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Transitioning from Crib to Toddler Bed
Transitioning from Crib to Toddler Bed
(13 Comments)
Is your child ready to start transitioning from crib to toddler bed? If he is frequently climbing out of his crib or if he is 36 inches tall or more, it may be that time. This is a big moment for you and your child as he takes another step closer toward independence and you see your child growing up right before your eyes.
The Right Time
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So, how do you know that it's the right time? Suddenly realizing that you have an escape artist is a good clue. Most children make the transition to a big kid bed somewhere between one and a half and three and a half years old. Usually when a child is about 36 inches tall she is considered big enough leave her crib behind. If she is big enough to climb out she can get hurt or get stuck dangling from the crib rail.
Another clue that your child is ready is if he has learned to use the toilet. He will appreciate being able to get up on his own during the night if he needs to. If he has to call for help, he may have an accident which is frustrating for you and for him.
There is no reason to rush your child to move to a toddler bed however. You can extend the use of her crib by lowering the mattress as low as it can go. Don't forget to remove the bumper pad as soon as your child starts climbing. Some parents like using a mesh crib tent to keep their child from escaping. However, this can also pose a danger because it can be difficult to remove in an emergency.
A New Baby
Maybe you feel that you have to move your child to a new bed because you have a new baby on the way. There are two ways to handle this situation. One is to start several months before the new baby is due to help you child adjust to a new bed.
It may not be a good idea to tell him that he needs to give his crib to the baby. He may end up resenting the baby for taking his things. Just allow him the excitement of getting something new and being a big kid without the pressure of having to grow up before the baby comes.
You could also consider allowing him to transition after the baby comes. Most likely the baby will start out sleeping in a bassinette anyhow. This will allow your older child a few more months in his crib. This is a good option if your child is very young and may not be emotionally ready to make such a big change.
Making the Change
When you are sure that you and your child are ready to make a change in beds, be sure to take it slow. There are many ways to do this and only you can decide which one is the best way for your child.
One option is to simply place the crib mattress on the floor. This way you won't have to worry about your child falling from her bed. Put the mattress in the same place as the crib was set up so everything will feel the same as it did before.
You can also try buying a toddler bed. This is a great option because you don't have to buy a new mattress; the crib mattress fits perfectly. Take your child along to pick out his new bed. There are many styles to choose from and he will love to pick out something fun. Let him select his own bedding as well. Make a big deal about this special event.
Once assembled, allow your child to use the same blankets that he used in his crib so he'll feel more secure. He might even want to pick a special stuffed animal or other toy to sleep with as well.
A final option is to get a twin or full sized bed. You can purchase guardrails for the sides to keep her from falling out. Once again, she should be allowed to use the same blankets from her crib. She will also enjoy picking out pretty new sheets for her big, new bed.
A Few Tips
Some parents have had success by setting up the new bed in their child's room a few months before the transition from the crib. Doing this allows your child to sleep in his big bed for naps but still gives him the security of his crib at bedtime. You can also give him the option of which bed he wants to sleep in at bedtime.
Other parents find that the best way to make the change is to take down the crib and put it away. This out of site out of mind method may work well for you as well. However, if your child still doesn't like her new bed after a few nights, allow her to go back to the crib until she is ready. This shouldn't be thought of as a punishment; it simply means that she isn't ready for a big bed yet. As with potty training, it doesn't need to be rushed. Once a child is ready, she'll spend the rest of her life in a grown up bed. A few months will not matter a bit.
Avoid making this transition if there are other major events going on in your child's life. A recent move or the arrival of a new brother or sister is stressful enough. Allow your child to deal with one stress at a time.
Make sure that you don't forget your child's normal bedtime routine. A bath, pajamas and a bedtime story will ease your child into bedtime. Children tend to respond well to routine and it may take some of the stress out of getting a new bed.
