Safe bedroom for son

[BeckyMorley]

Hi there, my son has learning disabilities, he’s 3 years old nearly 4 (he has a rare chromosome disorder). The OT has given me a safety mat to use in his bedroom if we were to take the cot sides down but I’m really concerned he’ll hurt himself in some other way. He is non-verbal and can’t really let us know if he’s hurt/stuck/needing help. He can walk a little but has poor muscle tone and mobility which means he can’t easily get himself back up again if he falls. I’d love to let him sleep in a toddler bed but I’m really worried about him, mostly if he were to get out of bed in the night without us knowing. He loves going to sleep so I don’t see that part being the problem it’s just a real worry if he wakes in the night. We can put a baby gate on his door and make the room as safe as possible but I’m hoping for any other advice from anyone who has made this transition from cot to bed please? Really want to try but I fell very nervous. Thanks

[frances_is_a_sibling]

Hi @BeckyMorley Thanks for saying what a lot of people in the same situation will be thinking. Of course you’re nervous, why wouldn’t you be? It’s a big step and it’s clear from this post just how much you love your Son like nothing else in this world. You just want to keep him safe. Is there a way you could grade this to take it steady (for both you and for him?). Such as trying the toddler bed for one night out of seven, then two, then three etc… Keep us updated on progress. All the best.

[Alfeeee]

Hi. I worried about this when my son, who also has learning disabilities, was very young (he’s now 22!) - and I’m sure it’s something most parents feel nervous about whether their child has a disability or not.
I put a stair gate on the door, put a mattress at the side of the bed, so he wouldn’t hurt himself if he fell out of bed, and had a baby monitor, so I could hear any loud thuds etc!! In this day and age, it’s easy enough to put a webcam as well, so a quick glance would reassure you that all was well.
Just make the rest of the room as toddler-friendly as possible (which I’m sure you’ve done anyway) and give it a try.

[BeckyMorley]

Thank you for your kind message. I think we’re going to just give it a go but luckily enough we have a toddler cot bed so if it just isn’t working we can always put the sides back up again. Going to give it a go this weekend and fingers crossed x

[BeckyMorley]

Thanks you. Yes I’ve just bought a stair gate for his room and luckily enough the OT has given me a small, crash mat type thing to put next to his bed but it is a very low cot bed anyway. I think I just keep worrying he’ll have an accident with something he finds in his room but really I know in my mind that it is just safe toys. We’ve ordered a new storage unit which we can fix to the wall, it should arrive tomorrow and once we’ve got the unit in place we’ll give it a go taking the cot sides down at the weekend. I know exactly what you mean, I did have these same worries about my daughter when she was changing from cot to bed and she doesn’t have learning disabilities, it has helped to remind me that it is just a natural thing for us to worry about so thank you. And although he is non-verbal he can shout and make very loud noises so I’m reassured now that he would at least try and tell us if he was stuck/hurt/anything else. We’ll give it a go and see how he gets on. He does love going to bed so hopefully that won’t change!! xx

[frances_is_a_sibling]

@BeckyMorley You’re welcome, let us know how you get on this weekend