How To Transition Out Of The Crib To A Toddler Bed

1. How To Transition Out Of The Crib To A Toddler Bed

2. Your little one will probably give you some clear signals when they’re ready to transition out of the crib to a toddler bed, the most common of which will be attempting to climb out of the crib the minute your back is turned! Other clues that they are outgrowing their crib may be that they begin to show displeasure at being left in it and take much longer to settle down. As with all stages of a child’s development and growth, the age at which they may be ready to make new transitions such as moving to a ‘grown up’ bed, can vary greatly from child to child, and it will be down to you as a parent or guardian, to pick up on the signals and judge when it might be the right time to make the move.

3. But don’t worry, nobody knows your child better than you, and in most cases, you should trust your own judgement and instincts. When might your little one be ready for a big kid’s bed? As previously mentioned, there are no set rules as to when a child should progress to a big kid’s bed from a crib, but in general, 18 months is the average age when this might be appropriate. However, if your little one is not content with their crib anymore and tries to climb out if it regularly, then the decision to move them is probably a sensible and safe one!

4. Tips for making the crib to bed transition smooth and stress free: No two children are the same, and while some of these tips may work for one tot, they may not necessarily work for another, but they are certainly worth trying when you’re thinking about moving your little one to a bed: • Try your best to get the timing right: If there are factors in your little one’s life which may be causing stress or anxiety, such as the birth of a sibling or attending a new nursery etc, then it might be best to delay the move to a bed until things have settled down. Too much change all at once could be difficult for them to cope with.

5. Make the transition less scary with a convertible crib: These cribs become toddler beds when the front panel is removed, and this may seem less of a drastic change for your tot. • Make the transition exciting: Get your child to help you choose colourful sheets and comforters for their new bed, or even some new stuffed toys to try and make the whole process seem exciting; you could even let them select the bed.

6. Don’t forget to make the transition safe: While childproofing is of paramount importance for all parents and guardians, it’s always worth reassessing whether your child’s room is safe enough for them to be left alone in. If they tumble out of bed, will they bang their head on a sharp object? Or if they try to leave the bedroom, are they likely to have an accident involving stairs or windows? • Try not to alter your child’s bedtime routine: If possible, keep the bed in the same place where the crib was, and stick to your usual bedtime routine to help your child transition naturally and smoothly.

7. Be firm with when bedtime begins and play time ends: The new bed and/or new room will doubtless instil some excitement in your child, and they will want to toddle around and explore their new environment. However, to make sure you’re not kept waiting for hours for them to settle, try to be clear and tell your child when they must get into bed and remain there, and when play and exploration time must end.

8. Exercise patience and give praise when it’s due: It’s vital that you don’t lose patience with your little one when they’re transitioning from their crib to a toddler bed and try to remain calm, any change in your tone or attitude will serve only to make your child frustrated and stressed, and the whole bedtime routine could be disturbed. You must remain with them until they settle, too, otherwise they will be straight out of bed the minute you leave the room!

9. When your child does as you ask of them, praise them and perhaps even give a small reward if they continue to behave well; encouraging them to repeat their good behaviour every bedtime. Making the transition from crib to toddler bed is a milestone in any child’s life, and while it may not always go smoothly, there are things you can do to ensure that at least your child remains safe throughout the transition, since getting out of the bed and exploring is a far more exciting prospect than getting into the bed might be!

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