In what feels like a blink of an eye, your baby has grown into a curious, energetic toddler ready to take on new challenges and stages of their precious life. As a parent, you have the unique role of guiding them through transitions when it's time, but how do you know when it's time to transition out of a crib?
Most children transition between 1.5 and 3 years old, which can still leave you with a lot of questions, especially when deciding when to transition your first child to their first big kid bed.
Though every child has a timeline for transitions from crib to bed, some telltale signs are showing that it might be time to switch out the crib for a toddler bed. Use these signs in combination with your parental wisdom, and soon you'll have your baby in their first big kid bed.
Signs Your Child Is Ready For A Toddler Bed
Your Toddler Is Climbing Out Of Their Crib
If your kiddo is crawling out of their crib and exploring the newfound freedom that comes with their expanding physical capabilities and growing courage, it's probably time to get a toddler bed. Climbing out of the crib is hazardous just on its own as your child could fall and hurt themselves while working to get to the other side. But climbing out of the crib also marks a developmental milestone: your child is hitting an independent streak and showing they are ready to start exploring the world on their terms. A toddler bed is a great way to provide safety and show your child that their newfound independence is recognized by a bed that doesn't keep them so confined.
Your Toddler is Too Big For The Crib
If your toddler is cramped in their crib without much room to stretch out, a toddler bed is a logical next step. Your little one needs space to toss and turn so they can sleep comfortably at night.
You're Starting To Potty Train
Potty training is another significant milestone that shows it could be time to transition to a bigger bed. If your toddler wakes up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, you want them to easily get out of bed and run to the toilet instead of trying to climb over their crib and potentially hurting themselves.
You Feel Safe With Them Being Unsupervised
As your baby grows into a toddler, you've probably noticed that you feel okay with leaving your little one unsupervised for short periods. If your kiddo no longer requires constant supervision, it's another sign that giving the freedom that comes with a toddler bed might be a good idea. Why? If they get up from their bed while you're not there, it's more likely they'll be safe in their room. However, you will want to childproof their space for safety by making sure you have safety plugs in electric outlets and heavy furniture anchored to the wall.
Your Toddler Is Asking For a Bigger Bed
Sometimes you don't have to search for the clues - they'll just be delivered to you! If your toddler is asking for a bigger bed, it's a good sign they're ready. Thank them for communicating with you, and start to make a sleep transition plan!
Transition Tips From Crib To Toddler Bed
Transitioning from a crib to a toddler bed is a big change for your little one. Some kids will make the transition easier without any extra measures needed to be taken, but it's likely your child might have some big emotions to go along with the big change.
If they are overwhelmed by the whole prospect, not to worry. Remember that with patience and consistency a new bedtime routine for your growing toddler will be established. Another milestone in the books!
Remember One Size Does Not Fit All
Your toddler is unique from every other child out there - even their siblings, if they have any! What works for one child transitioning to a toddler bed may not work for another. Use your super-parent intuition, listen to your toddler, and don't try to force anything onto them. Eventually, you'll figure out what works for this significant change.
Maintain Your Bedtime Routine
By keeping other sleep cues from your nighttime routine, your child's transition to a bigger bed will go more smoothly. Keep the same songs, stories, and hygiene routines that you've had before so your child understands that even though the bed is different, it's still time to go to sleep.
Don't Make Multiple Changes At Once
Even though transitioning into a big kid bed is a natural step after potty training, trying to force these two milestones at the same time might be overwhelming for your little tike. Try taking these changes one step at a time, so both you and your toddler stay sane through these changes.
Involve Your Child
Let your kid choose the sheets and comforter and other accessories, so they have some ownership in the transition. If they have a favorite cartoon or book character, try to get sheets and accessories with those characters on them. Your child will be much more excited about their new bed if they get to sleep among some of their favorite friends!
How To Choose A Toddler Bed
When choosing a new bed for your toddler, you'll want to consider two things: safety and design.
A safe toddler bed will have rails on the side to help prevent your little one from falling onto the ground (toddlers are active sleepers and move around a lot), so when choosing a new bed, make sure there are sturdy rails near the top of the bed. With that being mentioned, you'll also want to make sure that the toddler can easily get in and out of bed, especially if they are potty training.
Of course, you and your child can have some fun selecting their new bed with different designs that fit the child's personality or room decor. If your toddler is more resistant to change, you'll want to consider a design that's closer to their crib so that the transition is easier for them. However, if they're excited about a certain design or style that's different than their crib, it's probably safe to go for it! If they're asking for something specific such as a car bed, it's well worth it to get just as excited as they are and get them a bed they can't wait to crawl into.
Safety Tips For Toddler Beds
Just because they don't need your constant supervision doesn't mean that safety shouldn't be at the top of mind when introducing a big bed. Here are some safety tips that will help you make the change fun and secure.
Childproof Your Child's Room
Now that they're not confined to their crib, their natural curiosity could lead them to inspect all the nooks and crannies of the room they were previously confined from. Make sure all electric outlets are covered, and heavy furniture is anchored to the wall.
Position The Bed Safely
Ensure that the bed is placed away from all cords, heaters, vents, windows, and wall lamps so your curious tot doesn't open or pull on anything that could hurt them.
Choose A Safe Bed Height
Choose a bed that's lower to the ground so if your child falls out of bed in the middle of the night, there's less chance of injury.