Nighttime Wandering
If your child takes advantage of his new found freedom to roam the house as you sleep, he may not be ready to be in a toddler bed just yet. He may also be having nightmares and can finally run to his parents' room for reassurance. This is something he may have had trouble doing when he slept in his crib.
Lovingly but firmly take your child back to his bed. Tuck him in and tell him it is time to go to bed. Some parents solve this issue by putting a baby gate across the doorway of their child's room. Others simply close the door. Either way, this too shall pass.
Just remember, as your child grows up she needs your guidance and reassurance. Even small achievements are big milestones to a very young child. Celebrate each accomplishment together and she will grow up with confidence.
Kathleen Roberts is a freelance writer and editor as well as the mother of five children. She writes about pregnancy, parenting, gardening and natural living. Kathleen enjoys spending as much time as she can in the outdoors with her family in the Florida Keys where she enjoys scuba diving, bicycling and anything else that will allow her to interact with nature.
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Reader Comments & Discussion
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13 Comments | Add Comment
Esperanza, TEXAS
07/26/2010 11:18 am
My son sleeps in a play pen and i just feel like maybe it isnt comfortable for him anymore. so im thinking about switching the only concern is we sleep in the same room and im scared he will wake up while we are sleeping and destroy the house lol any advice?
Sarah Rae, Longview, WA, USA
06/11/2010 12:34 am
My daughter never got through one night in a crib, she coslept with us and has been going back and forth between her toddler bed and our bed since she was just 10 months old, until just the last couple weeks, she's finally been sleeping in her bed every night without a fight. At the same time, her 22 month old brother is showing interest in a bed as well!
blue, Townsville QLD
05/20/2010 7:43 pm
I have the same problem as Narelle and have done the same thing and is 3months pregnant. My son climbed out of his cot yesterday and landed straight on his head. I dont want to take that risk again and have removed one side of his cot and used a rail. well, he slept for an hour, then ended up in our bed for the rest of the night!! :( ideas ideas ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Narelle, WA, AUS
05/17/2010 8:41 pm
Our near 2yr old has figured out how to get out of his cot. Now night 3 in toddler bed & we have a night walker & crier!!! We put a gate by his door, but he hasn't got the message to stay in bed & sleep. I am 4mnths pregnant & exhausted with all this night waking!!! HELP
yvonne, nelson, new zealand
05/16/2010 11:40 am
Hi ther i have tried putting my 21 mnth old son into a big boy bed on several occasions and he will go to sleep fine noramlly with some cuddles from me but every time he will wake at about 1am and stay awake till 3.30 4am and im completly lost as to what to do he ends up back in his crib but still stays awake. he is really exited about the bed and loves the fact that mummy and daddy have a big bed but he wnt last the night and putting a gate up doesnt work either he stays up for hours.... also any tips on weaning him off the bottle theres never been a dummy but cannot get rid of this bottle he has to go to sleep with it wont go any other way.
Lorri Randle, Utah, USA
05/05/2010 3:55 pm
We moved our 2 year old to a big boy bed just two nights ago. He is in the 99% for height and the crib just wasn't fitting him any more. I am also due with number 2 in July-9 weeks.
He use to sleep 10 hours at night and take a 3 hour nap in the day. Our problem isn't at night, he is so tired he falls right to sleep-its during the day for naps the past two days.
The thing is, he isn't crying to get out, actually he doesn't want to get out when I go get him. He LIKES his new bed TOO MUCH. He loves to roll around and explore and talks the whole entire 2 hours I leave him in there now.
Most articles I've read talk about what to do if your child isn't sleeping because they want to get out and are crying, any suggestions on what to do if he is playing now?
I know he isn't ready to drop the nap because he gets really cranky too soon before his regular bed time (7:30) and no way can he go from taking a 3 hour nap to no nap at all in one day.
Should I put him back in his crib for the sake of the nap?
lorriparent@gmail.com
Angie, Indiana
04/13/2010 2:59 pm
Elyse...
