From cot to family bed: when and how
5 min leestijd
Few decisions happen as gradually as this one. One night the child is in their own bed, the next they're with you — and suddenly it just makes sense to set things up around it. Here's how to make the move to a family bed a good one.
There's no single right time
Some families sleep together from the start, some drift into it when night feeds made the nights easier that way, and some only switch when a second child arrives. Every path is fine. What matters isn't when, but that the setup is safe when you do it.
Begin with the space
The most common reason it doesn't work is simply too little room. A 180 cm adult bed quickly feels tight with a baby in between. Think about how many will really sleep there — a year from now too — and choose the width accordingly. 90 cm per adult and 60 cm per child is a good starting point.
Choose a bed that suits the age
If you prefer a lower sleeping height, the floor bed is a natural place to start: a short distance to the floor and no tall edge. As the children grow, a taller continental bed can be nicer for you adults to get in and out of. Some switch along the way — others get it right the first time.
Make the change gently
Children feel change. Move into the new bed in small steps: naps and play in the bed during the day, a steady bedtime routine, and the same comforting things carried over — the teddy, the bedding, the sound of you. A couple of weeks, and the new bed is simply “the bed”.
What you'll need
- A bed wide enough for everyone — ideally with room to grow
- A firm, flat surface with no crack down the middle
- A tight fitted sheet that won't shift
- Light bedding around the youngest
The rest is you. The bed just has to make it easy — and be something to live with for the many years a family bed is actually used.
Veelgestelde vragen
- When is the best time to switch to a family bed?
- There's no single right time — it depends on your family. Many switch when night feeds made the nights easier, or when a second child arrived. Most important is that the bed is wide enough and the surface safe.
- How big a family bed do we need?
- Reckon on about 90 cm per adult and 60 cm per child, and choose a little generously so you don't have to change again as the family grows. We build from 140 to 400 cm.
- How do we get our child used to the new bed?
- Take it in small steps: use the bed for naps and play during the day, keep a steady bedtime routine, and bring the comforting, familiar things over. Usually the new bed feels normal within a couple of weeks.
Klaar om je bed te vinden?
Bouw een familiebed in precies jullie breedte — van 140 tot 400 cm, met 100 nachten proefslapen.