Is Your Toddler Ready to Transition from Crib to Bed?

When to Transition Toddlers from Crib to Bed

Hey, it's Sara here with some real talk on a very common issue...when toddlers should be transitioned from cribs to big-kid beds!

I will say, I see a lot of parents making this transition way too early. OR they make the transition to make room for a new baby. And that's not the right reason to transition a toddler from a crib to a bed!

To us, as adults, getting a new bed isn't a big deal. We can generally sleep anywhere – home, hotel, grandma's house, etc. To a very small child, this transition from a small, contained sleeping space is a massive undertaking! It could even cause anxiety, nightmares, and many repeated “visits” to your bed at night because they feel a bit lost in this new, unfamiliar, giant bed with no sides.

Let's make sure the toddler is ready for this new step up:

• the child is at least 3 years old

• the child is climbing out of the crib and could potentially get hurt (try other methods first such as dressing them in a toddler sleep sack and lowering the mattress all the way down)

• no major life changes such as new house or new baby at the same time
  

If it is a good time to make this big step, or if you end up having to do so prematurely because your child is a climber, let's help make this go as smoothly as possible!

• talk to your child about what is going to happen, let them know what to expect and show them the bed

• let them be involved in picking out bedding with their favorite characters

• let them choose a new lovey that stays only in the bed, to comfort them at naptime and nights

• implement a family rule: they stay in their bed until you come to get them, just like in the crib

• consider using an Ok-to-Wake Clock
  

P.S. Getting toddlers to stay in their beds all night is kind of my specialty ;) Book a free 15-minute call with me and let’s figure out how your child can hit that goal too!

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