Belfast parents urged to review night-time safety as toddler cot escapes linked to injuries ahead of Christmas

A national survey of parents found that more than a third of young children (38 per cent) have suffered a slip, trip or fall after escaping their cot or bed during the night, often without parents realising until the following morning. Child sleep experts warn that families in Belfast could be particularly affected in December, when routines are disrupted, bedtimes shift later and homes become busier during the festive period.

The research, carried out by toddler sleepwear brand Sleeping Stars, suggests night-time escapes are far from uncommon. Three in four parents (77 per cent) said their child has attempted to climb out of their cot or bed, while almost one in three (29 per cent) reported dealing with repeated escape attempts.

In many cases, parents discovered their child had made their way into their bedroom, with 41.5 per cent of escapees heading straight there. Others were found wandering in living rooms (14 per cent), on staircases (7 per cent) or in kitchens (7 per cent), all areas experts say pose a higher risk of injury in low light. Around one in ten parents said they found their child in unexpected places, including bathrooms or utility areas.

Ilona Andrews, a certified child sleep consultant and founder of Sleeping Stars, says the weeks leading up to Christmas are a common trigger for night-time wandering.

“In Belfast, families are often managing later nights, visitors and changes to usual routines at this time of year,” she says. “For children who are just becoming more mobile, that disruption can be enough to prompt climbing and exploring once everyone else is asleep.

“Once a child is able to climb out of a cot, it’s no longer a safe sleep environment. Even if it only happens occasionally, there’s still a real risk of falls before parents realise it’s becoming a pattern.”

Andrews adds that some children begin attempting to climb earlier than parents expect, sometimes from around 18 months. Rapid physical development, winter bugs and overtiredness can all contribute to increased night waking and movement around the home.

She also warns that seasonal clutter can raise the risk of injury.

“With decorations, presents and extra furniture around the house, familiar spaces can quickly become hazardous. Staircases and living rooms are particularly risky for toddlers moving around in the dark.”

Safety advice for Belfast parents

To help reduce the risk of night-time accidents over the coming weeks, Andrews recommends:

• Keeping floors and stairs clear
• Toys and loose items can easily cause trips in low light.
• Moving children out of cots once climbing starts
• Toddler or floor beds reduce fall risk if a child wakes during the night.
• Restricting access to high-risk rooms overnight
• Kitchens, bathrooms and staircases should be secured where possible.
• Choosing well-fitted sleepwear
• Loose or oversized pyjamas can increase the risk of tripping.
• Maintaining calmer, more predictable evenings
• Consistent routines and earlier wind-downs help children sleep more deeply, even during busy festive weeks.

Sleeping Stars is a family-owned baby clothing brand specialising in sleepwear designed by a certified child sleep consultant. Its organic cotton sleeping bags and toddler sleep suits with feet are created to support safer movement and better sleep throughout early childhood.