We went through the same thing with our three year old. He slept with us until January 2010. It was my new years resolution to get him into his own bed. It was a long long week and a lot of patience. We still let him keep his light on door closed, closet doors open, sheets just perfect..ect. He has been doing very well and has his toddler moments where he needs a reassurance that were are there and a little snuggle. I tried stories on my ipod, several different white noses, and he eventually just started telling us what he liked and didn't like. Good Luck and remember to breathe! Stick to your guns and don't give in.
ELYSE, TN,US
03/03/2010 10:30 am
WELL MY DAUGHTER SLEPT IN HER CRIB UNTIL SHE WAS ABOUT 4 MONTHS OLD..AND SINCE THEN SHE HAS SLEPT WITH HER DADDY AND I IN OUR BED..SHE IS NOT 2 YEARS OLD..AND ITS GETTING KIND OF CRAMPED IN OUR BED..I NEED SOME SUGGESTIONS OF HOW TO GET HER FROM OUT BED..TO HER OWN BED
Ginger, MT, USA
02/19/2010 11:24 am
To Brittany, I am going through almost the same thing, my son doesnt wake up at night yet. But he wont stay there when I am trying to put him to sleep. Everything I have read says you put them back in bed and tell them the rules about bedtime and staying in bed the first time they get out of bed. The second time, you dont say anything. I have watched the show the supernanny put a kid back in the bed like 100 times, and it works. I hope it works for me, and hope I have the patience to keep going!!!
Ginger, MT, USA
02/19/2010 11:21 am
TO Gail, I wouldnt put her in a todler bed unless you feel like it would help. Its not prolly not the crib thats upsetting her, its sleeping, maybe even alone. There are several theories that go with this. My son used to wake up crying, and it was because he wasnt ready to wake up. So I would let him cry it out, and he would go back to sleep, it took about 3 days, and by the third day, he was getting himself back to sleep, not a single tear. The anxiety about going to sleep can possibly be soothed with a very drawn out routeen to make her feel comfortable in her room, then in her crib. A book of her choice next to the crib. Then one in the crib. Sing her a song. Sit in the door way, and read her one of your books. The sound of your voice being calm and consistant will tell her its ok. We started this with out son when he was 1. If you just keep with it for a week, you might be surprised.
Crystal, Minnesota
07/30/2009 1:59 pm
Brittnay from PA, You need to be firm, it will be hard (my husband is away during the week and my 5 year old is allowed to sleep with me only when he is gone and when she is being rewarded. This was very hard to "engrave" into her as she wanted to sleep in our bed every day of the week once I allowed her to sleep there. Our youngest sleeps better in her own crib). We stick to a set bedtime shedule and do the same thing everynight before cuddling on the couch together to read two books, one for each child. You probably should take the television out of her room, and substitute it with another reward that she ONLY receives when she has slept through the night. Something like a point system where if she earns so many stars, she will be able to have a baking day with her mom, have a picnic in the park, or read an extra book at bedtime, etc.
Gail, California, USA
06/28/2009 3:35 am
My daughter has always hated her crib. She has never once woken up happy and playful and the sight if it makes her nervous and upset. She is only 19 months old, but I am thinking about transitioning her in to a toddler bed, though I'm not sure she is ready for it. She wakes up often in her crib and is hysterical almost immediately. Any thoughts? I guess I'm hoping a change of bed will help her sleep without so much anxiety.
Brittany, PA, USA
11/24/2008 11:56 am
It was very hard for my daughter to sleep in her own bed. She is 2 years old and since birth she has always slept in the bed with me. I moved into a new house and she finally had her own bedroom. The first night was great, she was excited to sleep in her own bed. She slept the whole night through. From then on, she wakes up about 3 - 4 times and tries to get into bed with me. The only way i could keep her to stay in her bed when i put her back in was to put a TV in her room and put on Dora. Any suggestions?!
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