Check The Bed Regularly
Be sure to check the sturdiness of the bed joints regularly to make sure there is no danger of the bed or rail collapsing and hurting your child.
Check The Mattress Size
If you put your crib mattress in the toddler bed and there are gaps between the mattress and bed, it's time to buy a new mattress. Gaps in a toddler bed are a safety hazard.
Two Biggest Challenges When Transitioning To Toddler Bed
Switching beds may not seem like a big deal to grown-ups, but to our little toddlers who are still making sense of the world, this change can seem overwhelming and bring up a lot of big emotions and behaviors. This can naturally lead to some challenges. With the right tools and a good amount of patience, you and your little one will overcome these challenges in no time at all. Here are some tips for navigating the two most common challenges that come along with the big kid bed transition.
Leaving the Bed
All of a sudden your toddler can get in and out of their bed as they please, and their curiosity and energy are likely to compel them to explore as much as they can both in and out of their new bed. Their wandering might also be caused by confusion because up until this point in their lives they associated their cribs with a place to sleep. Either way, if your toddler is getting up from their crib, know that it's normal.
What to do:
As mentioned above, make sure your child's room is completely childproofed, so they don't hurt themselves
Be consistent: if you hear them wandering around help them get back in their big boy bed or big girl bed so that they begin to understand this is their new sleep space
Keep introducing sleep cues with the new bed.
Waking Up In The Middle Of The Night
Most parents revel in the ease of being able to sleep through the night once their kid has grown into a toddler. However, putting your child in their new big girl bed might disrupt their sleep cycles and cause them to wake up in the middle of the night. There's no fast and easy fix to this problem, just remember to be patient and consistent. Help them get back into bed and read them a story or provide another sleep cue if at all necessary.
You also might want to make sure that your toddler's room is arranged in a way that promotes restful sleep.
Use Your Judgment
Sometimes you might think that your child is ready for one of their milestone changes, but it could turn out that they're not. If transitioning your toddler to their new bed is causing more harm than it is good, it's okay to bring the crib back. Every toddler has a timeline for their big life changes, so it's okay if they're not quite ready to say goodbye to the crib. Eventually, they'll be ready for their big change, and you'll have experience under your belt to prepare for the next try.
Takeaways
We get it. When your new baby arrives home, it doesn't take long for them to become a toddler. At this point in their lives, they will undergo a significant change: leaving their crib to transition to a toddler bed. Your first step will be to have them associate feeling sleepy with getting into bed and falling asleep. During the transition period, you can have your child nap in their new bed. Next, ensure that you establish a nightly bedtime routine. As they enter school, adopting these habits can help regulate their body clock and make bedtime less stressful.
Generally, toddlers sleep better in quiet, cool, and dark rooms and should not drink anything before bedtime; however, small snacks are acceptable. Tuck your child into bed when they are sleepy but awake enough to notice you leaving the room. This technique will help your child learn how to fall asleep on their own and go back to sleep if they wake up during the middle of the night.
FAQs
At what age should I transition my toddler to a toddler bed?
Most children transition from a crib to a toddler bed between 1.5 and 3 years old. This broad range leaves a lot of room for discernment on the part of the parent. Use your judgment and look for the signs that your child is ready to make the change!
What are some signs that my toddler is ready to leave their crib?
If they are crawling out of their crib, around three feet tall, or are starting to be curious about an older sibling who sleeps in a big kid bed, these are signs that it might be time to make the transition. Also, if there's a younger sibling on the way, helping your toddler move out of their crib is a good way to prep them for the role of the older sibling.
What are some safety concerns of moving to a toddler bed?
Since your toddler will likely take advantage of their newfound mobility, you'll want to make sure that their room is childproofed and the bed is positioned safely. Make sure the bed is not placed by heaters, wall lamps, or other hazards that could cause fires. Make sure there are no cords or outlets around the bed. Lock the windows, and make sure drapes are out of reach. Toddler beds should have railings near the head, and they should also be low to the ground. That way, if your little one does fall in the middle of the night, they're less likely to get injured.
What are some challenges of transitioning to a toddler bed?
Resistance to the change/kid not being ready Getting out of bed Having trouble sleeping at first Child feeling overwhelmed/confused
How should I transition my toddler to their new bed?
Make it fun: if they can pick and choose either the bedding or the bed itself, they might be more likely to be excited about getting into their new bed. Take it a step at a time: you can start by incorporating naptime to see how they adjust to the change, then build from there. Keep your bedtime routine consistent. Reward good behavior. Be patient and consistent with challenges that come up.
What kind of bed should I get my toddler?
The first consideration is always safety. Your toddler's bed should be lower to the ground with railings near their head, so they don't injure themselves if they fall out while sleeping. There should be no gaps between the bed and the mattress because your little one could get stuck in those and hurt themselves as well. The fun part is looking at bed design: if your kiddo wants a princess or car bed and you're able to let them help choose the bed, this can be a great way to incentivize them through the change. If you're concerned about them being more resistant, you might want to choose a bed that resembles the crib, so there is visual continuity for your little one from their old routine to their new one. If you're ready to upgrade your mattress or bedding as well as your sleep space, we invite you to shop our selection of high-quality bedding, cushions, and mattresses that will enhance your rest so you can be at your best for your toddler. Shop our mattresses and products today.
