So, it has finally happened.
Your young toddler has decided to start climbing out of their crib. Your babe is laughing and having a grand time trying to break free. They think it is a game and are SO proud of themselves but parents, well, that’s when the panic starts. There are so many worries flooding your thoughts.
This is dangerous, what if they get hurt?
Is it too early for them to be in a toddler bed?
They were sleeping wonderfully before… how will their sleep be affected with this new skill?
I am NOT ready for this!
Ready or not…your little one is becoming a little monkey. So, I’m giving you some tips on transitioning your little one to a new bed and hope to give you some reassurance at the same time.
You’ve got this!
When It’s Time to Move to a Toddler Bed and How to Do It
by Melissa Bramwell, Senior Sleep Consultant
When Do I Make the Transition?
Ideally, you would want your child to be 3+ years of age. However, that isn’t always the case. As we all know, every child is different and has their own timeline.
Some families transition their kiddo to a bed right when they start trying to climb out. What we forget is that younger toddlers don’t understand imaginary boundaries. They now have a bed that they can easily get out of. They are ecstatic. This is new freedom for them but…
Uh oh….
Now your toddler is getting out of their bed to play with their toys after you put them down for the night…. maybe they are wandering the halls and now they end up in your bed. Your 2 year old doesn’t quite grasp this concept yet. They are so excited they don’t remember they need to stay in their bed.
Does this mean it will go perfect with your 3 year old? No… of course not. However, they understand enough to give it a shot. Most families agree it certainly helps waiting a little bit longer.
Now you're wondering,
“Okay, well how do I keep my child in the crib longer?”
There are most certainly some steps you can take to delay the transition from the crib:
If your crib has a back that is taller than the front… turn it around. The short side will be towards the wall and the taller side will help prevent your little from getting out. I know this isn’t always possible with some cribs but if you are able to do this, give it a shot!
Take objects out that may be helping them get leverage to climb out. Ex. a pillow, stuffed animal, blankets, etc. They may be using the object as a stepping stone. We want to make it harder for them to climb out.
Use a sleep sack. This doesn’t mean it will prevent them from climbing out, but it sure can be another way to prevent them from climbing. Some kids like to unzip it and take it off. If you are having this problem. Put it on backwards!
If your little one is still trying to climb out of a sleep sack, there is another option… Little Grounders PJs. They have a webbing in between the legs so it helps limit mobility. They have sizes up to 2T.
Move any furniture that may be motivating them to get out OR helping them get out.
If Your Kiddo Is Ready for the Change
Amazing! I know it can be scary. However, your child is growing and developing. Celebrate this milestone! Here is some info to prepare you for this new change.
My #1 Tip:
Make sure your child is falling asleep independently before transitioning them to their big boy/girl bed!**
Mattress:
Your toddler doesn’t need as firm of a mattress as they did when they were a baby. Typically, a firm-medium or firm mattress is best.
MATTRESS TIP:
As a parent, try laying on it to see if it is comfortable!
If your mattress is on the floor, like the Montessori method, your kiddo can get in and out of bed so easily… maybe a little too easily. It is basically an open invitation for them to leave their bed. I suggest having the mattress on a frame. You can still put it on the lowest setting, but it just makes it a little bit harder to get out of the bed.
Speaking of beds…
What’s Better: a Toddler Bed or Twin Bed?
The great thing is that it is your choice!
Toddler Bed:
Toddler beds are awesome because they usually have rails to remind your little one the edge is near. It still may even have a crib-like feel to the bed as well. Your child may find comfort in that. However, this bed is used short term. So, in a couple years, you may have to make another transition anyway.
Twin bed:
You get more space right off the bat so that means less transitions! That is a win. However, this may feel like a bigger transition to your child. That just means you may have to work with them a little harder to accept their new big boy/girl bed. Also, you may have to purchase rails if you are worried about your little one falling off the bed.
There is no right or wrong.
Do what is best for your family.
Toddler Pillow:
A big question I get asked is “When can my child use a pillow?” The AAP doesn’t recommend a pillow under 2 years of age. However, if your child is 2+, that doesn’t mean you have to run out and get them a pillow. They don’t know what they are missing. They are used to sleeping without one. A good sign to buy a pillow is if you notice they are using a stuffed animal or blanket under their head. It doesn’t have to be fancy. You can just go onto amazon and look for the best rated toddler pillow.
Room Safety
I bet you have checked your child’s room multiple times in the past to make sure it is safe. It never hurts to have the occasional reminder though. Here are just a few things to check for. You can never be too safe!
Furniture should be anchored to the wall
Any loose cords should be out of reach for the child
Double check there are no choking hazards
Each child should have their own bed
Making the Transition
My suggestion is to jump right in when making this transition. After all, this is your child’s new normal. If you transition too slowly, there is a chance it may lead to some confusion.
Start talking with your child 1-2 days before the transition. The more excited you are, the more excited they will be. It doesn’t have to be a long conversation, just something simple to remind them it's coming up.
“You are growing so quickly! We will be moving you to a new bed tomorrow night. Are you excited? You get to snuggle your princess Ariel doll all night!”
Get them involved! Have the help put the bed together. They won’t be doing much but they will take pride in knowing they helped build their big boy/girl bed. It can be a fun activity for all.
When you are leaving the room at bedtime/naptime, remember this is a new normal. If you tell them, “Don’t get out of bed”, it is an invitation to get out of bed. They may have not had that thought and oh uh, you just put that in their head. Do your normal bedtime routine that you did when they were still in the crib. Once they are in bed, tell them goodnight or say your sleepy word and leave the room.
If they do get out of bed, remain calm. Gently walk them back to their bed. The only interaction you should have with them is letting them know it is not morning time and they have to stay in bed. Be cautious of tucking them back in. That could be a reward for them and motivate them to continue getting out of bed. Boundaries are so important for this age! Those cute little faces try to pull one over on you, but it's important to remain strong!
Use an ‘OK to Wake’ clock. This is something that just shows when it is morning time and nighttime. If you use the hatch, program a green light to show it is morning and they are in the clear to leave their bed.
Use rewards and consequences! Let’s face it, kids try to push boundaries. If you find your child leaving their bed, give them 1-2 warnings. If they continue to leave their bed, the next step is a consequence. There will be tears with a consequence. That just means it is effective. If your child is doing a great job staying in bed, give them a small reward for a job well done.
TIP:
If you are at the end of a pregnancy, wait before transitioning your little one. Unless your partner is able to handle the bulk of it and remain consistent. Consistency and routine are so important!
You Got This!
This transition can sound scary but believe me when I say this: you’ve got this! It is nothing that you can’t handle. As I mentioned earlier, celebrate the milestone of your child moving into a bigger bed. How exciting! If there is a tough night, remember things will get better. There will be a transition period. That is okay. Take it day by day and breathe in and breathe out.
Remember, if you need assistance, we are here to help!
Sweet Dreams…
Kelly Murray is a certified sleep coach and an award-winning pediatric sleep consultant based in Chicago offering sleep coaching services nationwide.
