Ditching the diapers and moving into a bed – your toddler could be ready for some big changes!
Moving to a bed
Children usually transition to a bed from a cot between the ages of 18 months and three years. Most likely, you’ll make the transition when your child gets too big for their cot or if you’ve got another baby on the way. Although your toddler will love the thought of being grown-up, moving out of their cot can also feel daunting. Get them excited about the change by letting them choose new bed linen and be sure to make a fuss about how grown-up they are. Keep the bedtime routine the same – your child needs consistency when there’s a big change. If you have another baby on the way, try to make the switch a few months before your due date so that your toddler doesn’t feel as if they’re being pushed out. Finally, remember that a bed guard can prevent your child from falling out of bed, but it won’t stop them from getting out! Don’t be surprised if they start coming out of their room at first. Be firm: put them back in their bed, give them a hug and kiss and try again.
Bye-bye diapers
If your little one is ready to say goodbye to diapers, try and pick a quiet week to start potty training as you’ll need to spend lots of time indoors. Once you’ve started, commit to it and don’t use diapers during the day, otherwise, you might confuse your toddler. Each time your little one uses the potty successfully, heap on the praise – they’re more likely to do it again if they know they’ll get a positive reaction. If praise alone doesn’t work, try a small reward. Be prepared for accidents – and lots of them – as learning this new skill will take time and patience. If you aren’t making any progress after a few weeks, your child might not be ready for this big step yet, so try again in a few months.
Question time
You’ve been longing for the day when you can have a proper conversation with your toddler but now that the day has arrived, it may feel like the Spanish inquisition as your toddler interrogates you with endless questions. Along with ‘no’, ‘why?’ will become one of the most used words in your toddler’s growing vocabulary. They will be on a seemingly endless quest to learn about everything. This curiosity is natural, so try and answer as many of the questions as you can but be firm when you’ve had enough.
How are you feeling?
Your toddler is so grown-up, but in many ways they need you more than ever. You might feel especially sensitive if you’ve had (or are having) another baby, wondering how the family unit will work with a new arrival. It might take some time, but you’ll figure out the new dynamic soon enough – and, as long as your toddler knows how much you love them, they’ll grow into their new role as a big brother or sister.
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