Whether your child prefers a crib or craves to get out of it, they will eventually choose a sleeping arrangement for the older child. This is another special milestone that parents can look forward to when raising their children.
But when should you transition to toddler beds? How can I make a smooth and safe transition to a toddler bed? Here are some recommendations from experts.
When Is the Right Time to Switch to a Toddler Bed?
In general, parents should make an effort to transition from a crib to a toddler bed before their child climbs out of the crib and could injure themselves, says Mark Widome, MD, MPH,a professor of pediatrics at Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, PA.
Most toddlers have the ability to jump over crib rails when they are 18 to 24 months old and about 35 inches tall. Of course, some babies are very agile and will try to crawl out as quickly as possible (at which point they should be transferred to bed). Other children won’t try to climb out at all.
If your child loves their crib and doesn’t like climbing, it’s fine to let them sleep there after age 2— as long as you’re on the safe side, says Jack Walsh. Executive Director of the Danny Foundation, an organization dedicated to crib and children’s product safety. But Walsh adds that the longer a baby spends in a crib, the deeper their attachment to the crib and the more difficult it may be to transition to a toddler bed.
For example, some developmental milestones in early childhood, such as potty training, moving from a crib to bed can be tricky, so you must consider this relocation separately for your child.
Signs That Your Child Is Ready to Use the Toddler Bed
Some toddlers may be ready for the transition earlier than others, while others may need a little longer than average. Either way. But there are ways to tell if that moment has come or is coming.
- Your child has climbed out of the crib
- The crib is no longer able to accommodate them (the crib rails are lower than their chest or they are more than 35 inches tall)
- They expressed a desire for a toddler’s bed
How to Choose the Right Toddler Bed
Some parents simply place their child’s crib mattress on the floor to facilitate the transition, says Pamela High, MD, chief of developmental-behavioral pediatrics at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island.
Other springs are used for toddler beds, which are usually low from the ground and can accommodate existing crib mattresses. They can be cars, castles, and other attractive shapes.
Dr. Widome says it’s okay to use a toddler bed, but it’s not necessary to keep your child safe. You can always install removable guardrails on the single bed to prevent your child from falling out of bed.
How to Easily Transition from Crib to Toddler’s Bed
Before switching to a large children’s bed, you have to plan your logistics. Follow these tips and tricks to keep your child happy.
Talk About Change
It can be helpful to talk to your child about the upcoming changes. It helps them know what to expect and not be confused by suddenly seeing a bed where their crib used to be. Make sure to answer any questions they may have.
Involve Your Child in the Process
No matter which toddler bed you choose, let your child help pick out the right sheets, pillowcases, quilts, and stuffed animals for kids. This allows you to move towards the “big kid”. The bed looks more attractive.
Establish a Bedtime Routine
As with any transition period, it helps establish predictable routines, Dr. Hay said. If you’ve already established a bedtime routine, stick to it as much as you can. If you don’t have one, start one—preferably a few weeks before the big shift so that you have something comforting and consistent to fall back on as you make the transition.
Consistent bedtime rituals can help toddlers feel grounded. Young children often have ambivalent attitudes about growing up and leaving infancy, so change can be difficult for them, Dr. Widom says. But once they master a new skill, whether it’s giving up diapers or bottles, or moving from crib to bed, they have a real sense of pride and accomplishment.
Child Protection for Your Home
Conduct a safe sweep of every room your child can enter. And ensure that:
- Secure the staircase with doors at the top and bottom
- Bolt bookshelves and TVs to the wall
- Install safety latches on dresser drawers so they can’t pull drawers out and climb with them
- Make sure there are no dangling or loose ropes or wires
- Plug any sharp corners
- Avoid placing the toddler bed near anything that could fall on your child
Some experts even recommend installing a door or locking the door on your child’s door, but you have to consider fire safety. As an alternative, you can use a monitor or install a bell on the door to alert you when they leave the room.
Expect Bumps in the Road
Your child may cry and insist on going back to the crib. Stay positive, expect it will take a month or two for them to fully settle into their new residence. Their newfound freedom may also lead them to go on a lot of excursions. (You put the kids in bed and they come out.) You put them back in bed and they will come out. Calmly get them back to bed and leave the room as soon as possible.
Know That You Can Bring Back the Toddler Cot if Needed
Since they may not be able to fully handle a large bed yet, it is best to hold on to the crib. If necessary, a temporary return is not a big deal: toddlers mature quickly, and your child may be ready in another month or two. Be patient and don’t rush through this important transition.
What if You Need to Transition Your Newborn?
Another factor that may influence you to move your child out of the crib is the arrival of a new sibling. If this is the reason for the conversion, be extra careful; Having a new sibling is a significant change, and you don’t want your child to feel as if they’re being displaced, Dr. Hymers said.
Start transitioning your newborn’s due date one to two months before your newborn’s due date (assuming your child is at least 18 months old), says Dr. Widom. If you can get an older child comfortably in a new bed, when the baby is born, they will think that the crib is a neutral area, not a place for them to sleep.
Dr. Victorym suggests, if possible, remove the crib or store it in another room out of sight. Or designed to make the crib “hard to fall asleep”. It’s filled with stuffed animals, toys, and blankets.
Whatever the reason for the switch, you want to make the switch when there are no other significant changes in your child’s life, says Dr. Widome. For example, avoid taking action if your child is going through potty training, giving up a pacifier, or adjusting to a new childcare arrangement.