When your toddler has reached the age of around two and a half to three years old, he would be able to communicate with you, more aware of his surrounding and environment, learning to socialize with other kids his age and he’s a pretty funny person too!

However, it also comes with challenges being in the “terrible two” phase.

Some may not be able to communicate very well and he is finding it hard for his parents to understand him as he tries to exert his newfound independence.

Needless to say, sleep is just another one of the challenges that comes with having a toddler.

If your child has not been put on a good sleeping routine, you will face even harder bedtime struggles, particularly around the age of two.

It gets worse when your child is moved to his own bed too soon.

When is the right time to transition from a cot to a bed? As late as possible.

For some reason, parents like to rush this transition.

Perhaps we’re eager to help our babies grow up.

Maybe we think it will be easier for us as parents when our kids can become more self-reliant and get in and out of bed when needed.

The truth is, this transition is pretty tough and delaying it is really the best thing you can do for your entire family!

Please don’t move your child into a bed until he is three years old.

Unless you need to do it earlier due to two possible reasons: a new baby is on the way who will need the cot and nighttime toilet training.

If you are having another baby, perhaps consider putting the newborn in a pack-n-play or bassinet until you need to move her to a cot when he’s bigger.

If that’s not acceptable, you might want to borrow a cot from a friend. Anything you can do to delay this transition will be worthwhile in the end.

The main reason why you should delay this transition is because a child who is younger than three may not understand the responsibilities that come with sleeping and staying in bed.

He now has the freedom to get in and out of bed as he pleases and that would be a nightmare if you need to send him back at every awakening in the night.

It would be frustrating and as a result, both you and your child end up going back to old habits again.

You need to establish rules and sleep manners that you will need to set up front and making sure that your older child understands them and if they break the rules, there will be consequences.

Never punish a child because he keeps getting out of bed.

Instead, use consequences such as taking away his favourite TV show the next day or favourite toy for breaking the rule.

Be sure to be consistent and follow through with it.

Otherwise, your child would be smart enough to call out your bluff and will not take sleep manners and rules seriously.

For following the rules, use a behavioural sticker chart. Most toddlers love receiving rewards and it is a very effective positive reinforcement. Follow the rule, and your child gets a sticker.

When he gets five stickers, he can choose a toy of his liking from a special toy box that he can only play with if he is rewarded with stickers.

The next best tip to help with the transition is to get him a toddler sleep clock where it enables your child to know when it is okay to get out of bed.

This is almost always helpful as a sleep aid to get your child to stay in bed at the pre-determined time.

Of course, you should also let him know when it is okay to come out of bed like when he needs to use the toilet, for example.

Here are tips for the transition from crib to bed:

• Wait until your child is three years old
• Establish firm sleep rules and manners as a family before making the move
• Purchase a toddler sleep clock
• Use a behavioural chart with a rewards system (5 stars and you can pick a prize from the special toy box)
• Be firm – in the middle of the night it is easy to just crawl into bed with your little one but it is a very hard habit to break – stick with your plan
• Make sure your child is not over-tired by allowing for an earlier bedtime if necessary

About the Author
Sarah Ong is the first Certified Child Sleep consultant in Malaysia. Sarah received her sleep training program and certification as a Maternity & Child Sleep Consultant in 2012 from the International Maternity Institute in California, USA. For more information, head to her website https://sarahong.co/