• Always follow the same routine followed when they went to bed in their cot.
• If you have a "Night Wanderer" explain firmly that "it is sleep time now" and walk them back to bed. You may have to repeat this several times a night but whatever you do, don't give in and let them sleep with you or you will form a habit that is very difficult to break.
• If all else fails and you still have a "Night Wanderer", get a safety gate to go across the door and explain to your child that if they continue to get up during the night, you will have to close the gate. Make sure that you follow through with your threat if they do get up!
• Don't take your child's cot away from them for a new baby if you can help it as this may cause ill feeling. Wait at least six weeks before the new baby goes into the cot.

I hope that some or all of these tips help you during this difficult transition. If you have any tips or views then please share them with us. We may publish your views in upcoming Newsletters. Email us click here.