From cot to toddler bed: a step-by-step move
Short answer: Many children move between about 18 months and 3 years, often when they start climbing out. A cot bed can convert with the same mattress.
Step by step
- Pick a calm time, not alongside other big changes.
- Keep the bedtime routine the same.
- Use side guards at first.
What the guidance says
- Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition, with no raised or cushioned edges, that fits the cot or Moses basket with no gaps.
Shop at Baby Kingdom
- Obaby Maya Toddler Bed
- Flair Alfie Wooden Toddler Bed White & Oak
- Kidsaw Freshtec Starter Foam Toddler Cot Bed Mattress
- Kidsaw Jinsen Single Cottage House Bed White Solid Pine
Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
How long can you use a toddler bed?Can a 1 year old have a pillow?When can a baby sleep with a duvet?What safety standard should a toddler bed have?Is a toddler bed right for you? Quick quizCan a 6 week old sleep with a duvet?All toddler beds and big-bed moves advice →
Sources
- The Lullaby Trust: Baby mattresses and bedding (accessed 2026-10-21)
General information only, not medical advice. Always follow your product's instructions. If you are worried about your baby, contact your GP, health visitor or 111. In an emergency, call 999.